As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 1, 2021
Registration No. 333-__________
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
___________________________________________
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
____________________________________________
CALADRIUS BIOSCIENCES, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
| Delaware | 22-2343568 | ||||
| (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) | ||||
110 Allen Road, Second Floor
Basking Ridge, NJ 07920
(908) 842-0100
(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)
__________________________________________
Todd C. Girolamo, Esq.
SVP, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
Caladrius Biosciences, Inc.
110 Allen Road, Second Floor
Basking Ridge, NJ 07920
(908) 842-0100
(Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)
____________________________________
Copy to:
Jeffrey Schultz, Esq.
Mintz Levin Cohn Ferris Glovsky and Popeo, P.C.
Chrysler Center
666 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10017
__________________________________________
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to public: From time to time after this Registration Statement becomes effective.
If the only securities being registered on this form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. o
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. o
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. o
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. o
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. o
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 (Check one):
Large accelerated filer o | Accelerated filer o | |||||||
Non-accelerated filer x | Smaller reporting company x | |||||||
Emerging growth company o | ||||||||
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. o
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
| Title of each class of securities to be registered (1) | Amount to be Registered (1) | Proposed Maximum Offering price per unit | Proposed Maximum Aggregate offering Price (2)(3) | Amount of registration fee (4) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock, $0.001 par value per share | — | (5) | (5) | (5) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share | — | (5) | (5) | (5) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Debt securities | — | (5) | (5) | (5) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Warrants | — | (5) | (5) | (5) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Units | — | (5) | (5) | (5) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total | — | $150,000,000 | $16,365 | ||||||||||||||||||||
__________________
(1) This registration statement covers the registration of such indeterminate number of shares of common stock, such indeterminate number of shares of preferred stock, such indeterminate principal amount of debt securities, such indeterminate number of warrants to purchase common stock, preferred stock or debt securities and units consisting of any combination of such securities, as shall have an aggregate initial offering price not to exceed $150,000,000. If any debt securities are issued at an original issue discount, then the offering price of such debt securities shall be in such greater principal amount as shall result in an aggregate initial offering price not to exceed $150,000,000, less the aggregate dollar amount of all securities previously issued hereunder. This registration statement also covers an indeterminate amount of securities that may be issued in exchange for, or upon conversion or exercise of preferred stock, debt securities or warrants being registered hereunder or pursuant to the antidilution provisions of any such securities. Any securities registered hereunder may be sold separately or as units with other securities registered
hereunder. Includes an indeterminate number of securities that may be offered or sold by affiliates in market making transactions.
(2) In United States dollars or the equivalent thereof in any other currency, currency unit or units, or composite currency or currencies.
(3) The proposed maximum per unit and aggregate offering prices per class of security will be determined from time to time by the registrant in connection with the issuance by the registrant of the securities registered hereunder.
(4) Estimated solely for purposes of determining the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933. The $150,000,000 of securities registered hereunder includes $1,392,423 of securities (the "Unsold Securities") registered pursuant to Registration Statement No. 333-226319 filed by the Registrant on July 24, 2018 and declared effective on August 2, 2018 (the "Prior Registration Statement"). Pursuant to Rule 415(a)(6) under the Securities Act, $173.36 of filing fees previously paid in connection with the Unsold Securities will continue to be applied to the Unsold Securities. Accordingly, a filing fee of $16,191.64 is paid herewith. Pursuant to Rule 415(a)(6), the offering of securities under the Prior Registration Statement will be deemed terminated as of the date of effectiveness of this Registration Statement.
(5) Not required to be included in accordance with General Instruction II.D. of Form S-3.
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 or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
The Prior Registration Statement was declared effective on August 2, 2018 and expires on August 2, 2021, pursuant to SEC rules. Accordingly, the Registrant is filing this new shelf Registration Statement for the purpose of continuing to provide the Registrant with the ability to sell securities from time to time covered by this Registration Statement. There are no "selling stockholders" named in the prospectus, which forms a part of this Registration Statement. The Registrant has included in this Registration Statement the Unsold Securities registered pursuant to Registration Statement No. 333-2236319. Pursuant to Rule 415(a)(6) under the Securities Act, $173.36 of filing fees previously paid in connection with the Unsold Securities will continue to be applied to the Unsold Securities. In accordance with SEC rules, the Registrant may continue to offer and sell the Unsold Securities during the grace period afforded by Rule 415(a)(5). If the Registrant sells any Unsold Securities during the grace period, the Registrant will identify in a pre-effective amendment to this Registration Statement the new amount of Unsold Securities to be carried forward to this Registration Statement in reliance upon Rule 415(a)(6).
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED April 1, 2021
The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS
$150,000,000
CALADRIUS BIOSCIENCES, INC.
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Debt Securities
Warrants
Units
This prospectus will allow us to issue, from time to time at prices and on terms to be determined at or prior to the time of the offering, up to $150,000,000 of any combination of the securities described in this prospectus, either individually or in units. We may also offer common stock or preferred stock upon conversion of or exchange for the debt securities; common stock or preferred stock or debt securities upon the exercise of warrants.
This prospectus describes the general terms of these securities and the general manner in which these securities will be offered. We will provide you with the specific terms of any offering in one or more supplements to this prospectus. The prospectus supplements will also describe the specific manner in which these securities will be offered and may also supplement, update or amend information contained in this document. You should read this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, as well as any documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus or any prospectus supplement, carefully before you invest.
Our securities may be sold directly by us to you, through agents designated from time to time to or through underwriters or dealers. For additional information on the methods of sale, you should refer to the section entitled "Plan of Distribution" in this prospectus and in the applicable prospectus supplement. If any underwriters or agents are involved in the sale of our securities with respect to which this prospectus is being delivered, the names of such underwriters or agents and any applicable fees, commissions or discounts and over-allotment options will be set forth in a prospectus supplement. The price to the public of such securities and the net proceeds that we expect to receive from such sale will also be set forth in a prospectus supplement.
Our common stock is traded on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “CLBS.” On March 31, 2021, the last reported sale price of our common stock on The Nasdaq Capital Market was $1.93 per share.
Investing in our securities involves risks. See “Risk Factors” at page 4 of this prospectus.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
This prospectus may not be used to consummate sales of securities unless it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement.
The date of this prospectus is _______________, 2021.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Page | |||||
| ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS | |||||
| ABOUT CALADRIUS | |||||
| RISK FACTORS | |||||
| SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION | |||||
| USE OF PROCEEDS | |||||
| THE SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER | |||||
| DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK | |||||
| DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES | |||||
| DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS | |||||
| DESCRIPTION OF UNITS | |||||
| PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION | |||||
| LEGAL MATTERS | |||||
| EXPERTS | |||||
| INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE | |||||
| WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION | |||||
No dealer, salesperson or other person has been authorized to give any information or to make any representations other than those contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement in connection with the offer made by this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement and, if given or made, such information or representations must not be relied upon as having been authorized by Caladrius Biosciences, Inc. or any such person. Neither the delivery of this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement nor any sale made hereunder and thereunder shall under any circumstances create an implication that there has been no change in the affairs of Caladrius Biosciences, Inc. since the date hereof. This prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement does not constitute an offer or solicitation by anyone in any state in which such offer or solicitation is not authorized or in which the person making such offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so or to anyone to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation.
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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf process, we may sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings up to a total dollar amount of $150,000,000. We have provided to you in this prospectus a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities under this shelf registration process, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of the offering. We may also add, update or change any of the information contained in this prospectus in the prospectus supplement or any “free writing prospectus” we may authorize to be delivered to you. To the extent there is a conflict between the information contained in this prospectus and the prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectus we may authorize to be delivered to you, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, as the case may be, provided that if any statement in one of these documents is inconsistent with a statement in another document having a later date-for example, a document incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement-the statement in the document having the later date modifies or supersedes the earlier statement. This prospectus, together with the applicable prospectus supplements and any free writing prospectus we may authorize to be delivered to you, includes all material information relating to a particular offering.
An investment in our securities involves certain risks that should be carefully considered by prospective investors. See “Risk Factors.”
You should read this prospectus and any prospectus supplement as well as additional information described under “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference” and “Where You Can Find More Information” on page 26.
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ABOUT CALADRIUS
Overview
Caladrius Biosciences, Inc. (“we,” “us,” “our,” “Caladrius” or the “Company”) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development and commercialization of cellular therapies designed to reverse disease and/or promote the regeneration of damaged tissue. We are developing first-in-class therapeutics based on the characteristics of naturally occurring CD34+ cells and their ability to stimulate the growth of new microvasculature. Our technology leverages these cells to enable the body’s natural repair mechanisms using formulations unique to each medical indication.
Our leadership team has decades of collective biopharmaceutical development experience. Our goal is to develop and commercialize products that address important unmet medical needs based on a broad and versatile portfolio of candidates. The Company’s current product candidates include: CLBS16, the subject of both a recently completed positive Phase 2a study and a newly initiated Phase 2b (FREEDOM) study in the U.S. for the treatment of coronary microvascular dysfunction (“CMD”); HONEDRA® (CLBS12), recipient of SAKIGAKE designation and eligible for early conditional approval in Japan for the treatment of critical limb ischemia (“CLI”) and Buerger’s Disease based on the results of an ongoing clinical trial; CLBS201, designed to assess the safety and efficacy of CD34+ cell therapy as a treatment for patients with pre-dialysis chronic kidney disease (“CKD”) and OLOGO™ (CLBS14), a Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy (“RMAT”) designated therapy for which the Company is in discussion with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (the “FDA”) to finalize a Phase 3 protocol of reduced size and scope for a confirmatory trial in subjects with no-option refractory disabling angina (“NORDA”).
Ischemic Repair (CD34 Cell Technology)
The CD34+ cell was discovered as a result of the deliberate search for a stem cell capable of stimulating the development and/or repair of blood vessels. All tissues in the body maintain their function by replacing cells over time. In addition to the maintenance function, the body must also be capable of building new blood vessels after injury. A CD34+ cell is a stem cell that has the ability to stimulate new blood vessel formation at the level of the microvasculature. No other native cell discovered to date has demonstrated this same capability.
Our proprietary cell technology using autologous (a patient’s own naturally occurring) CD34+ cells has led to the development of therapeutic product candidates designed to address diseases and conditions caused by ischemia. Ischemia occurs when the supply of oxygenated blood to healthy tissue is restricted. Through the administration of CD34+ cells, we seek to promote the development and formation of new microvasculature and thereby increase blood flow to the impacted area. We believe that a number of conditions caused by underlying ischemic injury can be improved through our CD34+ cell technology including but not limited to CLI, CMD, NORDA and CKD.
HONEDRA® for Treatment of Critical Limb Ischemia
Our randomized and open-label, registration-eligible study of HONEDRA® in Japan for the treatment of CLI has shown strong results to date. The initial responses observed in the subjects who have reached an endpoint in this open label study are consistent with a positive therapeutic effect and safety profile as reported by previously published clinical trials in Japan. Although the study’s enrollment has been slowed by the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact in Japan, we are encouraged by the patient pre-screening pipeline that has been identified and expect to conclude trial enrollment during the second quarter of 2021. While the final outcome of the trial will depend on all data from all subjects, data, to date, are very encouraging.
OLOGOTM for Treatment of No Option Refractory Disabling Angina
We acquired the rights to data and regulatory filings for a CD34+ cell therapy program for refractory angina that had been advanced to Phase 3 by a previous sponsor.
Based on the clinical evidence from the completed studies that a single administration of OLOGOTM reduces mortality, improves angina and increases exercise capacity in patients with otherwise untreatable angina, this product received Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy (“RMAT”) designation from the FDA. We remain in discussion with the FDA regarding the size and scope of a phase 3 trial which, in combination with previously filed Phase 1, 2 and 3 data, will be considered for the registration of OLOGOTM. Notably, the RMAT designation affords the product a 6-month review time for a biologics license application (“BLA”), once submitted.
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CLBS16 for Treatment of Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction
In 2017, with the assistance of a $1.9 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (Award Number R44HL135889), we initiated our program for CLBS16 for the treatment of CMD, a disease that afflicts millions of patients with no current targeted treatment options. That study, the ESCaPE-CMD trial, was a Phase 2a proof-of-concept study that enrolled patients at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, CA. In June 2019, we announced the completion of enrollment in this study. Results of the first 17 of 20 patients enrolled in this trial who reached 6-month follow-up were presented as a rapid fire oral presentation on November 16, 2019 at the annual meeting of the American Heart Association in Philadelphia, PA by one of the principal investigators, Dr. Noel Bairey Merz, FACC, FAHA, FESC, the director of the Barbra Streisand Women’s Heart Center at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles, CA. That data set showed a positive therapeutic effect with a statistically significant improvement in angina frequency, coronary flow reserve, Canadian Cardiovascular Society Angina Class and Seattle Questionnaire score, as well as an acceptable safety profile. The full data set from that study was presented at the SCAI 2020 Scientific Sessions Virtual Conference on May 14, 2020 by Dr. Timothy Henry, FACC, of the Christ Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio. In December 2020, we commenced enrollment in our Phase 2b FREEDOM trial of CLBS16 as a therapy for CMD. The first patient in the study was subsequently treated in January 2021 at The Christ Hospital Health Network in Cincinnati, Ohio. This 105-patient double-blind randomized and placebo-controlled clinical trial (FREEDOM trial) is designed to further evaluate the efficacy and safety of intracoronary delivery of autologous CD34+ cells in subjects with CMD and without obstructive coronary artery disease. To our knowledge, this is the first controlled regenerative medicine trial in CMD.
CLBS201 for Treatment of Chronic Kidney Disease
We are planning to file an IND for the clinical study of CLBS201, a CD34+ investigational product for administration into the renal arteries to slow the deterioration or reverse the decline of renal function in patients with chronic kidney disease who, although at a pre-dialysis stage, exhibit rapidly progressive disease. Progressive kidney failure is associated with attrition of the microcirculation of the kidney. Pre-clinical studies in kidney disease and injury models have demonstrated that protection or replenishment of the microcirculation results in improved kidney function. A Phase 2 proof of concept, randomized, placebo-controlled study is being considered for initiation in the 2nd half of 2021.
Additional Out-licensing Opportunities
Our broad intellectual property portfolio of cell therapy assets includes notable programs available for out-licensing in order to continue their clinical development. Our current long-term strategy focuses on advancing our therapies through development with the ultimate objective of obtaining market authorizations and entering commercialization, either alone or with partners, to provide treatment options to patients suffering from life-threatening medical conditions. We believe that we are well-positioned to realize potentially meaningful value increases within our own proprietary pipeline if we are successful in advancing our product candidates to their next significant development milestones.
Coronavirus Considerations
In December 2019, a novel strain of coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), which causes COVID-19, was reported to have surfaced in China. In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of COVID-19 to be a pandemic, and the world’s economies began to experience pronounced effects. Despite the FDA approval of multiple COVID-19 vaccines in late 2020, there remains uncertainty around the extent and duration of disruption and any future related financial impact cannot be reasonably estimated at this time. In response to the pandemic, we have implemented work from home as well as social distancing and other hygiene policies for employees when they must be in the office. Our clinical study of HONEDRA® in Japan has experienced delays in enrollment due in part to the “State of Emergency” in effect in Japan for most of 2020 and re-implemented in Japan on January 7, 2021 through March 21, 2021.
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RISK FACTORS
Investing in our securities involves risk. Please see the risk factors set forth under the heading “Risk Factors” beginning on page 16 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on February 25, 2021, (our "2020 Form 10-K"), which documents are on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission and incorporated by reference into this prospectus. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider these risks as well as other information we include or incorporate by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement. The risks and uncertainties we have described are not the only ones facing our Company. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also affect our business operations.
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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This prospectus, any prospectus supplement and the documents we incorporate by reference in this prospectus contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). All statements, other than statements of historical facts, that we include in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, and in the documents we incorporate by reference in this prospectus, may be deemed forward-looking statements for purposes of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act. We use the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “project,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. We cannot guarantee that we actually will achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in our forward-looking statements and, accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. There are a number of important factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from anticipated results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including among others:
•our ability to obtain sufficient capital or strategic business arrangements to fund our operations and expansion plans, including meeting our financial obligations under various licensing and other strategic arrangements, the funding of our clinical trials for product candidates, and the commercialization of the relevant technology;
•our ability to build and maintain the management and human resources infrastructure necessary to support the growth of our business;
•whether a market is established for our cell-based products and services and our ability to capture a meaningful share of this market;
•scientific, regulatory and medical developments beyond our control;
•our ability to obtain and maintain, as applicable, appropriate governmental licenses, accreditations or certifications or comply with healthcare laws and regulations or any other adverse effect or limitations caused by government regulation of our business;
•whether any of our current or future patent applications result in issued patents, the scope of those patents and our ability to obtain and maintain other rights to technology required or desirable for the conduct of our business; and our ability to commercialize products without infringing the claims of third party patents;
•whether any potential strategic or financial benefits of various licensing agreements will be realized;
•the results of our development activities; and
•our ability to complete our other planned clinical trials (or initiate other trials) in accordance with our estimated timelines due to delays associated with enrolling patients due to the novelty of the treatment, the size of the patient population and the need of patients to meet the inclusion criteria of the trial or otherwise.
The factors discussed herein, including those risks described in "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in the 2020 Form 10-K and in the Company's other periodic filings with the SEC, which are available for review at www.sec.gov under "Search for Company Filings," could cause actual results and developments to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such statements. All forward-looking statements attributable to us are expressly qualified in their entirety by these and other factors. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they were made. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
You should read these factors and the other cautionary statements made in the documents we incorporate by reference as being applicable to all related forward-looking statements wherever they appear in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, and any document incorporated by reference. We caution you that we do not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements made by us, except as required by law.
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USE OF PROCEEDS
Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities under this prospectus for working capital, including research and development of cell therapeutic product candidates, expansion of our business, strategic transactions and other general corporate purposes. We will set forth in the prospectus supplement our intended use for the net proceeds received from the sale of any securities. Pending the use of the net proceeds, we may use the net proceeds to invest in investment‑grade, interest-bearing securities
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.
THE SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER
The descriptions of the securities contained in this prospectus, together with the applicable prospectus supplements, summarize all the material terms and provisions of the various types of securities that we may offer. We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to any securities the particular terms of the securities offered by that prospectus supplement. If we indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, the terms of the securities may differ from the terms we have summarized below. We will also include in the prospectus supplement information, where applicable, about material United States federal income tax considerations relating to the securities, and the securities exchange, if any, on which the securities will be listed.
We may sell from time to time, in one or more offerings:
•common stock;
•preferred stock;
•debt securities;
•warrants to purchase any of the securities listed above; and
•units consisting of any combination of the securities listed above.
In this prospectus, we refer to the common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants and units collectively as “securities.” The total dollar amount of all securities that we may sell will not exceed $150,000,000.
If we issue debt securities at a discount from their original stated principal amount, then, for purposes of calculating the total dollar amount of all securities issued under this prospectus, we will treat the initial offering price of the debt securities as the total original principal amount of the debt securities.
This prospectus may not be used to consummate a sale of securities unless it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement.
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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
The following is a summary of all material characteristics of our capital stock as set forth in our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, and our outstanding warrants. The summary does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, which are incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and to the provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as amended.
Authorized Capital Stock
Our authorized capital stock consists of 500,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share and 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share.
Common Stock
The holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote per share in the election of directors and on all other matters on which stockholders are entitled or permitted to vote. The holders of our common stock are not entitled to cumulative voting rights. Therefore, holders of a majority of the shares voting for the election of directors can elect all of the directors. Subject to the terms of any outstanding series of preferred stock, the holders of our common stock are entitled to dividends in the amounts and at times as may be declared by the Board of Directors out of funds legally available. Upon liquidation or dissolution, holders of our common stock are entitled to share ratably in all net assets available for distribution to stockholders after payment of any liquidation preferences to holders of our preferred stock. The holders of our common stock have no redemption, conversion or preemptive rights.
As of March 31, 2021, we had 59,498,958 shares of common stock issued and outstanding, exclusive of existing convertible preferred stock, options and warrants.
Preferred Stock
Our Board of Directors has the authority to issue up to 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock, with such designations, rights, and preferences as may be determined from time to time by our Board of Directors. Accordingly, our Board of Directors is empowered, without stockholder approval, to issue preferred stock with dividend, liquidation, conversion, voting, or other rights that could adversely affect the voting power or other rights of the holders of our common stock. The issuance of preferred stock could have the effect of restricting dividends on our common stock, diluting the voting power of our common stock, impairing the liquidation rights of our common stock, or delaying or preventing a change in control of our company, all without further action by our stockholders.
As of March 31, 2021, there were 10,000 shares of our Series B Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value per share (“Series B Preferred Stock”), issued and outstanding.
Series B Preferred Stock
The Series B Preferred Stock ranks pari passu with our common stock with respect to the payment of dividends and to the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up.
So long as any shares of the Series B Preferred Stock are outstanding, no dividend shall be declared or paid or set aside for payment or other distribution declared or made upon our common stock or upon any other stock ranking junior to, or on a parity with, the Series B Preferred Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, unless, in the case of our preferred stock, the same dividend is declared, paid or set aside for payment on all outstanding shares of the Series B Preferred Stock or in the case of our common stock, ten times such dividend per share is declared, paid or set aside for payment on each outstanding share of the Series B Preferred Stock.
Except as otherwise provided by law, each share of the Series B Preferred Stock has the same voting rights as ten shares of our common stock and the holders of the Series B Preferred Stock and the common stock shall vote together as one class on all matters.
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The holder of any share of Series B Preferred Stock has the right, at such holder’s option, to convert such share into one one-hundredth of a fully paid and non-assessable share of our common stock, subject to adjustment.
In the event of any voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of our Company, after any distribution of assets is made to the holders of any other class or series of stock that ranks prior to the Series B Preferred Stock in respect of distributions upon the liquidation of the Company, the holder of each share of Series B Preferred Stock then outstanding shall be entitled to be paid out of our assets available for distribution to our stockholders, an amount on a pari passu basis equal to ten times the amount per share distributed to the holders of our common stock. After payment of the full amount of the distribution to which they are entitled, the holders of shares of the Series B Preferred Stock will not be entitled to any further participation in any distribution of assets by the Company.
Shares of Series B Preferred Stock issued and reacquired by us shall have the status of authorized and unissued shares of preferred stock, undesignated as to series, subject to later issuance.
Holders of shares of Series B Preferred Stock are not entitled to any preemptive or subscription rights in respect of any securities of the corporation.
Options and Restricted Stock Units
As of March 31, 2021, we had outstanding options to purchase an aggregate of 1,025,043 shares of our common stock with exercise prices ranging from $1.43 to $174.00 per share, with an approximate weighted average exercise price of $13.46 per share. The shares of our common stock underlying all such options are registered with the SEC.
As of March 31, 2021, we had 796,360 restricted stock units issued and outstanding.
Warrants
As of March 31, 2021, we had outstanding warrants to purchase an aggregate of 21,356,600 shares of our common stock with an approximate weighted average exercise price of $2.84. On March 11, 2016, we entered into a Consent and Third Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement (the “Amendment”) with Oxford Finance, LLC (the “Lender”). In connection with the Amendment, we issued to the Lender warrants to purchase an aggregate of 30,000 shares of common stock (the “Lender Warrants”), which are exercisable for a period of 7 years from the issuance date at an exercise price of $5.89 per share. The shares of common stock underlying such warrants have been registered for resale.
On April 23, 2020, we entered into a securities purchase agreement ("April 2020 Purchase Agreement") with certain investors ("Purchasers"). Pursuant to the April 2020 Purchase Agreement, we issued to the Purchasers unregistered warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 1,081,083 shares of common stock, which are exercisable for a period of five and one-half years from the issuance date at an exercise price of $2.25 per share.
On May 25, 2020, we entered into a securities purchase agreement (“May 2020 Purchase Agreement”) with certain investors (“Purchasers”). Pursuant to the May 2020 Purchase Agreement, we issued to the Purchasers unregistered warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 1,042,425 shares of common stock, which are exercisable for a period of five and one-half years from the issuance date at an exercise price of $2.0625 per share.
On July 10, 2020, we entered into a securities purchase agreement (“July 2020 Purchase Agreement”) with certain investors (“Purchasers”). Pursuant to the July 2020 Purchase Agreement, we issued to the Purchasers unregistered warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 484,847 shares of common stock, which are exercisable for a period of five and one-half years from the issuance date at an exercise price of $2.0625 per share.
On January 21, 2021, we entered into a securities purchase agreement (“January 2021 Purchase Agreement”) with certain investors (“Purchasers”). Pursuant to the January 2021 Purchase Agreement, we issued to the Purchasers unregistered warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 6,250,000 shares of common stock, which are exercisable for a period of five and one-half years from the issuance date at an exercise price of $2.90 per share.
On February 12, 2021, we entered into a securities purchase agreement (“February 2021 Purchase Agreement”) with certain institutional investors (“Institutional Purchasers”). Pursuant to the February 2021 Purchase Agreement, we issued to the Purchasers unregistered warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 12,453,067 shares of common stock, which are exercisable for a period of five years from the issuance date at an exercise price of $2.90 per share. Additionally, in a concurrent non-
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brokered registered direct offering, we entered into a securities purchase agreement (“Additional Purchase Agreement”) with certain accredited investors (“Additional Purchasers”), pursuant to which we issued to the Additional Purchasers warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 816,326 shares of common stock, which are exercisable for a period of five years from the issuance date at an exercise price of $2.90 per share.
Anti-Takeover Effects of Certain Provisions of Delaware Law and Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws
Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and bylaws contain some provisions that could make our acquisition by means of a tender or exchange offer, a proxy contest or otherwise more difficult. These provisions are summarized below.
Special Meetings. Our bylaws provide that special meetings of our stockholders may, unless otherwise prescribed by law, be called by our Chairman of the Board (if any), our Board of Directors or our Chief Executive Officer and shall be held at such place, on such date and at such time as shall be fixed by our Board of Directors or the person calling the meeting. Business transacted at any special meeting shall be limited to matters relating to the purpose or purposes stated in the notice of the meeting.
Undesignated Preferred Stock. The ability to authorize 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 acquire us. The ability to issue preferred stock may have the effect of deferring hostile takeovers or delaying changes in control or management of our company.
Delaware Anti-Takeover Statute. We are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law regulating corporate takeovers. In general, Section 203 prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a business combination with an interested stockholder for a period of three years following the date the person became an interested stockholder unless:
•prior to the date of the transaction, the board of directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;
•upon completion of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the number of shares outstanding (1) shares owned by persons who are directors and also officers and (2) shares owned by employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; and
•on or subsequent to the date of the transaction, the business combination is approved by the board and authorized at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding voting stock which is not owned by the interested stockholder.
Generally, a business combination includes a merger, asset or stock sale, or other transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. An interested stockholder is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns or, within three years prior to the determination of interested stockholder status, owned 15% or more of a corporation’s outstanding voting securities. We expect the existence of this provision to have an anti-takeover effect with respect to transactions our Board of Directors does not approve in advance. We also anticipate that Section 203 may discourage attempted acquisitions that might result in a premium over the market price for the shares of our common stock held by stockholders.
The provisions of Delaware law, our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and our bylaws could have the effect of discouraging others from attempting hostile takeovers and, as a consequence, they may also inhibit temporary fluctuations in the market price of our common stock that often result from actual or rumored hostile takeover attempts. These provisions may also have the effect of preventing changes in our management. It is possible that these provisions could make it more difficult to accomplish transactions that stockholders may otherwise deem to be in their best interests.
Potential Effects of Authorized but Unissued Stock
We have shares of Common Stock and preferred stock available for future issuance without stockholder approval. We may utilize these additional shares for a variety of corporate purposes, including future public offerings to raise additional capital, to facilitate corporate acquisitions or payment as a dividend on the capital stock.
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The existence of unissued and unreserved Common Stock and preferred stock may enable our Board of Directors to issue shares to persons friendly to current management or to issue preferred stock with terms that could render more difficult or discourage a third-party attempt to obtain control of us by means of a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise, thereby protecting the continuity of our management. In addition, the Board of Directors has the discretion to determine designations, rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions, including voting rights, dividend rights, conversion rights, redemption privileges and liquidation preferences of each series of preferred stock, all to the fullest extent permissible under the Delaware General Corporation Law and subject to any limitations set forth in our certificate of incorporation. The purpose of authorizing the Board of Directors to issue preferred stock and to determine the rights and preferences applicable to such preferred stock is to eliminate delays associated with a stockholder vote on specific issuances. The issuance of preferred stock, while providing desirable flexibility in connection with possible financings, acquisitions and other corporate purposes, could have the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to acquire, or could discourage a third party from acquiring, a majority of our outstanding voting stock.
Limitations of Director Liability and Indemnification of Directors, Officers and Employees
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, permits indemnification of directors, officers, agents and controlling persons of a corporation under certain conditions and subject to certain limitations. Section 145 empowers a corporation to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director, officer or agent of the corporation or another enterprise if serving at the request of the Company. Depending on the character of the proceeding, a corporation may indemnify against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if the person indemnified acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to, the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. In the case of an action by or in the right of the corporation, no indemnification may be made with respect to any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine that despite the adjudication of liability such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the court shall deem proper. Section 145 further provides that to the extent a present or former director or officer of a corporation has been successful in the defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to above or in the defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith.
Litigation Forum Selection Clause
Our bylaws provides that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or other employee of the Company to the Company or its stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the Delaware General Corporation Law or our certificate of incorporation or our bylaws or (iv) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine shall be the Court of Chancery in the State of Delaware (or, if the Court of Chancery does not have jurisdiction, the federal district court for the District of Delaware).
Indemnification Agreements
We have entered into indemnification agreements with our Chief Executive Officer, General Counsel, certain other employees and each of our directors pursuant to which we have agreed to indemnify such party to the full extent permitted by law, subject to certain exceptions, if such party becomes subject to an action because such party is our director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary.
Transfer Agent
The transfer agent and registrar for our Common Stock is Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company. Its address is 17 Battery Place, New York, New York, 10004 and its telephone number is (212) 509-4000.
The Nasdaq Capital Market
Our Common Stock is traded on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “CLBS.”
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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
We summarize below some of the provisions that will apply to the debt securities unless the applicable prospectus supplement provides otherwise. This summary may not contain all information that is important to you. The complete terms of the debt securities will be contained in the applicable notes. The notes will be included or incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. You should read the provisions of the notes. You should also read the prospectus supplement, which will contain additional information and which may update or change some of the information below.
General
This prospectus describes certain general terms and provisions of the debt securities. The debt securities will be issued under an indenture between us and a trustee to be designated prior to the issuance of the debt securities. When we offer to sell a particular series of debt securities, we will describe the specific terms of the securities in a supplement to this prospectus. The prospectus supplement will also indicate whether the general terms and provisions described in this prospectus apply to a particular series of debt securities.
We may issue, from time to time, debt securities, in one or more series, that will consist of either our senior debt (“senior debt securities”), our senior subordinated debt (“senior subordinated debt securities”), our subordinated debt (“subordinated debt securities”) or our junior subordinated debt (“junior subordinated debt securities” and, together with the senior subordinated debt securities and the subordinated debt securities, the “subordinated securities”). Debt securities, whether senior, senior subordinated, subordinated or junior subordinated, may be issued as convertible debt securities or exchangeable debt securities.
We have summarized herein certain terms and provisions of the form of indenture (the “indenture”). The summary is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the actual text of the indenture. The indenture is an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. You should read the indenture for the provisions which may be important to you. The indenture is subject to and governed by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.
The indenture does not limit the amount of debt securities which we may issue. We may issue debt securities up to an aggregate principal amount as we may authorize from time to time which securities may be in any currency or currency unit designated by us. The terms of each series of debt securities will be established by or pursuant to (a) a supplemental indenture, (b) a resolution of our board of directors, or (c) an officers’ certificate pursuant to authority granted under a resolution of our board of directors. The prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any debt securities being offered, including:the title of the debt securities;the limit, if any, upon the aggregate principal amount or issue price of the debt securities of a series;
•ranking of the specific series of debt securities relative to other outstanding indebtedness, including any debt of any of our subsidiaries;
•the price or prices at which the debt securities will be issued;
•the designation, aggregate principal amount and authorized denominations of the series of debt securities;
•the issue date or dates of the series and the maturity date of the series;
•whether the securities will be issued at par or at a premium over or a discount from their face amount;
•the interest rate, if any, and the method for calculating the interest rate and basis upon which interest shall be calculated;
•the right, if any, to extend interest payment periods and the duration of the extension;
•the interest payment dates and the record dates for the interest payments;
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•any mandatory or optional redemption terms or prepayment, conversion, sinking fund or exchangeability or convertibility provisions;
•the currency of denomination of the securities;
•the place where we will pay principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, and the place where the debt securities may be presented for transfer;
•if payments of principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the debt securities will be made in one or more currencies or currency units other than that or those in which the debt securities are denominated, the manner in which the exchange rate with respect to these payments will be determined;
•if other than denominations of $1,000 or multiples of $1,000, the denominations the debt securities will be issued in;
•whether the debt securities will be issued in the form of global securities or certificates;
•the applicability of and additional provisions, if any, relating to the defeasance of the debt securities;
•the portion of principal amount of the debt securities payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity date, if other than the entire principal amount;
•the currency or currencies, if other than the currency of the United States, in which principal and interest will be paid;
•the dates on which premium, if any, will be paid;
•any addition to or change in the “Events of Default” described in this prospectus or in the indenture with respect to the debt securities and any change in the acceleration provisions described in this prospectus or in the indenture with respect to the debt securities;
•any addition to or change in the covenants described in the prospectus or in the indenture with respect to the debt securities;
•our right, if any, to defer payment of interest and the maximum length of this deferral period; and
•other specific terms, including any additional events of default or covenants.
We may issue debt securities at a discount below their stated principal amount. Even if we do not issue the debt securities below their stated principal amount, for United States federal income tax purposes the debt securities may be deemed to have been issued with a discount because of certain interest payment characteristics. We will describe in any applicable prospectus supplement the United States federal income tax considerations applicable to debt securities issued at a discount or deemed to be issued at a discount, and will describe any special United States federal income tax considerations that may be applicable to the particular debt securities.
Senior Debt
Senior debt securities will rank equally and pari passu with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated debt from time to time outstanding.
Subordinated Debt
The indenture does not limit our ability to issue subordinated debt securities. Any subordination provisions of a particular series of debt securities will be set forth in the supplemental indenture, board resolution or officers’ certificate related to that series of debt securities and will be described in the relevant prospectus supplement.
If this prospectus is being delivered in connection with a series of subordinated debt securities, the accompanying prospectus supplement or the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus will set forth the approximate amount of senior indebtedness outstanding as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter.
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Conversion or Exchange Rights
Debt securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for our other securities or property. The terms and conditions of conversion or exchange will be set forth in the supplemental indenture, board resolution or officers’ certificate related to that series of debt securities and will be described in the relevant prospectus supplement. The terms will include, among others, the following:
•the conversion or exchange price;
•the conversion or exchange period;
•provisions regarding our ability or the ability of the holder to convert or exchange the debt securities;
•events requiring adjustment to the conversion or exchange price; and
•provisions affecting conversion or exchange in the event of our redemption of the debt securities.
Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets
The indenture prohibits us from merging into or consolidating with any other person or selling, leasing or conveying substantially all of our assets and the assets of our subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any person, unless:
•either we are the continuing corporation or the successor corporation or the person which acquires by sale, lease or conveyance substantially all our or our subsidiaries’ assets is a corporation organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, or the District of Columbia, and expressly assumes the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on all the debt securities and the due performance of every covenant of the indenture to be performed or observed by us, by supplemental indenture satisfactory to the trustee, executed and delivered to the trustee by such corporation;
•immediately after giving effect to such transactions, no Event of Default described under the caption “Events of Default and Remedies” below or event which, after notice or lapse of time or both would become an Event of Default, has happened and is continuing; and
•we have delivered to the trustee an officers’ certificate and an opinion of counsel each stating that such transaction and such supplemental indenture comply with the indenture provisions relating to merger, consolidation and sale of assets.
Upon any consolidation or merger with or into any other person or any sale, conveyance, lease, or other transfer of all or substantially all of our or our subsidiaries’ assets to any person, the successor person shall succeed, and be substituted for, us under the indenture and each series of outstanding debt securities, and we shall be relieved of all obligations under the indenture and each series of outstanding debt securities to the extent we were the predecessor person.
Events of Default and Remedies
When we use the term “Event of Default” in the indenture with respect to the debt securities of any series, we mean:
i.default in paying interest on the debt securities when it becomes due and the default continues for a period of 30 days or more;
ii.default in paying principal, or premium, if any, on the debt securities when due;
iii.default is made in the payment of any sinking or purchase fund or analogous obligation when the same becomes due, and such default continues for 30 days or more;
iv.default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or warranty in the indenture (other than defaults specified in clause (1), (2) or (3) above) and the default or breach continues for a period of 60 days or more after we receive written notice of such default from the trustee or we and the trustee receive notice from the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the series;
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v.certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, administration or similar proceedings with respect to us have occurred; and
vi.any other Event of Default provided with respect to debt securities of that series that is set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement accompanying this prospectus.
No Event of Default with respect to a particular series of debt securities (except as to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization) necessarily constitutes an Event of Default with respect to any other series of debt securities. The occurrence of certain Events of Default or an acceleration under the indenture may constitute an event of default under certain of our other indebtedness that we may have outstanding from time to time. Unless otherwise provided by the terms of an applicable series of debt securities, if an Event of Default under the indenture occurs with respect to the debt securities of any series and is continuing, then the trustee or the holders of not less than 51% of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may by written notice require us to repay immediately the entire principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series (or such lesser amount as may be provided in the terms of the securities), together with all accrued and unpaid interest and premium, if any. In the case of an Event of Default resulting from certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, the principal (or such specified amount) of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all outstanding debt securities will become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the trustee or any holder of outstanding debt securities. We refer you to the prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities that are discount securities for the particular provisions relating to acceleration of a portion of the principal amount of such discount securities upon the occurrence of an Event of Default.
After a declaration of acceleration, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of outstanding debt securities of any series may rescind this accelerated payment requirement if all existing Events of Default, except for nonpayment of the principal on the debt securities of that series that has become due solely as a result of the accelerated payment requirement, have been cured or waived and if the rescission of acceleration would not conflict with any judgment or decree. The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series also have the right to waive past defaults, except a default in paying principal or interest on any outstanding debt security, or in respect of a covenant or a provision that cannot be modified or amended without the consent of all holders of the debt securities of that series.
No holder of any debt security may seek to institute a proceeding with respect to the indenture unless such holder has previously given written notice to the trustee of a continuing Event of Default, the holders of not less than 51% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the series have made a written request to the trustee to institute proceedings in respect of the Event of Default, the holder or holders have offered reasonable indemnity to the trustee and the trustee has failed to institute such proceeding within 60 days after it received this notice. In addition, within this 60-day period the trustee must not have received directions inconsistent with this written request by holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series. These limitations do not apply, however, to a suit instituted by a holder of a debt security for the enforcement of the payment of principal, interest or any premium on or after the due dates for such payment.
During the existence of an Event of Default actually known to a responsible officer of the trustee, the trustee is required to exercise the rights and powers vested in it under the indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise as a prudent person would under the circumstances in the conduct of that person’s own affairs. If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the trustee is not under any obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers at the request or direction of any of the holders unless the holders have offered to the trustee security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the trustee. Subject to certain provisions, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee, or exercising any trust, or power conferred on the trustee.
The trustee will, within 90 days after receiving notice of any default, give notice of the default to the holders of the debt securities of that series, unless the default was already cured or waived. Unless there is a default in paying principal, interest or any premium when due, the trustee can withhold giving notice to the holders if it determines in good faith that the withholding of notice is in the interest of the holders. In the case of a default specified in clause (4) above describing Events of Default, no notice of default to the holders of the debt securities of that series will be given until 60 days after the occurrence of the event of default.
The indenture requires us, within 120 days after the end of our fiscal year, to furnish to the trustee a statement as to compliance with the indenture. The indenture provides that the trustee may withhold notice to the holders of debt securities of
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any series of any Event of Default (except in payment on any debt securities of that series) with respect to debt securities of that series if it in good faith determines that withholding notice is in the interest of the holders of those debt securities.
Modification and Waiver
The indenture may be amended or modified without the consent of any holder of debt securities in order to:
•evidence a successor to the trustee;
•cure ambiguities, defects or inconsistencies;
•provide for the assumption of our obligations in the case of a merger or consolidation or transfer of all or substantially all of our assets that complies with the covenant described under “- Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets”;
•make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the holders of the debt securities of a series;
•add guarantors or co-obligors with respect to the debt securities of any series;
•secure the debt securities of a series;
•establish the form or forms of debt securities of any series;
•add additional Events of Default with respect to the debt securities of any series;
•add additional provisions as may be expressly permitted by the Trust Indenture Act;
•maintain the qualification of the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act; or
•make any change that does not adversely affect in any material respect the interests of any holder.
Other amendments and modifications of the indenture or the debt securities issued may be made with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series affected by the amendment or modification. However, no modification or amendment may, without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security affected:
•change the maturity date or the stated payment date of any payment of premium or interest payable on the debt securities;
•reduce the principal amount, or extend the fixed maturity, of the debt securities;
•change the method of computing the amount of principal or any interest of any debt security;
•change or waive the redemption or repayment provisions of the debt securities;
•change the currency in which principal, any premium or interest is paid or the place of payment;
•reduce the percentage in principal amount outstanding of debt securities of any series which must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver or consent to take any action;
•impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on the debt securities;
•waive a payment default with respect to the debt securities;
•reduce the interest rate or extend the time for payment of interest on the debt securities;
•adversely affect the ranking or priority of the debt securities of any series; or
•release any guarantor or co-obligor from any of its obligations under its guarantee or the indenture, except in compliance with the terms of the indenture.
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Satisfaction, Discharge and Covenant Defeasance
We may terminate our obligations under the indenture with respect to the outstanding debt securities of any series, when:
•either:
•all debt securities of any series issued that have been authenticated and delivered have been delivered to the trustee for cancellation; or
•all the debt securities of any series issued that have not been delivered to the trustee for cancellation have become due and payable, will become due and payable within one year, or are to be called for redemption within one year and we have made arrangements satisfactory to the trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by such trustee in our name and at our expense, and in each case, we have irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the trustee sufficient funds to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the series of debt securities; and
•we have paid or caused to be paid all other sums then due and payable under the indenture; and
•we have delivered to the trustee an officers’ certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent under the indenture relating to the satisfaction and discharge of the indenture have been complied with.
We may elect to have our obligations under the indenture discharged with respect to the outstanding debt securities of any series (“legal defeasance”). Legal defeasance means that we will be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by the outstanding debt securities of such series under the indenture, except for:
•the rights of holders of the debt securities to receive principal, interest and any premium when due;
•our obligations with respect to the debt securities concerning issuing temporary debt securities, registration of transfer of debt securities, mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen debt securities and the maintenance of an office or agency for payment for security payments held in trust;
•the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the trustee; and
•the defeasance provisions of the indenture.
In addition, we may elect to have our obligations released with respect to certain covenants in the indenture (“covenant defeasance”). If we so elect, any failure to comply with these obligations will not constitute a default or an event of default with respect to the debt securities of any series. In the event covenant defeasance occurs, certain events, not including non-payment, bankruptcy and insolvency events, described under “Events of Default and Remedies,” will no longer constitute an event of default for that series.
In order to exercise either legal defeasance or covenant defeasance with respect to outstanding debt securities of any series:
•we must irrevocably have deposited or caused to be deposited with the trustee as trust funds for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to the benefits of the holders of the debt securities of a series:
•money in an amount; or
•U.S. government obligations (or equivalent government obligations in the case of debt securities denominated in other than U.S. dollars or a specified currency) that will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment, money in an amount; or
•a combination of money and U.S. government obligations (or equivalent government obligations, as applicable),
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in each case sufficient, in the written opinion (with respect to U.S. or equivalent government obligations or a combination of money and U.S. or equivalent government obligations, as applicable) of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants to pay and discharge, and which shall be applied by the trustee to pay and discharge, all of the principal (including mandatory sinking fund payments), interest and any premium at due date or maturity;
•in the case of legal defeasance, we have delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel stating that, under then applicable federal income tax law, the holders of the debt securities of that series will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit, defeasance and discharge to be effected and will be subject to the same federal income tax as would be the case if the deposit, defeasance and discharge did not occur;
•in the case of covenant defeasance, we have delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the holders of the debt securities of that series will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit and covenant defeasance to be effected and will be subject to the same federal income tax as would be the case if the deposit and covenant defeasance did not occur;
•no event of default or default with respect to the outstanding debt securities of that series has occurred and is continuing at the time of such deposit after giving effect to the deposit or, in the case of legal defeasance, no default relating to bankruptcy or insolvency has occurred and is continuing at any time on or before the 91st day after the date of such deposit, it being understood that this condition is not deemed satisfied until after the 91st day;
•the legal defeasance or covenant defeasance will not cause the trustee to have a conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act, assuming all debt securities of a series were in default within the meaning of such Act;
•the legal defeasance or covenant defeasance will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other agreement or instrument to which we are a party;
•if prior to the stated maturity date, notice shall have been given in accordance with the provisions of the indenture;
•the legal defeasance or covenant defeasance will not result in the trust arising from such deposit constituting an investment company within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, unless the trust is registered under such Act or exempt from registration; and
•we have delivered to the trustee an officers’ certificate and an opinion of counsel stating that all conditions precedent with respect to the legal defeasance or covenant defeasance have been complied with.
Covenants
We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement any restrictive covenants applicable to any issue of debt securities.
Paying Agent and Registrar
The trustee will initially act as paying agent and registrar for all debt securities. We may change the paying agent or registrar for any series of debt securities without prior notice, and we or any of our subsidiaries may act as paying agent or registrar.
Form of Securities
Each debt security will be represented either by a certificate issued in definitive form to a particular investor or by one or more global securities representing the entire issuance of the series of debt securities. Certificated securities will be issued in definitive form and global securities will be issued in registered form. Definitive securities name you or your nominee as the owner of the security, and in order to transfer or exchange these securities or to receive payments other than interest or other interim payments, you or your nominee must physically deliver the securities to the trustee, registrar, paying agent or other agent, as applicable. Global securities name a depositary or its nominee as the owner of the debt securities represented by these global securities. The depositary maintains a computerized system that will reflect each investor’s beneficial ownership of the securities through an account maintained by the investor with its broker/dealer, bank, trust company or other representative, as we explain more fully below.
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Global Securities
We may issue the registered debt securities in the form of one or more fully registered global securities that will be deposited with a depositary or its custodian identified in the applicable prospectus supplement and registered in the name of that depositary or its nominee. In those cases, one or more registered global securities will be issued in a denomination or aggregate denominations equal to the portion of the aggregate principal or face amount of the securities to be represented by registered global securities. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole for securities in definitive registered form, a registered global security may not be transferred except as a whole by and among the depositary for the registered global security, the nominees of the depositary or any successors of the depositary or those nominees.
If not described below, any specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any securities to be represented by a registered global security will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to those securities. We anticipate that the following provisions will apply to all depositary arrangements.
Ownership of beneficial interests in a registered global security will be limited to persons, called participants, that have accounts with the depositary or persons that may hold interests through participants. Upon the issuance of a registered global security, the depositary will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the participants’ accounts with the respective principal or face amounts of the securities beneficially owned by the participants. Any dealers, underwriters or agents participating in the distribution of the securities will designate the accounts to be credited. Ownership of beneficial interests in a registered global security will be shown on, and the transfer of ownership interests will be effected only through, records maintained by the depositary, with respect to interests of participants, and on the records of participants, with respect to interests of persons holding through participants. The laws of some states may require that some purchasers of securities take physical delivery of these securities in definitive form. These laws may impair your ability to own, transfer or pledge beneficial interests in registered global securities.
So long as the depositary, or its nominee, is the registered owner of a registered global security, that depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the securities represented by the registered global security for all purposes under the indenture. Except as described below, owners of beneficial interests in a registered global security will not be entitled to have the securities represented by the registered global security registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of the securities in definitive form and will not be considered the owners or holders of the securities under the indenture. Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in a registered global security must rely on the procedures of the depositary for that registered global security and, if that person is not a participant, on the procedures of the participant through which the person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder under the indenture. We understand that under existing industry practices, if we request any action of holders or if an owner of a beneficial interest in a registered global security desires to give or take any action that a holder is entitled to give or take under the indenture, the depositary for the registered global security would authorize the participants holding the relevant beneficial interests to give or take that action, and the participants would authorize beneficial owners owning through them to give or take that action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners holding through them.
Principal, premium, if any, and interest payments on debt securities represented by a registered global security registered in the name of a depositary or its nominee will be made to the depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner of the registered global security. Neither we nor the trustee or any other agent of ours or the trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in the registered global security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to those beneficial ownership interests.
We expect that the depositary for any of the securities represented by a registered global security, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium, interest or other distribution of underlying securities or other property to holders on that registered global security, will immediately credit participants’ accounts in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in that registered global security as shown on the records of the depositary. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in a registered global security held through participants will be governed by standing customer instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with the securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name,” and will be the responsibility of those participants.
If the depositary for any of these securities represented by a registered global security is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as depositary or ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and a successor depositary registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act is not appointed by us within 90 days, we will issue securities in definitive form in exchange for the registered global security that had been held by the depositary. Any securities issued in definitive form in exchange for a registered global security will be registered in the name or names that the depositary
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gives to the trustee or other relevant agent of ours or theirs. It is expected that the depositary’s instructions will be based upon directions received by the depositary from participants with respect to ownership of beneficial interests in the registered global security that had been held by the depositary.
Unless we state otherwise in a prospectus supplement, the Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) will act as depositary for each series of debt securities issued as global securities. DTC has advised us that DTC is a limited-purpose trust company created to hold securities for its participating organizations (collectively, the “Participants”) and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of transactions in those securities between Participants through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of its Participants. The Participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations. Access to DTC’s system is also available to other entities such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Participant, either directly or indirectly (collectively, the “Indirect Participants”). Persons who are not Participants may beneficially own securities held by or on behalf of DTC only through the Participants or the Indirect Participants. The ownership interests in, and transfers of ownership interests in, each security held by or on behalf of DTC are recorded on the records of the Participants and the Indirect Participants.
Governing Law
The indenture and each series of debt securities are governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
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. If we indicate in the prospectus supplement, the terms of any warrants offered under that prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below. Specific warrant agreements will contain additional important terms and provisions and will be incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement that includes this prospectus.
General
We may issue warrants for the purchase of common stock, preferred stock or debt securities in one or more series. We may issue warrants independently or together with common stock, preferred stock and debt securities, and the warrants may be attached to or separate from these securities.
We will evidence each series of warrants by warrant certificates that we will issue under a separate agreement. We may enter into a warrant agreement with a warrant agent. We will indicate the name and address of the warrant agent in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of 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:
•in the case of warrants to purchase debt securities, the right to receive payments of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, the debt securities purchasable upon exercise or to enforce covenants in the applicable indenture; or
•in the case of warrants to purchase common stock or preferred stock, the right to receive dividends, if any, or, payments upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up or to exercise voting rights, if any.
Additional Information
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;
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•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 debt securities, the principal amount of debt securities purchasable upon exercise of one warrant and the price at, and currency in which, this principal amount of debt securities may be purchased upon such exercise;
•in the case of warrants to purchase common stock or preferred stock, the number of shares of common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, 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 agreement 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 agreement and warrants may be modified;
•a discussion on any material or special United States 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.
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 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.
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
Each 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
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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.
DESCRIPTION OF UNITS
We may issue units comprised of one or more of the other securities described in this prospectus in any combination. Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. 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. The applicable prospectus supplement may describe:
•the designation and terms of the units and of the securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances those securities may be held or transferred separately;
•any provisions for the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units or of the securities comprising the units;
•the terms of the unit agreement governing the units;
•United States federal income tax considerations relevant to the units; and
•whether the units will be issued in fully registered global form.
This summary of certain general terms of units and any summary description of units in the applicable prospectus supplement do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to all provisions of the applicable unit agreement and, if applicable, collateral arrangements and depositary arrangements relating to such units. The forms of the unit agreements and other documents relating to a particular issue of units will be filed with the SEC each time we issue units, and you should read those documents for provisions that may be important to you.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We may sell the securities offered by this prospectus from time to time in one or more transactions, including without limitation:
•directly to one or more purchasers;
•through agents;
•in "at the market offerings" to or through a market maker or into an existing trading market, or a securities exchange or otherwise;
•to or through underwriters, brokers or dealers; or
•through a combination of any of these methods.
A distribution of the securities offered by this prospectus may also be effected through the issuance of derivative securities, including without limitation, warrants, subscriptions, exchangeable securities, forward delivery contracts and the writing of options.
In addition, the manner in which we may sell some or all of the securities covered by this prospectus includes, without limitation, through:
•a block trade in which a broker-dealer will attempt to sell as agent, but may position or resell a portion of the block, as principal, in order to facilitate the transaction;
•purchases by a broker-dealer, as principal, and resale by the broker-dealer for its account;
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•ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which a broker solicits purchasers; or
•privately negotiated transactions.
We may also enter into hedging transactions. For example, we may:
•enter into transactions with a broker-dealer or affiliate thereof in connection with which such broker-dealer or affiliate will engage in short sales of the Common Stock pursuant to this prospectus, in which case such broker-dealer or affiliate may use shares of Common Stock received from us to close out its short positions;
•sell securities short and redeliver such shares to close out our short positions;
•enter into option or other types of transactions that require us to deliver Common Stock to a broker-dealer or an affiliate thereof, who will then resell or transfer the Common Stock under this prospectus; or
•loan or pledge the Common Stock to a broker-dealer or an affiliate thereof, who may sell the loaned shares or, in an event of default in the case of a pledge, sell the pledged shares pursuant to this prospectus.
In addition, we may enter into derivative or hedging transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. In connection with such a transaction, the third parties may sell securities covered by and pursuant to this prospectus and an applicable prospectus supplement or other offering materials, as the case may be. If so, the third party may use securities borrowed from us or others to settle such sales and may use securities received from us to close out any related short positions. We may also loan or pledge securities covered by this prospectus and an applicable prospectus supplement to third parties, who may sell the loaned securities or, in an event of default in the case of a pledge, sell the pledged securities pursuant to this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement or other offering materials, as the case may be.
A prospectus supplement with respect to each offering of securities will state the terms of the offering of the securities, including:
•the terms of the offering;
•the name or names of any underwriters or agents and the amounts of securities underwritten or purchased by each of them, if any;
•the public offering price or purchase price of the securities and the net proceeds to be received by us from the sale;
•any delayed delivery arrangements;
•any underwriting discounts or agency fees and other items constituting underwriters' or agents' compensation;
•any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and
•any securities exchange or markets on which the securities may be listed.
The offer and sale of the securities described in this prospectus by us, the underwriters or the third parties described above may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions, including privately negotiated transactions, either:
•at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed;
•at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, including in "at the market offerings";
•at prices related to the prevailing market prices; or
•at negotiated prices.
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General
Any public offering price and any discounts, commissions, concessions or other items constituting compensation allowed or reallowed or paid to underwriters, dealers, agents or remarketing firms may be changed from time to time. Underwriters, dealers, agents and remarketing firms that participate in the distribution of the offered securities may be "underwriters" as defined in the Securities Act. Any discounts or commissions they receive from us and any profits they receive on the resale of the offered securities may be treated as underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. We will identify any underwriters, agents or dealers and describe their commissions, fees or discounts in the applicable prospectus supplement or other offering materials, as the case may be.
Underwriters and Agents
If underwriters are used in a sale, they will acquire the offered securities for their own account. The underwriters may resell the offered securities in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions. These sales may be made at a fixed public offering price or prices, which may be changed, at market prices prevailing at the time of the sale, at prices related to such prevailing market price or at negotiated prices. We may offer the securities to the public through an underwriting syndicate or through a single underwriter. The underwriters in any particular offering will be mentioned in the applicable prospectus supplement or other offering materials, as the case may be.
Unless otherwise specified in connection with any particular offering of securities, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the offered securities will be subject to certain conditions contained in an underwriting agreement that we will enter into with the underwriters at the time of the sale to them. The underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the securities of the series offered if any of the securities are purchased, unless otherwise specified in connection with any particular offering of securities. Any initial offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed, reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.
We may designate agents to sell the offered securities. Unless otherwise specified in connection with any particular offering of securities, the agents will agree to use their best efforts to solicit purchases for the period of their appointment. We may also sell the offered securities to one or more remarketing firms, acting as principals for their own accounts or as agents for us. These firms will remarket the offered securities upon purchasing them in accordance with a redemption or repayment pursuant to the terms of the offered securities. A prospectus supplement or other offering materials, as the case may be, will identify any remarketing firm and will describe the terms of its agreement, if any, with us and its compensation.
In connection with offerings made through underwriters or agents, we may enter into agreements with such underwriters or agents pursuant to which we receive our outstanding securities in consideration for the securities being offered to the public for cash. In connection with these arrangements, the underwriters or agents may also sell securities covered by this prospectus to hedge their positions in these outstanding securities, including in short sale transactions. If so, the underwriters or agents may use the securities received from us under these arrangements to close out any related open borrowings of securities.
Dealers
We may sell the offered securities to dealers as principals. We may negotiate and pay dealers' commissions, discounts or concessions for their services. The dealer may then resell such securities to the public either at varying prices to be determined by the dealer or at a fixed offering price agreed to with us at the time of resale. Dealers engaged by us may allow other dealers to participate in resales.
Direct Sales
We may choose to sell the offered securities directly to multiple purchasers or a single purchaser. In this case, no underwriters or agents would be involved.
Institutional Purchasers
We may authorize agents, dealers or underwriters to solicit certain institutional investors to purchase offered securities on a delayed delivery basis pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified future date. The applicable prospectus supplement or other offering materials, as the case may be, will provide the details of any such arrangement, including the offering price and commissions payable on the solicitations.
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We will enter into such delayed contracts only with institutional purchasers that we approve. These institutions may include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies and educational and charitable institutions.
Indemnification; Other Relationships
We may have agreements with agents, underwriters, dealers and remarketing firms to indemnify them against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. Agents, underwriters, dealers and remarketing firms, and their affiliates, may engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us in the ordinary course of business. This includes commercial banking and investment banking transactions.
Market-Making, Stabilization and Other Transactions
There is currently no market for any of the offered securities, other than our Common Stock which is listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market. If the offered securities are traded after their initial issuance, they may trade at a discount from their initial offering price, depending upon prevailing interest rates, the market for similar securities and other factors. While it is possible that an underwriter could inform us that it intends to make a market in the offered securities, such underwriter would not be obligated to do so, and any such market-making could be discontinued at any time without notice. Therefore, no assurance can be given as to whether an active trading market will develop for the offered securities. We have no current plans for listing of the debt securities or preferred stock on any securities exchange or quotation system; any such listing with respect to any particular debt securities or preferred stock will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement or other offering materials, as the case may be.
In connection with any offering of Common Stock, the underwriters may purchase and sell shares of Common Stock in the open market. These transactions may include short sales, syndicate covering transactions and stabilizing transactions. Short sales involve syndicate sales of Common Stock in excess of the number of shares to be purchased by the underwriters in the offering, which creates a syndicate short position. "Covered" short sales are sales of shares made in an amount up to the number of shares represented by the underwriters' over-allotment option. In determining the source of shares to close out the covered syndicate short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of shares available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase shares through the over-allotment option. Transactions to close out the covered syndicate short involve either purchases of the Common Stock in the open market after the distribution has been completed or the exercise of the over-allotment option. The underwriters may also make "naked" short sales of shares in excess of the over-allotment option. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing shares of Common Stock in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the shares in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of bids for or purchases of shares in the open market while the offering is in progress for the purpose of pegging, fixing or maintaining the price of the securities.
In connection with any offering, the underwriters may also engage in penalty bids. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when the securities originally sold by the syndicate member are purchased in a syndicate covering transaction to cover syndicate short positions. Stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids may cause the price of the securities to be higher than it would be in the absence of these transactions. The underwriters may, if they commence these transactions, discontinue them at any time.
LEGAL MATTERS
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the validity of the securities offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Mintz Levin Cohn Ferris Glovsky and Popeo, P.C. ("Mintz Levin"). Certain other legal matters will also be passed upon for us by Mintz Levin. If legal matters in connection with offerings made by this prospectus are passed on by counsel for the underwriters, dealers or agents, if any, that counsel will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement.
EXPERTS
The audited financial statements incorporated by reference in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement have been incorporated by reference in reliance upon the report of Grant Thornton LLP, independent registered public accountants, upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
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INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
We incorporate by reference into this prospectus the documents listed below (excluding any portions of such documents that have been "furnished" but not "filed" for purposes of the Exchange Act):
•Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, filed with the SEC on February 25, 2021;
•Our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 25, 2021 and February 16, 2021; and
•The description of our common stock set forth in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A, filed with the SEC on August 2, 2013 (including any amendment or report filed with the SEC for the purpose of updating such description).
We also incorporate by reference into this prospectus all documents (other than current reports furnished under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K and exhibits filed on such form that are related to such items) that are filed by us with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (i) after the date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part and prior to effectiveness of the registration statement, and (ii) after the date of this prospectus but prior to the termination of the offering. These documents include periodic reports, such as Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, as well as proxy statements. Any such filings shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference and to be a part of this prospectus from the respective dates of filing of those documents. The SEC file number for each document incorporated by reference is 1-33650.
We will provide to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a prospectus is delivered, copies of these filings, excluding all exhibits unless an exhibit has been specifically incorporated by reference in such filings, at no cost, upon written or oral request made to:
Caladrius Biosciences, Inc.
110 Allen Road, 2nd Floor
Basking Ridge, NJ 07920
Attn: Todd C. Girolamo
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We have filed a registration statement on Form S-3 of which this prospectus is a part with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933. This prospectus omits some information and exhibits included in the registration statement, copies of which may be obtained upon payment of a fee prescribed by the Commission or may be examined free of charge at the principal office of the SEC in Washington, DC. You may also access our Form S-3 registration statement on the SEC’s website as discussed below.
We are subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and in accordance therewith file reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. The reports, proxy statements and other information filed by us with the SEC can be inspected and copied at the Public Reference Room maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Copies of filings can be obtained from the Public Reference Room maintained by the SEC by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. In addition, the Commission maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and informational statements and other information filed electronically with the SEC at http://www.sec.gov.
You may request, orally or in writing, a copy of these documents, which will be provided to you at no cost, by contacting Todd C. Girolamo, Esq., SVP, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Caladrius Biosciences, Inc., 110 Allen Road, 2nd Floor, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920, telephone (212) 935-3000.
You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus, including information incorporated by reference as described above, or any prospectus supplement that we have specifically referred you to. We have not authorized anyone else to provide you with different information. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of those documents or that any document incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than its filing date. You should not consider this prospectus to be an offer or solicitation relating to the securities in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or solicitation relating to the securities is not authorized. Furthermore, you should not consider this prospectus to be an offer or solicitation relating to the securities if the person making the offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so, or if it is unlawful for you to receive such an offer or solicitation.
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
The following table sets forth the various expenses to be incurred in connection with the registration of the securities being registered hereby, all of which will be borne by us. All amounts shown are estimates except the SEC registration fee.
| SEC registration fee | $16,365.00 | ||||
| Transfer agent’s and trustee’s fees and expenses | * | ||||
| Printing and engraving expenses | * | ||||
| Legal fees and expenses | * | ||||
| Accounting fees and expenses | * | ||||
| Miscellaneous | * | ||||
| Total expenses | $ | 16,365.00 | |||
* These fees and expenses are calculated based on the securities offered and the number of issuances and, accordingly, cannot be estimated at this time. An estimate of the aggregate amount of these expenses will be reflected in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
We are incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware. Under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “Delaware GCL”), a corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation), by reason of the fact that he or she is or was our director, officer, employee or agent, or is or was serving at our request as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he or she acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to our best interests, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful.
In addition, the Delaware GCL also provides that we also may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in our right to procure a judgment in our favor by reason of the fact that he or she is or was our director, officer, employee or agent, or is or was serving at our request as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if he or she acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to our best interests. However, in such an action by or on our behalf, no indemnification may be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which the person is adjudged liable to us unless and only to the extent that the court determines that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances, the person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the court shall deem proper.
Our certificate of incorporation is consistent with the Delaware GCL. Each of our directors, officers, employees and agents will be indemnified to the extent permitted by the Delaware GCL. We also maintain insurance on behalf of our directors and officers against liabilities asserted against such persons and incurred by such persons in such capacities, whether or not we would have the power to indemnify such persons under the Delaware GCL.
We have entered into indemnification agreements with our Chief Executive Officer, President and certain other employees and each of our directors pursuant to which we have agreed to indemnify such party to the full extent permitted by law, subject to certain exceptions, if such party becomes subject to an action because such party is a our director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary.
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Item 16. Exhibits.
The Exhibit Index appearing after the signature page to this Form S-3 is incorporated by reference herein.
Item 17. Undertakings.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
i.To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
1.To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
2.To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of this 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 this registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in the 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 Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and
3.To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this registration statement or any material change to such information in this registration statement; provided, however, that paragraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.
ii.That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
iii.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.
iv.That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:
1.If the registrants are relying on Rule 430B,
a.Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and
b.Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5) or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii) or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which the 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; or
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2.If the registrant is subject to Rule 430C, each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness; provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use.
v.That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the 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:
a.Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
b.Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;
c.The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about an undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and
d.Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by an undersigned registrant to the purchaser.
(6)That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(7)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 (the “Act”) in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Act.
(8)If this registration statement is permitted by Rule 430A, that:
1.For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b) (1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.
2.For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(9)Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the forgoing 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 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 Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
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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 Basking Ridge, State of New Jersey, on April 1, 2021.
CALADRIUS BIOSCIENCES, INC.
By: /s/ David J. Mazzo
David J. Mazzo, Ph.D.
President and Chief Executive Officer
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints David Mazzo and Todd Girolamo, and each of them, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, each with the full power of substitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place or stead, in any and all capacities to sign any and all amendments to this registration statement (including post-effective amendments), and to sign any registration statement for the same offering covered by this registration statement that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) promulgated under the Securities Act, and all post-effective amendments thereto, and to file the same, with exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
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/ David. J. Mazzo | President, Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) | April 1, 2021 | ||||||
| David J. Mazzo, Ph.D. | ||||||||
| /s/ Gregory B. Brown | Director and Chairman of the Board | April 1, 2021 | ||||||
| Gregory B. Brown, M.D. | ||||||||
| /s/ Michael H. Davidson | Director | April 1, 2021 | ||||||
| Michael H. Davidson, M.D | ||||||||
| /s/ Steven M. Klosk | Director | April 1, 2021 | ||||||
| Steven M. Klosk | ||||||||
| /s/ Steven S. Myers | Director | April 1, 2021 | ||||||
| Steven S. Myers | ||||||||
| /s/ Cynthia S. Schwalm | Director | April 1, 2021 | ||||||
| Cynthia S. Schwalm | ||||||||
| /s/ Peter Traber | Director | April 1, 2021 | ||||||
| Peter Traber, M.D. | ||||||||
| /s/ Anne C. Whitaker | Director | April 1, 2021 | ||||||
| Anne C. Whitaker | ||||||||
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Exhibit Index
| Exhibit | Description | |||||||
| 1.1 | * | Form of Underwriting Agreement for Equity Securities | ||||||
| 1.2 | * | Form of Underwriting Agreement for Debt Securities | ||||||
| Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Caladrius Biosciences, Inc., as amended, effective July 27, 2016 (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2016, filed with the SEC on August 9, 2016) | ||||||||
| Amended and Restated By-Laws of Caladrius Biosciences, Inc., as amended, effective July 27, 2016 (filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2016, filed with the SEC on August 9, 2016) | ||||||||
| Amendment to the Amended and Restated By-Laws of Caladrius Biosciences, Inc., effective as of September 18, 2017 (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on September 21, 2017) | ||||||||
| 4.1 | * | Form of Senior Debt Security | ||||||
| 4.2 | * | Form of Subordinated Debt Security | ||||||
| † | Form of Senior Indenture | |||||||
| † | Form of Subordinated Indenture | |||||||
| 4.5 | * | Form of Warrant Agreement | ||||||
| 4.6 | * | Form of Warrant Certificate | ||||||
| 4.7 | * | Form of Unit Agreement | ||||||
| † | Opinion of Mintz Levin as to the legality of the securities being registered | |||||||
| 12.1 | * | Computation of Ratio to Earnings to Fixed Charges | ||||||
| † | Consent of Grant Thornton LLP | |||||||
| † | Consent of Mintz Levin (included in Exhibit 5.1) | |||||||
| † | Power of Attorney (included on the signature page of this registration statement) | |||||||
| 25.1 | + | Statement of Eligibility of Trustee on Form T-1 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (for Debt Securities) | ||||||
| 25.2 | + | Statement of Eligibility of Trustee on Form T-1 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (for Subordinated Debt Securities) | ||||||
___________________________
† Filed herewith.
* To be filed by amendment or as an exhibit to a document to be incorporated by reference herein in connection with an offering of the offered securities.
+ Where applicable, to be incorporated by reference to a subsequent filing in accordance with Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.
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| Mintz Levin | Chrysler Center 666 Third Avenue New York, NY 10017 212 935 3000 mintz.com | ||||
Exhibit 5.1
April 1, 2021
Caladrius Biosciences, Inc.
110 Allen Road, Second Floor
Basking Ridge, NJ 07920
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as legal counsel to Caladrius Biosciences, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the preparation and filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) of a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”), pursuant to which the Company is registering under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), the following:
i.common stock, $0.001 par value per share (the “Common Stock”);
ii.preferred stock, $0.001 par value per share (the “Preferred Stock”);
iii.senior debt securities, in one or more series (the “Senior Debt Securities”), which may be issued pursuant to an indenture to be dated on or about the date of the first issuance of Senior Debt Securities thereunder, by and between the Company and a trustee to be selected by the Company (the “Senior Indenture”);
iv.subordinated debt securities, in one or more series (the “Subordinated Debt Securities” and, together with the Senior Debt Securities, the “Debt Securities”), which may be issued pursuant to an indenture to be dated on or about the date of the first issuance of Subordinated Debt Securities thereunder, by and between the Company and a trustee to be selected by the Company (the “Subordinated Indenture”);
v.warrants to purchase Common Stock, Preferred Stock and/or Debt Securities (the “Warrants”), which may be issued under warrant agreements, to be dated on or about the date of the first issuance of the applicable Warrants thereunder, by and between the Company and a warrant agent to be selected by the Company (each, a “Warrant Agreement”); and
vi.units comprised of one or more Debt Securities, shares of Common Stock, Preferred Stock and Warrants, in any combination (the “Units”), which may be issued under unit agreements, to be dated on or about the date of the first issuance of the applicable Units thereunder, by and between the Company and a unit agent to be selected by the Company (each, a “Unit Agreement”).
The Common Stock, the Preferred Stock, the Debt Securities, the Warrants and the Units are collectively referred to herein as the “Securities.” The Registration Statement relates to the registration of the Securities to be offered and sold by the Company from time to time on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act. The maximum aggregate public offering price of the Securities being registered is $150,000,000. This opinion is being rendered in connection with the filing of the Registration Statement with the Commission. All capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the respective meanings given to them in the Registration Statement.
In connection with this opinion, we have examined the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, and Amended and Restated Bylaws, each as currently in effect; such other records of the corporate proceedings of the Company and certificates of the Company’s officers as we have deemed relevant; and the Registration Statement and the exhibits thereto.
In our examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of natural persons, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as certified or photostatic copies and the authenticity of the originals of such copies.
In our capacity as counsel to the Company in connection with such registration, we are familiar with the proceedings taken and proposed to be taken by the Company in connection with the authorization and issuance of the Securities. For purposes of this opinion, we have assumed that such proceedings will be timely and properly completed, in accordance with all requirements of applicable federal and Delaware laws, in the manner presently proposed.
The opinions set forth below are subject to the following exceptions, limitations and qualifications: (i) the effect of bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or other similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to or affecting the rights and remedies of creditors; (ii) the effect of general principles of equity, whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law, and the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought; (iii) the unenforceability under certain circumstances under law or court decisions of provisions providing for the indemnification of, or contribution to, a party with respect to a liability where such indemnification or contribution is contrary to public policy; (iv) we express no opinion concerning the enforceability of any waiver of rights or defenses with respect to stay, extension or usury laws; and (v) we express no opinion with respect to whether acceleration of any Debt Securities may affect the ability to collect any portion of the stated principal amount thereof which might be determined to constitute unearned interest thereon.
We have relied as to certain matters on information obtained from public officials, officers of the Company, and other sources believed by us to be responsible and we have assumed that the Senior Indenture and the Subordinated Indenture will be duly authorized, executed, and delivered by the respective trustees thereunder and the Warrant Agreement and Unit Agreement will be duly authorized, executed, and delivered by the warrant agent and unit agent, respectively, thereunder will be duly authorized, executed, and delivered by the other parties thereto. With respect to our opinion as to the Common Stock and Securities convertible into or exercisable for shares of Common Stock, we have assumed that, at the time of issuance and sale, a sufficient number of shares of Common Stock are authorized and available for issuance under the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, as then in effect and that the consideration for the issuance and sale of the Common Stock (or Debt Securities convertible into Common Stock or Warrants exercisable for Common Stock or any Units of such Securities) is in an amount that is not less than the par value of the Common Stock. With respect to our opinion as to the Preferred Stock and Securities convertible into or exercisable for shares of Preferred Stock, we have assumed that, at the time of issuance and sale, a sufficient number of shares of Preferred Stock are authorized, designated and available for issuance under the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, and that the consideration for the issuance and sale of the Preferred Stock (or Debt Securities convertible into Preferred Stock or Warrants exercisable for Preferred Stock or any Units of such Securities) is in an amount that is not less than the par value of the Preferred Stock. We have also assumed that any Warrants and Units offered under the Registration Statement, and the related Warrant Agreement and Unit Agreement, as applicable, will be executed in the forms to be filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement or incorporated by reference therein. We have not independently verified any of the foregoing assumptions.
It is understood that this opinion is to be used only in connection with the offer and sale of Securities while the Registration Statement is effective under the Securities Act.
Our opinion is limited to the general corporate laws of the State of Delaware and the laws of the State of New York. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, we express no opinion with respect to (i) the qualification of the shares under the securities or blue sky laws of any state or any foreign jurisdiction or (ii) the compliance with any federal or state law, rule or regulation relating to securities, or to the sale or issuance thereof.
Please note that we are opining only as to the matters expressly set forth herein, and no opinion should be inferred as to any other matters. The Securities may be issued from time to time on a delayed or continuous basis, but this opinion is based upon currently existing statutes, rules, regulations and judicial decisions, and we disclaim any obligation to advise you of any change in any of these sources of law or subsequent legal or factual developments which might affect any matters or opinions set forth herein.
Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:
1. With respect to the Common Stock, when (i) specifically authorized for issuance by the Company’s Board of Directors or an authorized committee thereof (the “Authorizing Resolutions”), (ii) the Registration Statement, as finally amended (including all post-effective amendments), has become effective under the Securities Act, (iii) an appropriate prospectus supplement with respect to the applicable shares of Common Stock has been prepared, delivered and filed in compliance with the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations thereunder, (iv) if the applicable shares of Common Stock are to be sold pursuant to a purchase, underwriting or similar agreement (an “Underwriting Agreement”), such Underwriting Agreement with respect to the applicable shares of Common Stock in the form filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, any post-effective amendment thereto or to a Current Report on Form 8-K, has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto, (v) the terms of the sale of the Common Stock have been duly established in conformity with the Company’s then operative Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, and Amended and Restated Bylaws and do not violate any applicable law or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding on the Company and comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company, (vi) the Common Stock has been issued and sold as contemplated by the Registration Statement and the prospectus included therein, and (vii) the Company has received the consideration provided for in the Authorizing Resolutions and, if applicable, the Underwriting Agreement, the Common Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
2. With respect to the Preferred Stock, when (i) specifically authorized for issuance by the Authorizing Resolutions, (ii) the Registration Statement, as finally amended (including all post-effective amendments), has become effective under the Securities Act, (iii) an appropriate prospectus supplement with respect to the applicable shares of Preferred Stock has been prepared, delivered and filed in compliance with the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations thereunder, (iv) if the applicable shares of Preferred Stock are to be sold pursuant to an Underwriting Agreement, such Underwriting Agreement with respect to the applicable shares of Preferred Stock in the form filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, any post-effective amendment thereto or to a Current Report on Form 8-K, has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto, (v) an appropriate Certificate or Certificates of Amendment or Designation relating to a class or series of the Preferred Stock to be sold under the Registration Statement has been duly authorized and adopted and filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware prior to the issuance of the Preferred Stock, (vi) the terms of issuance and sale of shares of such class or series of Preferred Stock have been duly established in conformity with the Company’s then operative Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, and Amended and Restated Bylaws and do not violate any applicable law or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company and comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company, (vii) shares of such class or series of Preferred Stock have been duly issued and sold as contemplated by the Registration Statement and the prospectus included therein, and (viii) the Company has received the consideration provided for in the Authorizing Resolutions and, if applicable, the Underwriting Agreement, the Preferred Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
3. With respect to the Debt Securities, when (i) specifically authorized for issuance by the Authorizing Resolutions, (ii) the Registration Statement, as finally amended (including all post-effective amendments), has become effective under the Securities Act, (iii) the Senior Indenture or the Subordinated Indenture, whichever the case may be, has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company, (iv) an appropriate prospectus supplement with respect to the applicable Debt Securities has been prepared, delivered and filed in compliance with the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations thereunder, (v) if the applicable Debt Securities are to be sold pursuant to an Underwriting Agreement, such Underwriting Agreement with respect to the applicable Debt Securities in the form filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, any post-effective amendment thereto or to a
Current Report on Form 8-K, has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto; (vi) the terms of the Debt Securities and of their issuance and sale have been duly established in conformity with the Senior Indenture or the Subordinated Indenture, whichever the case may be, and do not violate any applicable law or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company and comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company, (vii) such Debt Securities have been duly executed and authenticated in accordance with the Senior Indenture or the Subordinated Indenture, whichever the case may be, and issued and sold as contemplated in the Registration Statement and the prospectus included therein, (viii) the Senior Indenture or the Subordinated Indenture, whichever the case may be, relating to the Debt Securities has been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and (ix) the Company has received the consideration provided for in the Authorizing Resolutions and, if applicable, the Underwriting Agreement, the Debt Securities will constitute binding obligations of the Company.
4. With respect to the Warrants, when (i) specifically authorized for issuance by the Authorizing Resolutions, (ii) the Registration Statement, as finally amended (including all post-effective amendments), has become effective under the Securities Act, (iii) the Warrant Agreement relating to the Warrants has been duly authorized, executed, and delivered by the Company, (iv) an appropriate prospectus supplement with respect to the applicable Warrants has been prepared, delivered and filed in compliance with the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations thereunder, (v) if the applicable Warrants are to be sold pursuant to an Underwriting Agreement, such Underwriting Agreement with respect to the applicable Warrants in the form filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, any post-effective amendment thereto or to a Current Report on Form 8-K, has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto, (vi) the terms of the Warrants and of their issuance and sale have been duly established in conformity with the Warrant Agreement and do not violate any applicable law or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company and comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company, (vii) the Warrants have been duly executed and countersigned in accordance with the Warrant Agreement and issued and sold as contemplated by the Registration Statement and the prospectus included therein, and (viii) the Company has received the consideration provided for in the Authorizing Resolutions and, if applicable, the Underwriting Agreement, the Warrants will constitute binding obligations of the Company.
5. With respect to the Units, when (i) specifically authorized for issuance by the Authorizing Resolutions, (ii) the Registration Statement, as finally amended (including all post-effective amendments), has become effective under the Securities Act, (iii) the Unit Agreement relating to the Units has been duly authorized, executed, and delivered by the Company, (iv) an appropriate prospectus supplement with respect to the applicable Units has been prepared, delivered and filed in compliance with the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations thereunder, (v) if the applicable Units are to be sold pursuant to an Underwriting Agreement, such Underwriting Agreement with respect to the applicable Units in the form filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, any post-effective amendment thereto or to a Current Report on Form 8-K, has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto, (vi) the terms of the Units and of their issuance and sale have been duly established in conformity with the Unit Agreement and do not violate any applicable law or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company and comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company, (vii) the Units have been duly executed and countersigned in accordance with the Unit Agreement and issued and sold as contemplated by the Registration Statement and the prospectus included therein, and (viii) the Company has received the consideration provided for in the Authorizing Resolutions and, if applicable, the Underwriting Agreement, the Units will constitute binding obligations of the Company.
We understand that you wish to file this opinion with the Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities Act and to reference the firm’s name under the caption “Legal Matters” in the prospectus which forms part of the Registration Statement, and we hereby consent thereto. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C.
Exhibit 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We have issued our report dated February 25, 2021 with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Caladrius Biosciences, Inc. included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, which is incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement. We consent to the incorporation by reference of the aforementioned report in this Registration Statement, and to the use of our name as it appears under the caption “Experts”.
/s/ GRANT THORNTON LLP
New York, New York
April 1, 2021