USE OF PROCEEDS
The net proceeds from any disposition of the shares of common stock covered hereby will be received by the selling stockholders. We will retain broad discretion overnot receive any of the useproceeds from any such shares of common stock offered by this prospectus. We will, however, receive the net proceeds of any Warrants or Placement Agent Warrants exercised for cash. We expect to use the proceeds received from the exercise of the Warrants or Placement Agent Warrants, if any, for the development of our product candidates and general working capital purposes.
DIVIDEND POLICY
We have never paid cash dividends on our common stock. Moreover, we do not anticipate paying periodic cash dividends on our common stock for the foreseeable future. We intend to use all available cash and liquid assets in the operation and growth of our business. Any future determination about the payment of dividends will be made at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend upon our earnings, if any, capital requirements, operating and financial conditions and on such other factors as our board of directors deems relevant.
SELLING STOCKHOLDERS
The common stock being offered by the selling stockholders are those previously issued to the selling stockholders, and those issuable to the selling stockholders, upon exercise of the Warrants and Placement Agent Warrants. We are registering the shares of common stock in order to permit the selling stockholders to offer the shares for resale from time to time.
Neither the selling stockholders, nor any persons having control over the selling stockholders, have held any position or office with us or our affiliates within the last three years or have had a material relationship with us or any of our predecessors or affiliates within the past three years, other than as a result of the ownership of our shares or other securities; provided, however, Wainwright served as our placement agent in connection with the Private Placement, for which Wainwright received compensation.
The selling stockholders may sell some, all or none of their shares of common stock. We do not know how long the selling stockholders will hold the Warrants or Placement Agent Warrants, whether any will exercise the Warrants or Placement Agent Warrants, and upon such exercise, how long such selling stockholders will hold the shares of common stock before selling them, and we currently have no agreements, arrangements or understandings with the selling stockholders regarding the sale of any of the shares.
The following table presents information regarding the selling stockholders and the shares that each may offer and sell from time to time under this prospectus. The table is prepared based on information supplied to us by the selling stockholders without regard to ownership limitations set forth in the applicable agreements or other documents relating to such shares, Warrants and Placement Agent Warrants, including (i) all of the shares offered hereby, and (ii) to our knowledge, all other securities held by each of the selling stockholders as of the date hereof, and reflects their respective holdings as of May 18, 2023. Except as noted below, beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and Rule 13d-3 thereunder.
The percentage of shares beneficially owned prior to the offering is based on 3,352,069 shares of our common stock actually outstanding as of May 18, 2023.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Name of Selling Stockholder | | Shares Beneficially
Owned Before this
Offering(1) | | | Percentage of
Outstanding
Shares
Beneficially
Owned Before
this Offering(1) | | | Shares to be Sold in this Offering | | | Percentage of
Outstanding
Shares
Beneficially
Owned After
this Offering(1) | |
Armistice Capital, LLC. (2) | | | 10,943,297 | | | | 78.4% | | | | 10,909,092 | | | | * | |
H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC (3) | | | 254,545 | | | | 7.1% | | | | 254,545 | | | | - | |
*Represents beneficial ownership of less than one percent.
(1)The ability to exercise the Warrants and Placement Agent Warrants held by the selling stockholders is subject to a beneficial ownership limitation that, at the time of initial issuance of the Warrants and the Placement Agent Warrants, was capped at either 4.99% or 9.99% beneficial ownership of our issued and outstanding common stock (post-exercise). These beneficial ownership limitations may be adjusted up or down (up to 9.99%), subject to providing advanced notice to us. Beneficial ownership as reflected in the selling stockholder table reflects the total number of shares potentially issuable underlying the Warrants and the Placement Agent Warrants and does not give effect to these beneficial ownership limitations. Accordingly, actual beneficial ownership, as calculated in accordance with Section 13(d) and Rule 13d-3 thereunder may be lower than as reflected in the table.
(2)The securities are directly held by Armistice Capital Master Fund Ltd., a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “Master Fund”), and may be deemed to be indirectly beneficially owned by: (i) Armistice Capital, LLC (“Armistice Capital”), as the investment manager of the Master Fund; and (ii) Steven Boyd, as the Managing Member of Armistice Capital. The warrants are subject to a beneficial ownership limitation of 4.99% or 9.99%, which such limitation restricts the selling stockholder from exercising that portion of the warrants that would result in the selling stockholder and its affiliates owning, after exercise, a number of shares of common stock in excess of the beneficial ownership limitation. The amounts and percentages in the table do not give effect to the beneficial ownership limitations. The address of the Master Fund is c/o Armistice Capital, LLC, 510 Madison Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10022.
(3)H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC is a registered broker dealer and has a registered address of c/o H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC, 430 Park Ave, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10022. H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC has sole voting and dispositive power over the securities held. The number of shares beneficially owned prior to this offering consist of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of Placement Agent Warrants, which were received as compensation for the Private Placement. H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC acquired the Placement Agent Warrants in the ordinary course of business and, at the time the placement agent warrants were acquired, H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC had no agreement or understanding, directly or indirectly, with any person to distribute such securities.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
Each selling stockholder of the securities and any of their pledgees, assignees and successors-in-interest may, from time to time, sell any or all of their securities covered hereby on the principal Trading Market or any other stock exchange, market or trading facility on which the securities are traded or in private transactions. These sales may be at fixed or negotiated prices. A selling stockholder may use any one or more of the following methods when selling securities:
•ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker-dealer solicits purchasers;
•block trades in which the broker-dealer will attempt to sell the securities as agent but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction;
•purchases by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by the broker-dealer for its account;
•an exchange distribution in accordance with the rules of the applicable exchange;
•privately negotiated transactions;
•settlement of short sales;
•in transactions through broker-dealers that agree with the selling stockholders to sell a specified number of such securities at a stipulated price per security;
•through the writing or settlement of options or other hedging transactions, whether through an options exchange or otherwise;
•a combination of any such methods of sale; or
•any other method permitted pursuant to applicable law.
The selling stockholders may also sell securities under Rule 144 or any other exemption from registration under the Securities Act, if available, rather than under this prospectus.
Broker-dealers engaged by the selling stockholders may arrange for other brokers-dealers to participate in sales. Broker-dealers may receive commissions or discounts from the selling stockholders (or, if any broker-dealer acts as agent for the purchaser of securities, from the purchaser) in amounts to be negotiated, but, except as set forth in a supplement to this Prospectus, in the case of an agency transaction not in excess of a customary brokerage commission in compliance with FINRA Rule 2121; and in the case of a principal transaction a markup or markdown in compliance with FINRA Rule 2121.
In connection with the sale of the securities or interests therein, 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 securities in the course of hedging the positions they assume. The selling stockholders may also sell securities short and deliver these securities to close out their short positions, or loan or pledge the securities to broker-dealers that in turn may sell these securities. The selling stockholders may also enter into option or other transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions or create one or more derivative securities which require the delivery to such broker-dealer or other financial institution of securities offered hereby. Except as describedby this prospectus, which securities such broker-dealer or other financial institution may resell pursuant to this prospectus (as supplemented or amended to reflect such transaction).
The selling stockholders and any broker-dealers or agents that are involved in any applicable prospectus supplement or in any free writing prospectuses we have authorized for useselling the securities may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act in connection with a specific offering, we currently intend to usesuch sales. In such event, any commissions received by such broker-dealers or agents and any profit on the net proceeds from the saleresale of the securities offeredpurchased by them may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts under the Securities Act. Each selling stockholder has informed us that it does not have any written or oral agreement or understanding, directly or indirectly, with any person to distribute the securities.
We are required to pay certain fees and expenses incurred by us hereunder, if any, for general corporate purposes, which may include research and development, capital expenditures, working capital and general and administrative expenses. We may also use a portionincident to the registration of the net proceedssecurities. We have agreed to acquireindemnify the selling stockholders against certain losses, claims, damages and liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
We agreed to keep this prospectus effective until the earlier of (i) the date on which the securities may be resold by the selling stockholders without registration and without regard to any volume or investmanner-of-sale limitations by reason of Rule 144, without the requirement for us to be in businesses, productscompliance with the current public information under Rule 144 under the Securities Act or any other rule of similar effect or (ii) all of the securities have been sold pursuant to this prospectus or Rule 144 under the Securities Act or any other rule of similar effect. The resale securities will be sold only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers if required under applicable state securities laws. In addition, in certain states, the resale securities covered hereby may not be sold unless they have been registered or qualified for sale in the applicable state or an exemption from the registration or qualification requirement is available and technologies that are complementary to our own, although we have no current plans, commitments or agreementsis complied with.
Under applicable rules and regulations under the Exchange Act, any person engaged in the distribution of the resale securities may not simultaneously engage in market making activities with respect to any acquisitionsthe common stock for the applicable restricted period, as defined in Regulation M, prior to the commencement of the datedistribution. In addition, the selling stockholders will be subject to applicable provisions of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, including Regulation M, which may limit the timing of purchases and sales of the common stock by the selling stockholders or any other person. We will make copies of this prospectus.We will set forth inprospectus available to the applicableselling stockholders and have informed them of the need to deliver a copy of this prospectus supplementto each purchaser at or free writing prospectus our intended use forprior to the net proceeds received fromtime of the sale of any securities sold pursuant to(including by compliance with Rule 172 under the prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus. Pending these uses, we intend to invest the net proceeds in investment-grade, interest-bearing securities as well as money market mutual funds.
6Securities Act).
126525599 v1
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
Our authorized capital stock consistsThe summary of 100,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.0001 par value per share. A description of materialgeneral terms and provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws affecting the rights of holders of our capital stock is set forth below. The description is intended as a summary,below does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to our certificateAmended and Restated Certificate of incorporationIncorporation (the “Certificate of Incorporation”) and Amended and Restated Bylaws (the “Bylaws,” and together with the Certificate of Incorporation, the “Charter Documents”), each of which is included as an exhibit to our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC and incorporated by reference herein. For additional information, please read the Charter Documents and the bylaws.applicable provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”).
Authorized Capital Stock
We are authorized to issue up to 110,000,000 shares, of which (i) 100,000,000 have been designated common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, and (ii) 10,000,000 have been designated preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share. As of March 17, 2016May 18, 2023, there were 17,956,8173,352,069 shares of our common stock outstanding, held by 152 stockholders of record. This figure does not reflect the number of beneficial owners of shares of our common stock as a single stockholder of record often holds shares in nominee name (also referred to as, in “street name”) on behalf of multiple beneficial owners.
Common Stock
Voting Rights
The holders of shares of common stock have the exclusive power to vote on all matters presented to our stockholders unless Delaware law or the certificate of designation for an outstanding no sharesseries of preferred stock outstanding and warrants and optionsgives the holders of that series of preferred stock the right to purchase an aggregatevote on certain matters. Each holder of 2,344,130 shares of common stock outstanding.
Common stock
Voting rights. Holders of our common stock areis entitled to one vote for each share of common stock held of record on all matters submitted toper share.
When a quorum is present at any meeting, the vote of the stockholders, includingholders of a majority of the voting power of the common stock entitled to vote and present in person or represented by proxy shall decide any question brought before such meeting, unless the question is one upon which by express provision of the Charter Documents or by law, a different vote is required in which case such express provision shall govern and control the decision of such question. Directors are elected by a plurality of the voting power of the shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the election of directors at a meeting at which a quorum is present, and dostockholders are not have cumulative voting rights.entitled to cumulate their votes for the election of directors.
Dividend rights. Rights
Subject to preferences that may be applicable to any prior rights of any preferred stock then outstanding, preferred stock,the holders of ourshares of common stock are entitled to receive dividends ratably out of funds legally available, when and if any, as may be declared from time to time by our board of directors out of legally available funds.directors.
Liquidation. In the event of ourNo Preemptive or Similar Rights
The common stock is not entitled to preemptive rights and is not subject to conversion, redemption or sinking fund provisions.
Right to Receive Liquidation Distributions
If we become subject to a liquidation, dissolution or winding up, holders of our common stock will be entitled to share ratably inwinding-up, the net assets legally available for distribution to our stockholders after the payment of all of our debts and other liabilities, subject to the satisfaction of any liquidation preference granted towould be distributable ratably among the holders of the common stock and any thenparticipating preferred stock outstanding at that time, subject to prior satisfaction of all outstanding debt and liabilities and the preferential rights and payment of liquidation preferences, if any, on any outstanding shares of preferred stock.
RightsOutstanding Stock Options and Preferences. Restricted Stock Units
Holders
As of March 31, 2023, we had outstanding options to purchase 107,128 shares of our common stock have no preemptive, conversion, subscription or other rights, and there are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicableat a weighted-average exercise price of $23.67 per share, pursuant to our common stock. The rights, preferences and privileges2015 Equity Incentive Plan. As of the holdersMarch 31, 2023, we had outstanding restricted stock units to acquire 12,220 shares of our common stock are subjectpursuant to and may be adversely affected by,our 2015 Equity Incentive Plan. As of March 31, 2023, there were 55,365 shares of our common stock reserved for future issuance under our 2015 Equity Incentive Plan.
2015 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
As of March 31, 2023, there were 4,004 shares of our common stock reserved for future issuance under the rightsEmployee Stock Purchase Plan.
Outstanding Warrants
As of March 31, 2023, there were the following warrants to purchase shares of our common stock outstanding:
•warrants to purchase 1,717 shares of our common stock issued to Wedbush Securities Inc., with an exercise price of $472.50 per share;
•warrants to purchase 151,341 shares of our common stock issued in connection with our public offering completed on February 11, 2020, with an exercise price of $28.75 per share;
•warrants to purchase 158,563 shares of our common stock issued in a private placement completed on December 11, 2020, with an exercise price of $29.55 per share;
•warrants to purchase 5,708 shares of common stock that were distributed to holders of rights that were granted under that certain merger agreement that we entered into with Salarius Pharmaceuticals, LLC on January 3, 2019, with an exercise price of $379.25 per share; and
•warrants to purchase 280,183 shares of any seriesour common stock issued in connection with that certain offering completed on April 26, 2022, with an exercise price of $8.50 per share.
On May 16, 2018, we issued (i) Pre-Funded Warrants to purchase up to 3,306,364 shares of our preferredcommon stock, that we may designate(ii) Series A-1 Warrants to purchase up to 3,636,364 shares of our common stock, (iii) Series A-2 Warrants to purchase up to 3,636,364 shares of our common stock, and issue(i) Placement Agent Warrants to purchase up to 254,545 shares of our common stock. Each Series A-1 Warrant is exercisable for a period of five and one-half (5.5) years from the issuance date at an exercise price of $1.40 per share. Each Series A-2 Warrant is exercisable for a period of eighteen (18) months from the issuance date at an exercise price of $1.40 per share. Each Pre-Funded Warrant was sold in the future.
Fully Paid and Nonassessable. All outstandinglieu of shares of common stock, are fully paidexercisable immediately upon issuance, have an exercise price of $0.0001 per share and nonassessable,expire when exercised in full. Under the terms of the Warrants and the Placement Agent Warrants, the investor may not exercise the warrants to the extent such exercise would cause the investor, together with its affiliates and attribution parties, to beneficially own a number of shares of our common stock which would exceed 4.99% (or, at such investor’s option upon issuance, 9.99%), of our then outstanding common stock following such exercise, excluding for purposes of such determination shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of such warrants which have not been exercised.
Anti-Takeover Provisions in Charter Documents
Certain provisions of the Charter Documents, which are summarized below, may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing another person from acquiring control of us. These provisions may discourage takeovers, coercive or otherwise, and are also designed, in part, to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of our company to negotiate first with our board of directors. We believe that the benefits of increased protection of our potential ability to negotiate with an unfriendly or unsolicited acquirer outweigh the disadvantages of discouraging a proposal to acquire us because negotiation of these proposals could result in an improvement of their terms. These provisions include the following:
Board of Directors Vacancies. Pursuant to the Charter Documents, our board of directors may fill vacant directorships. In addition, directors may only be removed for cause and only upon the affirmative vote of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent of the voting power of outstanding voting stock. In addition, the number of directors constituting the board of directors may be set only by a resolution adopted by a majority vote of the board of directors. These provisions may have the effect of deferring, delaying or discouraging hostile takeovers, or changes in control or management of our company and will make it more difficult to change the composition of the board of directors, which will promote continuity of management.
Classified Board. The Charter Documents provide that our board of directors is classified into three classes of directors, with each class serving three-year staggered terms. A third-party may be discouraged from making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to obtain control of our company as it is more difficult and time-consuming for stockholders to replace a majority of the directors on a classified board of directors.
Stockholder Action; Special Meeting of Stockholders. Pursuant to Section 228 of the DGCL, any action required to be issued under this prospectus, when theytaken at any annual or special meeting of the stockholders may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, is signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares of stock entitled to vote thereon were present and voted, unless the Certificate of Incorporation provides otherwise. The Certificate of Incorporation provides that stockholders may not take action by written consent but may only take action at annual or special meetings of stockholders. As a result, a holder controlling a majority of our capital stock would not be able to amend the Bylaws or remove directors without holding a meeting of stockholders called in accordance with the Charter Documents. The Bylaws provides that special meetings of the stockholders may be called only upon a resolution approved by a majority of the total number of directors that we would have if there were no vacancies. These provisions might delay the ability of our stockholders to force consideration of a proposal or for stockholders controlling a majority of our capital stock to take any action, including the removal of directors.
Advance Notice Requirements for Stockholder Proposals and Director Nominations. The Bylaws provide advance notice procedures for stockholders seeking to bring business before our annual meeting of stockholders or to nominate candidates for election as directors at our annual meeting of stockholders. The Bylaws specify certain requirements regarding the form and content of a stockholder’s notice and prohibit the conduct of any business at a special meeting other than as specified in the notice for such meeting. These provisions might preclude stockholders from bringing matters before our annual meeting of stockholders or from making nominations for directors at our annual meeting of stockholders if the proper procedures are paidnot followed. These provisions may also discourage or deter a potential acquirer from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect the acquirer’s own slate of directors or otherwise attempting to obtain control of our company.
No Cumulative Voting. The DGCL provides that stockholders are not entitled to cumulate votes in the election of directors unless a corporation’s certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. The Certificate of Incorporation does not provide for willcumulative voting.
Amendment of Charter Provisions and Bylaws. The Charter Documents provides that the Bylaws may be fully paidadopted, amended, altered or repealed by either (i) a vote of a majority of the total number of directors of the board of directors or (ii) in addition to any other vote otherwise required by law, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-six and nonassessable.two-thirds percent of the voting power of all of the then outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors.
Our Charter Documents also provide that the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation relating to provisions relating to the management of the business, board of directors, director liability, indemnification and forum selection., may only be amended, altered, changed or repealed by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent of the voting power of all of our outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.
Issuance of Undesignated Preferred stock
OurStock. The board of directors has the authority, without further action by our stockholders, to designate and issue up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock in onewith rights and preferences, including super voting, special approval, dividend or more series and to fix theother rights or preferences privileges and restrictions thereof. These rights, preferences and privileges could include dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, termson a discriminatory basis. The existence of redemption, liquidation preferences, sinking fund terms and the numberauthorized but unissued shares of shares constituting any series or the designation of such series, any or all of which may be greater than the rights of common stock. The issuance of ourundesignated preferred stock could adversely affectwould enable the voting powerboard of holders of common stock and the likelihood that such holders will receive dividend payments and payments upon liquidation. In addition, the issuance of preferred stock could have the effect of delaying, deferringdirectors to render more difficult or preventing a change ofto discourage an attempt to obtain control of our company by means of a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or other corporate action.means.
Our boardBusiness Combinations with Interested Stockholders. We are subject to the provisions of directors will fix the designations, voting powers, preferences and rightsSection 203 of the preferred stock of each series we issue under this prospectus,DGCL. In general, Section 203 prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a business combination, such as well as the qualifications, limitationsa merger, with an interested stockholder (i.e., subject to certain exceptions, a person or restrictions thereof, in the certificate of designation relating to that series. We will file as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part,group owning 15% or will incorporate by reference from reports that we file with the SEC, the form of any certificate of designation that contains the termsmore of the seriescorporation’s voting stock) for a period of preferred stock we are offering. We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms of the series of preferred stock being offered, including, to the extent applicable:
the title and stated value;
the number of shares we are offering;
the liquidation preference per share;
the purchase price;
the dividend rate, period and payment date and method of calculation for dividends;
whether dividends will be cumulative or non-cumulative and, if cumulative,three years following the date fromthe person became an interested stockholder, unless (with certain exceptions) the business combination or the transaction in which dividends will accumulate;
7the person became an interested stockholder is approved in a prescribed manner.
126525599 v1Forum Selection
the procedures for any auction and remarketing, if applicable;
the provisions for a sinking fund, if applicable;
the provisions for redemption or repurchase, if applicable, and any restrictions on our ability to exercise those redemption and repurchase rights;
any listing of the preferred stock on any securities exchange or market;
whether the preferred stock will be convertible into our common stock or other equity securities, and, if applicable, the conversion price, or how it will be calculated, and the 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 the exchange period;
voting rights, if any;
preemptive rights, if any;
restrictions on transfer, sale or other assignment, if any;
whether interests in the preferred stock will be represented by depositary shares;
a discussion of material 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 if we liquidate, dissolve or wind up our affairs;
any limitations on the issuance of any class or series of preferred stock ranking senior to or on parity with the series of preferred stock as to dividend rights and rights if we liquidate, dissolve or wind up our affairs; and
any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of, or restrictions on, the preferred stock.
. The laws of the state of Delaware, the state of our incorporation,Charter Documents provide that the holders of preferred stock will have the right to vote separately as a class on any proposal involving fundamental changes in the rights of holders of such preferred stock. This right is in addition to any voting rights that may be provided for in the applicable certificate of designation.
If we issue and sell shares of preferred stock pursuant to this prospectus, the shares will be fully paid and nonassessable and will not have, or be subject to, any preemptive or similar rights. The issuance of preferred stock could adversely affect the voting power, conversion or other rights of holders of common stock and reduce the likelihood that common stockholders will receive dividend payments and payments upon liquidation. Preferred stock could be issued quickly with terms designed to delay, deter or prevent a change in control of our company or make removal of management more difficult. Additionally, the issuance of preferred stock may have the effect of decreasing the market price of our common stock.
Forum
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, be the sole and exclusive forum for for:
•any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of our behalf, company;
•any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer, or other employee of theour company to us or our stockholders, stockholders;
•any action asserting a claim arising pursuantof breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer, or other employee of our company to any provision of the Delaware General Corporation Law,us or our stockholders; and
•any action asserting a claim against us governed by the internal affairs doctrine. Our amended and restated certificate
in each such case, subject to such Court of incorporation furtherChancery of the State of Delaware having personal jurisdiction over the indispensable parties named as defendants therein. The Charter Documents also provides that any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of our capital stock iswill be deemed to have notice of, and to have consented to, the foregoingthis forum selection provision.
Although our amended and restated certificate of incorporation includes these provisions it is possible that a court could rule that such provisions are inapplicable or unenforceable
Anti-takeover Provisions
Certificatebenefit us by providing increased consistency in the application of Incorporation and Bylaws. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides for our board of directors to be divided into three classes, with staggered three-year terms. Only one class of directors will be elected at each annual meeting of our stockholders, with the other classes continuingDelaware law for the remainderspecified types of their respective three-year terms. Because our stockholders do not have cumulative voting rights, our stockholders holding a majority ofactions and proceedings, the shares of common stock outstanding will be able to elect all of
our directors. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws provide that all stockholder action must be effected at a duly called meeting of stockholders and not by a consent in writing, and that only our board of directors or chairman of the board may call a special meeting of stockholders.
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation requires a 662/3% stockholder vote for the amendment, repeal or modification of certain provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws relating to the classification of our board of directors, the requirement that stockholder actions be effected at a duly called meeting, and the designated parties entitled to call a special meeting of the stockholders. The combination of the classification of our board of directors, the lack of cumulative voting and the 662/3% stockholder voting requirements will make it more difficult for our existing stockholders to replace our board of directors as well as for another party to obtain control of us by replacing our board of directors. Since our board of directors has the power to retain and discharge our officers, these provisions could also make it more difficult for existing stockholders or another party to effect a change in management. In addition, the authorization of undesignated preferred stock makes it possible for our board of directors to issue preferred stock with voting or other rights or preferences that could impede the success of any attempt to change control of our company.
These provisions may have the effect of deterring hostile takeoversincreasing the costs of and discouraging lawsuits against our directors, officers, employees and agents. The enforceability of similar exclusive forum provisions in other companies’ charters has been challenged in legal proceedings, and it is possible that, in connection with one or delaying changesmore actions or proceedings described above, a court could rule that this provision in controlthe Certificate of our companyIncorporation is inapplicable or management. Theseunenforceable. For example, the choice of forum provisions summarized above are not intended to, enhanceand would not, apply to suits brought to enforce any liability or duty created by the likelihoodExchange Act, or other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction. Additionally, there is uncertainty as to whether our choice of continued stability inforum provisions would be enforceable with respect to suits brought to enforce any liability or duty created by the composition of our board of directorsSecurities Act, or other claims for which the federal courts have concurrent jurisdiction, and its policies and to discourage certain types of transactions that may involve an actual or threatened acquisition of us. These provisions are designed to reduce our vulnerability to an unsolicited acquisition proposal. The provisions also are intended to discourage certain tactics that may be used in proxy fights. However, such provisions could have the effect of discouraging others from making tender offers for our shares and, as a consequence, they also may inhibit fluctuations in the market price of our shares that could result from actual or rumored takeover attempts. Such provisions may also have the effect of preventing changes in our management.
Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law
We are subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which prohibits a publicly-held Delaware corporation from engaging in any business combinationevent stockholders will not be deemed to have waived our compliance with any interested stockholder for a period of three years afterfederal securities laws and rules and regulations thereunder.
Listing
The common stock is listed on the date that such stockholder became an interested stockholder, withNasdaq Capital Market under the following exceptions:
before such date, the board of directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested holder;
upon completion of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction began, excluding for purposes of determining the voting stock outstanding (but not the outstanding voting stock owned by the interested stockholder) those shares owned (i) by persons who are directors and also officers and (ii) employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or
on or after such date, the business combination is approved by the board of directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of the stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least 50% of the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder.
In general, Section 203 defines business combination to include the following:
any merger or consolidation involving the corporation and the interested stockholder;
any sale, transfer, pledge or other disposition of 10% or more of the assets of the corporation involving the interested stockholder;
subject to certain exceptions, any transaction that results in the issuance or transfer by the corporation of any stock of the corporation to the interested stockholder;
any transaction involving the corporation that has the effect of increasing the proportionate share of the stock or any class or series of the corporation beneficially owned by the interested stockholder; or
the receipt by the interested stockholder of the benefit of any loss, advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits by or through the corporation.
In general, Section 203 defines an "interested stockholder" as an entity or person who, together with the person's affiliates and associates, beneficially owns, or within three years prior to the time of determination of interested stockholder status did own, 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation.
9symbol “SLRX.”
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Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is ComputershareAmerican Stock Transfer & Trust Company, N.A. The transfer agent and registrar’s address is P.O. Box 43078, Providence, Rhode Island 02940. The transfer agent for any series of preferred stock that we may offer under this prospectus will be named and described in the prospectus supplement for that series.
Listing on the Nasdaq Global Market
Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “FLKS”. The applicable prospectus supplement will contain information, where applicable, as to other listing, if any, on the Nasdaq Global Market or other securities exchange of the preferred stock covered by such prospectus supplement.
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
We may issue debt securities from time to time, in one or more series, as either senior or subordinated debt or as senior or subordinated convertible debt. While the terms we have summarized below will apply generally to any debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any debt securities that we may offer in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms of any debt securities offered under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below. Unless the context requires otherwise, whenever we refer to the indenture, we also are referring to any supplemental indentures that specify the terms of a particular series of debt securities.
We will issue the debt securities under the indenture that we will enter into with the trustee named in the indenture. The indenture will be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, or the Trust Indenture Act. We have filed the form of indenture as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and supplemental indentures and forms of debt securities containing the terms of the debt securities being offered will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part or will be incorporated by reference from reports that we file with the SEC.
The following summary of material provisions of the debt securities and the indenture is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the indenture applicable to a particular series of debt securities. We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplements and any related free writing prospectuses related to the debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus, as well as the complete indenture that contains the terms of the debt securities.
General
The indenture does not limit the amount of debt securities that we may issue. It provides that we may issue debt securities up to the principal amount that we may authorize and may be in any currency or currency unit that we may designate. Except for the limitations on consolidation, merger and sale of all or substantially all of our assets contained in the indenture, the terms of the indenture do not contain any covenants or other provisions designed to give holders of any debt securities protection against changes in our operations, financial condition or transactions involving us.
We may issue the debt securities issued under the indenture as “discount securities,” which means they may be sold at a discount below their stated principal amount. These debt securities, as well as other debt securities that are not issued at a discount, may be issued with “original issue discount,” or OID, for U.S. federal income tax purposes because of interest payment and other characteristics or terms of the debt securities. Material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to debt securities issued with OID will be described in more detail in any applicable prospectus supplement.
We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms of the series of debt securities being offered, including:
the title of the series of debt securities;
any limit upon the aggregate principal amount that may be issued;
the maturity date or dates;
the form of the debt securities of the series;
the applicability of any guarantees;
whether or not the debt securities will be secured or unsecured, and the terms of any secured debt;
whether the debt securities rank as senior debt, senior subordinated debt, subordinated debt or any combination thereof, and the terms of any subordination;
if the price (expressed as a percentage of the aggregate principal amount thereof) at which such debt securities will be issued is a price other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount thereof payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof, or if applicable, the portion of the principal amount of such debt securities that is convertible into another security or the method by which any such portion shall be determined;
the interest rate or rates, which may be fixed or variable, or the method for determining the rate and the date interest will begin to accrue, the dates interest will be payable and the regular record dates for interest payment dates or the method for determining such dates;
our right, if any, to defer payment of interest and the maximum length of any such deferral period;
if applicable, the date or dates after which, or the period or periods during which, and the price or prices at which, we may, at our option, redeem the series of debt securities pursuant to any optional or provisional redemption provisions and the terms of those redemption provisions;
the date or dates, if any, on which, and the price or prices at which we are obligated, pursuant to any mandatory sinking fund or analogous fund provisions or otherwise, to redeem, or at the holder’s option to purchase, the series of debt securities and the currency or currency unit in which the debt securities are payable;
the denominations in which we will issue the series of debt securities, if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof;
any and all terms, if applicable, relating to any auction or remarketing of the debt securities of that series and any security for our obligations with respect to such debt securities and any other terms which may be advisable in connection with the marketing of debt securities of that series;
whether the debt securities of the series shall be issued in whole or in part in the form of a global security or securities; the terms and conditions, if any, upon which such global security or securities may be exchanged in whole or in part for other individual securities; and the depositary for such global security or securities;
if applicable, the provisions relating to conversion or exchange of any debt securities of the series and the terms and conditions upon which such debt securities will be so convertible or exchangeable, including the conversion or exchange price, as applicable, or how it will be calculated and may be adjusted, any mandatory or optional (at our option or the holders’ option) conversion or exchange features, the applicable conversion or exchange period and the manner of settlement for any conversion or exchange;
if other than the full principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of debt securities of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof;
additions to or changes in the covenants applicable to the particular debt securities being issued, including, among others, the consolidation, merger or sale covenant;
additions to or changes in the events of default with respect to the securities and any change in the right of the trustee or the holders to declare the principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, with respect to such securities to be due and payable;
additions to or changes in or deletions of the provisions relating to covenant defeasance and legal defeasance;
additions to or changes in the provisions relating to satisfaction and discharge of the indenture;
additions to or changes in the provisions relating to the modification of the indenture both with and without the consent of holders of debt securities issued under the indenture;
the currency of payment of debt securities if other than U.S. dollars and the manner of determining the equivalent amount in U.S. dollars;
whether interest will be payable in cash or additional debt securities at our or the holders’ option and the terms and conditions upon which the election may be made;
the terms and conditions, if any, upon which we will pay amounts in addition to the stated interest, premium, if any and principal amounts of the debt securities of the series to any holder that is not a “United States person” for federal tax purposes;
any restrictions on transfer, sale or assignment of the debt securities of the series; and
any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of, or restrictions on, the debt securities, any other additions or changes in the provisions of the indenture, and any terms that may be required by us or advisable under applicable laws or regulations.
Conversion or Exchange Rights
We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms on which a series of debt securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock or our other securities. We will include provisions as to settlement upon conversion or exchange
and 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
Unless we provide otherwise in the prospectus supplement applicable to a particular series of debt securities, the indenture will not contain any covenant that restricts our ability to merge or consolidate, or sell, convey, transfer or otherwise dispose of our assets as an entirety or substantially as an entirety. However, any successor to or acquirer of such assets (other than a subsidiary of ours) must assume all of our obligations under the indenture or the debt securities, as appropriate.
Events of Default under the Indenture
Unless we provide otherwise in the prospectus supplement applicable to a particular series of debt securities, the following are events of default under the indenture with respect to any series of debt securities that we may issue:
if we fail to pay any installment of interest on any series of debt securities, as and when the same shall become due and payable, and such default continues for a period of 90 days; provided, however, that a valid extension of an interest payment period by us in accordance with the terms of any indenture supplemental thereto shall not constitute a default in the payment of interest for this purpose;
if we fail to pay the principal of, or premium, if any, on any series of debt securities as and when the same shall become due and payable whether at maturity, upon redemption, by declaration or otherwise, or in any payment required by any sinking or analogous fund established with respect to such series; provided, however, that a valid extension of the maturity of such debt securities in accordance with the terms of any indenture supplemental thereto shall not constitute a default in the payment of principal or premium, if any;
if we fail to observe or perform any other covenant or agreement contained in the debt securities or the indenture, other than a covenant specifically relating to another series of debt securities, and our failure continues for 90 days after we receive written notice of such failure, requiring the same to be remedied and stating that such is a notice of default thereunder, from the trustee or holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the applicable series; and
if specified events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occur.
If an event of default with respect to debt securities of any series occurs and is continuing, other than an event of default specified in the last bullet point above, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series, by notice to us in writing, and to the trustee if notice is given by such holders, may declare the unpaid principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest, if any, due and payable immediately. If an event of default specified in the last bullet point above occurs with respect to us, the principal amount of and accrued interest, if any, of each issue of debt securities then outstanding shall be due and payable without any notice or other action on the part of the trustee or any holder.
The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of an affected series may waive any default or event of default with respect to the series and its consequences, except defaults or events of default regarding payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, unless we have cured the default or event of default in accordance with the indenture. Any waiver shall cure the default or event of default.
Subject to the terms of the indenture, if an event of default under an indenture shall occur and be continuing, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under such indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders of the applicable series of debt securities, unless such holders have offered the trustee reasonable indemnity. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee, with respect to the debt securities of that series, provided that:
the direction so given by the holder is not in conflict with any law or the applicable indenture; and
subject to its duties under the Trust Indenture Act, the 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 holder of the debt securities of any series will have the right to institute a proceeding under the indenture or to appoint a receiver or trustee, or to seek other remedies only if:
the holder has given written notice to the trustee of a continuing event of default with respect to that series;
the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have made written request, and such holders have offered to the trustee indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred by the trustee in compliance with the request; and
the trustee does not institute the proceeding, and does not receive from the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series other conflicting directions within 90 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 trustee regarding our compliance with specified covenants in the indenture.
Modification of Indenture; Waiver
We and the trustee may change an indenture without the consent of any holders with respect to specific matters:
to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in the indenture or in the debt securities of any series;
to comply with the provisions described above under “Description of Debt Securities—Consolidation, Merger or Sale;”
to provide for uncertificated debt securities in addition to or in place of certificated debt securities;
to add to our covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions such new covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions for the benefit of the holders of all or any series of debt securities, to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and the continuance, of a default in any such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions an event of default or to surrender any right or power conferred upon us in the indenture;
to add to, delete from or revise the conditions, limitations, and restrictions on the authorized amount, terms, or purposes of issue, authentication and delivery of debt securities, as set forth in the indenture;
to make any change that does not adversely affect the interests of any holder of debt securities of any series in any material respect;
to provide for the issuance of and establish the form and terms and conditions of the debt securities of any series as provided above under “Description of Debt Securities—General” to establish the form of any certifications required to be furnished pursuant to the terms of the indenture or any series of debt securities, or to add to the rights of the holders of any series of debt securities;
to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment under any indenture by a successor trustee; or
to comply with any requirements of the SEC in connection with the qualification of any indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.
In addition, under the indenture, the rights of holders of a series of debt securities may be changed by us and the trustee with the written consent of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series that is affected. However, unless we provide otherwise in the prospectus supplement applicable to a particular series of debt securities, we and the trustee may make the following changes only with the consent of each holder of any outstanding debt securities affected:
extending the fixed maturity of any debt securities of any series;
reducing the principal amount, reducing the rate of or extending the time of payment of interest, or reducing any premium payable upon the redemption of any series of any debt securities; or
reducing the percentage of debt securities, the holders of which are required to consent to any amendment, supplement, modification or waiver.
Discharge
The indenture provides that we can elect to be discharged from our obligations with respect to one or more series of debt securities, except for specified obligations, including obligations to:
provide for payment;
register the transfer or exchange of debt securities of the series;
replace stolen, lost or mutilated debt securities of the series;
pay principal of and premium and interest on any debt securities of the series;
maintain paying agencies;
hold monies for payment in trust;
recover excess money held by the trustee;
compensate and indemnify the trustee; and
appoint any successor trustee.
In order to exercise our rights to be discharged, we must deposit with the trustee money or government obligations sufficient to pay all the principal of, any premium, if any, and interest on, the debt securities of the series on the dates payments are due.
Form, Exchange and Transfer
We will issue the debt securities of each series only in fully registered form without coupons and, unless we provide otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof. The indenture provides 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 DTC, or another depositary named by us and identified in the applicable prospectus supplement with respect to that series. To the extent the debt securities of a series are issued in global form and as book-entry, a description of terms relating to any book entry securities will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
At the option of the holder, subject to the terms of the indenture 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 indenture and the limitations applicable to global securities set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the debt securities may present the debt securities for exchange or for registration of transfer, duly endorsed or with the form of transfer endorsed thereon duly executed if so required by us or the security registrar, at the office of the security registrar or at the office of any transfer agent designated by us for this purpose. Unless otherwise provided in the debt securities that the holder presents for transfer or exchange, we will impose 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
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�� | 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 Trustee
The trustee, other than during the occurrence and continuance of an event of default under an indenture, undertakes to perform only those duties as are specifically set forth in the applicable indenture. Upon an event of default under an indenture, the trustee must use the same degree of care as a prudent person would exercise or use in the conduct of his or her own affairs. Subject to this provision, the trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the powers given it by the indenture 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.
We will pay principal of and any premium and interest on the debt securities of a particular series at the office of the paying agents designated by us, except that unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will make interest payments by check that we will mail to the holder or by wire transfer to certain holders. Unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will designate the corporate trust office of the trustee 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 trustee for the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any debt securities that remains unclaimed at the end of two years after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable will be repaid to us, and the holder of the debt security thereafter may look only to us for payment thereof.
Governing Law
The indenture and the debt securities will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, except to the extent that the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is applicable.
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
The following description, together with the additional information we may include in any applicable prospectus supplements and free writing prospectuses, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the warrants that we may issue under this prospectus, which may consist of warrants to purchase common stock, preferred stock or debt securities and may be issued in one or more series. Warrants may be issued independently or together with common stock, preferred stock or debt securities offered by any prospectus supplement, and may be attached to or separate from those securities. While the terms we have summarized below will apply generally to any warrants that we may offer under this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any series of warrants that we may offer in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement and any applicable free writing prospectus. The following description of warrants will apply to the warrants offered by this prospectus unless we provide otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement. The applicable prospectus supplement for a particular series of warrants may specify different or additional terms.
We have filed forms of the warrant agreements and forms of warrant certificates containing the terms of the warrants that may be offered as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. We will file as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by reference from reports that we file with the SEC, the form of warrant and/or the warrant agreement and warrant certificate, as applicable, that contain the terms of the particular series of warrants we are offering, and any supplemental agreements, before the issuance of such warrants. The following summaries of material terms and provisions of the warrants are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the form of warrant and/or the warrant agreement and warrant certificate, as applicable, and any supplemental agreements applicable to a particular series of warrants that we may offer under this prospectus. We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplement related to the particular series of warrants that we may offer under this prospectus, as well as any related free writing prospectuses, and the complete form of warrant and/or the warrant agreement and warrant certificate, as applicable, and any supplemental agreements, that contain the terms of the warrants.
General
We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms of the series of warrants being offered, including:
the offering price and aggregate number of warrants offered;
the currency for which the warrants may be purchased;
if applicable, the designation and terms of the securities with which the warrants are issued and the number of warrants issued with each such security or each principal amount of such security;
if applicable, the date on and after which the warrants and the related securities will be separately transferable;
in the case of warrants to purchase debt securities, the principal amount of debt securities purchasable upon exercise of one warrant and the price at, and currency in which, this principal amount of debt securities may be purchased upon such exercise;
in the case of warrants to purchase common stock or preferred stock, the number of shares of common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, purchasable upon the exercise of one warrant and the price at which these shares may be purchased upon such exercise;
the effect of any merger, consolidation, sale or other disposition of our business on the warrant agreements and the warrants;
the terms of any rights to redeem or call the warrants;
the terms of any rights to force the exercise of the warrants;
any provisions for changes to or adjustments in the exercise price or number of securities issuable upon exercise of the warrants;
the dates on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence and expire;
the manner in which the warrant agreements and warrants may be modified;
a discussion of any material or special U.S. federal income tax considerations of holding or exercising the warrants;
the terms of the securities issuable upon exercise of the warrants; and
any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of or restrictions on the warrants.
Before exercising their warrants, holders of warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities purchasable upon such exercise, including:
in the case of warrants to purchase debt securities, the right to receive payments of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, the debt securities purchasable upon exercise or to enforce covenants in the applicable indenture; or
in the case of warrants to purchase common stock or preferred stock, the right to receive dividends, if any, or, payments upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up or to exercise voting rights, if any.
Exercise of Warrants
Each warrant will entitle the holder to purchase the securities that we specify in the applicable prospectus supplement at the exercise price that we describe in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the warrants may exercise the warrants at any time up to the specified time on the expiration date that we set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will become void.
Unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the warrants may exercise the warrants by delivering the warrant or warrant certificate, as applicable, representing the warrants to be exercised together with specified information, and paying the required amount to the warrant agent in immediately available funds, as provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. We will set forth in the applicable warrant or warrant certificate and in the applicable prospectus supplement the information that the holder of the warrant will be required to deliver to the warrant agent in connection with the exercise of the warrant.
Upon receipt of the required payment and the warrant or warrant certificate, as applicable, properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent, if any, or any other office, including ours, indicated in the prospectus supplement, we will, as soon as practicable, issue and deliver the securities purchasable upon such exercise. If less than all of the warrants (or the warrants represented by such warrant certificate) are exercised, a new warrant or a new warrant certificate, as applicable, will be issued for the remaining warrants. If we so indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the warrants may surrender securities as all or part of the exercise price for warrants.
Governing Law
Unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, the warrants and any warrant agreements will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
Enforceability of Rights by Holders of Warrants
Each warrant agent, if any, will act solely as our agent under the applicable warrant agreement and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust with any holder of any warrant. A single bank or trust company may act as warrant agent for more than one issue of warrants. A warrant agent will have no duty or responsibility in case of any default by us under the applicable warrant agreement or warrant, including any duty or responsibility to initiate any proceedings at law or otherwise, or to make any demand upon us. Any holder of a warrant may, without the consent of the related warrant agent or the holder of any other warrant, enforce by appropriate legal action its right to exercise, and receive the securities purchasable upon exercise of, its warrants.
LEGAL OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIESMATTERS
We can issue securities in registered form or in the form of one or more global securities. We describe global securities in greater detail below. We refer to those persons who have securities registered in their own names on the books that we or any applicable trustee, depositary or warrant agent maintain for this purpose as the “holders” of those securities. These persons are theCertain legal holders of the securities. We refer to those persons who, indirectly through others, own beneficial interests in securities that are not registered in their own names, as “indirect holders” of those securities. As we discuss below, indirect holders are not legal holders, and investors in securities issued in book-entry form or in street name will be indirect holders.
Book-Entry Holders
We may issue securities in book-entry form only, as we will specify in the applicable prospectus supplement. This means securities may be represented by one or more global securities registered in the name of a financial institution that holds them as depositary on behalf of other financial institutions that participate in the depositary’s book-entry system. These participating institutions, which are referred to as participants, in turn, hold beneficial interests in the securities on behalf of themselves or their customers.
Only the person in whose name a security is registered is recognized as the holder of that security. Securities issued in global form will be registered in the name of the depositary or its participants. Consequently, for securities issued in global form, we will recognize only the depositary as the holder of the securities, and we will make all payments on the securities to the depositary. The depositary passes along the payments it receives to its participants, which in turn pass the payments along to their customers who are the beneficial owners. The depositary and its participants do so under agreements they have made with one another or with their customers; they are not obligated to do so under the terms of the securities.
As a result, investors in a book-entry security will not own securities directly. Instead, they will own beneficial interests in a global security, through a bank, broker or other financial institution that participates in the depositary’s book-entry system or holds an interest through a participant. As long as the securities are issued in global form, investors will be indirect holders, and not holders, of the securities.
Street Name Holders
We may terminate a global security or issue securities in non-global form. In these cases, investors may choose to hold their securities in their own names or in “street name.” Securities held by an investor in street name would be registered in the name of a bank, broker or other financial institution that the investor chooses, and the investor would hold only a beneficial interest in those securities through an account he or she maintains at that institution.
For securities held in street name, we or any applicable trustee or depositary will recognize only the intermediary banks, brokers and other financial institutions in whose names the securities are registered as the holders of those securities, and we or any such trustee or depositary will make all payments on those securities to them. These institutions pass along the payments they receive to their customers who are the beneficial owners, but only because they agree to do so in their customer agreements or because they are legally required to do so. Investors who hold securities in street name will be indirect holders, not holders, of those securities.
Legal Holders
Our obligations, as well as the obligations of any applicable trustee or third party employed by us or a trustee, run only to the legal holders of the securities. We do not have obligations to investors who hold beneficial interests in global securities, in street name or by any other indirect means. This will be the case whether an investor chooses to be an indirect holder of a security or has no choice because we are issuing the securities only in global form.
For example, once we make a payment or give a notice to the holder, we have no further responsibility for the payment or notice even if that holder is required, under agreements with depositary participants or customers or by law, to pass it along to the indirect holders but does not do so. Similarly, we may want to obtain the approval of the holders to amend an indenture, to relieve us of the consequences of a default or of our obligation to comply with a particular provision of the indenture or for other purposes. In such an event, we would seek approval only from the legal holders, and not the indirect holders, of the securities. Whether and how the holders contact the indirect holders is up to the legal holders.
Special Considerations for Indirect Holders
If you hold securities through a bank, broker or other financial institution, either in book-entry form or in street name, you should check with your own institution to find out:
how it handles securities payments and notices;
whether it imposes fees or charges;
how it would handle a request for the holders’ consent, if ever required;
whether and how you can instruct it to send you securities registered in your own name so you can be a holder, if that is permitted in the future;
how it would exercise rights under the securities if there were a default or other event triggering the need for holders to act to protect their interests; and
if the securities are in book-entry form, how the depositary’s rules and procedures will affect these matters.
Global Securities
A global security is a security that represents one or any other number of individual securities held by a depositary. Generally, all securities represented by the same global securities will have the same terms.
Each security issued in book-entry form will be represented by a global security that we deposit with and register in the name of a financial institution or its nominee that we select. The financial institution that we select for this purpose is called the depositary. Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, DTC will be the depositary for all securities issued in book-entry form.
A global security may not be transferred to or registered in the name of anyone other than the depositary, its nominee or a successor depositary, unless special termination situations arise. We describe those situations below in the section titled “Special Situations When a Global Security Will Be Terminated” in this prospectus. As a result of these arrangements, the depositary, or its nominee, will be the sole registered owner and holder of all securities represented by a global security, and investors will be permitted to own only beneficial interests in a global security. Beneficial interests must be held by means of an account with a broker, bank or other financial institution that in turn has an account with the depositary or with another institution that does. Thus, an investor whose security is represented by a global security will not be a holder of the security, but only an indirect holder of a beneficial interest in the global security.
If the prospectus supplement for a particular security indicates that the security will be issued in global form only, then the security will be represented by a global security at all times unless and until the global security is terminated. If termination occurs, we may issue the securities through another book-entry clearing system or decide that the securities may no longer be held through any book-entry clearing system.
Special Considerations for Global Securities
The rights of an indirect holder relating to a global security will be governed by the account rules of the investor’s financial institution and of the depositary, as well as general laws relating to securities transfers. We do not recognize an indirect holder as a holder of securities and instead deal only with the depositary that holds the global security.
If securities are issued only in the form of a global security, an investor should be aware of the following:
an investor cannot cause the securities to be registered in his or her name, and cannot obtain non-global certificates for his or her interest in the securities, except in the special situations we describe below;
an investor will be an indirect holder and must look to his or her own bank or broker for payments on the securities and protection of his or her legal rights relating to the securities, as we describe above;
an investor may not be able to sell interests in the securities to some insurance companies and to other institutions that are required by law to own their securities in non-book-entry form;
an investor may not be able to pledge his or her interest in a global security in circumstances where certificates representing the securities must be delivered to the lender or other beneficiary of the pledge in order for the pledge to be effective;
the depositary’s policies, which may change from time to time, will govern payments, transfers, exchanges and other matters relating to an investor’s interest in a global security;
we and any applicable trustee have no responsibility for any aspect of the depositary’s actions or for its records of ownership interests in a global security, nor do we or any applicable trustee supervise the depositary in any way;
the depositary may, and we understand that DTC will, require that those who purchase and sell interests in a global security within its book-entry system use immediately available funds, and your broker or bank may require you to do so as well; and
financial institutions that participate in the depositary’s book-entry system, and through which an investor holds its interest in a global security, may also have their own policies affecting payments, notices and other matters relating to the securities.
There may be more than one financial intermediary in the chain of ownership for an investor. We do not monitor and are not responsible for the actions of any of those intermediaries.
Special Situations When a Global Security Will Be Terminated
In a few special situations described below, the global security will terminate and interests in it will be exchanged for physical certificates representing those interests. After that exchange, the choice of whether to hold securities directly or in street name will be up to the investor. Investors must consult their own banks or brokers to find out how to have their interests in securities transferred to their own names, so that they will be direct holders. We have described the rights of holders and street name investors above.
Unless we provide otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the global security will terminate when the following special situations occur:
if the depositary notifies us that it is unwilling, unable or no longer qualified to continue as depositary for that global security and we do not appoint another institution to act as depositary within 90 days;
if we notify any applicable trustee that we wish to terminate that global security; or
if an event of default has occurred with regard to securities represented by that global security and has not been cured or waived.
The applicable prospectus supplement may also list additional situations for terminating a global security that would apply only to the particular series of securities covered by the applicable prospectus supplement. When a global security terminates, the depositary, and not we or any applicable trustee, is responsible for deciding the names of the institutions that will be the initial direct holders.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We may sell the securities from time to time pursuant to underwritten public offerings, direct sales to the public, negotiated transactions, block trades or a combination of these methods. We may sell the securities to or through underwriters or dealers, through agents, or directly to one or more purchasers. We may distribute securities from time to time in one or more transactions:
at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed;
at market prices prevailing at the time of sale;
at prices related to such prevailing market prices; or
at negotiated prices.
We may also sell equity securities covered by this registration statement in an “at the market offering” as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act. Such offering may be made into an existing trading market for such securities in transactions at other than a fixed price, either:
on or through the facilities of the Nasdaq Global Market or any other securities exchange or quotation or trading service on which such securities may be listed, quoted or traded at the time of sale; and/or
to or through a market maker otherwise than on the Nasdaq Global Market or such other securities exchanges or quotation or trading services.
Such at-the-market offerings, if any, may be conducted by underwriters acting as principal or agent.
A prospectus supplement or supplements (and any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you) will describe the terms of the offering of the securities, including, to the extent applicable:
the name or names of the underwriters, if any;
the purchase price of the securities or other consideration therefor, and the proceeds, if any, we will receive from the sale;
any over-allotment options under which underwriters may purchase additional securities from us;
any agency fees or underwriting discounts and other items constituting agents’ or underwriters’ compensation;
any public offering price;
any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and
any securities exchange or market on which the securities may be listed.
Only underwriters named in the prospectus supplement will be underwritersissuance of the securities offered by the prospectus supplement.
If underwriters are used in the sale, they will acquire the securities for their own account and may resell the securities from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. The obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to the conditions set forth in the applicable underwriting agreement. We may offer the securities to the public through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters or by underwriters without a syndicate. Subject to certain conditions, the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the securities offered by the prospectus supplement, other than securities covered by any over-allotment option. Any public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may change from time to time. We may use underwriters with whom we have a material relationship. We will describe in the prospectus supplement, naming the underwriter, the nature of any such relationship.
We may sell securities directly or through agents we designate from time to time. We will name any agent involved in the offering and sale of securities and we will describe any commissions we will pay the agent in the prospectus supplement. Unless the prospectus supplement states otherwise, our agent will act on a best-efforts basis for the period of its appointment.
We may authorize agents or underwriters to solicit offers by certain types of institutional investors to purchase securities from us at the public offering price set forth in the prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery
on a specified date in the future. We will describe the conditions to these contracts and the commissions we must pay for solicitation of these contracts in the prospectus supplement.
We may provide agents and underwriters with indemnification against civil liabilities related to this offering, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or contribution with respect to payments that the agents or underwriters may make with respect to these liabilities. Agents and underwriters may engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us in the ordinary course of business.
All securities we may offer, other than common stock, will be new issues of securities with no established trading market. Any underwriters may make a market in these securities, but will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. We cannot guarantee the liquidity of the trading markets for any securities.
Any underwriter may engage in over-allotment, stabilizing transactions, short-covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act. Over-allotment involves sales in excess of the offering size, which create a short position. Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum price. Short-covering transactions involve purchases of the securities in the open market after the distribution is completed to cover short positions. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a dealer when the securities originally sold by the dealer are purchased in a stabilizing or covering transaction to cover short positions. Those activities may cause the price of the securities to be higher than it would otherwise be. If commenced, the underwriters may discontinue any of the activities at any time.
Any underwriters or agents that are qualified market makers on the Nasdaq Global Market may engage in passive market making transactions in the securities on the Nasdaq Global Market in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act, during the business day prior to the pricing of the offering, before the commencement of offers or sales of the securities. Passive market makers must comply with applicable volume and price limitations and must be identified as passive market makers. In general, a passive market maker must display its bid at a price not in excess of the highest independent bid for such security; if all independent bids are lowered below the passive market maker’s bid, however, the passive market maker’s bid must then be lowered when certain purchase limits are exceeded. Passive market making may stabilize the market price of the securities at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.
In compliance with guidelines of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. or FINRA, the maximum consideration or discount to be received by any FINRA member or independent broker dealer may not exceed 8% of the aggregate amount of the securities offered pursuant to this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement.
LEGAL MATTERS
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the validity of the securities offered by this prospectus, and any supplement thereto,hereby will be passed upon for us by Cooley LLP, Boston, Massachusetts.Hogan Lovells US LLP.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of Flex Pharma, Inc. at December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive loss, convertible preferred stock and stockholders' equity (deficit), and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2015 and for the period from February 26, 2014 (inception) to December 31, 2014 incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and Registration Statement have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, has audited our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, as set forth in their report (which contains an explanatory paragraph describing conditions that raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern as described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements), which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement. Our financial statements are includedincorporated by reference in reliance upon suchon Ernst & Young LLP’s report, given on thetheir authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION18
This prospectus is part of the registration statement filed with the SEC under the Securities Act and does not contain all the information set forth in the registration statement. Whenever a reference is made in this prospectus to any of our contracts, agreements or other documents, the reference may not be complete and you should refer to the exhibits that are a part of the registration statement or the exhibits to the reports or other documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus for a copy of such contract, agreement or other document.
Because we are subject to the information and reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, we file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public over the internet at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. You may also read and copy any document we file at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the Public Reference Room.
You may also access our filings with the SEC on our web site, www.flex-pharma.com. Other than those filings with the SEC that we specifically incorporate by reference into this prospectus or any supplement to this prospectus, information found on, or accessible through, our website is not a part of, and is not incorporated into, this prospectus, and you should not consider it part of this prospectus.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information from other documents that we file with it,into this prospectus, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents.another document filed separately with the SEC. The informationSEC file number for the documents incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus. Information in this prospectus supersedes informationis 001-36812. The documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus contain important information that weyou should read about us.
The following documents are incorporated by reference into this document:
•our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, filed on March 27, 2023; •our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2023 filed on May 11, 2023; •those portions of our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on May 1, 2023 that are deemed “filed” with the SEC; •our Current Reports on Form 8-K (other than portions thereof furnished under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K and exhibits accompanying such reports that relate to such items) filed with the SEC prioron January 10, 2023 and March 13, 2023 and May 16, 2023; and
•the description of our common stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on January 23, 2015, as updated by Exhibit 4.11 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the datefiscal year ended December 31, 2021, including any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of this prospectus, while information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede the information in this prospectus.updating such description. We also incorporate by reference into this prospectus all documents (other than current reports furnished under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K and the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part the information or documents listed belowexhibits filed on such form that we haveare related to such items) that are filed with the SEC:
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| • | our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, filed on March 8, 2016; |
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| • | our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on February 2, 2016, March 9, 2016 and March 31, 2016; and |
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| • | the description of our common stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A, filed on January 23, 2015, including any amendments or reports filed for the purposes of updating this description. |
We also incorporate by reference any filings we may makeus with the SEC under Sectionpursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (i) after the date of the filing of theinitial registration statement of which this prospectus is a part and prior to the effectiveness of such registration statement and (ii)all documents that are filed by us with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus but prior to the termination of the offering of the securities covered by this prospectus. We will not, however, incorporate by reference in this prospectus anyoffering. These documents or portions thereof that are not
deemed “filed” with the SEC, including any information furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of our currentinclude periodic reports, such as Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, unless, and except to the extent, specified in such current reports.
We will furnish without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a prospectus is delivered, on written or oral request, a copy of any or all of the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus, including exhibits to these documents. You may request a copy of these filings by writing us at 800 Boylston Street, 24th Floor, Boston, MA 02199 or telephoning us at (617) 874-1821.
You also may access these filings on our website at www.flex-pharma.com. We do not incorporate the information on our website into this prospectus or any supplement to this prospectus and you should not consider any information on, or that can be accessed through, our website as part of this prospectus or any supplement to this prospectus (other than those filings with the SEC that we specifically incorporate by reference into this prospectus or any supplement to this prospectus).well as proxy statements.
Any statement contained herein or in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference ininto this prospectusdocument will be deemed to be modified superseded or replacedsuperseded for purposes of this prospectusthe document to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectusdocument or in any other subsequently filed document that also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference into this document modifies or supersedes the statement.
You may request, orally or in this prospectus modifies, supersedeswriting, a copy of any or replacesall of the documents incorporated herein by reference. These documents will be provided to you at no cost, by contacting: Salarius Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Chief Financial Officer, at 2450 Holcombe Blvd., Suite X, Houston, TX 77021. In addition, copies of any or all of the documents incorporated herein by reference may be accessed at our website at www.salariuspharma.com. The information on such statement. Any statement thatwebsite is modified or superseded will not constituteincorporated by reference and is not a part of this prospectus, except as modified or superseded.prospectus.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We filed with the SEC a registration statement under the Securities Act for the securities offered by this prospectus. This prospectus does not contain all of the information in the registration statement and the exhibits and schedule that were filed with the registration statement. For further information with respect to us and our securities, we refer you to the registration statement and the exhibits and schedule that were filed with the registration statement. Statements contained in this prospectus about the contents of any contract or any other document that is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement are not necessarily complete, and we refer you to the full text of the contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement. The SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the SEC. The address of the website is www.sec.gov.
We file periodic reports under the Exchange Act, including annual, quarterly and special reports, and other information with the SEC. These periodic reports and other information are available for inspection and copying at the SEC regional offices, public reference facilities and on the website of the SEC referred to above.
We make available free of charge on or through our internet website our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC. The information found on our website, www.salariuspharma.com, other than as specifically incorporated by reference in this prospectus, is not part of this prospectus.
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