As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 28, 2016December 4, 2019

No. 333-211844333- _______

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Amendment No. 1 to

FORMS-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

PIERIS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Nevada EIN 30-0784346

(State or other jurisdiction

of Incorporation)incorporation)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

255 State Street, 9th Floor

Boston, MA 02109

United States

(857) 246-89981-857-246-8998

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

 

 

StephenAhmed S. YoderMousa

General Counsel

255 State Street, 9th Floor

Boston, MA 02109

United States

(857) 246-8998246-9889

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

 

 

With copies to:

William C. Hicks, Esq.

Marc D. Mantell, Esq.

Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C.

One Financial Center

Boston, Massachusetts 02111

(617)542-6000

 

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, anon-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” andfiler,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one).

 

Large accelerated filer ¨  Accelerated filer ¨
Non-accelerated filer ¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)  Smaller reporting company x
Emerging growth company

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

 

 


CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

Title of each Class of

Securities to be Registered

  

Amount

to be

Registered (1)

  

Proposed

Maximum

Offering Price

Per Share

  

Proposed

Maximum

Aggregate

Offering Price

  

Amount of

Registration Fee

Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share

  18,029,920  $3.91(2)  $70,496,987.20  $9,150.51

 

 

(1)

Pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), this registration statement also covers any additional number of shares of common stock issuable upon stock splits, stock dividends or other similar distributions, recapitalizations or similar events with respect to shares of the common stock being registered pursuant to this registration statement.

(2)

In accordance with Rule 457(c) under the Securities Act, the aggregate offering price of the common stock is estimated solely for the calculation of the registration fees due for this filing. This estimate was based on the average of the high and low sales price of our stock reported by The Nasdaq Capital Market on November 26, 2019.

THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(a), MAY DETERMINE.

 

 

 


Explanatory Note:

On June 3, 2016, Pieris Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”) filed a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on Form S-3 (File No. 333-211844) (the “Registration Statement”) to register an indeterminate number of shares of common stock and preferred stock, such indeterminate principal amount of debt securities, such indeterminate number of warrants, rights and purchase contracts to purchase common stock, preferred stock or debt securities, and such indeterminate number of unites, as shall have an aggregate initial offering price not to exceed $100,000,000. This Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement (“Amendment No. 1”) is being filed prior to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement and pursuant to the undertakings in Item 17 of the Registration Statement to update and supplement the information contained in the Registration Statement (i) to include the information contained in Amendment No. 2 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K which was filed with the SEC on July 20, 2016, (ii) to include the information contained in Amendment No. 1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2016 which was filed with the SEC on July 20, 2016, (iii) to include the information contained in the Company’s Current Reports on Form 8-K which were filed with the SEC on each of June 6, 2016, June 8, 2016, June 9, 2016, July 1, 2016 and July 26, 2016 and (iv) to include an updated prospectus relating to the offering and sale of the securities that are being registered for sale on the Form S-3.

No additional securities are being registered under this Amendment No. 1. All applicable registration fees were paid at the time of the original filing of the Registration Statement.


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

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED July 28, 2016DECEMBER 4, 2019

PROSPECTUS

PIERIS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

$100,000,000LOGO

COMMON STOCK18,029,920 Shares of Common Stock

PREFERRED STOCK

DEBT SECURITIES

WARRANTS

RIGHTS

PURCHASE CONTRACTS

UNITS

This prospectus will allow us to issue, from time to time at prices and on terms to be determined atThe selling stockholders of Pieris Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Pieris,” “we,” “us” or prior to the time of the offering, up to $100,000,000 of any combination of the securities described“Company”) identified in this prospectus, either individuallyincluding their pledgees, donees, transferees, assigns or other successors in units. Weinterest, may also offer and resell under this prospectus up to 18,029,920 shares of common stock, or preferred stockpar value $0.001 per share, of the Company (the “Common Stock”). The number of shares offered for sale by the selling stockholders consists of (i) 5,492,960 shares of Common Stock (the “Common Shares”) presently issued and outstanding, (ii) 3,522,000 shares of Common Stock (the “Underlying Shares”) issuable upon the conversion of or exchange for debt securities; common stock upon conversion3,522 shares of or exchange for the preferred stock; common stock, preferred stock or debt securitiesCompany’s Series C Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Preferred Shares”), and (iii) 9,014,960 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants rights or performance(the “2019 PIPE Warrants”) to purchase Common Stock (the “Warrant Shares”, and together with the Underlying Shares and the Common Shares, the “Shares”). The Common Shares, the Preferred Shares and the 2019 PIPE Warrants were sold to the selling stockholders, each of purchase contracts; or any combination of these securities upon the performance of purchase contracts.which is an accredited investor, in a private placement transaction that closed on November 6, 2019 (the “2019 PIPE”).

We may offer and sell these securitiesare registering the resale of the Shares covered by this prospectus as required by the registration rights agreement we entered into with the selling stockholders on November 2, 2019 (the “2019 PIPE Registration Rights Agreement”). The selling stockholders will receive all of the proceeds from any sales of the Shares offered hereby. We will not receive any of the proceeds, but we will incur expenses in connection with the offering. To the extent the 2019 PIPE Warrants are exercised on a delayedcash basis, if at all, we will receive the exercise price of the 2019 PIPE Warrants.

The selling stockholders may sell the Shares through public or continuous basis to or through one or more underwriters, dealers or agents, or directly to investors, in amounts,private transactions at market prices and on terms to be determined by market conditions and other factorsprevailing at the time of sale or at negotiated prices. The timing and amount of any sale are within the offering.sole discretion of the selling stockholders. The selling stockholders may sell any, all or none of the securities offered by this prospectus and we do not know when or in what amount the selling stockholders may sell their shares of Common Stock hereunder following the effective date of this registration statement. Our registration of the Shares covered by this prospectus does not mean that the selling stockholders will offer or sell any of the Shares. For additionalfurther information onregarding the possible methods of sale, you should refer toby which the section entitledShares may be distributed, see “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. 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.

This prospectus describes only the general terms of these securities and the general manner in which we will offer the securities. The specific terms of any securities we offer will, if not included in this prospectus or information incorporated by reference herein, be included in a supplement to this prospectus. The prospectus supplement may describe the specific manner in which we will offer the securities and may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus.

Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQThe Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “PIRS”. On July 22, 2016,December 3, 2019, the last reported sale price for our common stock was $1.69$3.90 per share. We will provide information in the related prospectus supplement for the trading market, if any, for any other securities that may be offered. Prospective purchasers of our securities are urged to obtain current information as to the market prices of our securities, where applicable.

Investing in our securitiescommon stock involves a high degree of risk. Before making any investment in any of our securities, you should read andPlease consider carefully consider the risks described in this prospectus under “Risk Factors” beginning on page 45 of this prospectus.prospectus and in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

This prospectus may not be used to sell our securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

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

 

 

This prospectus is dated            , 20162019


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

   Page No. 

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

   1 

THE OFFERING

3

RISK FACTORS

   4

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

45 

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

   46 

USE OF PROCEEDS

   58

SELLING STOCKHOLDERS

9 

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

   6

DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK

8

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK

9

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

10

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

16

DESCRIPTION OF RIGHTS

17

DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASE CONTRACTS

18

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

19

CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF NEVADA LAW AND THE COMPANY’S ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS

2012 

LEGAL MATTERS

   2514 

EXPERTS

   2514 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONALMORE INFORMATION

   2515 

INFORMATION INCORPORATEDINCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

   2616 

i


About ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This Prospectus

You should rely only on the informationprospectus is part of a registration statement that we have providedfiled with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) pursuant to which the selling stockholders named herein may, from time to time, offer and sell or incorporatedotherwise dispose of the Shares covered by reference in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectusprospectus. You should not assume that we may authorize to be provided to you. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. No dealer, salesperson or other person is authorized to give anythe information or to represent anything not contained in this prospectus any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you. You must not relyis accurate on any unauthorized information or representation. This prospectus is an offerdate subsequent to sell only the securities offered hereby, but only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so. You should assume that the information in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus is accurate only as of the date set forth on the front cover of the document andthis prospectus or that any information we have incorporated by reference is accurate only as ofcorrect on any date subsequent to the date of the document incorporated by reference, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus, or any sale of a security registered under the registration statement of whicheven though this prospectus is delivered or Shares are sold or otherwise disposed of on a part.later date.

This prospectus does not contain all of the information included in the registration statement. For a more complete understanding of the offering of the securities,Shares, you should refer to the registration statement including itsthe exhibits. This prospectus contains summaries of certain provisions contained in some of the documents described herein, but reference is made to the actual documents for complete information. All of the summaries are qualified in their entirety by the actual documents. The prospectus supplement may also add, updateCopies of some of the documents referred to herein have been filed, will be filed or change information contained orwill be incorporated by reference in this prospectus. However, no prospectus supplement will offer a security that is not registered and described inas exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus at the timeis a part, and you may obtain copies of its effectiveness. This prospectus, together with the applicable prospectus supplements and thethose documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus, includes all material information relating to the offering of securities under this prospectus. You should carefully read this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement, the information and documents incorporated herein by reference and the additional informationas described below under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” before making an investment decision.

Information.” We further note that the representations, warranties and covenants made by us in any agreement that is filed as an exhibit to any document that is incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus were made solely for the benefit of the parties to such agreement, including in some cases, for the purpose of allocating risk among the parties to such agreements, and should not be deemed to be a representation, warranty or covenant to you. Moreover, such representations, warranties or covenants were accurate only as of the date when made. Accordingly, such representations, warranties and covenants should not be relied on as accurately representing the current state of our affairs.

This prospectus may not be used It is important for you to consummate sales of our securities, unless it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement. To the extent there are inconsistencies between any prospectus supplement,read and consider all information contained in this prospectus, and anyincluding the documents incorporated by reference therein, in making your investment decision. You should also read and consider the documentinformation in the documents to which we have referred you under “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference” in this prospectus.

We and the selling stockholders have not authorized anyone to give any information or to make any representation to you other than those contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. You must not rely upon any information or representation not contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any of our shares of Common Stock other than the Shares covered hereby, nor does this prospectus constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction. Persons who come into possession of this prospectus in jurisdictions outside the United States are required to inform themselves about, and to observe, any restrictions as to the offering and the distribution of this prospectus applicable to those jurisdictions.

This prospectus, including the documents incorporated by reference herein, include statements that are based on various assumptions and estimates that are subject to numerous known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Some of these risks and uncertainties are described in the section entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 5 of this prospectus and described in described in Part I, Item 1A (Risk Factors) of our most recent Annual Report onForm 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, or our Annual Report, as well as the other documents that we file with the most recent date will control.SEC. These and other important factors could cause our future results to be materially different from the results expected as a result of, or implied by, these assumptions and estimates. You should read the information contained in, or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus completely and with the understanding that future results may be materially different from and worse than what we expect. See the information included under the heading “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

As used in this prospectus, unless the context indicates or otherwise requires, “our Company”, “the Company”, “Pieris”, “we”,references in this prospectus to “Pieris,” the “Company,” “we,” “us”, and “our” refer to Pieris Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Nevada corporation, and itsour consolidated subsidiary, and the term “Pieris GmbH” refers to Pieris Pharmaceuticals GmbH, a company organized under the laws of Germany that, through a share exchange transaction completed on December 17, 2014, has become our wholly owned subsidiary.subsidiaries.

We have registered trademarks for Pieris®, and Anticalin® and Pocket Binding®. All other trademarks, trade names and service marks included in this prospectus are the property of their respective owners. Use or display by us of other parties’ trademarks, trade dress or products is not intended to and does not imply a relationship with, or endorsements or sponsorship of, us by the trademark or trade dress owner.

 

ii


PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

The following is a summary of what we believe to be the most important aspects of our business and the offering of our securities under this prospectus. We urge you to read this entire prospectus, including the more detailed consolidated financial statements, notes to the consolidated financial statements and other information incorporated by reference from our other filings with the SEC or included in any applicable prospectus supplement.SEC. Investing in our securities involves risks. Therefore, carefully consider the risk factors set forth in anythis prospectus supplements and in our most recent annual and quarterly filings with the SEC, as well as other information in this prospectus and any prospectus supplements and the documents incorporated by reference herein, or therein, before purchasing our securities. Each of the risk factors could adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition, as well as adversely affect the value of an investment in our securities.

OverviewAbout Pieris Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

We are a clinical stageclinical-stage biotechnology company that discovers and develops Anticalin-based drugs to target validated disease pathways in a unique and transformative way.ways. Our clinical pipeline includes immuno-oncology multi-specifics tailored for the tumor micro-environment, an inhaled AnticalinIL-4Rα antagonist to treat uncontrolled asthma,PRS-060, and a half-life-optimizedan immuno-oncology (IO) bispecific targeting4-1BB and HER2,PRS-343. Proprietary to us, Anticalin to treat anemia. Our proprietary Anticalinsproteins are a novel class of protein therapeutics validated in the clinic and bythrough partnerships with leading pharmaceutical companies.

Anticalin® proteins are a class of low molecular-weight therapeutic proteins derived from lipocalins, which are naturally occurring low-molecular weight human proteins typically found in human blood plasma and other bodily fluids. Anticalin®-branded proteins function similarly to monoclonal antibodies or mAbs, by binding tightly and specifically to a diverse range of targets. An antibody is a large protein used by the immune system that recognizes a unique part of a target molecule, called an antigen. We believe Anticalin proteins possess numerous advantages over antibodies in certain applications. For example, Anticalin proteins are relatively small in size and monomeric, meaning they are comprised of a single polypeptide rather than a multi-polypeptide protein complex. Therefore, we believe Anticalin proteins are generally more stable biophysically than antibodies, which are composed of four polypeptide chains. The greater stability and small size of Anticalin proteins as compared to antibodies potentially enable unique routes of Anticalin protein drug administration such as inhaled delivery. Higher-molecular-weight entities, such as antibodies, are often too large to be delivered effectively through these methods. Our Anticalin technology is modular, which allows us to design multimeric Anticalin-basedbi- and multi- specific proteins to bind with specificity to two or more targets at the same time. This multispecificity offers advantages in biological settings where binding to multiple targets can enhance the ability of a drug to achieve its desired effects, such as facilitating the killing of cancer cells. Moreover, unlike antibodies, the pharmacokinetic, or PK, profile of Anticalin proteins can be adjusted to potentially enable program-specific optimal drug exposure. Such differentiating characteristics suggest that Anticalin proteins have the potential, in certain cases, to becomebest-in-class drugs.

We have intellectual property rights directed to various aspects of our Anticalin technology platform, allowing for further development and advancement of both our platform and drug candidates. We believe that our ownership or exclusive license of intellectual property related to the Anticalin platform provides us with a strong intellectual property position. We also believe that the drug-like properties of Anticalin proteins have been demonstrated in various clinical trials with different Anticalin-based drug candidates.

Our core Anticalin® technology and platform were developed in Germany, and we have collaboration arrangementscollaborations with major multi-national pharmaceutical companies headquarteredcompanies. We entered into a license and collaboration agreement with Les Laboratoires Servier and Institut de Recherches Internationales Servier, or Servier, in the U.S., EuropeJanuary 2017 in IO. In May 2017, we entered an alliance with AstraZeneca AB, or AstraZeneca, to treat respiratory diseases, and Japanin February 2018, we entered into a license and collaboration agreement with regional pharmaceutical companies headquartered in India. These include existing agreements with Daiichi Sankyo Company Limited, or Daiichi Sankyo, and Sanofi Group, or Sanofi, pursuant to which our Anticalin platform has consistently achieved its development milestones. Furthermore, we established a collaboration with F.Hoffmann—La Roche Ltd. and Hoffmann—La RocheSeattle Genetics Inc., or RocheSeattle Genetics, in December 2015. WeIO.

In connection with our efforts to develop multispecific Anticalin-antibody fusion proteins designed to engage immunomodulatory targets, we have discoverygainednon-exclusive access to antibody-related intellectual property that can be utilized to develop multispecific therapies.

Corporate History and preclinical collaboration and service agreements with both academic institutions and private firms in Australia, which increasingly are being handled through Pieris Australia Pty Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Pieris.

Additional Information

For more information regarding our business, see the disclosure under the headings “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Business” included elsewhere in this prospectus. For a description of certain risks related to our business, see the disclosure under the heading “Risk Factors” beginning on page 4 of this prospectus.

Corporate History

Pieris Pharmaceuticals, Inc. was incorporated under the laws ofin the State of Nevada onin May 24, 2013 withunder the name “Marika Inc.” and we changed our name to “PierisPieris Pharmaceuticals, Inc.” on December 16, 2014. On December 17, 2014, we closed a share exchange transaction in which the stockholders of Pieris GmbH contributed all of their equity interests in Pieris GmbH to Pieris in exchange for shares of our common stock, resulted in Pieris GmbH becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. Immediately following the closing, began operating the business of Pieris Pharmaceuticals GmbH, became ouror Pieris GmbH, through a reverse acquisition on December 17, 2014. Pieris GmbH (formerly Pieris AG, a German company that was founded in 2001) continues as an operating subsidiary of Pieris Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Pieris Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is the sole focus.shareholder of Pieris GmbH.



OurPieris Pharmaceuticals, Inc.’s corporate headquarters are located at 255 State Street, 9th9th Floor, Boston, Massachusetts 0210902109. The research facilities of Pieris GmbH are located in Freising, Germany. In early 2020, we anticipate that the research facilities of Pieris GmbH will be relocated to Hallbergmoos, Germany. Pieris Australia Pty Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pieris GmbH, was formed in February 2014 to conduct research and development activities in Australia. Pieris Pharmaceuticals Securities Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pieris Pharmaceuticals, Inc. was formed in December 2016 to buy, sell, deal in, or hold securities on its own behalf and not as a broker, and will engage in its activities exclusively for investment purposes.



Our corporate website address iswww.pieris.com. The information on our telephone numberwebsite is (857) 246-8998. We maintain a website at www.pieris.com, to which we regularly post copiesnot part of our press releases as well as additional information about us. Thethis prospectus or incorporated by reference into this prospectus, and you should not consider any information contained on, or that can be accessed through, our website is not a partin deciding whether to purchase shares of this prospectus. We have included our website address in this prospectus solely as an inactive textual reference.

common stock. Our Annual ReportsReport on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports onReportson Form 10-Q and Current Reportson Form 8-K and all amendments to thosesuch reports are made available free of charge through the “Investors—SEC Filings” section of our website as soon as reasonably practicable after they have been filed or furnished with the SEC.



THE OFFERING

This prospectus relates to the resale from time to time by the selling stockholders identified herein of up to 18,029,920 shares of our Common Stock. We are not offering any shares for sale under the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

Common stock offered by the selling stockholders hereunder:18,029,920 (including 3,522,000 of the Underlying Shares and 9,014,960 of the Warrant Shares)
Common stock to be outstanding after this offering:67,512,626 (assuming the 3,522 Preferred Shares are converted in full, and the 9,014,960 2019 PIPE Warrants are exercised in full)
Use of proceeds:We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of Common Stock offered by the selling stockholders under this prospectus. We may receive up to approximately $64,006,216 in aggregate gross proceeds from cash exercises of the 2019 PIPE Warrants, based on the per share exercise price of the 2019 PIPE Warrants, in the event any of the 2019 PIPE Warrants are exercised on a cash basis. Any proceeds we receive from the exercise of the 2019 PIPE Warrants will be used for advancement of our proprietary and partnered drug candidates and may be used in particular to facilitate Pieris’ potentialopt-into theco-development ofPRS-060/AZD1402 in the event of positive Phase 2a data. Any proceeds we receive from the exercise of the 2019 PIPE Warrants may also be used for working capital and general corporate purposes.
Offering price:The selling stockholders may sell all or a portion of their Shares through public or private transactions at prevailing market prices or at privately negotiated prices.
Risk factors:Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk and purchasers may lose their entire investment. See the disclosure under the heading “Risk Factors” on page 5 of this prospectus.
Nasdaq Capital Market symbol:PIRS

The number of shares of Common Stock to be outstanding after this offering, unless otherwise indicated, the information in this prospectus is based on an aggregate of 49,392,706 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of September 30, 2019 and excludes:

2,907,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock outstanding as of September 30, 2019;

5,000,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock outstanding as of September 30, 2019;

3,522,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of shares of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock that were issued on November 6, 2019;

3,720,862 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants outstanding as of September 30, 2019, at a weighted average exercise price of $2.31 per share;

9,014,960 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants issued on November 6, 2019, at a weighted average exercise price of $7.10 per share;



3,009,999 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options as of September 30, 2019 issued pursuant to Section 13(a)our 2014 employee, director, and consultant equity incentive plan, or 15(d)the 2014 Plan, at a weighted average exercise price of $1.90 per share;

3,301,061 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options as of September 30, 2019 issued pursuant to our 2016 employee, director, and consultant equity incentive plan, or the 2016 Plan, at a weighted average exercise price of $5.37 per share;

2,295,384 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options as of September 30, 2019 issued pursuant to our 2018 employee, director, and consultant equity incentive plan, or the 2018 Plan, at a weighted average exercise price of $3.23 per share;

51,800 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options as of September 30, 2019 issued pursuant to our 2019 employee, director, and consultant equity incentive plan, or the 2019 Plan, at a weighted average exercise price of $5.47 per share;

2,805,412 shares of Common Stock reserved for future issuance under the 2019 Plan and 442,127 shares available for sale under the 2018 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, or 2018 ESPP, each, as of September 30, 2019; and

1,425,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options as of September 30, 2019 issued to certain employees as inducement awards upon their entering into employment with the company, at a weighted average exercise price of $4.46 per share.

Unless otherwise indicated, all information in this prospectus assumes no conversion of the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, or Series C Convertible Preferred Stock, no exercise of the outstanding warrants and options described above, and no issuance of shares of Common Stock pursuant to the 2018 ESPP.



RISK FACTORS

Investing in our Common Stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties and all other information, documents or reports included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and, if applicable, any prospectus supplement or other offering materials, including the risks and uncertainties discussed under Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” in our Annual Report on Form10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 filed with the SEC on March 18, 2019, as updated by our subsequent filings with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended or the Exchange Act,(the “Exchange Act”), which are available free of charge through the investor relations page of our internet website as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC.

All brand names or trademarks appearing in this prospectus as the property of their respective holders. Use or display by us of other parties’ trademarks, trade dress, or products in this prospectus is not intended to, and does not, imply a relationship with, or endorsement or sponsorship of, us by the trademark or trade dress owners.

Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company

As a company with less than $1.0 billion in revenue during our last fiscal year, we qualify as an “emerging growth company” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act, or JOBS Act, enacted in April 2012. An emerging growth company may take advantage of reduced reporting requirements that are otherwise applicable to public companies. These provisions include, but are not limited to:

being required to provide only two years of audited financial statements in addition to any required unaudited interim financial statements, with correspondingly reduced disclosure in the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” section of our periodic reports and registration statements;

not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or Sarbanes-Oxley Act;

reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports, proxy statements and registration statements; and

exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.

We will remain an emerging growth company until the earliest of (i) the end of the fiscal year in which the market value of our common stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the end of the second fiscal quarter, (ii) the end of the fiscal year in which we have total annual gross revenues of $1 billion or more during such fiscal year, (iii) the date on which we issue more than $1 billion in non-convertible debt in a three-year period or (iv) December 31, 2019, the end of the fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the date of the first sale of our common stock pursuant to an effective registration statement filed under the Securities Act.

We may choose to take advantage of some but not all of these reduced burdens. We have taken advantage of certain of the reduced disclosure obligations, which include providing only two years of audited financial statements and correspondingly reduced financial disclosures and reduced executive compensation disclosure in our periodic reports, proxy statements and registration statements, and may elect to take advantage of other reduced burdens in future filings. As a result, the information that we provide to our stockholders may be different than you might receive from other public reporting companies in which you hold equity interests.



Under the JOBS Act, emerging growth companies can delay adopting new or revised accounting standards until such time as those standards apply to private companies. However, we have irrevocably elected not to avail ourselves of this extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards and, therefore, we will be subject to the same new or revised accounting standards as other public companies that are not emerging growth companies.

Offerings Under This Prospectus

Under this prospectus, we may offer shares of our common stock and preferred stock, various series of debt securities and/or warrants, rights or purchase contracts to purchase any of such securities, either individually or in units, with a total value of up to $100,000,000, from time to time at prices and on terms to be determined by market conditions at the time of the offering. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we offer a type or series of securities under this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will describe the specific amounts, prices and other important terms of the securities, including, to the extent applicable:

designation or classification;

aggregate principal amount or aggregate offering price;

maturity, if applicable;

rates and times of payment of interest or dividends, if any;

redemption, conversion or sinking fund terms, if any;

voting or other rights, if any; and

conversion or exercise prices, if any.

The prospectus supplement also may add, update or change information contained in this prospectus or in documents we have incorporated by reference into this prospectus. However, no prospectus supplement will fundamentally change the terms that are set forth in this prospectus or offer a security that is not registered and described in this prospectus at the time of its effectiveness.

We may sell the securities directly to investors or to or through agents, underwriters or dealers. We, and our agents or underwriters, reserve the right to accept or reject all or part of any proposed purchase of securities. If we offer securities through agents or underwriters, we will include in the applicable prospectus supplement:

the names of those agents or underwriters;

applicable fees, discounts and commissions to be paid to them;

details regarding over-allotment options, if any; and

the net proceeds to us.

This prospectus may not be used to consummate a sale of any securities unless it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement.



RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves significant risk. The prospectus supplement applicable to each offering of our securities may contain a discussion of the risks applicable to an investment in Pieris. Prior to making a decision about investing in our securities, you should carefully consider the specific factors discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in the applicable prospectus supplement, together with all of the other information contained or incorporated by reference in the prospectus supplement or appearing or incorporated by reference, in this prospectus. You should also consider the risks, uncertaintiesprospectus, and assumptions discussed under the heading “Risk Factors”any updates to those risk factors included in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K, as revised or supplemented by our subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q or our current reports on Form 8-K on file with the SEC, all of which are incorporated herein by reference, and which may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by otherin our periodic and current reports we filefiled with the SEC and incorporated by reference in the future. The risks and uncertainties we have described are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently knownthis prospectus, before making any decision to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also affectinvest in shares of our operations. The occurrence ofCommon Stock. If any of the events discussed in these risks might causerisk factors occurs, our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows could be materially harmed. If that were to happen, the trading price of our Common Stock could decline, and you tocould lose all or part of your investment in the offered securities.investment. Additional risks not currently known to us or other factors not perceived by us to present significant risks to our business at this time also may impair our business operations.

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

Any time debt securities are offered pursuant to this prospectus, we will provide a table setting forth our ratio of earnings to fixed charges on a historical basis in the applicable prospectus supplement, if required.

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus and the documents we have filed with the SEC that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus include forward-looking statementscontain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. In some cases, forward-looking statements are identified by the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “future,” “goals,” “intend,” “likely,” “may,” “might,” “ongoing,” “objective,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “seek,” “should,” “strategy,” “will” and “would” or the negative of 1934, as amending, includingthese terms, or other comparable terminology intended to identify statements regarding:about the future. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from the information expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.

Although we believe that we have a reasonable basis for each forward-looking statement contained in this prospectus and the documents that we have filed with the SEC that are incorporated by reference, such statements are based on a combination of facts and factors currently known by us and our expectations of the future, about which we cannot be certain. Forward-looking statements include statements about:

 

the results of our research and development activities, including uncertainties relating to the discovery of potential drug candidates and the preclinical and ongoing or planned clinical testing of our drug candidates;

 

the early stage of our drug candidates presently under development;

 

our ability to obtain and, if obtained, maintain regulatory approval of our current drug candidates and any of our other future drug candidates;

 

our need for substantial additional funds in order to continue our operations and the uncertainty of whether we will be able to obtain the funding we need;

 

our future financial performance;

our ability to retain or hire key scientific or management personnel;

 

our ability to protect our intellectual property rights that are valuable to our business, including patent and other intellectual property rights;

 

our dependence on third-party manufacturers, suppliers, research organizations, testing laboratories and other potential collaborators;

 

the success of our collaborations with third parties;

our ability to meet milestones;

our ability to successfully market and sell our drug candidates in the future as needed;

 

the size and growth of the potential markets for any of our approved drug candidates, and the rate and degree of market acceptance of any of our approved drug candidates;

competition in our industry; and

 

regulatory developments in the U.S.United States and foreign countries.countries; and

the expected impact of new accounting standards.

Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Such statementsfactors include, among others, our ability to raise the additional funding we will need to continue to pursue our business and product development plans; the inherent uncertainties associated with developing new products or technologies and operating as a development stage company; our ability to develop, complete clinical trials for, obtain approvals for and commercialize any of our product candidates, including our ability to recruit and enroll patients in connection withour studies; our ability to address the requests of the FDA; competition in the industry in which we operate; the timing and nature of data from the phase 2a study ofPRS-060/AZD1402; whether or not Pieris opts-intoco-development ofPRS-060/AZD1402; whether or not any discussion of future operations or financial performance are identified bythe warrants issued in the private placement will be exercised for cash; the use of words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “project,” “target,” “potential,” “shall,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “continue,”any proceeds from any warrant exercise; and similar expressions.market conditions. You also can identify them byshould refer to the factsection titled “Risk Factors” of this prospectus and in our other filings with the SEC, including our Annual Report on Form10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, for further discussion of the important factors that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. There are a number of important risks and uncertainties that couldmay cause our actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements.

We may not actually achieve the plans, intentionsthose expressed or expectations disclosed in our forward-looking statements, and you should not place undue reliance onimplied by our forward-looking statements. Actual results or events could differ materially fromAs a result of these factors, we cannot assure that the plans, intentions and expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements we make. We have included important cautionary statements in this prospectus or in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus, particularly in the “Risk Factors” section, that we believe could cause actual results or events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements that we make. For a summary of such factors, please refer to the section entitled “Risk Factors” in this prospectus, as updated and supplemented by the discussion of risks and uncertainties under “Risk Factors” contained in any supplements to this prospectus and in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K, as revised or supplemented by our subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q or our current reports on Form 8-K, as well as any amendments thereto, ashave filed with the SEC and whichthat are incorporated herein by reference. The information contained in this document is believedreference will prove to be current as of the date of this document. We do not intend to update any of theaccurate. Furthermore, if our forward-looking statements afterprove to be inaccurate, the date of this document to conform these statements to actual results or to changes in our expectations, except as required by law.

inaccuracy may be material. In light of these assumptions, risks andthe significant uncertainties the results and events discussed in thethese forward-looking statements, contained in this prospectusthese statements should not be regarded as representations or warranties by us or any other person that we will achieve our objectives and plans in any document incorporated herein by reference might not occur. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this prospectusspecified time frame, or the date of the document incorporated by reference in this prospectus.at all. We are not under any obligation, and we expressly disclaim anyundertake no obligation to publicly update or alter any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. All subsequentotherwise, except as required by law.

In addition, statements that “we believe” and similar statements reflect our beliefs and opinions on the relevant subject. These statements are based upon information available to us as of the date of this prospectus, and while we believe such information forms a reasonable basis for such statements, such information may be limited or incomplete, and our statements should not be read to indicate that we have conducted an exhaustive inquiry into, or review of, all potentially available relevant information. These statements are inherently uncertain and investors are cautioned not to unduly rely upon these statements as predictions of future events.

You should read this prospectus, the underlying prospectus, the documents that we have incorporated by reference herein and the documents we have filed as exhibits to the registration statement, completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements attributable to us or to any person acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by thethese cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section.statements.

USE OF PROCEEDS

We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the Shares offered pursuant to this prospectus. The selling stockholders will receive all of the proceeds from the sale of the Shares offered by this prospectus. For information about the selling stockholders, see the section titled “Selling Stockholders” included in this prospectus. The selling stockholders will pay any underwriting discounts and commissions and expenses incurred by the selling stockholders in disposing of the shares, except we have agreed to reimburse up to an aggregate of $25,000 of fees and expenses of counsel for the selling stockholders. We will bear all other costs, fees and expenses incurred in effecting the registration of the shares covered by this prospectus, including all registration and filing fees and fees and expenses of our counsel and accountants. We may receive up to approximately $64,006,216 in aggregate gross proceeds from cash exercises of the 2019 PIPE Warrants, based on the per share exercise price of the warrants, in the event any of the 2019 PIPE Warrants are exercised on a cash basis. Any proceeds we receive from the exercise of the warrants will be used for our proprietary and partnered drug candidates and may be used in particular to facilitate Pieris’ potentialopt-into theco-development ofPRS-060/AZD1402 in the event of positive Phase 2a data. Any proceeds we receive from the exercise of the 2019 PIPE Warrants may also be used for working capital and general corporate purposes.

SELLING STOCKHOLDERS

This prospectus covers the resale from time to time by the selling stockholders identified in the table below, including their pledgees, donees, transferees, assigns or other successors in interest, of up to an aggregate 18,029,920 shares of our Common Stock, which includes (i) 5,492,960 issued and outstanding Common Shares, (ii) 3,522,000 Underlying Shares upon the conversion of 3,522 Preferred Shares and (iii) 9,014,960 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the 2019 PIPE Warrants, all of which were issued in connection with the 2019 PIPE.

Pursuant to the 2019 PIPE Registration Rights Agreement, we have filed with the SEC the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part in order to register such resales of our Common Stock under the Securities Act. We have also agreed to cause this registration statement to become effective and to keep such registration statement effective within and for the time periods set forth in the 2019 PIPE Registration Rights Agreement. Our failure to satisfy the filing or effectiveness deadlines set forth in the 2019 PIPE Registration Rights Agreement may subject us to payment of certain monetary penalties pursuant to the terms of the 2019 PIPE Registration Rights Agreement.

The selling stockholders identified in the table below may from time to time offer and sell under this prospectus any or all of the shares of Common Stock described under the column “Number of Shares of Common Stock Being Offered” in the table below. The table below has been prepared based upon information furnished to us by the selling stockholders as of the dates represented in the footnotes accompanying the table. The selling stockholders identified below may have sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of some or all of their shares since the date on which the information in the following table is presented in transactions exempt from or not subject to the registration requirements of the Securities Act. Information concerning the selling stockholders may change from time to time and, if necessary, we will amend or supplement this prospectus accordingly and as required.

The following table and footnote disclosure following the table sets forth the name of each selling stockholder, the nature of any position, office or other material relationship, if any, that the selling stockholders have had within the past three years with us or with any of our predecessors or affiliates, and the number of shares of our Common Stock beneficially owned by the selling stockholders before this offering. The number of shares reflected are those beneficially owned, as determined under applicable rules of the SEC, and the information is not necessarily indicative of beneficial ownership for any other purpose. Under applicable SEC rules, beneficial ownership includes any shares of Common Stock as to which a person has sole or shared voting power or investment power and any shares of Common Stock which the person has the right to acquire within 60 days after November 7, 2019 through the exercise of any option, warrant or right or through the conversion of any convertible security. Unless otherwise indicated in the footnotes to the table below and subject to community property laws where applicable, prospectus supplement, we intendbelieve, based on information furnished to use any net proceeds fromus that each of the saleselling stockholders named in this table has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares indicated as beneficially owned.

Unless otherwise indicated in the footnotes to the table below and subject to community property laws where applicable, we believe, based on information furnished to us that each of securities underthe selling stockholders named in this table has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares indicated as beneficially owned.

We have assumed that all shares of Common Stock reflected in the table as being offered in the offering covered by this prospectus for our operations and our further development and pre-clinical and clinical workwill be sold from time to time in this offering. We cannot provide an estimate as to the number of product candidates in our PRS-080, PRS-060 and PRS-343 programs, as well asshares of Common Stock that will be held by the development of other programs and product candidates, and other general corporate purposes, including, but not limited to, working capital, intellectual property protection and enforcement, capital expenditures, repayment of any existing indebtedness, investments, acquisitions and collaborations. We have not determined the amounts we plan to spend on anyselling stockholders upon termination of the areas listed aboveoffering covered by this prospectus because the selling stockholders may offer some, all or none of their shares of Common Stock being offered in the timing of these expenditures. As a result, our managementoffering. Information about the selling stockholders may change over time. Any changed information will have broad discretionbe set forth in an amendment to allocate the net proceeds, if any, we receive in connection with securities offered pursuantregistration statement or supplement to this prospectus, for any purpose. Pending application of the net proceeds as described above, we may initially invest the net proceeds in short-term, investment-grade, interest-bearing securities or apply them to the reduction of short-term indebtedness.extent required by law.

   Shares of Common Stock
Beneficially Owned Before
this Offering
  Number of
Shares of
Common
Stock
Being
Offered
   Shares of Common Stock To
Be Beneficially Owned Upon
Completion of this Offering
 
   Number   Percentage(2)   Number(3)   Percentage(2) (3) 

Selling Stockholder(1)

         

Biotechnology Value Fund, L.P.(4)

   11,399,255    17.8  3,592,000    7,807,255    10.7

Biotechnology Value Fund II, L.P.(5)

   9,127,674    14.8  2,890,000    6,237,674    8.7

Biotechnology Value Trading Fund OS, L.P.(6)

   1,698,539    3.0  530,000    1,168,539    1.7

MSI BVF SPV, L.L.C.(7)

   846,237    1.5  32,000    814,237    1.2

EcoR1 Capital Fund Qualified LP(8)

   4,220,620    7.4  4,220,620    —      —   

EcoR1 Capital Fund, LP(9)

   849,804    1.5  849,804    —      —   

Aquilo Capital, L.P.(10)

   4,797,324    8.6  2,253,522    2,543,802    3.8

Citadel Multi-Strategy Equities Master Fund Ltd.(11)

   2,253,522    4.0  2,253,522    —      —   

Samsara BioCapital, L.P.(12)

   1,408,452    2.5  1,408,452    —      —   

(1)

All information regarding investors in the 2019 PIPE is provided as of November 6, 2019.

(2)

Percentage ownership is based on a denominator equal to the sum of (i) 54,975,666 shares of our Common Stock outstanding as of November 7, 2019 and (ii) the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise or conversion of convertible securities beneficially owned by the applicable selling stockholder.

(3)

Assumes that all shares of Common Stock being registered under the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part are sold in this offering, and that none of the selling stockholders acquire additional shares of our Common Stock after the date of this prospectus and prior to completion of this offering.

(4)

Includes (i) 1,567,000 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of 1,567 Series A Preferred Shares, (ii) 2,573,000 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of 2,573 Series B Preferred Shares, (iii) 1,796,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of 1,796 Series C Preferred Shares, and (iv) warrants to purchase 3,078,200 shares of our Common Stock. The Series A, Series B, and Series C Preferred Shares held by the selling stockholder and warrants held by the selling stockholder may not be converted if, after such conversion, the selling stockholder and its affiliated entities would beneficially own, as determined in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, more than 9.99% of the number of shares of our Common Stock then issued and outstanding. BVF Partners, L.P., or Partners, is the general partner of the selling stockholder and along with BVF Inc., its general partner, may be deemed to beneficially own these shares. Mr. Mark N. Lampert, as a director and officer of BVF Inc., may also be deemed to beneficially own these securities. Each of Partners, BVF Inc. and Mr. Lampert disclaims beneficial ownership with respect to these securities, except to the extent of their pecuniary interests therein.

(5)

Includes (i) 1,021,000 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of 1,021 Series A Preferred Shares, (ii) 2,143,000 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of 2,143 Series B Preferred Shares, (iii) 1,445,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of 1,445 Series C Preferred Shares, and (iv) warrants to purchase 2,285,600 shares of our Common Stock. The Series A, Series B, and Series C Preferred Shares held by the selling stockholder and warrants held by the selling stockholder may not be converted if, after such conversion, the selling stockholder and its affiliated entities would beneficially own, as determined in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, more than 9.99% of the number of shares of our Common Stock then issued and outstanding. Partners is the general partner of the selling stockholder and along with BVF Inc., its general partner, may be deemed to beneficially own these securities. Mr. Mark M. Lampert, as a director and officer of BVF Inc., may also be deemed to beneficially own these shares. Each of Partners, BVF Inc. and Mr. Lampert disclaims beneficial ownership with respect to these securities, except to the extent of their pecuniary interests therein.

(6)

Includes (i) 319,000 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of 319 Series A Preferred Shares, (ii) 284,000 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of 284 Series B Preferred Shares, (iii) 265,000 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of 265 Series C Preferred Shares, and (iv) warrants to purchase 516,400 shares of our Common Stock. The Series A, Series B, and Series C Preferred Shares held by the selling stockholder and warrants held by the selling stockholder may not be converted if, after such conversion, the selling stockholder and its affiliated entities would beneficially own, as determined in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, more than 9.99% of the number of shares of our Common Stock then issued and outstanding. BVF Partners OS Ltd., or Partners OS, is the general partner of the selling stockholder, and along with Partners, its sole member and the investment manager of the selling stockholder, and BVF Inc., the general partner of Partners, may be deemed to beneficially own these shares. Mr. Mark M. Lampert, as a director and officer of BVF Inc., may also be deemed to beneficially own these securities. Each of Partners OS, Partners, BVF Inc. and Mr. Lampert disclaims beneficial ownership with respect to these securities, except to the extent of their pecuniary interests therein.

(7)

Includes (i) 16,000 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of 16 Series C Preferred Shares and (ii) warrants to purchase 412,600 shares of our Common Stock. The Series C Preferred Shares held by the selling stockholder and warrants held by the selling stockholder may not be converted if, after such conversion, the selling stockholder and its affiliated entities would beneficially own, as determined in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, more than 9.99% of the number of shares of our Common Stock then issued and outstanding. Partners is the investment manager of the selling stockholder, and BVF Inc., the general partner of Partners, may be deemed to beneficially own these shares. Mr. Mark M. Lampert, as a director and officer of BVF Inc., may also be deemed to beneficially own these securities. Each of Partners, BVF Inc. and Mr. Lampert disclaims beneficial ownership with respect to these securities, except to the extent of their pecuniary interests therein.

(8)

Includes: (i) 2,110,310 shares of our Common Stock, and (ii) warrants exercisable for 2,110,310 shares of our Common Stock (the “EcoR1 Qualified Warrants”). The EcoR1 Qualified Warrants may not be exercised if, after such exercise, EcoR1 Capital Fund Qualified, L.P. (“EcoR1 Qualified”) and its affiliated entities would beneficially own, as determined in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, more than 9.99% of the number of shares of our Common Stock then issued and outstanding. EcoR1 Qualified is managed by EcoR1 Capital, LLC, which is managed by Oleg Nodelman. The address of EcoR1 Qualified is 357 Tehama Street, #3, San Francisco, CA 94103.

(9)

Includes: (i) 424,902 shares of our Common Stock and (ii) warrants exercisable for 424,902 shares of our Common Stock (the “EcoR1 Capital Warrants”). The EcoR1 Capital Warrants may not be exercised if, after such exercise, EcoR1 Capital Fund, L.P. (“EcoR1 Capital Fund”) and its affiliated entities would beneficially own, as determined in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, more than 9.99% of the number of shares of our Common Stock then issued and outstanding. EcoR1 Capital Fund is managed by EcoR1 Capital, LLC, which is managed by Oleg Nodelman. The address of EcoR1 Capital Fund is 357 Tehama Street, #3, San Francisco, CA 94103.

(10)

Includes: (i) 3,670,563 shares of our Common Stock, including 1,126,761 shares of our Common Stock purchased in the 2019 PIPE, and (ii) warrants exercisable for 1,126,761 shares of our Common Stock (the “Aquilo Warrants”). The Aquilo Warrants may not be exercised if, after such exercise, Aquilo Capital, L.P. and its affiliated entities would beneficially own, as determined in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, more than 9.99% of the number of shares of our Common Stock then issued and outstanding. The address of Aquilo is c/o Aquilo Capital Management, LLC, One Letterman Drive, Suite D4900, San Francisco, CA 94129.

(11)

Includes (i) 1,126,761 shares of our Common Stock and (ii) warrants exercisable for 1,126,761 shares of our Common Stock (the “Surveyor Warrants”). The Surveyor Warrants may not be exercised if, after such exercise, Citadel Multi-Strategy Equities Master Fund Ltd. (“Citadel”) and its affiliated entities would beneficially own, as determined in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, more than 9.99% of the number of shares of our Common Stock then issued and outstanding. Citadel Advisors LLC (“Citadel Advisors”), acts as the portfolio manager of Citadel. Citadel Advisors Holdings LP (“CAH”) is the sole member of Citadel Advisors. Citadel GP LLC (“CGP”) is the general partner of CAH. Mr. Kenneth Griffin is the President and Chief Executive Officer of CGP and owns a controlling interest in CGP and may be deemed to share voting and dispositive power over shares held by Citadel. The address for this entity is c/o Citadel Advisors LLC, 601 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10022.

(12)

Includes (i) 704,226 shares of our Common Stock and (ii) warrants exercisable for 704,226 shares of our Common Stock (the “Samsara Warrants”). The Samsara Warrants may not be exercised if, after such exercise, Samsara BioCapital, L.P. (“Samsara”) and its affiliated entities would beneficially own, as determined in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, more than 9.99% of the number of shares of our Common Stock then issued and outstanding. Srinivas Akkaraju, MD, Ph.D. has sole voting and dispositive power with respect to the securities held by Samsara. The address of Samsara is 628 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto, CA 94301.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

The securities coveredWe are registering the Common Shares, the Underlying Shares and the Warrant Shares issued to the selling stockholders to permit the resale of these shares of Common Stock by this prospectus may be soldthe holders of the shares of Common Stock and warrants from time to time at market prices prevailingafter the date of this prospectus. We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale by the selling stockholders of the shares of Common Stock. We will bear all fees and expenses incident to our obligation to register the shares of Common Stock.

The selling stockholders may sell all or a portion of the shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by them and offered hereby from time to time directly or through one or more underwriters, broker-dealers or agents. If the shares of Common Stock are sold through underwriters or broker-dealers, the selling stockholders will be responsible for underwriting discounts or commissions or agent’s commissions. The shares of Common Stock may be sold on any national securities exchange or quotation service on which the securities may be listed or quoted at the time of sale, in theover-the-counter market or in transactions otherwise than on these exchanges or systems or in theover-the-counter market and in one or more transactions at fixed prices, related toat prevailing market prices at a fixed price orthe time of the sale, at varying prices subject to changedetermined at the time of sale, or at negotiated prices, by a variety of methods including the following:

prices. These sales may be effected in the over-the-counter market;

in privately negotiated transactions;

through broker-dealers, whotransactions, which may act as agentsinvolve crosses or principals;

throughblock transactions. The selling stockholders may use any one or more underwriters on a firm commitment or best-efforts basis;of the following methods when selling shares:

ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker-dealer solicits purchasers;

 

in a

block tradetrades in which athe broker-dealer will attempt to sell a block of securitiesthe shares as agent but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction;

 

directly to one or more purchasers;

purchases by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by the broker-dealer for its account;

 

through agents;

an exchange distribution in accordance with the rules of the applicable exchange;

 

in “at

privately negotiated transactions;

settlement of short sales entered into after the market offerings”effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part;

broker-dealers may agree with the selling stockholders to sell a specified number of such shares at a stipulated price per share;

through the writing or through settlement of options or other hedging transactions, whether such options are listed on an options exchange or otherwise;

a market maker or into an existing trading market,combination of any such methods of sale; and

any other method permitted pursuant to applicable law.

The selling stockholders also may resell all or a securities exchange or otherwise; or

in any combinationportion of the above.

In effecting sales, brokersshares in open market transactions in reliance upon Rule 144 under the Securities Act, as permitted by that rule, or dealersSection 4(a)(1) under the Securities Act, if available, rather than under this prospectus, provided that they meet the criteria and conform to the requirements of those provisions. Broker-dealers engaged by the selling stockholders may arrange for other brokersbroker-dealers to participate in sales. If the selling stockholders effect such transactions by selling shares of Common Stock to or dealers to participate. Broker-dealer transactionsthrough underwriters, broker-dealers or agents, such underwriters, broker-dealers or agents may include:

purchasesreceive commissions in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the selling stockholders or commissions from purchasers of the securities byShares for whom they may act as agent or to whom they may sell as principal. Such commissions will be in amounts to be negotiated, but, except as set forth in a broker-dealer assupplement to this Prospectus, in the case of an agency transaction will not be in excess of a customary brokerage commission in compliance with FINRA Rule 2121; and in the case of a principal and resalestransaction a markup or markdown in compliance with FINRA Rule 2121.01.

In connection with sales of the securitiesShares or otherwise, the selling stockholders may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions, which may in turn engage in short sales of the Shares in the course of hedging in positions they assume. The selling stockholders may also sell Shares short and if such short sale shall take place after the date that this Registration Statement is declared effective by the broker-dealer for its account pursuant to this prospectus;

ordinary brokerage transactions; or

transactions in whichCommission, the broker-dealer solicits purchasers on a best efforts basis.

Weselling stockholders may change the price of the securities offered from time to time.

Offers to purchase securities may be solicited directly by us and the sale thereof may be made by us directly to institutional investors or others. In this case, no underwriters or agents would be involved. We may use electronic media, including the Internet, to sell offered securities directly.

We, or agents designated by us, may directly solicit, from time to time, offers to purchase the securities. Any such agent may be deemed to be an underwriter as that term is defined in the Securities Act. We will name any agents involved in the offer or sale of the securities and describe any commissions payable by us to these agents in the prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, these agents will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of their appointment. The agents may be entitled under agreements which may be entered into with us to indemnification by us against specific civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. The agents may also be our customers or may engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of business.

If we utilize any underwriters in the sale of the securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered, we will enter into an underwriting agreement with those underwriters at the time of sale to them. We will set forth the names of these underwriters and the terms of the transaction in the prospectus supplement, which will be used by the underwriters to make resales of the securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered to the public. We may indemnify the underwriters under the relevant underwriting agreement against specific liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. The underwriters or their affiliates may be customers of, may engage in transactions with and may perform services for us or our affiliates in the ordinary course of business.

If we utilize a dealer in the sale of the securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered, we will sell those securities to the dealer, as principal. The dealer may then resell those securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by the dealer at the time of resale. We may indemnify the dealers against specific liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. The dealers or their affiliates may also be our customers or may engage in transactions with, or perform services for us in the ordinary course of business.

We may offer the common stockdeliver Shares covered by this prospectus into an existing trading market on the terms described in the prospectus supplement relating thereto. Underwriters, dealersto close out short positions and agents who participate in any at-the-market offerings will be described in the prospectus supplement relating thereto.

A prospectus and accompanying prospectus supplement in electronic form may be made available on the web sites maintained by the underwriters. The underwriters may agree to allocate a number of securities for sale to their online brokerage account holders. Such allocations of securities for internet distributions will be made on the same basis as other allocations. In addition, securities may be sold by the underwriters to securities dealers who resell securities to online brokerage account holders.

The aggregate maximum compensation the underwriters will receivereturn borrowed shares in connection with such short sales. The selling stockholders may also loan or pledge Shares to broker-dealers that in turn may sell such shares, to the saleextent permitted by applicable law. The selling stockholders may also enter into option or other transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions or the creation of anyone or more derivative securities underwhich require the delivery to such broker-dealer or other financial institution of shares offered by this prospectus, andwhich shares such broker-dealer or other financial institution may resell pursuant to this prospectus (as supplemented or amended to reflect such transaction). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the selling stockholders have been advised that they may not use shares registered on this registration statement of which it forms a part will not exceed 8% of the gross proceeds from the sale.

To the extent required, this prospectus may be amended or supplemented from time to time to describe a specific plan of distribution. The place and time of delivery for the securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered will be set forth in the accompanying prospectus supplement.

Certain underwriters may use this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement for offers andcover short sales related to market-making transactions in the securities. These underwriters may act as principal or agent in these transactions, and the sales will be made at prices related to prevailing market prices at the time of sale. Any underwriters involved in the sale of the securities may qualify as “underwriters” within the meaning of Section 2(a)(11) of the Securities Act. In addition, the underwriters’ commissions, discounts or concessions may qualify as underwriters’ compensation under the Securities Act and the rules of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., or FINRA.

Shares of our common stock sold pursuantCommon Stock made prior to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part will be authorized for listing and trading on The NASDAQ Capital Market. The applicable prospectus supplement will contain information, where applicable, as to any other listing, if any, on The NASDAQ Capital Market or any securities market or other securities exchange of the securities covered by the prospectus supplement. Underwriters may make a market in our common stock, but will not obligated to do so and may discontinue market making at any time without notice. We can make no assurance as to the liquidity of or the existence, development or maintenance of trading markets for any of the securities.

In connection with offerings of securities underdate the registration statement, of which this prospectus forms a part, andhas been declared effective by the SEC.

The selling stockholders may, from time to time, pledge or grant a security interest in compliance with applicable law, underwriters, brokerssome or dealers may engage in transactions that stabilize or maintain the market priceall of the securities at levels above those that might otherwise prevail2019 PIPE Warrants or Shares owned by them and, if they default in the open market. Specifically, underwriters, brokersperformance of their secured obligations, the pledgees or dealerssecured parties may over-allotoffer and sell the shares of Common Stock from time to time pursuant to this prospectus or any amendment to this prospectus under Rule 424(b)(3) or other applicable provision of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, amending, if necessary, the list of selling stockholders to include the pledgee, transferee or other successors in interest as selling stockholders under this prospectus. The selling stockholders also may transfer and donate the shares of Common Stock in other circumstances in which case the transferees, donees, pledgees or other successors in interest will be the selling beneficial owners for purposes of this prospectus.

The selling stockholders and any broker-dealer or agents participating in the distribution of the Shares may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of Section 2(11) of the Securities Act in connection with offerings, creating a short position in the securities for their own accounts. For the purpose of covering a syndicate short positionsuch sales. In such event, any commissions paid, or stabilizing the price of the securities, the underwriters, brokersany discounts or dealers may place bids for the securities or effect purchases of the securities in the open market. Finally, the underwriters may impose a penalty whereby selling concessions allowed to, syndicate membersany such broker-dealer or agent and any profit on the resale of the shares purchased by them may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts under the Securities Act. Selling Stockholders who are “underwriters” within the meaning of Section 2(11) of the Securities Act will be subject to the applicable prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act including Rule 172 thereunder and may be subject to certain statutory liabilities of, including but not limited to, Sections 11, 12 and 17 of the Securities Act andRule 10b-5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act.

Each selling stockholder has informed the Company that it is not a registered broker-dealer and does not have any written or oral agreement or understanding, directly or indirectly, with any person to distribute the Common Stock. Upon the Company being notified in writing by a selling stockholder that any material arrangement has been entered into with a broker-dealer for the sale of our Common Stock through a block trade, special offering, exchange distribution or secondary distribution or a purchase by a broker or dealer, a supplement to this prospectus will be filed, if required, pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act, disclosing (i) the name of each such selling stockholder and of the participating broker-dealer(s), (ii) the number of shares involved, (iii) the price at which such the shares of Common Stock were sold, (iv) the commissions paid or discounts or concessions allowed to such broker-dealer(s), where applicable, (v) that such broker-dealer(s) did not conduct any investigation to verify the information set out or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, and (vi) other facts material to the transaction.

Under the securities laws of some states, the Shares may be sold in such states only through registered or licensed brokers or dealersdealers. In addition, in some states the Shares may not be sold unless such shares have been registered or qualified for distributionsale in such state or an exemption from registration or qualification is available and is complied with.

There can be no assurance that any selling stockholder will sell any or all of the securities in offerings may be reclaimed byShares registered pursuant to the syndicate if the syndicate repurchases previously distributed securities in transactions to cover short positions, in stabilization transactions or otherwise. These activities may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the securities, which may be higher than the price that might otherwise prevail in the open market, and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.

DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK

We are authorized to issue 300,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share. On July 22, 2016, we had 43,058,827 shares of common stock outstanding and approximately 152 common stockholders of record.

The following summary of certain provisions of our common stock does not purport to be complete. This description is summarized from, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, our amended and restated articles of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws, to which you should refer and both of which are included as exhibits to theshelf registration statement, of which this prospectus isforms a part. The summary below is also qualified by provisions of applicable law, including Chapters 78 and 92A of the Nevada Revised Statutes, or NRS, as applicable to corporations.

General

The holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote per share on matters on which our stockholders vote. There are no cumulative voting rights. An election of directors by our stockholders shall be determined by a plurality of the votes cast by the stockholders entitled to vote on the election. Subject to any preferential dividend rights of any outstanding shares of preferred stock, holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends, if declared by our Board of Directors, out of funds that we may legally use to pay dividends. All of the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

If we liquidate or dissolve, holders of our common stock are entitled to share ratably in our assets once our debtsEach selling stockholder and any liquidation preference owed to any then-outstanding preferred stockholders are paid. Our amended and restated articles of incorporation do not provide our common stock with any redemption, conversion or preemptive rights. The rights, preferences and privileges of holders of common stock areother person participating in such distribution will be subject to and may be adversely affected by the rights of the holders of shares of any series of preferred stock that we may designate and issue in the future.

Registration Rights

Private Placement Registration Rights and Preemptive Rights

On December 17, 2014, we entered into a purchase agreement with multiple investors relating to the issuance and sale of shares of our common stock in a private placement (the “Private Placement”). The private placement held closings on December 17, December 18, and December 23, 2014, through which we sold an aggregate of 6,779,510 shares of our common stock at $2.00 per share for aggregate proceeds of approximately $13.56 million. We also issued warrants to acquire up to 542,360 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $2.00 per share to placement agents or their designees (the “Placement Agent Warrants”).

In connection with the Private Placement, we entered into a registration rights agreement and agreed to file a registration statement covering the resale of the shares sold in the Private Placement, the shares underlying the Placement Agent Warrants, and the 20,000,000 shares of our common stock issued to former stockholders of Pieris GmbH in connection with the share exchange transaction on December 17, 2014. We filed a registration statement on Form S-1 which was declared effective by the SEC on May 11, 2015. We have agreed to keep such registration statement effective until the later of December 17, 2016 and such time as all of the securities to be registered thereunder have been sold under the registration statement or may be sold without restriction pursuant to Rule 144. If there is not an effective registration statement covering the resale of the securities to be registered by such registration statement at any time prior to December 17, 2015, then the selling stockholders will have “piggyback” registration rights with respect to any such securities that are not eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144 without volume or manner of sale restrictions in connection with any other registration statement we determine to file that would permit the inclusion of those shares.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Computershare Trust Company, N.A. Its address is P.O. Box 30170, College Station, TX 77842-3170. Their telephone number is (877) 373-6374 from the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico and (781) 575-3100 from all other locations.

Stock Exchange Listing

Our common stock is listed for quotation on The NASDAQ Capital Market, under the symbol “PIRS.”

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK

We are authorized to issue 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share. As of July 22, 2016, no shares of preferred stock were issued and outstanding. The following summary of certain provisions of our preferred stock does not purport to be complete. This description is summarized from, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, our amended and restated articles of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws, to which you should refer and both of which are included as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. The summary below is also qualified by provisions of applicable law, including Chapters 78 and 92A of the NRS as applicable to corporations.

General

Our Board of Directors has the authority, without further stockholder authorization, to issue from time to time up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series and to fix the voting powers, designations, preferences, limitations, restrictions, and relative rights of each series. If we issue preferred stock in the future, such preferred stock may have priority over common stock with respect to dividends and other distributions, including the distribution of assets upon liquidation. Although we have no present plans to issue any shares of preferred stock, the issuance of shares of preferred stock, or the issuance of rights to purchase such shares, could decrease the amount of earnings and assets available for distribution to the holders of common stock, could adversely affect the rights and powers, including voting rights, of the common stock, and could have the effect of delaying, deterring or preventing a change of control of us or an unsolicited acquisition proposal.

If we offer a specific series of preferred stock under this prospectus, we will describe the terms of the preferred stock in the prospectus supplement for such offering and will file a copy of the certificate of designation establishing the terms of the preferred stock with the Nevada Secretary of State and the SEC. To the extent required, this description will include:

the designation and stated value, if any;

the number of shares offered, the liquidation preference, if any, per share and the purchase price per share;

the dividend rate(s), period(s) and/or payment date(s), or method(s) of calculation for such dividends;

whether dividends will be cumulative or non-cumulative and, if cumulative, the date from which dividends will accumulate;

the procedures for any auction and remarketing, if any;

the provisions for a sinking fund, if any;

the provisions for redemption, if applicable;

any listing of the preferred stock on any securities exchange or market;

whether the preferred stock will be convertible into our common stock, and, if applicable, the conversion price (or how it will be calculated) and conversion period;

whether the preferred stock will be exchangeable into debt securities, and, if applicable, the exchange price (or how it will be calculated) and exchange period;

voting rights, if any, of the preferred stock;

a discussion of any material and/or special U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the preferred stock;

the relative ranking and preferences of the preferred stock as to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Company; and

any material limitations on issuance of any class or series of preferred stock ranking pari passu with or senior to the series of preferred stock as to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our preferred stock will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

The following description, together with the additional information we include in any applicable prospectus supplements, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus. WhileExchange Act and the terms we have summarized below will apply generally to any future debt securities we may offer pursuant to this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any debt securities that we may offer in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. If we so indicate in a prospectus supplement, the terms of any debt securities offered under such prospectus supplement may differ from the terms we describe below,rules and regulations thereunder, including, without limitation, to the extent the terms set forth in a prospectus supplement differ from the terms described below, the terms set forth in the prospectus supplement shall control.

The “Debt Securities” will be either senior debt securities, or Senior Debt Securities, or subordinated debt securities, or Subordinated Debt Securities. The Senior Debt Securities and the Subordinated Debt Securities will be issued under separate indentures among us, the subsidiary guarantors of such Debt Securities, if any, each a Subsidiary Guarantor, if applicable, and a trustee to be determined, the Trustee. Senior Debt Securities will be issued under a “Senior Indenture” and Subordinated Debt Securities will be issued under a “Subordinated Indenture.” Together, the Senior Indenture and the Subordinated Indenture are called “Indentures.” The form of each Indenture has been filed with the SEC as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and you should read the Indentures for provisions that may be important to you.

The Indentures will be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as in effect on the dateRegulation M of the indenture. We use the term “debenture trustee” to refer to either the trustee under the senior indenture or the trustee under the subordinated indenture, as applicable. The following summaries of material provisions of the Debt Securities are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the indenture applicable to a particular series of debt securities.

General

The Debt Securities may be issued from time to time in one or more series and may be denominated and payable in foreign currencies or units based on or relating to foreign currencies. Neither Indenture limits the amount of Debt Securities that may be issued thereunder, and each Indenture provides that the specific terms of the Debt Securities shall be set forth in, or determined pursuant to, an authorizing resolution and/or a supplemental indenture, if any, relating to such series.

the title of the Debt Securities;

the aggregate principal amount and any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities;

the currency or units based on or relating to currencies in which Debt Securities are denominated and the currency or units in which principal or interest or both will or may be payable;

whether we will issue the series of Debt Securities in global form, the terms of any global securities and who the depositary will be;

whether or not the Debt Securities will be secured or unsecured, and the terms of any secured debt;

our right, if any, to defer payment of interest and the maximum length of any such deferral period;

whether the Indenture will restrict our ability to pay dividends, or will require us to maintain any asset ratios or reserves;

whether we will be restricted from incurring any additional indebtedness;

a discussion on any material or special U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to Debt Securities;

the denominations in which we will issue Debt Securities, if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof;

whether the Debt Securities are Senior Debt Securities or Subordinated Debt Securities and, if Subordinated Debt Securities, the related subordination terms;

whether any Subsidiary Guarantor will provide a Subsidiary Guarantee of the Debt Securities;

each date on which the principal of the Debt Securities will be payable;

the interest rate,Exchange Act, which may be fixed or variable, orlimit the method for determining the ratetiming of purchases and date interest will begin to accrue, that the Debt Securities will bear and the interest payment dates for the Debt Securities;

each place where payments on the Debt Securities will be payable;

any terms upon which the Debt Securities may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at our option;

any sinking fund or other provisions that would obligate us to redeem or otherwise repurchase the Debt Securities;

the portion of the principal amount, if less than all, of the Debt Securities that will be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity of the Debt Securities;

whether the Debt Securities are defeasible;

any addition to or change in the events of default;

whether the Debt Securities are convertible into our common stock and, if so, the terms and conditions upon which conversion will be effected, including the initial conversion price or conversion rate and any adjustments thereto and the conversion period;

any addition to or change in the covenants in the Indenture applicable to the Debt Securities;

any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of, or restrictions on, the Debt Securities; and

any other terms of the Debt Securities not inconsistent with the provisions of the Indenture.

Debt Securities, including any Debt Securities that provide for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof, or Original Issue Discount Securities, may be sold at a substantial discount below their principal amount. Special United States federal income tax considerations applicable to Original Issue Discount Securities may be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. In addition, special United States federal income tax or other considerations applicable to any Debt Securities that are denominated in a currency or currency unit other than United States dollars may be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Conversion or Exchange Rights

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

Consolidation, Merger or Sale; No Protection in Event of a Change of Control or Highly Leveraged Transaction

The Indentures do not contain any covenant that restricts our ability to merge or consolidate, or sell, convey, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets. However, any successor to or acquirer of such assets must assume all of our obligations under the Indentures or the Debt Securities, as appropriate, satisfactory in form to the debenture trustee.

Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the Debt Securities will not contain any provisions that may afford holders of the Debt Securities protection in the event we have a change of control or in the event of a highly leveraged transaction (whether or not such transaction results in a change of control), which could adversely affect holders of Debt Securities.

Events of Default Under the Indenture

The following are events of default under the Indentures with respect to any series of Debt Securities that we may issue:

if we fail to pay interest when due and our failure continues for 90 days and the time for payment has not been extended or deferred;

if we fail to pay the principal, or premium, if any, when due and the time for payment has not been extended or delayed;

if we fail to observe or perform any other covenant set forth in the Debt Securities of such series or the applicable Indentures, other than a covenant specifically relating to and for the benefit of holders of another series of Debt Securities, and our failure continues for 90 days after we receive written notice from the debenture trustee or holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Debt Securities of the applicable series; and

if specified events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occur as to us.

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 an event of default may constitute an event of default under any bank credit agreements we may have in existence from time to time. In addition, the occurrence of certain events of default or acceleration under any applicable Indenture may constitute an event of default under certain of our other indebtedness outstanding from time to time.

If an event of default with respect to Debt Securities of any series at the time outstanding occurs and is continuing, then the trustee or the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Debt Securities of that series may, by a notice in writing to us (and to the debenture trustee if given by the holders), declare to be due and payable immediately the principal (or, if the Debt Securities of that series are discount securities, that portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) of and premium and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all Debt Securities of that series. Before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained with respect to Debt Securities of any series, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Debt Securities of that series (or, at a meeting of holders of such

series at which a quorum is present, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Debt Securities) default, other than the non-payment of accelerated principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, with respect to Debt Securities of that series, have been cured or waived as provided in the applicable Indenture (including payments or deposits in respect of principal, premium or interest that had become due other than as a result of such acceleration). 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.

Subject to the terms of the Indentures, if an event of default under an Indenture shall occur and be continuing, the debenture trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under such Indenture at the request or directionsales of any of the holdersShares by the selling stockholder and any other participating person. To the extent applicable, Regulation M may also restrict the ability of any person engaged in the distribution of the applicable seriesshares of debt securities, unless such holders have offered the debenture trustee reasonable indemnity. The holders of a majorityCommon Stock to engage in principal amount of the outstanding Debt Securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the debenture trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the debenture trustee,market-making activities with respect to the Debt Securitiesshares of that series, provided that:

the direction so given by the holder is not in conflict with any law or the applicable Indenture; and

subject to its duties under the Trust Indenture Act, the debenture trustee need not take any action that might involve it in personal liability or might be unduly prejudicial to the holders not involved in the proceeding.

A holderCommon Stock. All of the Debt Securitiesforegoing may affect the marketability of the shares of Common Stock and the ability of any series will only have the rightperson or entity to institute a proceeding under the Indentures or to appoint a receiver or trustee, or to seek other remedies if:

the holder previously has given written notice to the debenture trustee of a continuing event of defaultengage in market-making activities with respect to that series;

the holdersshares of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Debt Securities of that series have made written request, and such holders have offered reasonable indemnity to the debenture trustee to institute the proceeding as trustee; and

the debenture trustee does not institute the proceeding, and does not receive from the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Debt Securities of that series (or at a meeting of holders of such series at which a quorum is present, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series represented at such meeting) other conflicting directions within 60 days after the notice, request and offer.

These limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by a holder of Debt Securities if we default in the payment of the principal, premium, if any, or interest on, the Debt Securities. We will periodically file statements with the applicable debenture trustee regarding our compliance with specified covenants in the applicable Indenture.

Modification of Indenture; Waiver

The debenture trustee and we may change the applicable Indenture without the consent of any holders with respect to specific matters, including:

to fix any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in the Indenture; and

to change anything that does not materially adversely affect the interests of any holder of Debt Securities of any series issued pursuant to such Indenture.

In addition, under the Indentures, the rights of holders of a series of Debt Securities may be changed by us and the debenture trustee with the written consent of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Debt Securities of each series (or, at a meeting of holders of such series at which a

quorum is present, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series represented at such meeting) that is affected. However, the debenture trustee and we may make the following changes only with the consent of each holder of any outstanding Debt Securities affected:

extending the fixed maturity of the series of debt securities;

reducing the principal amount, reducing the rate of or extending the time of payment of interest, or any premium payable upon the redemption of any debt securities;

reducing the principal amount of discount securities payable upon acceleration of maturity;

making the principal of or premium or interest on any debt security payable in currency other than that stated in the debt security; or

reducing the percentage of debt securities, the holders of which are required to consent to any amendment or waiver.

Except for certain specified provisions, the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Debt Securities of any series (or, at a meeting of holders of such series at which a quorum is present, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series represented at such meeting) may on behalf of the holders of all Debt Securities of that series waive our compliance with provisions of the Indenture. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Debt Securities of any series may on behalf of the holders of all the Debt Securities of such series waive any past default under the Indenture with respect to that series and its consequences, except a default in the payment of the principal of, premium or any interest on any debt security of that series or in respect of a covenant or provision, which cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security of the series affected; provided, however, that the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Debt Securities of any series may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from the acceleration.

Discharge

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

register the transfer or exchange of Debt Securities of the series;

replace stolen, lost or mutilated Debt Securities of the series;

maintain paying agencies;

hold monies for payment in trust;

compensate and indemnify the trustee; and

appoint any successor trustee.

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

Form, Exchange, and Transfer

We will issue the Debt Securities of each series only in fully registered form without coupons and, unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof. The Indentures provide that we may issue Debt Securities of a series in temporary or permanent global form and as book-entry securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company or another depositary named by us and identified in a prospectus supplement with respect to that series.

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

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

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

If we elect to redeem the Debt Securities of any series, we will not be required to:

issue, register the transfer of, or exchange any Debt Securities of that series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of mailing of a notice of redemption of any Debt Securities that may be selected for redemption and ending at the close of business on the day of the mailing; or

register the transfer of or exchange any Debt Securities so selected for redemption, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Debt Securities we are redeeming in part.

Information Concerning the Debenture Trustee

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

Payment and Paying Agents

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

We will pay principalall expenses of the registration of the shares of Common Stock pursuant to the registration rights agreement, including, without limitation, Securities and Exchange Commission filing fees and expenses of compliance with state securities or “blue sky” laws;provided,however, that each selling stockholder will pay all underwriting discounts and selling commissions, if any and any premiumrelated legal expenses incurred by it; provided further that we have agreed to reimburse up to $25,000 of fees and interestexpenses of counsel for the selling stockholders. We may receive up to approximately $64,006,216 in aggregate gross proceeds from cash exercises of the 2019 PIPE Warrants, based on the Debt Securities of a particular series at the office of the paying agents designated by us, except that unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, will we make interest payments by check which we will mail to the holder. Unless we otherwise indicate in a prospectus supplement, we will designate the corporate trust office of the debenture trustee in the City of New York as our sole paying agent for payments with respect to Debt Securities of each series. We will name in the applicable prospectus supplement any other paying agents that we initially designate for the Debt Securities of a particular series. We will maintain a paying agent in each place of payment for the Debt Securities of a particular series.

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

Governing Law

The Indentures and the Debt Securities will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, except to the extent that the Trust Indenture Act is applicable.

Subordination of Subordinated Debt Securities

Our obligations pursuant to any subordinated Debt Securities will be unsecured and will be subordinate and junior in priority of payment to certain of our other indebtedness to the extent described in a prospectus supplement. The Indentures do not limit the amount of indebtedness we may incur. The Indentures also do not limit us from issuing any other secured or unsecured debt.

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

General

We may issue warrants to purchase shares of our common stock, preferred stock and/or debt securities in one or more series together with other securities or separately, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Below is a description of certain general terms and provisionsper share exercise price of the warrants, thatin the event any of the 2019 PIPE Warrants are exercised on a cash basis. Any proceeds we may offer. Particular termsreceive from the exercise of the warrants will be describedused for our proprietary and partnered drug candidates and may be used in particular to facilitate Pieris’ potentialopt-into theco-development ofPRS-060/AZD1402 in the warrant agreements andevent of positive Phase 2a data. Any proceeds we receive from the prospectus supplement relating to the warrants.

The applicable prospectus supplement will contain, where applicable, the following terms of and other information relating to the warrants:

the specific designation and aggregate number of, and the price at which we will issue, the warrants;

the currency or currency units in which the offering price, if any, and the exercise price are payable;

the designation, amount and terms of the securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants;

if applicable, the exercise price2019 PIPE Warrants may also be used for shares of our common stockworking capital and the number of shares of common stock to be received upon exercise of the warrants;

if applicable, the exercise price for shares of our preferred stock, the number of shares of preferred stock to be received upon exercise, and a description of that series of our preferred stock;

if applicable, the exercise price for our debt securities, the amount of debt securities to be received upon exercise, and a description of that series of debt securities;

the date on which the right to exercise the warrants will begin and the date on which that right will expire or, if you may not continuously exercise the warrants throughout that period, the specific date or dates on which you may exercise the warrants;

whether the warrants will be issued in fully registered form or bearer form, in definitive or global form or in any combination of these forms, although, in any case, the form of a warrant included in a unit will correspond to the form of the unit and of any security included in that unit;

any applicable material U.S. federal income tax consequences;

the identity of the warrant agent for the warrants and of any other depositaries, execution or paying agents, transfer agents, registrars or other agents;

the proposed listing, if any, of the warrants or any securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants on any securities exchange;

if applicable, the date from and after which the warrants and the common stock, preferred stock and/or debt securities will be separately transferable;

if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of the warrants that may be exercised at any one time;

information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any;

the anti-dilution provisions of the warrants, if any;

any redemption or call provisions;

whether the warrants may be sold separately or with other securities as parts of units; and

any additional terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the warrants.

Outstanding Warrants

As of July 22, 2016, we had outstanding warrants to purchase 542,360 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $2.00 per share.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for any warrants will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

DESCRIPTION OF RIGHTS

Generalgeneral corporate purposes.

We may issue rights to ourwill indemnify the selling stockholders to purchase shares of our common stock, shares of our preferred stock or any ofagainst certain liabilities, including some liabilities under the other securities describedSecurities Act, in this prospectus. We may offer rights separately or together with one or more additional rights, debt securities, preferred stock, common stock, warrants or purchase contracts, or any combination of those securities in the form of units, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Each series of rights will be issued under a separate rights agreement to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as rights agent. The rights agent will act solely as our agent in connectionaccordance with the certificates relating to the rights of the series of certificates and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders of rights certificates or beneficial owners of rights. The following description sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the rights to which any prospectus supplement may relate. The particular terms of the rights to which any prospectus supplement may relate and the extent, if any, to which the general provisions may apply to the rights so offered will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. To the extent that any particular terms of the rights,registration rights agreement, or rights certificates described in a prospectus supplement differ from any of the terms described below, then the terms described below will be deemed to have been superseded by that prospectus supplement. We encourage you to read the applicable rights agreement and rights certificate for additional information before you decide whether to purchase any of our rights.

We will provide in a prospectus supplement the following terms of the rights being issued:

the date of determining theselling stockholders entitled to the rights distribution;

the aggregate number of shares of common stock, preferred stock or other securities purchasable upon exercise of the rights;

the exercise price;

the aggregate number of rights issued;

whether the rights are transferrable and the date, if any, on and after which the rights may be separately transferred;

the date on which the right to exercise the rights will commence, and the date on which the right to exercise the rights will expire;

the method by which holders of rights will be entitled to exercise;

the conditions to the completion of the offering, if any;

the withdrawal, termination and cancellation rights, if any;

whether there are any backstop or standby purchaser or purchasers and the terms of their commitment, if any;

whether stockholders are entitled to oversubscription rights, if any;

any applicable material U.S. federal income tax considerations; and

any other terms of the rights, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the distribution, exchange and exercise of the rights, as applicable.

Each right will entitle the holder of rights to purchase for cash the principal amount of shares of common stock, preferred stock or other securities at the exercise price provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. Rights may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date for the rights provided in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Holders may exercise rights as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Upon receipt of payment and the rights certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the rights agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement, we will, as soon as practicable, forward the shares of common stock, preferred stock or other securities, as applicable, purchasable upon exercise of the rights. If less than all of the rights issued in any rights offering are exercised, we may offer any unsubscribed securities directly to persons other than stockholders, to or through agents, underwriters or dealers or through a combination of such methods, including pursuant to standby arrangements, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Rights Agent

The rights agent for any rights we offer will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASE CONTRACTS

contribution. We may issue purchase contracts, including contracts obligating holders to purchase from us, and for us to sell to holders, a specific or variable number of our debt securities, shares of common stock, shares of our preferred stock, warrants or rights, or securities of an entity unaffiliated with us, or any combination of the above, at a future date or dates. Alternatively, the purchase contracts may obligate us to purchase from holders, and obligate holders to sell to us, a specific or variable number of our debt securities, shares of common stock, preferred stock, warrants, rights or other property, or any combination of the above. The price of the securities or other property subject to the purchase contracts may be fixed at the time the purchase contracts are issued or may be determined by reference to a specific formula described in the purchase contracts. We may issue purchase contracts separately or as a part of units each consisting of a purchase contract and one or more of our other securities described in this prospectus or securities of third parties, including U.S. Treasury securities, securing the holder’s obligations under the purchase contract. The purchase contracts may require us to make periodic payments to holders or vice versa and the payments may be unsecured or pre-funded on some basis. The purchase contracts may require holders to secure the holder’s obligations in a manner specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any purchase contracts in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered, including, to the extent applicable, the following:

whether the purchase contracts obligate the holder or us to purchase or sell, or both purchase and sell, the securities subject to purchase under the purchase contract, and the nature and amount of each of those securities, or the method of determining those amounts;

whether the purchase contracts are to be prepaid;

whether the purchase contracts are to be settled by delivery, or by reference or linkage to the value, performance or level of the securities subject to purchase under the purchase contract;

any acceleration, cancellation, termination or other provisions relating to the settlement of the purchase contracts;

any applicable material U.S. federal income tax considerations; and

whether the purchase contracts will be issued in fully registered or global form.

The preceding description sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the purchase contracts to which any prospectus supplement may relate. The particular terms of the purchase contracts to which any prospectus supplement may relate and the extent, if any, to which the general provisions may apply to the purchase contracts so offered will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. To the extent that any particular terms of the purchase contracts described in a prospectus supplement differ from any of the terms described above, then the terms described above will be deemed to have been superseded by that prospectus supplement. We encourage you to read the applicable purchase contract for additional information before you decide whether to purchase any of our purchase contracts.

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

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

We will incorporate by reference from reports that we file with the SEC, the form of unit agreement that describes the terms of the series of units we are offering, and any supplemental agreements, before the issuance of the related series of units. The following summaries of material terms and provisions of the units are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the unit agreement and any supplemental agreements applicable to a particular series of units. We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplements related to the particular series of units that we may offer under this prospectus, as well as any related free writing prospectuses and the complete unit agreement and any supplemental agreements that contain the terms of the units.

General

We may issue units consisting of shares of our common stock, shares of our preferred stock, one or more debt securities, warrants, rights or purchase contacts for the purchase of common stock, preferred stock and/or debt securities in one or more series, 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 security included in the unit. The unit agreement under which a unit is issued may provide that the securities included in the unit may not be held or transferred separately, at any time or at any time before a specified date.

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

the designation and terms of the units and of the securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances those securities may be held or transferred separately;

any provisions of the governing unit agreement that differ from those described below; and

any provisions for the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units or of the securities comprising the units.

The provisions described in this section, as well as those set forth in any prospectus supplement or as described under “Description of Common Stock,” “Description of Preferred Stock,” “Description of Debt Securities,” “Description of Warrants,” “Description of Rights” and “Description of Purchase Contracts” will apply to each unit, as applicable, and to any common stock, preferred stock, debt security, warrant, right or purchase contract included in each unit, as applicable.

Unit Agent

The name and address of the unit agent for any units we offer will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Issuance in Series

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

Enforceability of Rights by Holders of Units

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

CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF NEVADA LAW AND OF THE COMPANY’S ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS

Anti-Takeover Effects of Our amended and restated articles of incorporation and Amended and restated bylaws and Certain Provisions of Nevada Law

Our amended and restated articles of incorporation, amended and restated bylaws and the NRS contain provisions that may have the effect of maintaining continuity and stability in the composition of our Board of Directors. These provisions may help us avoid costly takeover battles, reduce our vulnerability to a hostile change of control and enhance the ability of our Board of Directors to effectively evaluate and negotiate in connection with any unsolicited offer to acquire us. However, these provisions may have an anti-takeover effect and may delay, deter or prevent a merger or acquisition of our company by means of a tender offer, a proxy contest or other takeover attempt that a stockholder might consider to be in its best interest, including attempts that might result in a premium over the prevailing market price for the shares of common stock held by stockholders.

Business Combinations and Acquisition of Control Shares

Nevada’s “combinations with interested stockholders” statutes (NRS 78.411 through 78.444, inclusive) prohibit specified types of business “combinations” between certain Nevada corporations and any person deemed to be an “interested stockholder” for two years after such person first becomes an “interested stockholder” unless the corporation’s board of directors approves the combination (or the transaction by which such person becomes an “interested stockholder”) in advance, or unless the combination is approved by the board of directors and sixty percent of the corporation’s voting power not beneficially owned by the interested stockholder, its affiliates and associates. Furthermore, in the absence of prior approval certain restrictions may apply even after such two-year period. An amendment to the NRS, effective October 1, 2015, however, provides that these statutes do not apply to any combination of a corporation and an interested stockholder after the expiration of four years after the person first became an interested stockholder. NRS 78.439 has also been amended, effective October 1, 2015, to eliminate the prohibition on stockholder approval by written consent with respect to combinations undertaken after the two-year period prescribed under the statutes. For purposes of these statutes, an “interested stockholder” is any person who is (1) the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of ten percent or more of the voting power of the outstanding voting shares of the corporation, or (2) an affiliate or associate of the corporation and at any time within the two previous years was the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of ten percent or more of the voting power of the then-outstanding shares of the corporation. The definition of the term “combination” is sufficiently broad to cover most significant transactions between a corporation and an “interested stockholder.” These laws generally apply to Nevada corporations with 200 or more stockholders of record, but a Nevada corporation may elect in its articles of incorporation not to be governed by these particular laws. We have not made such an election in our amended and restated articles of incorporation.

Nevada’s “acquisition of controlling interest” statutes (NRS 78.378 through 78.3793, inclusive) contain provisions governing the acquisition of a controlling interest in certain Nevada corporations. These “control share” laws provide generally that any person that acquires a “controlling interest” in certain Nevada corporations may be denied voting rights, unless a majority of the disinterested stockholders of the corporation elects to restore such voting rights. Our amended and restated articles of incorporation include our election to provide that these statutory provisions shall not apply to us or to any acquisition of our common stock. If our amended and restated articles of incorporation are amended to remove such elective provision, and absent a similar provision included in an amendment to our amended and restated bylaws, these laws would then apply to us if we were to have 200 or more stockholders of record (at least 100 of whom have addresses in Nevada appearing on our stock ledger) and do business in the State of Nevada directly or through an affiliated corporation, unless our articles of incorporation or bylaws in effect on the tenth day after the acquisition of a controlling interest provide otherwise. These laws provide that a person acquires a “controlling interest” whenever a person acquires shares of a subject corporation that, but for the application of these provisions of the NRS, would enable that person to exercise (i) one-fifth or more, but less than one-third, (ii) one-third or more, but less than a majority or (iii) a majority or more, of all of the voting power of the corporation in the election of directors. Once an acquirer crosses one of these thresholds, shares which it acquired in the transaction taking it over the threshold and within the 90 days immediately preceding the date when the acquiring person acquired or offered to acquire a controlling interest become “control shares” to which the voting restrictions described above apply.

In addition, NRS 78.139 also provides that directors may resist a change or potential change in control if the directors, by majority vote of a quorum, determine that the change is opposed to, or not in, the best interest of the corporation.

Classified Board of Directors; Removal of Directors Only for Cause

Pursuant to our amended and restated articles of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws, our Board of Directors is divided into three classes, with the term of office of the first class to expire at the first annual meeting of stockholders following the initial classification of directors and until their successors are duly

elected and qualified, the term of office of the second class to expire at the second annual meeting of stockholders following the initial classification of directors and until their successors are duly elected and qualified, and the term of office of the third class to expire at the third annual meeting of stockholders following the initial classification of directors and until their successors are duly elected and qualified. At each annual meeting of stockholders, directors elected to succeed those directors whose terms expire, other than directors elected by the holders of any series of preferred stock under specified circumstances, will be elected for a three-year term of office. All directors elected to our classified Board of Directors will serve until the election and qualification of their respective successors or their earlier resignation or removal. Members of the Board of Directors may only be removed for cause and only by the affirmative vote of at least 80% of our outstanding voting stock. These provisions are likely to increase the time required for stockholders to change the composition of the Board of Directors. For example, at least two annual meetings will be necessary for stockholders to effect a change in a majority of the members of the Board of Directors.

Dividends and Other Distributions

Under NRS 78.288, the directors of a Nevada corporation may authorize, and the corporation may make, distributions (including cash dividends) to stockholders, but no such distribution may be made if, after giving it effect:

the corporation would not be able to pay its debts as they become due in the usual course of business; or

except as otherwise specifically allowed by such corporation’s articles of incorporation, the corporation’s total assets would be less than the sum of (x) its total liabilities plus (y) the amount that would be needed, if the corporation were to be dissolved at the time of distribution, to satisfy the preferential rights upon dissolution of stockholders whose preferential rights are superior to those receiving the distribution.

The NRS prescribes the timing of the determinations above depending on the nature and timing of payment of the distribution. For cash dividends paid within 120 days after the date of authorization, the determinations above must be made as of the date the dividend is authorized. When making their determination that a distribution is not prohibited by NRS 78.288, directors may consider:

financial statements prepared on the basis of accounting practices that are reasonable in the circumstances;

a fair valuation, including, but not limited to, unrealized appreciation and depreciation; and/or

any other method that is reasonable in the circumstances.

Declaration and payment of any dividend will be subject to the discretion of our Board of Directors. The payment of any future dividends will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors; however, the time and amount of such dividends, if any, will be dependent upon our financial condition, operations, compliance with applicable law, cash requirements and availability, debt repayment obligations, capital expenditure needs and restrictions in our debt instruments, contractual restrictions, business prospects, industry trends, the provisions of Nevada law affecting the payment of distributions and any other factors our Board of Directors may consider relevant. Our ability to pay dividends on our common stock may depend in part on our receipt of cash dividends from our operating subsidiaries, which may be restricted from paying us dividends as a result of the laws of their jurisdiction of organization, agreements of our subsidiaries or covenants under any existing and future outstanding indebtedness we or our subsidiaries incur.

Advance Notice Provisions for Stockholder Proposals and Stockholder Nominations of Directors

Our amended and restated bylaws provide that, for nominations to the Board of Directors or for other business to be properly brought by a stockholder before a meeting of stockholders, the stockholder must first have given timely notice of the proposal in writing to our Secretary. For an annual meeting, a stockholder’s

notice generally must be delivered not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the previous year’s annual meeting date. For a special meeting, the notice must generally be delivered not earlier than the 90th day prior to the meeting and not later than the later of (i) the 60th day prior to the meeting or (ii) the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the meeting is first made. Detailed requirements as to the form of the notice and information required in the notice are specified in the amended and restated bylaws. If it is determined that business was not properly brought before a meeting in accordance with our bylaw provisions, such business will not be conducted at the meeting.

Special Meetings of Stockholders

Special meetings of the stockholders may be called only by our Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the total number of directors.

Liability and Indemnification of Directors and Officers

The Nevada Revised Statutes empower us to indemnify our directors and officers against expenses relating to certain actions, suits or proceedings as provided for therein. In order for such indemnification under the statutes to be available, the applicable director or officer must not have acted in a manner that constituted a breach of his or her fiduciary duties and involved intentional misconduct, fraud or a knowing violation of law and was material to the action, or must have acted in good faith and reasonably believed that his or her conduct was in, or not opposed to, our best interests. In the event of a criminal action, the applicable director or officer must not have had reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. However, the indemnification pursuant to the NRS and advancement of expenses authorized in or ordered by a court pursuant to the statutes does not exclude any other rights to which a person seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under our amended and restated articles of incorporation or any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, for either an action in the person’s official capacity or an action in another capacity while holding office, except that indemnification, unless ordered by a court pursuant to Section 78.7502 of the NRS or for the advancement of expenses made pursuant to Section 78.751(2) of the NRS, may not be made to or on behalf of any director or officer if a final adjudication establishes that the director’s or officer’s acts or omissions involved intentional misconduct, fraud or a knowing violation of the law and was material to the cause of action.

Under applicable provisions of the Nevada Revised Statutes, our amended and restated articles of incorporation, Amended and restated bylaws or any separate agreement may provide for our payment of expenses incurred by any such director or officer in advance of the final disposition of the applicable action, suit or proceeding, upon delivery by such director or officer of an undertaking to repay all amounts so advanced if it is ultimately determined that the director or officer is not entitled to be indemnified by us.

Our amended and restated articles of incorporation provide for indemnification of our directors and officers substantially identical in scope to that permitted under applicable Nevada law. Our amended and restated articles of incorporation also provide that the expenses of our directors and officers incurred in defending any applicable action, suit or proceeding must be paid by us as they are incurred and in advance of the final disposition of the action, suit or proceeding, provided that the required undertaking by the director or officer is delivered to us.

We have also entered into separate indemnification agreements with each of our current directors and executive officers consistent with Nevada law and in the form approved by our Board of Directors and ourselling stockholders and we contemplate entering into such indemnification agreements with directors and certain executive officers that may be elected or appointed in the future. Those indemnification agreements require that under the circumstances and to the extent provided for therein, we indemnify such persons to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law against certain expenses incurred by any such person as a result of such person being made a party to certain actions, suits and proceedings by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director,

officer, employee or agent of our company, any entity that was a predecessor corporation of our company or any of our affiliates. The rights of each person who is a party to such an indemnification agreement are in addition to any other rights such person may have under applicable Nevada law, our amended and restated articles of incorporation, our Amended and restated bylaws, any other agreement, a vote of our stockholders, a resolution adopted by our Board of Directors or otherwise. The foregoing is only a brief description of the form of indemnification agreement, does not purport to be a complete description of the rights and obligations of the parties thereunder and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the form of indemnification agreement filed as an exhibit to this prospectus and incorporated herein by reference.

We also maintain a customary insurance policy that indemnifies our directors and officers against variouscivil liabilities, including liabilities arising under the Securities Act, that may be incurredarise from any written information furnished to us by any directorthe selling stockholders specifically for use in this prospectus, in accordance with the related registration rights agreements, or officer in his or her capacity as such.

At present, there is no pending litigation or proceeding involving any of our directors or officers for which indemnification is sought, nor are we aware of any threatened litigation that is likely to result in claims for indemnification.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted for our directors, officers and controlling persons pursuantentitled to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, we have been informed that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than payment by us for expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of ours in successful defense of any action, suit, or proceeding) is asserted by a director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, we will, unless in the opinion of our counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction, the question of whether such indemnification by it is against public policy in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.contribution.

No Stockholder Action by Written Consent

Any action to be effected by our stockholders must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of the stockholders and not by written consent.

Super Majority Stockholder Vote Required for Certain Actions

Our amended and restated articles of incorporation and Amended and restated bylaws provide that the Board of Directors is expressly authorized to make, alter, amend, change, add to, rescind or repeal, in whole or in part, our bylaws without a stockholder vote in any manner not inconsistent with Nevada law and our amended and restated articles of incorporation. Our amended and restated articles of incorporation require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80% of our outstanding voting stock to amend or repeal any of the provisions discussed in this section under the heading “Anti-Takeover Effects of Our amended and restated articles of incorporation and Amended and restated bylaws and Certain Provisions of Nevada Law,” as well as certain other provisions of our amended and restated articles of incorporation. This 80% stockholder vote would be in addition to any separate class vote that might in the future be required pursuant to the terms of any preferred stock that might then be outstanding. An 80% vote is also required for any amendment to, or repeal of, our Amended and restated bylaws by the stockholders and for the removal of any member of or our entire Board of Directors. Our Amended and restated bylaws may be amended or repealed by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.

Deemed Notice and Consent

Our amended and restated articles of incorporation provide that any person purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of our capital stock shall be deemed, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to

have notice of and consented to all of the provisions of our amended and restated articles of incorporation, our Amended and restated bylaws and any amendment to our articles of incorporation or bylaws enacted in accordance therewith and applicable law.

LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the issuance of the shares of our common stock or preferred stockbeing offered hereby will beby this prospectus is being passed upon for us by Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP, Las Vegas, Nevada. Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C., Boston, Massachusetts, will pass upon the binding nature of any other securities being offered hereby. Additional legal matters may be passed upon for us or any underwriters, dealers or agents, by counsel that we will name in the applicable prospectus supplement.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of Pieris Pharmaceuticals, Inc. appearing in Pieris Pharmaceuticals, Inc.’s Annual Report (Form10-K), as amended, at December 31, 2015 and 2014, and for each of the two years in the periodyear ended December 31, 2015,2018, have been audited by Ernst & Young GmbH Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft,LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon, incorporated by referenceincluded therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such reportsreport given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONALMORE INFORMATION

We are subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act, of 1934, as amended, and file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may readThe SEC maintains an internet website at www.sec.gov that contains periodic and copy thesecurrent reports, proxy and information statements, and other information atregarding registrants that are filed electronically with the SEC’s public reference facilities at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549.SEC. You can request copies of these documents by writing to the SEC and paying a fee for the copying cost. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for more information about the operation of the public reference facilities. SEC filings are also available at the SEC’s web site at http://www.sec.gov.

This prospectus is only part of a registration statement on FormS-3 that we have filed with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and therefore omits certain information contained in the registration statement. We have also filed exhibits and schedules with the registration statement that are excluded from this prospectus, and you should refer to the applicable exhibit or schedule for a complete description of any statement referring to any contract or other document. You may inspectobtain a copy of the registration statement, including the exhibits and schedules, without charge, at the public reference room or obtain a copy from the SEC upon payment of the fees prescribed by the SEC.SEC’s website.

We also maintain a website athttp://www.pieris.com, through which you can access our SEC filings.filings free of charge. The information set forth on our website is not part of this prospectus.

INFORMATION INCORPORATEDINCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information into this prospectus, informationwhich means that we have filed with the SEC. This means we can disclose important information to you by referring you to other documents that contain that information.another document filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is considereddeemed to be part of this prospectus, and subsequent information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. We filed a registration statement on FormS-3 under the Securities Act with the SEC with respect to the securities we may offer pursuant to this prospectus. We incorporateThis prospectus omits certain information contained in the registration statement, as permitted by the SEC. You should refer to the registration statement, including the exhibits, for further information about us and the securities we may offer pursuant to this prospectus. Statements in this prospectus regarding the provisions of certain documents filed with, or incorporated by reference in, the registration statement are not necessarily complete and each statement is qualified in all respects by that reference. Copies of all or any part of the registration statement, including the documents listed below:incorporated by reference or the exhibits, may be obtained from the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. The documents we are incorporating by reference are:

 

 (1)Our

our Annual Report onForm10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 20152018 that we filed with the SEC on March 23, 2016.18, 2019;

 

 (2)Amendment No. 1 to

our Annual ReportQuarterly Reports on Form 10-K/A10-Q for the fiscal yearquarters ended DecemberMarch 31, 20152019, June 30, 2019 and September 30, 2019 that we filed with the SEC on April 29, 2016.May  10, 2019,August  9, 2019 andNovember 12, 2019, respectively;

 

 (3)Amendment No. 2 to

our Annual ReportCurrent Reports on FormForm 10-K/A8-K filed onFebruary 4, 2019,July 31, 2019,August  1, 2019,September 3, 2019,September  26, 2019,November 4, 2019, andNovember 12, 2019 (in each case, except for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015 that we filed with the SEC on July 20, 2016.information contained therein which is furnished rather than filed);

 

 (4)Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2016 that we filed with the SEC on May 12, 2016.

 (5)Amendment No. 1 to our Quarterly Report onForm 10-Q/A for

the quarterly period ended March 31, 2016 that we filed with the SEC on July 20, 2016.

(6)Our Current Reports on Form 8-K, each of which were filed with the SEC (except for the information furnished under Items 2.02 and 7.01 and the exhibits thereto on the following dates:

April 7, 2016;

April 18, 2016 (with respect to two reports filed on such date);

May 12, 2016;

June 6, 2016 (with respect to two reports filed on such date);

June 8, 2016;

June 9, 2016;

July 1, 2016; and

July 26, 2016.

(7)The description of our common stock contained in our Registration Statement onForm8-A filed on June 24, 2015, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.description; and

 

(8)All reports and other documents subsequently filed by us pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of the registration statement to which this prospectus forms a part of and prior to the effectiveness of such registration statement or after the date of this prospectus and prior to the termination or completion of the offering of securities under this prospectus shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus and to be a part hereof from the date of filing such reports and other documents.

all reports and other documents subsequently filed by us pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act and prior to the termination or completion of the offering of securities under this prospectus shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus and to be a part hereof from the date of filing such reports and other documents.

The SEC file number for each of the documents listed above is001-37471.

Any statement contained in this prospectus or in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus or any other subsequently filed document that is deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus modifies or supersedes the statement. Any statementsstatement so modified or superseded shallwill not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus.

You may request, a copy of these documents, orally or in writing, whicha copy of any or all of the documents incorporated herein by reference. These documents will be provided to you at no cost, by contacting:

Pieris Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

255 State Street, 9th Floor

Boston, MassachusettsMA 02109, USA

Attention:Attn: Investor Relations

Telephone: +1 (857)246-8998

You may also access these documents on our website,http://www.pieris.com.www.pieris.com. The information contained on, or that can be accessed through, our website is not a part of this prospectus. We have included our website address in this prospectus solely as an inactive textual reference.

You should rely only on information contained in, or incorporated by reference into, this prospectusprospectus. We and any prospectus supplement. Wethe selling stockholders have not authorized anyone to provide you with information different from that contained in this prospectus or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. We and the selling stockholders are not making offers to sell the securities in any jurisdiction in which such an 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.

18,029,920 Shares

LOGO

Common Stock

PROSPECTUS

, 2019


PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 14.Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

The following table setsItem 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

Set forth below is an itemizationestimate (except for registration fees, which are actual) of the variousapproximate amount of the types of fees and expenses all of which we will pay,listed below that were paid or are payable by us in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities being registered. Allshares of common stock to be registered by this registration statement. None of the amounts shownexpenses listed below are estimated exceptto be borne by any of the SEC Registration Fee.selling stockholders named in the prospectus that forms a part of this registration statement.

 

SEC Registration Fee

  $10,070  

Legal Fees and Expenses

     

Accounting Fees and Expenses

     

Printing and Miscellaneous Fees and Expenses

     

Total

     

*Fees depend on number of issuances and amount of securities sold and accordingly cannot be estimated at this time.

Expense

  Amount 

SEC Registration Fee

  $9,151 

Accounting Fees and Expenses

   20,000 

Legal Fees and Expenses

   50,000 

Miscellaneous Fees and Expenses

   2,500 
  

 

 

 

Total

  $81,651 
Item 15.

Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

The Nevada Revised Statutes empower us to indemnify our directors and officers against expenses relating to certain actions, suits or proceedings as provided for therein. In order for such indemnification under the statutes to be available, the applicable director or officer must not have acted in a manner that constituted a breach of his or her fiduciary duties and involved intentional misconduct, fraud or a knowing violation of law and was material to the action, or must have acted in good faith and reasonably believed that his or her conduct was in, or not opposed to, our best interests. In the event of a criminal action, the applicable director or officer must not have had reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. However, the indemnification pursuant to the NRS and advancement of expenses authorized in or ordered by a court pursuant to the statutes does not exclude any other rights to which a person seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under our amended and restated articles of incorporation or any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, for either an action in the person’s official capacity or an action in another capacity while holding office, except that indemnification, unless ordered by a court pursuant to NRS 78.7502 or for the advancement of expenses made pursuant to NRS 78.751(2), may not be made to or on behalf of any director or officer if a final adjudication establishes that the director’s or officer’s acts or omissions involved intentional misconduct, fraud or a knowing violation of the law and was material to the cause of action.

Under applicable provisions of Directors and Officers.

We are a Nevada corporation and generally governed by the Nevada Revised Statutes, our amended and restated articles of incorporation, amended and restated bylaws or NRS.any separate agreement may provide for our payment of expenses incurred by any such director or officer in advance of the final disposition of the applicable action, suit or proceeding, upon delivery by such director or officer of an undertaking to repay all amounts so advanced if it is ultimately determined that the director or officer is not entitled to be indemnified by us.

Our amended and restated articles of incorporation provide for indemnification of our directors and officers substantially identical in scope to that permitted under applicable Nevada law. Our amended and restated articles of incorporation also provide that the expenses of our directors and officers incurred in defending any applicable action, suit or proceeding must be paid by us as they are incurred and in advance of the final disposition of the action, suit or proceeding, provided that the required undertaking by the director or officer is delivered to us.

We have also entered into separate indemnification agreements with each of our current directors and executive officers consistent with Nevada law and in the form approved by our Board of Directors and our Amendedstockholders, and restated bylaws providewe contemplate entering into such indemnification agreements with directors and certain executive officers that eachmay be elected or appointed in the future. Those indemnification agreements require that under the circumstances and to the extent provided for therein, we indemnify such persons to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law against certain expenses incurred by any such person who was or is madeas a party or is threatened to beresult of such person being made a party to or is otherwise involved (including, without limitation, as a witness) in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he or she is or was one of our directors or officers 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, whether the basis of such action, suit or proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer or trustee or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer or trustee, shall be indemnifiedcertain actions, suits and held harmless by us to the fullest extent authorized by the NRS against all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys’ fees and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by such.

NRS 78.7502 permits a corporation to indemnify any director or officer of the corporation against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred in connection with any action, suit or proceeding broughtproceedings by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer, employee or officeragent of our company, any entity that was a predecessor corporation of our company or any of our affiliates. The rights of each person who is a party to such an indemnification agreement are in addition to any other rights such person may have under applicable Nevada law, our amended and restated articles of incorporation, our amended and restated bylaws, any other agreement, a vote of our stockholders, a resolution adopted by our Board of Directors or otherwise. The foregoing is only a brief description of the corporation, if such person (i) isform of indemnification agreement, does not liable pursuant to NRS 78.138 and (ii) acted in good faith and in a manner which he or she reasonably believedpurport to be a complete description of the rights and obligations of the parties thereunder and is qualified in or not opposedits entirety by reference to the best interestsform of indemnification agreement filed as an exhibit to the corporation,registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part and with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believeincorporated herein by reference.

We also maintain a customary insurance policy that indemnifies our directors and officers against various liabilities, including liabilities arising under the conduct was unlawful. In a derivative action (i.e., one brought by or on behalf of the corporation), indemnificationSecurities Act that may be provided only for expenses actually and reasonably incurred by any director or officer in connection with the defense or settlement of such an action or the suit if such person (i) is not liable pursuant to NRS 78.138 and (ii) acted in good faith and in a manner which he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, except that no indemnification shall be provided if such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation, unless and only to the extent that the court in which the action or suit was brought or some other court of competent jurisdiction determines that such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses as the court deems proper.

Our amended and restated articles of incorporation provide that the liability of our directors and officers shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the NRS. NRS 78.138(7) provides that, subject to limited statutory exceptions and unless the articles of incorporation or an amendment thereto (in each case filed on or after October 1, 2003) provide for greater individual liability, a director or officer is not individually liable

II-1


to a corporation or its stockholders or creditors for any damages as a result of any act or failure to act in his or her capacity as a directorsuch.


At present, there is no pending litigation or officer unless itproceeding involving any of our directors or officers for which indemnification is proven that: (i)sought, nor are we aware of any threatened litigation that is likely to result in claims for indemnification.

Any underwriting agreements that we may enter into will likely provide for the act or failure to act constituted a breachindemnification of his or her fiduciary duties as a director or officer and (ii) the breach of those duties involved intentional misconduct, fraud or a knowing violation of law.

We have entered into indemnification agreements withus, our controlling persons, our directors and certain officers, in addition to the indemnification provided in the NRS, our amended and restated articles of incorporation and our Amended and restated bylaws, and intend to enter into indemnification agreements with any new directors and officers in the future. We have purchased and intend to maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director or officer against any loss arising from any claim asserted against him or her and incurred by him or her in any such capacity, subject to certain exclusions.

The foregoing discussion of our amendedofficers by the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Item 16. Exhibits and restated articles of incorporation, Amended and restated bylaws, indemnification agreements, indemnity agreement, and Nevada law is not intended to be exhaustive and is qualified in its entirety by such amended and restated articles of incorporation, Amended and restated bylaws, indemnification agreements, indemnity agreement, or law.Financial Statements Schedules.

Item 16.Exhibits.

The exhibits to this registration statement are listed in the Exhibit Index to this registration statement,immediately prior the signature page hereto, which Exhibit Index is hereby incorporated by reference into this Item 16 by reference.

Item 17. Undertakings.

 

Item 17.Undertakings.

(a)

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

 

 (1)

To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

 

 (i)

To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

 

 (ii)

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

 

 (iii)

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

provided, however,, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) 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.

 

 (2)

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 initialbona fide offering thereof.

 

II-2


 (3)

To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

 

 (4)

That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:

 

 (i)

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

 

 (ii)

Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act 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 that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initialbona 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.


 (5)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, in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

��

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

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

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

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

(b)

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes 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 section 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 initialbona fide offering thereof.

 

(c)

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to supplement the prospectus, after the expiration of the subscription period, to set forth the results of the subscription offer, the transactions by the underwriters during the subscription period, the amount of unsubscribed securities to be purchased by the underwriters,

II-3


and the terms of any subsequent reoffering thereof. If any public offering by the underwriters is to be made on terms differing from those set forth on the cover page of the prospectus, a posteffective amendment will be filed to set forth the terms of such offering.

(d)Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant, 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.


EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit
Number

Item

4.1Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report onForm 8-K (FileNo. 333-190728) filed on December 18, 2014).
4.2Certificate of Designation of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form10-Q (FileNo. 001-37471) filed with the Commission on August 11, 2016).
4.3Certificate of Designation of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form8-K (FileNo. 001-37471) filed with the Commission on February 4, 2019).
4.4Certificate of Designation of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form10-Q (FileNo. 001-37471) filed with the Commission on November 12, 2019).
4.5Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form10-Q (FileNo. 001-37471) filed with the Commission on November 12, 2019).
4.6Form of Common Stock certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form10-K (FileNo. 001-37471) filed with the Commission on March 23, 2016).
4.7Form of Warrant to Purchase Common Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form8-K (FileNo. 001-37471) filed with the Commission on November 4, 2019).
4.8Registration Rights Agreement, dated November  2, 2019, by and among the Company and the Investors named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form8-K (FileNo.  001-37471) filed with the Commission on November 4, 2019).
5.1*Opinion of Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C.
10.1Securities Purchase Agreement, dated November  2, 2019, by and among the Company and the Investors named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form8-K (FileNo.  001-37471) filed with the Commission on November 4, 2019).
23.1*Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
23.2*Consent of Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C. (contained in Exhibit 5.1 hereto).
24.1*Powers of Attorney (included in the signature page of this registration statement).

 

(e)*The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes 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 (“Act”) in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under section 305(b)(2) of the Act.

Filed herewith.

II-4


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 FormS-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Boston, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on July 28, 2016.December 4, 2019.

 

PIERIS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
By: 

/s/ Stephen S. Yoder

 Stephen S. Yoder
 President and Chief Executive Officer and President

SIGNATURES AND POWER OF ATTORNEY

We, the undersigned officers and directors of Pieris Pharmaceuticals, Inc., hereby severally constitute and appoint Stephen S. Yoder and Thomas Bures and each of them singly (with full power to each of them to act alone), our true and lawfulattorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution in each of them for him and in his name, place and stead, and in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including, without limitation, post-effective amendments) to this registration statement (or any other registration statement for the same offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto saidattorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite or necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that saidattorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them or their or his 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 below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/s/ Stephen S. Yoder

Stephen S. Yoder

  

President, Chief Executive Officer and Director(Principal Executive Officer)

 July 28, 2016December 4, 2019

/s/ Darlene Deptula-HicksThomas Bures

Darlene Deptula-HicksThomas Bures

  

Chief Financial Officer, SecretaryVice President, Finance and Treasurer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 July 28, 2016

December 4, 2019

*/s/ James Geraghty

Chau KhuongJames Geraghty

  

Chairman of the Board of Directors

 July 28, 2016

December 4, 2019

*/s/ Michael Richman

Jean-Pierre BizzariMichael Richman

  

Director

 July 28, 2016

December 4, 2019

*/s/ Ann Barbier, M.D., Ph.D.

Michael RichmanAnn Barbier, M.D., Ph.D.

  

Director

 July 28, 2016

December 4, 2019

*/s/ Jean-Pierre Bizzari, M.D.

Steven PrelackJean-Pierre Bizzari, M.D.

  

Director

 July 28, 2016

December 4, 2019

*By:

/s/ Christopher Kiritsy

Christopher Kiritsy

  

/s/ Darlene Deptula-Hicks

Director Darlene Deptula-Hicks, as attorney-in-factDecember 4, 2019


EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit/s/ Peter Kiener, D.Phil.

NumberPeter Kiener, D.Phil.

  

Exhibit Description

Director
 

Incorporated by
Reference herein

From Form

or Schedule

Filing DateSEC File/
Registration
Number
 1.1Form of Underwriting Agreement*December 4, 2019
 2.1

Acquisition Agreement, dated as of December 17, 2014, by and among the Registrant, Pieris AG and the/s/ Matthew L. Sherman, M.D.

former stock holders of Pieris AG

named thereinMatthew L. Sherman, M.D.

  

Form 8-K

(Exhibit 2.1)

Director
 December 18, 2014333-1907284, 2019
 4.1Form of Senior Indenture

Form S-3/s/ Maya R. Said, Sc.D.

(Exhibit 4.1)Maya R. Said, Sc.D.

  June 3, 2016Director 333-211844
 4.2Form of Subordinated Indenture

Form S-3

(Exhibit 4.2)

June 3, 2016333-211844
 4.3Form of Senior Debt Security*
 4.4Form of Subordinated Debt Security*
 4.5Specimen Preferred Stock Certificate and Form of Certificate of Designation of Preferred Stock*
 4.6Form of Warrant Agreement and Warrant*
 4.7Form of Rights Agreement and Right Certificate*
 4.8Form of Purchase Contract*
 4.9Form of Unit Agreement and Unit*
 5.1Opinion of Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP

Form S-3

(Exhibit 5.1)

June 3, 2016333-211844
 5.2Opinion of Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C.

Form S-3

(Exhibit 5.2)

June 3, 2016333-211844
12.1Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges*
23.1

Consent of Ernst & Young GmbH

Wirtschaftsprufungsgesellschaft,

Independent Registered Public

Accounting Firm

**
23.2Consent of Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP

Form S-3

(included in

Exhibit 5.1)

June 3, 2016333-211844
23.3Consent of Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C.

Form S-3

(included in

Exhibit 5.2)

25.1Statement of Eligibility of Trustee under the Indenture on Form T-1 to be filed separately pursuant to Section 30 5(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939*December 4, 2019

*To be subsequently filed, if applicable, by an amendment to this registration statement or by a current report on Form 8-K.
**Filed herewith.