Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration Number 333-258634
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(To prospectus dated August 9, 2021)
$150,000,000
Common Stock
We have entered into an equity distribution agreement (the “Equity Distribution Agreement”) with Evercore Group L.L.C. and RBC Capital Markets, LLC, dated May 17, 2023, relating to the offer and sale of shares of our common stock, par value $0.001 per share, offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. In accordance with the terms of the Equity Distribution Agreement, we may offer and sell shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $150 million from time to time through Evercore Group L.L.C. and RBC Capital Markets, LLC, acting as our agents (the “managers”).
Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “EBS.” The last reported sale price of our common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on May 17, 2023 was $9.04 per share.
Sales of our common stock, if any, under this prospectus supplement will be made by any method permitted by law deemed to be an “at the market offering” as defined in Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Sales of shares of our common stock may also be made by any other method permitted by law, including sales made by means of ordinary brokers’ transactions on the New York Stock Exchange, on any other existing trading market for our common stock, to or through a market maker at market prices prevailing at the time of sale or in privately negotiated transactions. The managers are not required to sell any specific number or dollar amount of shares of our common stock, but will act as our sales agents using commercially reasonable efforts consistent with their normal trading and sales practices, or mutually agreed terms between the managers and us. The shares of our common stock offered and sold through the managers pursuant to the Equity Distribution Agreement will be offered and sold through only one manager on any given trading day.
The compensation payable to the managers for sales of common stock pursuant to the Equity Distribution Agreement will be an amount up to 3.0% of the gross proceeds of any shares of common stock sold under the Equity Distribution Agreement. See “Plan of Distribution” beginning on page S-9 for additional information regarding the compensation to be paid to the managers. In connection with the sale of the common stock on our behalf, Evercore Group L.L.C. and RBC Capital Markets, LLC will each be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act and the compensation paid to the managers will be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts. We have also agreed in the Equity Distribution Agreement to provide indemnification and contribution to the managers with respect to certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).
Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks described under the heading “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-7 of this prospectus supplement and the risk factors in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
| Evercore ISI | RBC Capital Markets |
Prospectus Supplement dated May 18, 2023
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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
Unless the context otherwise indicates, references in this prospectus to “Emergent,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Emergent BioSolutions Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.
This document is in two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes the specific terms of this offering of common stock and updates the information contained in the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein. The second part is the accompanying prospectus, which provides more general information about securities that we and our selling security holders may offer from time to time, some of which does not apply to this offering. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relate to a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-258634) that we filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) using a shelf registration process.
Neither we nor the managers have authorized anyone to provide you with information that is different from or in addition to the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and in any related free writing prospectus filed by us with the SEC. Accordingly, neither we nor the managers take any responsibility for, or can provide any assurance as to the reliability of, any information that others may provide. Neither we nor the managers are making an offer to sell or soliciting an offer to buy shares of our common stock in any jurisdiction where the offer or solicitation is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein and any related free writing prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the respective date of each of those documents, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus supplement or any sale of the common stock offered hereby. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed materially since those dates.
In making your investment decision it is important for you to read and consider all information contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering, including the documents incorporated by reference herein or therein. You should also read and consider the information in the documents to which we have referred you in the section titled “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference” in this prospectus supplement. To the extent the information contained in this prospectus supplement differs or varies from the information contained in the accompanying prospectus or documents previously filed with the SEC that are incorporated by reference herein, the information in this prospectus supplement will supersede such information.
Emergent®, BioThrax®, BaciThrax®, RSDL®, BAT®, Trobigard®, Anthrasil®, CNJ-016®, ACAM2000®, NARCAN®, TEMBEXA® and any and all Emergent BioSolutions Inc. brands, products, services and feature names, logos and slogans are trademarks or registered trademarks of Emergent BioSolutions Inc. or its subsidiaries in the United States or other countries. All other brands, products, services and feature names or trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the other documents that are incorporated herein and therein by reference contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. We generally identify forward-looking statements by using words like “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “goal,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “should,” “will,” “would,” or variations thereof or the negative thereof, but these terms are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements.
Forward-looking statements are based on our current intentions, beliefs and expectations regarding future events. You should realize that if underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or if known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could differ materially from our expectations. You are, therefore, cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the other documents that are incorporated herein and therein by reference. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made and, except as required by law, we do not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect new information, events or circumstances.
There are a number of important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements, including, among others:
| • | the availability of U.S. Government (“USG”) funding for contracts related to procurement of our medical countermeasures (“MCM”), including AV7909 (Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed (AVA), Adjuvanted), BioThrax® (Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed) and ACAM2000® (Smallpox (Vaccinia) Vaccine, Live) among others, as well as contracts related to development of medical countermeasures; |
| • | our ability to meet our commitments to quality and compliance in all of our manufacturing operations; |
| • | our ability to negotiate additional USG procurement or follow-on contracts for our MCM products that have expired or will be expiring; |
| • | the commercial availability, including the timing of availability, of over-the-counter NARCAN® (naloxone HCI) Nasal Spray; |
| • | the impact of a generic marketplace on NARCAN® (naloxone HCI) Nasal Spray and future NARCAN sales; |
| • | our ability to perform under our contracts with the USG, including the timing of and specifications relating to deliveries; |
| • | our ability to provide contract development and manufacturing (“CDMO”) services for the development and/or manufacture of product and/or product candidates of our customers at required levels and on required timelines; |
| • | the ability of our contractors and suppliers to maintain compliance with current good manufacturing practices and other regulatory obligations; |
| • | our ability to negotiate new CDMO contracts and the negotiation of further commitments related to the collaboration and deployment of capacity toward future commercial manufacturing under our existing CDMO contracts; |
| • | our ability to collect reimbursement for raw materials and payment of service fees from our CDMO customers; |
| • | the results of pending stockholder litigation and government investigations and their potential impact on our business; |
| • | our ability to comply with the operating and financial covenants required by our revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”) and our term loan facility (the “Term Loan Facility” and, together with the Revolving Credit Facility, the “Senior Secured Credit Facilities”), as well as our 3.875% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2028; |
| • | our ability to resolve the going concern qualification in our consolidated financial statements and otherwise successfully manage our liquidity in order to continue as a going concern; |
| • | the procurement of our product candidates by USG entities under regulatory authorities that permit government procurement of certain medical products prior to U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) marketing authorization, and corresponding procurement by government entities outside of the U.S.; |
| • | the full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our markets, operations and employees as well as those of our customers and suppliers; |
| • | the impact on our revenues from and duration of declines in sales of our vaccine products that target travelers due to the reduction of international travel caused by the COVID-19 pandemic; |
| • | our ability to realize the full benefits of the sale of our travel health business to Bavarian Nordic; |
| • | the impact of the organizational changes we announced in January 2023; |
| • | our ability to identify and acquire companies, businesses, products or product candidates that satisfy our selection criteria; |
| • | the impact of cyber security incidents, including the risks from the interruption, failure or compromise of our information systems or those of our business partners, collaborators or other third parties; |
| • | the success of our commercialization, marketing and manufacturing capabilities and strategy; and |
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| • | the accuracy of our estimates regarding future revenues, expenses, capital requirements and needs for additional financing. |
The foregoing sets forth many, but not all, of the factors that could cause actual results to differ from our expectations in any forward-looking statement. When evaluating our forward-looking statements, you should consider this cautionary statement along with the risk factors identified in the sections entitled “Risk Factors” this prospectus supplement and in our most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Annual Reports on Form 10-K or Current Reports on Form 8-K we file after the date of this prospectus supplement, and all other information contained or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement, as updated by our subsequent filings under the Exchange Act. New factors may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for management to predict all such factors, nor can it assess the impact of any such factor on the business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement.
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This summary highlights selected information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and does not contain all of the information that may be important to you. You should carefully review this entire prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including the risk factors and financial statements and related notes thereto included or incorporated by reference herein and therein, before making a decision to purchase our common stock.
Overview
We are a global life sciences company focused on providing innovative preparedness and response solutions addressing accidental, deliberate, and naturally occurring Public Health Threats (“PHTs”). Our solutions include a product portfolio, a product development portfolio, and a CDMO services portfolio.
We are currently focused on the following four PHT categories: chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosives; emerging infectious diseases; public health crises; and acute, emergency and community care. We have a product portfolio of eleven products that contribute a substantial portion of our revenue and are sold to government and commercial customers. We also have a product candidate, AV7909, which is procured under special circumstances by the USG, although it is not approved by the FDA. Additionally, we have a development pipeline consisting of a diversified mix of both pre-clinical and clinical stage product candidates. Finally, we have a fully integrated portfolio of CDMO services. Our CDMO service offerings cover development services, drug substance manufacturing and drug product manufacturing and packaging.
We structure our business with a focus on markets and customers. As such, the key components of the business structure include the following four product and service categories: Anthrax - MCM Products, NARCAN, Smallpox - MCM products and CDMO Services. We operate as two operating segments: (1) a products segment consisting of the Anthrax - MCM, NARCAN, Smallpox - MCM and Other products and (2) a services segment consisting of our CDMO services.
Recent Developments
Sale of Travel Health Business
On May 15, 2023, we completed the previously announced sale to Bavarian Nordic of our travel health business, including rights to Vivotif®, the licensed typhoid vaccine, Vaxchora®, the licensed cholera vaccine, the development-stage chikungunya vaccine candidate CHIKV VLP, our manufacturing site in Bern, Switzerland, and certain of our development facilities in San Diego, California.
At the closing, Bavarian Nordic paid a cash purchase price of $270 million, exclusive of customary closing adjustments for cash, indebtedness, working capital and transaction expenses of the business at closing. Bavarian Nordic may also be required to pay milestone payments of up to $80 million related to the development of CHIKV VLP and receipt of marketing approval and authorization in the U.S. and Europe, and earn-out payments of up to $30 million based on aggregate net sales of Vaxchora and Vivotif in calendar year 2026. Further information can be found in our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 15, 2023.
Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
On May 15, 2023, we entered into that certain Fourth Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement Amendment”), among us, as borrower, certain of our subsidiaries, as guarantors, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent (in such capacity, “Administrative Agent”) and certain lenders party thereto. The Credit Agreement Amendment amends the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of October 15, 2018, among us, the lenders party thereto from time to time and the Administrative Agent (as previously amended, modified and supplemented, the “Existing Credit Agreement”), relating to our Senior Secured Credit Facilities.
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The Credit Agreement Amendment amends the Existing Credit Agreement to, among other things, (a) extend the maturity date of the Senior Secured Credit Facilities from October 13, 2023 to May 15, 2025, (b) reduce the available commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility from $600.0 million to $300.0 million, (c) remove our ability to incur incremental loans and (d) amend certain mandatory prepayment triggers, affirmative covenants, negative covenants and events of default thereunder. In connection with the Credit Agreement Amendment, we used the approximately $270.0 million of proceeds from the previously announced sale of our travel health business to Bavarian Nordic, which closed on May 15, 2023, together with approximately $217.2 million of cash on hand, to repay approximately $144.4 million in outstanding principal amount of loans under the Term Loan Facility and $342.8 million outstanding principal amount of loans under the Revolving Credit Facility.
The Credit Agreement Amendment also (w) amends the consolidated debt service coverage ratio financial covenant to require the minimum level to be 2.25 to 1.00 for the fiscal quarters ending March 31, 2024, June 30, 2024, September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2024, and then 2.50 to 1.00 for each fiscal quarter ending thereafter, (x) amends the consolidated leverage ratio to require the maximum level to be 4.50 to 1.00 for the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2024 and each fiscal quarter ending thereafter, (y) adds minimum Consolidated EBITDA requirements and maximum capital expenditure requirements for each of the months ending April 30, 2023 through February 29, 2024 and a minimum liquidity covenant as of the end of each calendar month following the Credit Agreement Amendment, and (z) requires us to increase our liquidity by April 30, 2024 by raising at least $75.0 million of equity or unsecured indebtedness.
In addition, the Credit Agreement Amendment replaces the interest rate benchmark such that borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility and the outstanding principal amount of the Term Loan Facility shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to (a) a rate based on SOFR, EURIBOR or CDOR plus a margin of 6.00% until March 31, 2024 and thereafter, a margin ranging from 2.75% to 4.00% depending on our consolidated leverage ratio, or (b) a base rate (which is the highest of the prime rate, the federal funds rate plus 0.50%, and a SOFR rate for an interest period of one month plus 1%) plus a margin of 5.00% until March 31, 2024 and thereafter, a margin ranging from 1.75% to 3.00% depending on our consolidated leverage ratio. In addition, the commitment fee we are required to pay in respect of the annual daily unused commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility shall be 0.15% to 0.40% per annum, depending on our consolidated leverage ratio.
Further information can be found in our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 17, 2023.
Corporate Information
We were incorporated in the State of Michigan in May 1998 and subsequently reorganized as a Delaware corporation in June 2004. Our principal executive offices are located at 400 Professional Drive, Suite 400, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20879, and our telephone number is (240) 631-3200. Our website address is www.emergentbiosolutions.com. The information on our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus and should not be considered to be part of this document.
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| Common stock offered by us | Shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $150 million. | |
| Common stock to be outstanding after this offering | Up to 72,600,673 shares of common stock (as more fully described in the notes following this table), assuming sales of 16,592,920 shares in this offering at a public offering price of $9.04 per share, which was the closing price of our common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on May 17, 2023. The actual number of shares issued will vary depending on how many shares of common stock we choose to sell and prices at which such sales occur. | |
| Manner of offering | “At the market” offering that may be made from time to time through the managers, Evercore Group L.L.C. and RBC Capital Markets, LLC. See “Plan of Distribution” on page S-9 of this prospectus supplement. | |
| Use of proceeds | We intend to use the net proceeds we receive from this offering for general corporate purposes. See “Use of Proceeds” on page S-8 of this prospectus supplement for additional information. | |
| Risk factors | An investment in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-6 of this prospectus supplement and in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement for a discussion of factors to consider before deciding to invest in our common stock. | |
| New York Stock Exchange listing | Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “EBS.” | |
Except as otherwise indicated herein, the number of shares of our common stock to be outstanding immediately after this offering is based on 56,007,753 shares of our common stock outstanding as of March 31, 2023. The number of shares of our common stock to be outstanding immediately after this offering excludes:
| • | 1,833,922 shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of stock options outstanding as of March 31, 2023 at a weighted average exercise price of $46.39 per share; |
| • | 1,954,435 shares of our common stock issuable pursuant to unvested restricted stock units outstanding as of March 31, 2023 at a weighted average grant price of $29.38; |
| • | 261,981 shares of our common stock issuable pursuant to unvested performance stock units outstanding as of March 31, 2023 at a weighted average grant price of $30.80; |
| • | 1,934,250 shares of our common stock reserved for issuance under the Emergent BioSolutions Inc. Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan as of March 31, 2023, and 3,675,000 additional shares of common stock for which we have requested stockholder approval at our 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders; and |
| • | 271,989 shares of our common stock reserved for issuance under our Employee Stock Purchase Plan as of March 31, 2023, and 2,000,000 additional shares of common stock for which we have requested stockholder approval at our 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. |
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An investment in our common stock involves significant risks. Before making an investment in our common stock, you should carefully read all of the information contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein. For a discussion of risks that you should carefully consider before deciding to purchase any of our common stock, please review the risk factors disclosed below, together with the other information in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, and the information and documents incorporated by reference herein and therein, including the risk factors set forth in the “Risk Factors” section of our most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Annual Reports on Form 10-K or Current Reports on Form 8-K we file after the date of this prospectus supplement, and all other information contained or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement, as updated by our subsequent filings under the Exchange Act. Any of these risks, as well as additional risks not currently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial, may adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects, resulting in a decline in the trading price of our common stock and loss of all or part of your investment.
Risks Related to this Offering
Our management will have broad discretion over the actual amount and timing of the expenditures of the proceeds we receive in this offering and might not apply these proceeds in ways that enhance our financial condition or operating results or increase the value of your investment.
We intend to use the net proceeds we receive from this offering for general corporate purposes. This expected use of our net proceeds from this offering represents our intention based upon our current plans and business conditions. The amount and timing of our actual expenditures may vary significantly depending on numerous factors, the most significant of which are unforeseen cash needs. Because of the number and variability of factors that will determine our use of the proceeds from this offering, their ultimate use may vary substantially from their currently intended use. As a result, our management will retain broad discretion over the allocation of the net proceeds we receive from this offering and could spend the proceeds in ways that do not necessarily improve our financial condition or operating results or enhance the value of our common stock and your investment therein. Additionally, until the net proceeds we receive are used, they may be placed in investments that do not produce income or that lose value. See “Use of Proceeds” for additional information.
It is not possible to predict the number of shares to be sold under the Equity Distribution Agreement and the resulting aggregate gross proceeds.
Subject to certain limitations in the Equity Distribution Agreement and compliance with applicable law, we have the discretion to deliver a placement notice to Evercore Group L.L.C. or RBC Capital Markets, LLC at any time throughout the term of the Equity Distribution Agreement. The number of shares that are sold through the managers after delivering a placement notice will fluctuate based on a number of factors, including the market price of our common stock during the sales period, any limits we may set with the applicable manager in any applicable placement notice and the demand for our common stock. Because the price per share of each share sold pursuant to the Equity Distribution Agreement will fluctuate over time, it is not currently possible to predict the aggregate proceeds to be raised in connection with sales under the Equity Distribution Agreement.
The common stock offered hereby will be sold in “at the market offerings” and investors who buy shares at different times will likely pay different prices.
Investors who purchase shares in this offering at different times will likely pay different prices, and accordingly may experience different levels of dilution and different outcomes in their investment results. We will have discretion, subject to market demand, to vary the timing, prices and number of shares sold in this offering. Investors may experience a decline in the value of the shares they purchase in this offering as a result of sales made at prices lower than the prices they paid.
Our stock price is volatile, and purchasers of our common stock could incur substantial losses.
Our stock price has been, and is likely to continue to be, volatile. The market price of our common stock could fluctuate significantly for many reasons, including in response to the risks described in this “Risk Factors” section, or for reasons unrelated to our operations, such as reports by industry analysts, investor perceptions or negative announcements by our customers, competitors or suppliers regarding their own performance, as well as industry conditions and general financial, economic and political instability. From November 15, 2006, when our common stock first began trading on the New York Stock Exchange, through the date of this prospectus supplement, our common stock has traded as high as $137.61
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per share and as low as $4.17 per share. The market price of our common stock may be influenced by many factors, including, among others:
| • | contracts, decisions and procurement policies by the USG, and the addition or loss of any other customer, affecting our anthrax vaccines and our other products and product candidates; |
| • | CDMO contracts with collaboration partners; |
| • | the success of competitive products or technologies; |
| • | results of clinical and non-clinical trials of our product candidates; |
| • | announcements of acquisitions, financings or other transactions by us; |
| • | current or future litigation or legal proceedings or government investigations; |
| • | regulator or public concern as to the safety of our products; |
| • | termination or delay of a development program; |
| • | the recruitment or departure of key personnel; |
| • | variations in our product revenue and profitability; and |
| • | the other risk factors described herein and in the documents incorporated herein by reference. |
Future sales of our common stock or other securities convertible into our common stock, or the perception that such sales or issuances could occur, could cause the market value of our common stock to decline and could result in dilution of your shares.
Our board of directors is authorized, without stockholder approval, to cause us to issue additional shares of our common stock or to raise capital through the issuance of preferred shares or the sale of debt securities that are convertible into common stock, options, warrants and other rights, on terms and for consideration as our board of directors in its sole discretion may determine. In addition, under the Credit Agreement Amendment, we are required to increase our liquidity by April 30, 2024 by raising at least $75 million of equity or unsecured indebtedness. We also require substantial additional funding to be able to continue as a going concern and we may seek to achieve such funding through future sales of our common stock or other securities convertible into our common stock. Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock or the issuance of preferred shares, convertible debt, options, restricted stock units, performance stock units, warrants and other rights, or the perception that such sales or issuances could occur, could cause the market price of our common stock to decrease significantly. As of March 31, 2023, we had 56,007,753 shares of common stock issued and outstanding. We cannot predict the effect, if any, of future sales of our common stock, including shares issued pursuant to this offering, or any preferred shares, convertible debt securities, options, restricted stock units, performance stock units, warrants or other rights or the availability of our common stock for future sales on the value of our common stock shares.
Our current indebtedness restricts and any additional debt financing may restrict the operation of our business and limit the cash available for investment in our business operations.
The Senior Secured Credit Facilities include a $450.0 million Term Loan Facility which had an outstanding principal balance of $210.0 million as of May 15, 2023 and the ability to borrow up to $300.0 million under our Revolving Credit Facility (which was reduced from $600.0 million of revolving commitments pursuant to the Credit Agreement Amendment) of which we had $255.2 million of outstanding borrowings as of May 15, 2023. On August 7, 2020, we also completed an offering of $450.0 million aggregate principal amount of Senior Unsecured Notes. We may also seek additional debt financing to support our ongoing activities or to provide additional financial flexibility. Debt financing can have significant adverse consequences for our business, including:
| • | the level, timing and cost of product sales and CDMO services; |
| • | the extent to which we acquire or invest in and integrate companies, businesses, products or technologies; |
| • | the acquisition of new facilities and capital improvements to new or existing facilities; |
| • | the payment obligations under our indebtedness; |
| • | the scope, progress, results and costs of our development activities; |
| • | our ability to obtain funding from collaborative partners, government entities and non-governmental organizations for our development programs; |
| • | the extent to which we repurchase common stock under any future share repurchase program; and |
| • | the costs of commercialization activities, including product marketing, sales and distribution. |
Under the Credit Agreement Amendment, we extended the maturity of our Senior Secured Credit Facilities to May 15, 2025. If we are unable to refinance our Senior Secured Credit Facilities prior to their maturity, we will be required to immediately repay the entire amount outstanding thereunder, which could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
In addition, our Senior Secured Credit Facilities and our Senior Unsecured Notes each contain cross-default provisions whereby a default under one agreement would likely result in cross defaults under agreements covering other indebtedness. The occurrence of a default under any of these arrangements would permit the holders of the notes or the lenders under our Senior Secured Credit Facilities to declare all amounts outstanding under those borrowing arrangements to be immediately due and payable, and there is no assurance that we would have sufficient funds to satisfy any such accelerated obligations.
On May 15, 2023, the Company, the lenders under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as agent, entered into the Credit Agreement Amendment, which among other things, extended the maturity of the Senior Secured Credit Facilities to May 15, 2025 and reduced the commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility from $600.0 million to $300.0 million. The Credit Agreement Amendment also (w) amends the consolidated debt service coverage ratio financial covenant to require the minimum level to be 2.25 to 1.00 for the fiscal quarters ending March 31, 2024, June 30, 2024 and September 30, 2024, and then 2.50 to 1.00 for each fiscal quarter ending thereafter, (x) amends the consolidated leverage ratio to require the maximum level to be 4.50 to 1.00 for the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2024 and each fiscal quarter ending thereafter, (y) adds minimum Consolidated EBITDA requirements and maximum capital expenditure requirements for each of the months ending April 30, 2023 through February 29, 2024 and a liquidity requirement as of the end of each calendar month after the Credit Agreement Amendment and (z) requires us to increase our liquidity by April 30, 2024 by raising at least $75 million of equity or unsecured indebtedness. In connection with the Credit Agreement Amendment, we used the approximately $270.0 million of proceeds from the previously announced sale of our travel health business to Bavarian Nordic, which closed on May 15, 2023, together with approximately $217.2 million of cash on hand, to repay approximately $144.4 million in outstanding principal amount of loans under the Term Loan Facility and $342.8 million outstanding principal amount of loans under the Revolving Credit Facility.
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We may issue and sell shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $150,000,000 from time to time. Because there is no minimum offering amount required as a condition to close this offering, the actual total public offering amount, commissions to the managers and proceeds to us, if any, are not determinable at this time. There can be no assurance that we will sell any shares under the Equity Distribution Agreement as a source of financing.
We currently plan to use the net proceeds we receive from this offering for general corporate purposes.
This expected use of our net proceeds from this offering represents our intentions based upon our current plans and business conditions. The amount and timing of our actual expenditures may vary significantly depending on numerous factors, the most significant of which are unforeseen cash needs. As a result, our management will retain broad discretion over the allocation of the net proceeds we receive from this offering. We have no current understandings, agreements or commitments for any material acquisitions or licenses of any compounds, product candidates, technology or businesses.
Pending our use of the net proceeds we receive from this offering, we may invest such net proceeds in a variety of capital preservation investments, including short-term, investment grade, interest-bearing instruments and U.S. government securities.
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We have entered into the Equity Distribution Agreement with Evercore Group L.L.C. and RBC Capital Markets, LLC, under which we may issue and sell shares of our common stock having an aggregate gross sales price of up to $150,000,000 from time to time through Evercore Group L.L.C. and RBC Capital Markets, LLC, acting as managers. We have filed the Equity Distribution Agreement as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K, which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement.
Upon delivery of a placement notice and subject to the terms and conditions of the Equity Distribution Agreement, the managers may sell our common stock by any method permitted by law deemed to be an “at the market offering” as defined in Rule 415 of the Securities Act, including sales made directly on the New York Stock Exchange, on any other existing trading market for our common stock, or to or through a market maker at market prices prevailing at the time of sale or in privately negotiated transactions. To the extent required by Regulation M, the managers will not engage in any market making activities involving our common stock while the offering is ongoing under this prospectus supplement.
We will designate the maximum amount of common stock to be sold through the managers on a daily basis or otherwise as we and the managers agree and the minimum price per share at which such common stock may be sold. No manager is required to sell any specific number or dollar amount of shares of our common stock, but subject to the terms and conditions of the Equity Distribution Agreement, the managers will use their commercially reasonable efforts to sell on our behalf all of the designated common stock. The shares of our common stock offered and sold through the managers pursuant to the Equity Distribution Agreement will be offered and sold through only one manager on any given trading day. We may instruct a manager not to sell any common stock if the sales cannot be effected at or above the price designated by us in any such instruction. The offering of the shares by the manager is subject to receipt and acceptance and subject to the managers’ right to reject any order in whole or in part. We or any manager may suspend the offering of common stock at any time and from time to time by notifying the other party.
The managers will provide written confirmation to us no later than the opening of the trading day on the New York Stock Exchange after each trading day on which common stock is sold under the Equity Distribution Agreement. Each confirmation will include the number or amount of shares sold on that day, the volume-weighted average price of the shares sold and the net proceeds to us from such sales. We will report at least quarterly the number of shares of common stock sold through the managers under the Equity Distribution Agreement, the net proceeds to us (before expenses) and the commissions of the managers in connection with the sales of the common stock.
We will pay the managers commissions, in cash, for their services in acting as sales agents in the sale of our common stock. The managers will be entitled to compensation at a fixed commission rate of up to 3.0% of the gross sales price per share sold. Because there is no minimum offering amount required as a condition to close this offering, the actual total public offering amount, commissions and proceeds to us, if any, are not determinable at this time. We have also agreed to reimburse the managers for certain specified expenses. In accordance with FINRA Rule 5110, these reimbursed fees and expenses are deemed sales compensation to the managers in connection with this offering.
Prior to May 28, 2024, settlement for sales of common stock will occur on the second trading day following the date on which any sales are made, or on some other date that is agreed upon by us and the managers in connection with a particular transaction, in return for payment of the net proceeds to us. Beginning May 28, 2024, settlement for sales of common stock will occur on the first trading day following the date on which any sales are made, or on some other date that is agreed upon by us and the managers in connection with a particular transaction, in return for payment of the net proceeds to us. Sales of our common stock as contemplated in this prospectus supplement will be settled through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company or by such other means as we and the managers may agree upon. There is no arrangement for funds to be received in an escrow, trust or similar arrangement.
The managers will use its commercially reasonable efforts, consistent with their sales and trading practices, to solicit offers to purchase the common stock under the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Equity Distribution Agreement. In connection with the sale of the common stock on our behalf, each of the managers will be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act and the compensation of the managers will be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts. We have agreed to provide indemnification and contribution to the managers against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
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The offering of shares of our common stock pursuant to the Equity Distribution Agreement will terminate upon the earlier of (1) the sale of all shares of our common stock subject to the Equity Distribution Agreement, and (2) termination of the Equity Distribution Agreement by either us or, with respect to either manager, by such manager, as permitted therein.
The managers are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, investment management, principal investment, hedging, financing and brokerage activities. Each of the managers and/or its respective affiliates have provided, and may in the future provide, various investment banking, commercial banking and other financial services for us and our affiliates, for which services they may in the future receive customary fees and commissions. An affiliate of RBC Capital Markets, LLC is a lender under the Term Loan Facility and the Revolving Credit Facility. Such manager and its affiliate that has a lending relationship with us routinely hedge, and the other manager or its affiliates may hedge, their credit exposure to us consistent with their customary risk management policies.
We estimate that the total expenses of this offering payable by us, excluding compensation payable to the managers under the Equity Distribution Agreement, will be approximately $500,000.
This prospectus supplement in electronic format may be made available on websites maintained by the managers and the managers may distribute this prospectus supplement electronically.
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The validity of the common stock offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Covington & Burling LLP, Washington, D.C. Certain other legal matters in connection with this offering will be passed upon by Heather Champion Brady, Associate General Counsel of Emergent. Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, New York, New York, is counsel to the managers in connection with this offering.
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 and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022, as set forth in their reports included therein, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus, and which contain an explanatory paragraph describing conditions that raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern as described in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements and which conclude, among other things, that we did not maintain effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022, based on Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework), because of the effects of the material weakness described therein. Our audited financial statements are incorporated by reference in reliance on Ernst & Young LLP’s reports, given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
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INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring to those publicly available documents. The information that we incorporate by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below (File No. 001-33137) and any future filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (in each case, other than those documents or the portions of those documents not deemed to be filed) between the date of this prospectus and the date this offering is terminated:
| • | our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, as filed with the SEC on March 1, 2023; |
| • | the information specifically incorporated by reference into our Annual Report on Form 10-K from our Amended Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, as filed with the SEC on April 24, 2023; |
| • | our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended on March 31, 2023, as filed with the SEC on May 10, 2023; |
| • | our Current Reports on Form 8-K, as filed with the SEC on January 9, 2023 (solely with respect to Items 2.05 and 5.02), February 15, 2023 (solely with respect to Item 1.01), March 23, 2023, April 17, 2023 (solely with respect to Item 1.01), May 15, 2023 (solely with respect to Items 2.01 and 9.01(b)) and May 17, 2023 (solely with respect to Items 1.01 and 2.03); and |
| • | the description of our common stock contained in Exhibit 4.6 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, filed with the SEC on February 19, 2021, including any amendment or report subsequently filed for the purpose of updating such description. |
You may access our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, proxy statement, and other information, if any, we file with or furnish to the SEC free of charge at the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov) or our website (www.emergentbiosolutions.com) as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. The information contained in, or that can be accessed through, our website is not part of this prospectus supplement.
You may also request a copy of our SEC filings at no cost, by telephoning or writing us at the following telephone number or address:
Emergent BioSolutions Inc.
400 Professional Drive, Suite 400
Gaithersburg, Maryland 20879
Attention: Investor Relations
(240) 631-3200
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PROSPECTUS
Emergent BioSolutions Inc.
Debt Securities
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Depositary Shares
Units
Warrants
We may offer and sell securities from time to time in one or more offerings. This prospectus describes the general terms of these securities and the general manner in which these securities will be offered. We will provide the specific terms of these securities in supplements to this prospectus. The prospectus supplements will also describe the specific manner in which these securities will be offered and may also supplement, update or amend information contained in this document. This prospectus may also be used to offer our securities for the account of persons other than us, whom we refer to in this prospectus as “selling security holders.” You should read this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement before you invest.
We or any selling security holders may offer these securities in amounts, at prices and on terms determined at the time of offering. The securities may be sold directly to you, through agents, or through underwriters and dealers. If agents, underwriters or dealers are used to sell the securities, we will name them and describe their compensation in a prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise set forth in a prospectus supplement, we will not receive any proceeds from the sale of any securities by any selling security holders.
Our common stock is listed on The New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “EBS.”
Investing in these securities involves certain risks. See “Risk Factors” included in any accompanying prospectus supplement and in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus for a discussion of the factors you should carefully consider before deciding to purchase these securities.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is August 9, 2021
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This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which we refer to as the “SEC,” utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may from time to time sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings, and selling security holders may from time to time sell securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings.
This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we or any selling security holder may offer. Each time we or any selling security holder sell securities, we will provide one or more prospectus supplements that will contain specific information about the terms of the offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read both this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement together with the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” beginning on page 7 of this prospectus.
You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement or in any related free writing prospectus filed by us with the SEC. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement do not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the securities described in this prospectus or such accompanying prospectus supplement or an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy such securities in any circumstances in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, the documents incorporated by reference and any related free writing prospectus is accurate only as of their respective dates. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed materially since those dates.
We further note that the representations, warranties and covenants made by us in any agreement that is filed as an exhibit to any document that is incorporated by reference herein were made solely for the benefit of the parties to such agreement, including, in some cases, for the purpose of allocating risk among the parties to such agreements, and should not be deemed to be a representation, warranty or covenant to you. Moreover, such representations, warranties or covenants were accurate only as of the date when made. Accordingly, such representations, warranties and covenants should not be relied on as accurately representing the current state of our affairs.
Unless the context otherwise indicates, references in this prospectus to “we,” “our” and “us” refer, collectively, to Emergent BioSolutions Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its consolidated subsidiaries.
Investing in our securities involves significant risks. You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement, including the risk factors set forth in our filings with the SEC that are incorporated by reference herein, including the risk factors in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, before making an investment decision pursuant to this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement relating to a specific offering.
Our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected by any or all of these risks or by additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial that may adversely affect us in the future.
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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
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. Copies of certain information filed by us with the SEC are also available on our website at www.emergentbiosolutions.com. Our website is not a part of this prospectus and is not incorporated by reference in this prospectus. You may also read and copy any document we file at the SEC’s Public Reference Room, 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.
This prospectus is part of a registration statement we filed with the SEC. This prospectus omits some information contained in the registration statement in accordance with SEC rules and regulations. You should review the information and exhibits in the registration statement for further information about us and our consolidated subsidiaries and the securities we are offering. Statements in this prospectus concerning any document we filed as an exhibit to the registration statement or that we otherwise filed with the SEC are not intended to be comprehensive and are qualified by reference to these filings. You should review the complete document to evaluate these statements.
The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference much of the information we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those publicly available documents. The information that we incorporate by reference in this prospectus is considered to be part of this prospectus. Because we are incorporating by reference future filings with the SEC, this prospectus is continually updated and those future filings may modify or supersede some of the information included or incorporated in this prospectus. This means that you must look at all of the SEC filings that we incorporate by reference to determine if any of the statements in this prospectus or in any document previously incorporated by reference have been modified or superseded. This prospectus incorporates by reference the documents listed below (File No. 001-33137) and any future filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) (in each case, other than those documents or the portions of those documents not deemed to be filed) until the offering of the securities under the registration statement is terminated or completed:
| • | Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, filed February 19, 2021, including the information specifically incorporated by reference into the Annual Report on Form 10-K from our definitive proxy statement for the 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders; |
| • | Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2021, filed April 30, 2021 and June 30, 2021, filed July 30, 2021; |
| • | Current Reports on Form 8-K filed February 16, 2021, April 1, 2021, April 5, 2021, April 19, 2021, April 21, 2021, May 12, 2021, May 25, 2021, July 14, 2021, July 22, 2021 and July 29, 2021 (to the extent the information in such Form 8-K is filed, rather furnished); and |
| • | The description of our common stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed November 7, 2006, including any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description. |
You may request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at the following address or telephone number:
Emergent BioSolutions Inc.
400 Professional Drive
Gaithersburg, Maryland, 20879
Attn: Investor Relations
(240) 631-3200
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This prospectus and the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus include “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, including statements regarding the future earnings and performance of Emergent BioSolutions Inc. or any of our businesses, our strategy, future operations, future financial position, future revenues, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management and the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, are forward-looking statements. We generally identify forward-looking statements by using words like “will,” “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “forecasts,” “estimates” and similar expressions in conjunction with, among other things, discussions of financial performance or financial condition, growth strategy, product sales, manufacturing capabilities, product development, regulatory approvals or expenditures. These forward-looking statements are based on our current intentions, beliefs and expectations regarding future events. We cannot guarantee that any forward-looking statement will be accurate. You should realize that if underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could differ materially from our expectations. You are, therefore, cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and, except as required by law, we do not undertake to update any forward-looking statement to reflect new information, events or circumstances. You are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are only predictions and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are referenced in the section of any accompanying prospectus supplement entitled “Risk Factors.” You should also carefully review the sections titled “Risk Factors” and cautionary statements included under the headings “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,” “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “Safe Harbor Statement” described in the other documents we file from time to time with the SEC, including, but not limited to, our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and our Current Reports on Form 8-K. We undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements, except to the extent required by law.
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OVERVIEW
We are a global life sciences company focused on providing innovative preparedness and response solutions addressing accidental, deliberate and naturally occurring public health threats (“PHTs”). Our solutions include a product portfolio, a product development pipeline portfolio, and a portfolio of contract development and manufacturing (“CDMO”) services.
We were incorporated in the State of Michigan in May 1998 and subsequently reorganized as a Delaware corporation in June 2004. Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “EBS.” Our principal executive offices are located at 400 Professional Drive, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20879. Our telephone number is (240) 631-3200, and our website address is www.emergentbiosolutions.com. We have included our website address as an inactive textual reference only. The information contained on, or that can be accessed through, our website is not a part of this prospectus.
The types of PHTs we are currently addressing are focused on the following five categories:
| • | chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosives (“CBRNE”); |
| • | emerging infectious diseases (“EID”); |
| • | travel health; |
| • | emerging health crises; and |
| • | acute/emergency care. |
Our product portfolio comprises ten marketed products (vaccines, therapeutics, and drug-device combination products) that are sold to government and commercial customers. Our product portfolio also includes two product candidates, designated AV7909 (vaccine) and Trobigard Auto-Injector (drug-device combination), that are not approved by the FDA or any other regulatory health authority, but which are procured under special circumstances by certain government agencies.
Our product development pipeline portfolio consists of a diversified mix of both pre-clinical and clinical-stage product candidates, encompassing a mix of vaccines, therapeutics and drug-device combination products. In some cases, certain candidates are supported by external, non-dilutive funding sources (government agencies, non-governmental organizations, pharma/biotech innovators). Certain other candidates are supported solely by internal funding sources.
Our portfolio of CDMO services consists of three distinct but interrelated service pillars: development services (process and analytical development); drug substance manufacturing; and drug product manufacturing (fill/finish) and packaging. These services, which we refer to as “molecule-to-market” offerings, employ five technology platforms (mammalian, microbial, viral, plasma and gene therapy) across a network of nine geographically distinct development and manufacturing sites operated by us for our internal products and pipeline and CDMO services, for both clinical-stage projects and commercial-stage projects. We direct these CDMO services for a variety of third-party customers, including innovative pharmaceutical companies, government agencies and non-government organizations.
Our revenues are derived from a combination of the sale and procurement of our product portfolio and the provision of our CDMO services to external customers.
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We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of any securities offered under this prospectus for general corporate purposes unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement. General corporate purposes may include, but is not limited to, the acquisition of companies or businesses, repayment and refinancing of debt, working capital and capital expenditures. We have not determined the amount of net proceeds to be used specifically for such purposes. As a result, management will retain broad discretion over the allocation of net proceeds.
Unless otherwise set forth in a prospectus supplement, we will not receive any proceeds from the sale of any securities by any selling security holders.
In addition to covering the offering of the securities by us, this prospectus covers the offering of securities by selling security holders. Information about selling security holders, if any, will be set forth in a prospectus supplement, in an amendment to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part or in other filings we make with the SEC under the Exchange Act, which are incorporated by reference.
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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
We may offer debt securities which may be senior or subordinated. We refer to the senior debt securities and the subordinated debt securities collectively as debt securities. The following description summarizes the general terms and provisions of the debt securities. We will describe the specific terms of the debt securities and the extent, if any, to which the general provisions summarized below apply to any series of debt securities in the prospectus supplement relating to the series and any applicable free writing prospectus that we authorize to be delivered. When we refer to the “Company,” “we,” “our,” and “us” in this section, we mean Emergent BioSolutions Inc. excluding, unless the context otherwise requires or as otherwise expressly stated, our subsidiaries.
We may issue senior debt securities from time to time, in one or more series under a senior indenture to be entered into between us and a senior trustee to be named in a prospectus supplement, which we refer to as the senior trustee. We may issue subordinated debt securities from time to time, in one or more series under a subordinated indenture to be entered into between us and a subordinated trustee to be named in a prospectus supplement, which we refer to as the subordinated trustee. The forms of senior indenture and subordinated indenture are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. The senior indenture and the subordinated indenture are referred to individually as an indenture and together as the indentures, and the senior trustee and the subordinated trustee are referred to individually as a trustee and together as the trustees. This section summarizes some of the provisions of the indentures and is qualified in its entirety by the specific text of the indentures, including definitions of certain terms used in the indentures. Wherever we refer to particular sections of, or defined terms in, the indentures, those sections or defined terms are incorporated by reference in this prospectus or the applicable prospectus supplement. You should review the indentures that are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part for additional information.
Neither indenture will limit the amount of debt securities that we may issue. The applicable indenture will provide that debt securities may be issued up to an aggregate principal amount authorized from time to time by us and may be payable in any currency or currency unit designated by us or in amounts determined by reference to an index.
General
The senior debt securities will constitute our unsecured and unsubordinated general obligations and will rank equally in right of payment with our other unsecured and unsubordinated obligations. The subordinated debt securities will constitute our unsecured and subordinated general obligations and will be junior in right of payment to our senior indebtedness (including senior debt securities), as described under the heading “—Certain Terms of the Subordinated Debt Securities—Subordination.” The debt securities will be structurally subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities of our subsidiaries unless such subsidiaries expressly guarantee such debt securities.
The debt securities will be our unsecured obligations. Any secured debt or other secured obligations will be effectively senior to the debt securities to the extent of the value of the assets securing such debt or other obligations. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not be guaranteed by any of our subsidiaries.
The applicable prospectus supplement and/or free writing prospectus will include any additional or different terms of the debt securities of any series being offered, including the following terms:
| • | the title and type of the debt securities; |
| • | whether the debt securities will be senior or subordinated debt securities, and, with respect to any subordinated debt securities the terms on which they are subordinated; |
| • | the initial aggregate principal amount of the debt securities; |
| • | the price or prices at which we will sell the debt securities; |
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| • | the maturity date or dates of the debt securities and the right, if any, to extend such date or dates; |
| • | the rate or rates, if any, at which the debt securities will bear interest, or the method of determining such rate or rates; |
| • | the date or dates from which such interest will accrue, the interest payment dates on which such interest will be payable or the method of determination of such dates; |
| • | the right, if any, to extend the interest payment periods and the duration of that extension; |
| • | the manner of paying principal and interest and the place or places where principal and interest will be payable; |
| • | provisions for a sinking fund, purchase fund or other analogous fund, if any; |
| • | any redemption dates, prices, obligations and restrictions on the debt securities; |
| • | the currency, currencies or currency units in which the debt securities will be denominated and the currency, currencies or currency units in which principal and interest, if any, on the debt securities may be payable; |
| • | any conversion or exchange features of the debt securities; |
| • | whether the debt securities will be subject to the defeasance provisions in the indenture; |
| • | whether the debt securities will be issued in definitive or global form or in definitive form only upon satisfaction of certain conditions; |
| • | whether the debt securities will be guaranteed as to payment or performance; |
| • | any special tax implications of the debt securities; |
| • | any events of default or covenants in addition to or in lieu of those set forth in the indenture; and |
| • | any other material terms of the debt securities. |
When we refer to “principal” in this section with reference to the debt securities, we are also referring to “premium, if any.”
We may from time to time, without notice to or the consent of the holders of any series of debt securities, create and issue further debt securities of any such series ranking equally with the debt securities of such series in all respects (or in all respects other than (1) the payment of interest accruing prior to the issue date of such further debt securities or (2) the first payment of interest following the issue date of such further debt securities). Such further debt securities may be consolidated and form a single series with the debt securities of such series and have the same terms as to status, redemption or otherwise as the debt securities of such series.
You may present debt securities for exchange and you may present debt securities for transfer in the manner, at the places and subject to the restrictions set forth in the debt securities and the applicable prospectus supplement. We will provide you those services without charge, although you may have to pay any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with any exchange or transfer, as set forth in the indenture.
Debt securities may bear interest at a fixed rate or a floating rate. Debt securities bearing no interest or interest at a rate that at the time of issuance is below the prevailing market rate (original issue discount securities) may be sold at a discount below their stated principal amount. U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to any such discounted debt securities or to certain debt securities issued at par which are treated as having been issued at a discount for U.S. federal income tax purposes will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
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We may issue debt securities with the principal amount payable on any principal payment date, or the amount of interest payable on any interest payment date, to be determined by reference to one or more currency exchange rates, securities or baskets of securities, commodity prices or indices. You may receive a payment of principal on any principal payment date, or a payment of interest on any interest payment date, that is greater than or less than the amount of principal or interest otherwise payable on such dates, depending on the value on such dates of the applicable currency, security or basket of securities, commodity or index. Information as to the methods for determining the amount of principal or interest payable on any date, the currencies, securities or baskets of securities, commodities or indices to which the amount payable on such date is linked and certain related tax considerations will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Certain Terms of the Senior Debt Securities
Covenants. Unless we indicate otherwise in a prospectus supplement with respect to a particular series of senior debt securities, the senior debt securities will not contain any financial or restrictive covenants, including covenants restricting either us or any of our subsidiaries from incurring, issuing, assuming or guaranteeing any indebtedness secured by a lien on any of our or our subsidiaries’ property or capital stock, or restricting either us or any of our subsidiaries from entering into sale and leaseback transactions.
Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets. Unless we indicate otherwise in a prospectus supplement with respect to a particular series of senior debt securities, we may not consolidate with or merge into any other person, in a transaction in which we are not the surviving corporation, or convey, transfer or lease our properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any person, in either case, unless:
| • | the successor entity, if any, is a U.S. corporation, limited liability company, partnership or trust; |
| • | the successor entity assumes our obligations on the senior debt securities and under the senior indenture; |
| • | immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no default or event of default shall have occurred and be continuing; and |
| • | we have delivered to the senior trustee an officer’s certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that the consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease and, if a supplemental indenture is required in connection with such transaction, such supplemental indenture, comply with the senior indenture and that all conditions precedent provided for in the senior indenture relating to such transaction have been complied with. |
The restrictions described in the bullets above do not apply (1) to our consolidation with or merging into one of our affiliates, if our board of directors determines in good faith that the purpose of the consolidation or merger is principally to change our state of incorporation or our form of organization to another form or (2) if we merge with or into a single direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of ours.
The surviving business entity will succeed to, and be substituted for, us under the senior indenture and the senior debt securities and, except in the case of a lease, we shall be released from all obligations under the senior indenture and the senior debt securities.
No Protection in the Event of a Change in Control. Unless we indicate otherwise in a prospectus supplement with respect to a particular series of senior debt securities, the senior debt securities will not contain any provisions that may afford holders of the senior debt securities protection in the event we have a change in control or in the event of a highly leveraged transaction (whether or not such transaction results in a change in control).
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Events of Default. Unless we indicate otherwise in a prospectus supplement with respect to a particular series of senior debt securities, the following are events of default under the senior indenture with respect to senior debt securities of each series:
| • | failure to pay interest on any senior debt securities of such series when due and payable, if that default continues for a period of 90 days (or such other period as may be specified for such series); |
| • | failure to pay principal on the senior debt securities of such series when due and payable whether at maturity, upon redemption, by declaration or otherwise (and, if specified for such series, the continuance of such failure for a specified period); |
| • | default in the performance of or breach of any of our covenants or agreements in the senior indenture applicable to senior debt securities of such series, other than a covenant breach which is specifically dealt with elsewhere in the senior indenture, and that default or breach continues for a period of 90 days after we receive written notice from the trustee or from the holders of 25% or more in aggregate principal amount of the senior debt securities of such series; |
| • | certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency, whether or not voluntary; and |
| • | any other event of default provided for in such series of senior debt securities as may be specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. |
The default by us under any other debt, including any other series of debt securities, is not a default under the senior indenture.
If an event of default other than an event of default specified in the fourth bullet point above occurs with respect to a series of senior debt securities and is continuing under the senior indenture, then, and in each such case, either the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of such series then outstanding under the senior indenture (each such series voting as a separate class) by written notice to us and to the trustee, if such notice is given by the holders, may, and the trustee at the request of such holders shall, declare the principal amount of and accrued interest on such series of senior debt securities to be immediately due and payable, and upon this declaration, the same shall become immediately due and payable.
If an event of default specified in the fourth bullet point above occurs and is continuing, the entire principal amount of and accrued interest on each series of senior debt securities then outstanding shall automatically become immediately due and payable.
Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement relating to a series of senior debt securities originally issued at a discount, the amount due upon acceleration shall include only the original issue price of the senior debt securities, the amount of original issue discount accrued to the date of acceleration and accrued interest, if any.
Upon certain conditions, declarations of acceleration may be rescinded and annulled and past defaults may be waived by the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of all the senior debt securities of such series affected by the default, each series voting as a separate class. Furthermore, subject to various provisions in the senior indenture, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of a series of senior debt securities, by notice to the trustee, may waive a continuing default or event of default with respect to such senior debt securities and its consequences, except a default in the payment of principal of or interest on such senior debt securities (other than any such default in payment resulting solely from an acceleration of the senior debt securities) or in respect of a covenant or provision of the senior indenture which cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holders of each such senior debt security. Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any event of default with respect to such senior debt securities shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of the senior indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or event of default or impair any right consequent thereto.
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The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of a series of senior debt securities may 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 such senior debt securities. However, the trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or the senior indenture, that may involve the trustee in personal liability or that the trustee determines in good faith may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of holders of such series of senior debt securities not joining in the giving of such direction and may take any other action it deems proper that is not inconsistent with any such direction received from holders of such series of senior debt securities. A holder may not pursue any remedy with respect to the senior indenture or any series of senior debt securities unless:
| • | the holder gives the trustee written notice of a continuing event of default; |
| • | the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of such series of senior debt securities make a written request to the trustee to pursue the remedy in respect of such event of default; |
| • | the requesting holder or holders offer the trustee indemnity satisfactory to the trustee against any costs, liability or expense; |
| • | the trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after receipt of the request and the offer of indemnity; and |
| • | during such 60-day period, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of such series of senior debt securities do not give the trustee a direction that is inconsistent with the request. |
These limitations, however, do not apply to the right of any holder of a senior debt security of any affected series to receive payment of the principal of and interest on such senior debt security in accordance with the terms of such debt security, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment in accordance with the terms of such debt security, on or after the due date for the senior debt securities, which right shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of the holder.
The senior indenture requires certain of our officers to certify, on or before a fixed date in each year in which any senior debt security is outstanding, as to their knowledge of our compliance with all covenants, agreements and conditions under the senior indenture.
Satisfaction and Discharge. We can satisfy and discharge our obligations to holders of any series of debt securities if:
| • | we have paid or caused to be paid the principal of and interest on all senior debt securities of such series (with certain limited exceptions) when due and payable; or |
| • | we deliver to the senior trustee for cancellation all senior debt securities of such series theretofore authenticated under the senior indenture (with certain limited exceptions); or |
| • | all senior debt securities of such series have become due and payable or will become due and payable within one year (or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the senior trustee) and we deposit in trust an amount of cash or a combination of cash and U.S. government or U.S. government agency obligations (or in the case of senior debt securities denominated in a foreign currency, foreign government securities or foreign government agency securities) sufficient to make interest, principal and any other payments on the debt securities of that series on their various due dates; |
and if, in any such case, we also pay or cause to be paid all other sums payable under the senior indenture, as and when the same shall be due and payable and we deliver to the senior trustee an officer’s certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that these conditions have been satisfied.
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Under current U.S. federal income tax law, the deposit and our legal release from the debt securities would be treated as though we took back your debt securities and gave you your share of the cash and debt securities or bonds deposited in trust. In that event, you could recognize gain or loss on the debt securities you give back to us. Purchasers of the debt securities should consult their own advisers with respect to the tax consequences to them of such deposit and discharge, including the applicability and effect of tax laws other than the U.S. federal income tax law.
Defeasance. Unless the applicable prospectus supplement provides otherwise, the following discussion of legal defeasance and covenant defeasance will apply to any series of debt securities issued under the indentures.
Legal Defeasance. We can legally release ourselves from any payment or other obligations on the debt securities of any series (called “legal defeasance”) if certain conditions are met, including the following:
| • | We deposit in trust for your benefit and the benefit of all other direct holders of the debt securities of the same series cash or a combination of cash and U.S. government or U.S. government agency obligations (or, in the case of senior debt securities denominated in a foreign currency, foreign government or foreign government agency obligations) that will generate enough cash to make interest, principal and any other payments on the debt securities of that series on their various due dates. |
| • | There is a change in current U.S. federal income tax law or an IRS ruling that lets us make the above deposit without causing you to be taxed on the debt securities any differently than if we did not make the deposit and instead repaid the debt securities ourselves when due. Under current U.S. federal income tax law, the deposit and our legal release from the debt securities would be treated as though we took back your debt securities and gave you your share of the cash and debt securities or bonds deposited in trust. In that event, you could recognize gain or loss on the debt securities you give back to us. |
| • | We deliver to the trustee a legal opinion of our counsel confirming the tax law change or ruling described above. |
If we accomplish legal defeasance, as described above, you would have to rely solely on the trust deposit for repayment of the debt securities. You could not look to us for repayment in the event of any shortfall.
Covenant Defeasance. Without any change in current U.S. federal tax law, we can make the same type of deposit described above and be released from some of the covenants in the debt securities (called “covenant defeasance”). In that event, you would lose the protection of those covenants but would gain the protection of having money and securities set aside in trust to repay the debt securities. In order to achieve covenant defeasance, we must do the following (among other things):
| • | We must deposit in trust for your benefit and the benefit of all other direct holders of the debt securities of the same series cash or a combination of cash and U.S. government or U.S. government agency obligations (or, in the case of senior debt securities denominated in a foreign currency, foreign government or foreign government agency obligations) that will generate enough cash to make interest, principal and any other payments on the debt securities of that series on their various due dates. |
| • | We must deliver to the trustee a legal opinion of our counsel confirming that under current U.S. federal income tax law we may make the above deposit without causing you to be taxed on the debt securities any differently than if we did not make the deposit and instead repaid the debt securities ourselves when due. |
If we accomplish covenant defeasance, you could still look to us for repayment of the debt securities if there were a shortfall in the trust deposit. In fact, if one of the events of default occurred (such as our bankruptcy) and the debt securities become immediately due and payable, there may be such a shortfall. Depending on the events causing the default, you may not be able to obtain payment of the shortfall.
Modification and Waiver. We and the trustee may amend or supplement the senior indenture or the senior debt securities of any series without the consent of any holder:
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| • | to convey, transfer, assign, mortgage or pledge any assets as security for the senior debt securities of one or more series; |
| • | to evidence the succession of a corporation, limited liability company, partnership or trust to us, and the assumption by such successor of our covenants, agreements and obligations under the senior indenture or to otherwise comply with the covenant relating to mergers, consolidations and sales of assets; |
| • | to comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the senior indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”); |
| • | to add to our covenants such new covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions for the protection of the holders, and to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and continuance, of a default in any such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions an event of default; |
| • | to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in the senior indenture or in any supplemental indenture or to conform the senior indenture or the senior debt securities to the description of senior debt securities of such series set forth in this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement; |
| • | to provide for or add guarantors with respect to the senior debt securities of any series; |
| • | to establish the form or forms or terms of the senior debt securities as permitted by the senior indenture; |
| • | to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment under the senior indenture by a successor trustee, or to make such changes as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts in the senior indenture by more than one trustee; |
| • | to add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of the senior indenture in respect of one or more series of senior debt securities, provided that any such addition, change or elimination shall (a) neither (1) apply to any senior debt security of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture and entitled to the benefit of such provision nor (2) modify the rights of the holder of any such senior debt security with respect to such provision or (b) become effective only when there is no senior debt security described in clause (a)(1) outstanding; |
| • | to make any change to the senior debt securities of any series so long as no senior debt securities of such series are outstanding; or |
| • | to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder in any material respect. |
Other amendments and modifications of the senior indenture or the senior debt securities issued may be made, and our compliance with any provision of the senior indenture with respect to any series of senior debt securities may be waived, with the consent of the holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding senior debt securities of each series affected by the amendment or modification (voting as separate series); provided, however, that each affected holder must consent to any modification, amendment or waiver that:
| • | extends the final maturity of any senior debt securities of such series; |
| • | reduces the principal amount of any senior debt securities of such series; |
| • | reduces the rate, or extends the time for payment of, interest on any senior debt securities of such series; |
| • | reduces the amount payable upon the redemption of any senior debt securities of such series; |
| • | changes the currency of payment of principal of or interest on any senior debt securities of such series; |
| • | reduces the principal amount of original issue discount securities payable upon acceleration of maturity or the amount provable in bankruptcy; |
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| • | waives a continuing default in the payment of principal of or interest on the senior debt securities (other than any such default in payment resulting solely from an acceleration of the senior debt securities); |
| • | changes the provisions relating to the waiver of past defaults or impairs the right of holders to receive payment or to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment or conversion of any senior debt securities of such series on or after the due date therefor; |
| • | modifies any of the provisions of these restrictions on amendments and modifications, except to increase any required percentage or to provide that certain other provisions cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the holder of each senior debt security of such series affected by the modification; |
| • | adversely affects the right to convert or exchange senior debt securities into common stock or other property in accordance with the terms of the senior debt securities; or |
| • | reduces the above-stated percentage of outstanding senior debt securities of such series whose holders must consent to a supplemental indenture or modifies or amends or waives certain provisions of or defaults under the senior indenture. |
It shall not be necessary for the holders to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, supplement or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if the holders’ consent approves the substance thereof. After an amendment, supplement or waiver of the senior indenture in accordance with the provisions described in this section becomes effective, the trustee must give to the holders affected thereby certain notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any failure by the trustee to give such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amendment, supplemental indenture or waiver.
No Personal Liability of Incorporators, Stockholders, Officers, Directors. The senior indenture provides that no recourse shall be had under any obligation, covenant or agreement of ours in the senior indenture or any supplemental indenture, or in any of the senior debt securities or because of the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, against any of our incorporators, stockholders, officers or directors, past, present or future, or of any predecessor or successor entity thereof under any law, statute or constitutional provision or by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding or otherwise. Each holder, by accepting the senior debt securities, waives and releases all such liability.
Concerning the Trustee. The senior indenture provides that, except during the continuance of an event of default, the trustee will not be liable except for the performance of such duties as are specifically set forth in the senior indenture. If an event of default has occurred and is continuing, the trustee will exercise such rights and powers vested in it under the senior indenture and will use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise as a prudent person would exercise under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.
The senior indenture and the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act incorporated by reference therein contain limitations on the rights of the trustee thereunder, should it become a creditor of ours or any of our subsidiaries, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases or to realize on certain property received by it in respect of any such claims, as security or otherwise. The trustee is permitted to engage in other transactions, provided that if it acquires any conflicting interest (as defined in the Trust Indenture Act), it must eliminate such conflict or resign.
We may have normal banking relationships with the senior trustee in the ordinary course of business.
Unclaimed Funds. All funds deposited with the trustee or any paying agent for the payment of principal, premium, interest or additional amounts in respect of the senior debt securities that remain unclaimed for two years after the date upon which such amounts became due and payable will be repaid to us. Thereafter, any right of any holder of senior debt securities to such funds shall be enforceable only against us, and the trustee and paying agents will have no liability therefor.
Governing Law. The senior indenture and the senior debt securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of New York.
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Certain Terms of the Subordinated Debt Securities
Other than the terms of the subordinated indenture and subordinated debt securities relating to subordination or otherwise as described in the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of subordinated debt securities, the terms of the subordinated indenture and subordinated debt securities are identical in all material respects to the terms of the senior indenture and senior debt securities.
Additional or different subordination terms may be specified in the prospectus supplement applicable to a particular series.
Subordination. The indebtedness evidenced by the subordinated debt securities is subordinate to the prior payment in full of all of our senior indebtedness, as defined in the subordinated indenture. During the continuance beyond any applicable grace period of any default in the payment of principal, premium, interest or any other payment due on any of our senior indebtedness, we may not make any payment of principal of or interest on the subordinated debt securities (except for certain sinking fund payments). In addition, upon any payment or distribution of our assets upon any dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization, the payment of the principal of and interest on the subordinated debt securities will be subordinated to the extent provided in the subordinated indenture in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all our senior indebtedness. Because of this subordination, if we dissolve or otherwise liquidate, holders of our subordinated debt securities may receive less, ratably, than holders of our senior indebtedness. The subordination provisions do not prevent the occurrence of an event of default under the subordinated indenture.
The term “senior indebtedness” of a person means with respect to such person the principal of, premium, if any, interest on, and any other payment due pursuant to any of the following, whether outstanding on the date of the subordinated indenture or incurred by that person in the future:
| • | all of the indebtedness of that person for money borrowed; |
| • | all of the indebtedness of that person evidenced by notes, debentures, bonds or other securities sold by that person for money; |
| • | all of the lease obligations that are capitalized on the books of that person in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; |
| • | all indebtedness of others of the kinds described in the first two bullet points above and all lease obligations of others of the kind described in the third bullet point above that the person, in any manner, assumes or guarantees or that the person in effect guarantees through an agreement to purchase, whether that agreement is contingent or otherwise; and |
| • | all renewals, extensions or refundings of indebtedness of the kinds described in the first, second or fourth bullet point above and all renewals or extensions of leases of the kinds described in the third or fourth bullet point above; |
unless, in the case of any particular indebtedness, renewal, extension or refunding, the instrument creating or evidencing it or the assumption or guarantee relating to it expressly provides that such indebtedness, renewal, extension or refunding is not superior in right of payment to the subordinated debt securities. Our senior debt securities constitute senior indebtedness for purposes of the subordinated indenture.
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The following description of our capital stock is intended as a summary only and therefore is not a complete description of our capital stock. This description is based upon, and is qualified by reference to, our certificate of incorporation, our by-laws and applicable provisions of Delaware corporate law. You should read our certificate of incorporation and by-laws, which are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, for the provisions that are important to you.
Our authorized capital stock consists of 200,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.001 par value per share, and 15,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.001 par value per share, of which 100,000 shares have been designated as series A junior participating preferred stock. As of July 23, 2021, 53,700,729 shares of common stock were outstanding and no shares of preferred stock were outstanding.
Common Stock
Stockholder Meetings. Annual meetings of our stockholders are held on the date designated in accordance with our by-laws. Written notice must be mailed to each stockholder entitled to vote not less than ten nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting. The presence in person or by proxy of the holders of record of a majority of our issued and outstanding shares entitled to vote at such meeting constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business at meetings of the stockholders. Special meetings of the stockholders may be called for any purpose by our Board of Directors, our Chairman of the Board of Directors, our Chief Executive Officer or our President, but such special meetings may not be called by any other person or persons. Except as may be otherwise provided by applicable law, our restated certificate of incorporation or our by-laws, all elections shall be decided by a plurality, and all other questions shall be decided by a majority, of the votes cast by stockholders entitled to vote thereon at a duly held meeting of stockholders at which a quorum is present.
Voting Rights. The holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote per share with respect to each matter presented to our stockholders on which the holders of our common stock are entitled to vote and do not have cumulative voting rights. An election of directors by our stockholders is determined by a plurality of the votes cast by the stockholders entitled to vote on the election.
Dividends. Holders of our common stock are entitled to receive proportionately any dividends as may be declared by our board of directors, subject to any preferential dividend rights of outstanding preferred stock. However, we currently do not pay dividends on our common stock as of the date of this prospectus.
Liquidation and Dissolution. In the event of our liquidation or dissolution, the holders of our common stock are entitled to receive ratably all assets available for distribution to stockholders after the payment of all debts and other liabilities and subject to the prior rights of any outstanding preferred stock.
Other Rights. Holders of our common stock have no preemptive, subscription, redemption or conversion rights. The rights, preferences and privileges of holders of our common stock are subject to and may be adversely affected by the rights of the holders of shares of any series of preferred stock that we may designate and issue in the future.
Transfer Agent and Registrar. Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. is transfer agent and registrar for our common stock.
Preferred Stock
We are authorized to issue “blank check” preferred stock, which may be issued in one or more series upon authorization of our board of directors. Our board of directors is authorized to fix the designation of the series, the number of authorized shares of the series, dividend rights and terms, conversion rights, voting rights, redemption rights and terms, liquidation preferences and any other rights, powers, preferences and limitations applicable to each series of preferred stock. The authorized shares of our preferred stock are available for issuance without further action by our stockholders, unless such action is required by applicable law or the rules of any stock exchange on which our securities may be listed. If the approval of our stockholders is not required for the issuance of shares of
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our preferred stock, our board may determine not to seek stockholder approval. The specific terms of any series of preferred stock offered pursuant to this prospectus will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to that series of preferred stock. Currently, we have no shares of preferred stock outstanding. Our board of directors authorized 100,000 shares of series A junior participating preferred stock for issuance under our prior stockholder rights plan, which expired on November 14, 2016. See “Stockholder Rights Plan” below.
A series of our preferred stock could, depending on the terms of such series, impede the completion of a merger, tender offer or other takeover attempt. Our board of directors will make any determination to issue preferred shares based upon its judgment as to the best interests of our stockholders. Our directors, in so acting, could issue preferred stock having terms that could discourage an acquisition attempt through which an acquirer may be able to change the composition of our board of directors, including a tender offer or other transaction that some, or a majority, of our stockholders might believe to be in their best interests or in which stockholders might receive a premium for their stock over the then-current market price of the stock.
The preferred stock has the terms described below unless otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of preferred stock. You should read the prospectus supplement relating to the particular series of preferred stock being offered for specific terms, including:
| • | the designation and stated value per share of the preferred stock and the number of shares offered; |
| • | the amount of liquidation preference per share; |
| • | the price at which the preferred stock will be issued; |
| • | the dividend rate, or method of calculation of dividends, the dates on which dividends will be payable, whether dividends will be cumulative or noncumulative and, if cumulative, the dates from which dividends will commence to accumulate; |
| • | any redemption or sinking fund provisions; |
| • | if other than the currency of the United States, the currency or currencies including composite currencies in which the preferred stock is denominated and/or in which payments will or may be payable; |
| • | any conversion provisions; |
| • | whether we have elected to offer depositary shares as described under “Description of Depositary Shares;” and |
| • | any other rights, preferences, privileges, limitations and restrictions on the preferred stock. |
The preferred stock will, when issued, be fully paid and non-assessable. Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement, each series of preferred stock will rank equally as to dividends and liquidation rights in all respects with each other series of preferred stock. The rights of holders of shares of each series of preferred stock will be subordinate to those of our general creditors.
As described under “Description of Depositary Shares,” we may, at our option, with respect to any series of preferred stock, elect to offer fractional interests in shares of preferred stock, and provide for the issuance of depositary receipts representing depositary shares, each of which will represent a fractional interest in a share of the series of preferred stock. The fractional interest will be specified in the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of preferred stock.
Rank. Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement, the preferred stock will, with respect to dividend rights and rights upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs, rank:
| • | senior to our common stock and to all equity securities ranking junior to such preferred stock with respect to dividend rights or rights upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs; |
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| • | on parity with all equity securities issued by us, the terms of which specifically provide that such equity securities rank on parity with the preferred stock with respect to dividend rights or rights upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs; and |
| • | junior to all equity securities issued by us, the terms of which specifically provide that such equity securities rank senior to the preferred stock with respect to dividend rights or rights upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs. |
The term “equity securities” does not include convertible debt securities.
Dividends. Holders of the preferred stock of each series will be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by our board of directors, cash dividends at such rates and on such dates described in the prospectus supplement. Different series of preferred stock may be entitled to dividends at different rates or based on different methods of calculation. The dividend rate may be fixed or variable or both. Dividends will be payable to the holders of record as they appear on our stock books on record dates fixed by our board of directors, as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Dividends on any series of preferred stock may be cumulative or noncumulative, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. If our board of directors does not declare a dividend payable on a dividend payment date on any series of noncumulative preferred stock, then the holders of that noncumulative preferred stock will have no right to receive a dividend for that dividend payment date, and we will have no obligation to pay the dividend accrued for that period, whether or not dividends on that series are declared payable on any future dividend payment dates. Dividends on any series of cumulative preferred stock will accrue from the date we initially issue shares of such series or such other date specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.
No dividends may be declared or paid or funds set apart for the payment of any dividends on any parity securities unless full dividends have been paid or set apart for payment on the preferred stock. If full dividends are not paid, the preferred stock will share dividends pro rata with the parity securities.
No dividends may be declared or paid or funds set apart for the payment of dividends on any junior securities unless full dividends for all dividend periods terminating on or prior to the date of the declaration or payment will have been paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment set apart for payment on the preferred stock.
Liquidation Preference. Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs, then, before we make any distribution or payment to the holders of any common stock or any other class or series of our capital stock ranking junior to the preferred stock in the distribution of assets upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs, the holders of each series of preferred stock shall be entitled to receive out of assets legally available for distribution to stockholders, liquidating distributions in the amount of the liquidation preference per share set forth in the prospectus supplement, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends thereon. Such dividends will not include any accumulation in respect of unpaid noncumulative dividends for prior dividend periods. Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement, after payment of the full amount of their liquidating distributions, the holders of preferred stock will have no right or claim to any of our remaining assets. Upon any such voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, if our available assets are insufficient to pay the amount of the liquidating distributions on all outstanding preferred stock and the corresponding amounts payable on all other classes or series of our capital stock ranking on parity with the preferred stock and all other such classes or series of shares of capital stock ranking on parity with the preferred stock in the distribution of assets, then the holders of the preferred stock and all other such classes or series of capital stock will share ratably in any such distribution of assets in proportion to the full liquidating distributions to which they would otherwise be entitled.
Upon any such liquidation, dissolution or winding up and if we have made liquidating distributions in full to all holders of preferred stock, we will distribute our remaining assets among the holders of any other classes or series of capital stock ranking junior to the preferred stock according to their respective rights and preferences and, in each case, according to their respective number of shares. For such purposes, our consolidation or merger with or into any other corporation, trust or entity, or the sale, lease or conveyance of all or substantially all of our property or assets will not be deemed to constitute a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs.
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Redemption. If so provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, the preferred stock will be subject to mandatory redemption or redemption at our option, as a whole or in part, in each case upon the terms, at the times and at the redemption prices set forth in such prospectus supplement.
The prospectus supplement relating to a series of preferred stock that is subject to mandatory redemption will specify the number of shares of preferred stock that shall be redeemed by us in each year commencing after a date to be specified, at a redemption price per share to be specified, together with an amount equal to all accrued and unpaid dividends thereon to the date of redemption. Unless the shares have a cumulative dividend, such accrued dividends will not include any accumulation in respect of unpaid dividends for prior dividend periods. We may pay the redemption price in cash or other property, as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. If the redemption price for preferred stock of any series is payable only from the net proceeds of the issuance of shares of our capital stock, the terms of such preferred stock may provide that, if no such shares of our capital stock shall have been issued or to the extent the net proceeds from any issuance are insufficient to pay in full the aggregate redemption price then due, such preferred stock shall automatically and mandatorily be converted into the applicable shares of our capital stock pursuant to conversion provisions specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, we will not redeem any preferred stock of a series unless:
| • | if that series of preferred stock has a cumulative dividend, we have declared and paid or will contemporaneously declare and pay or set aside funds to pay full cumulative dividends on the preferred stock for all past dividend periods and the then current dividend period; or |
| • | if such series of preferred stock does not have a cumulative dividend, we have declared and paid or will contemporaneously declare and pay or set aside funds to pay full dividends for the then current dividend period. |
In addition, we will not acquire any preferred stock of a series unless:
| • | if that series of preferred stock has a cumulative dividend, we have declared and paid or will contemporaneously declare and pay or set aside funds to pay full cumulative dividends on all outstanding shares of such series of preferred stock for all past dividend periods and the then current dividend period; or |
| • | if that series of preferred stock does not have a cumulative dividend, we have declared and paid or will contemporaneously declare and pay or set aside funds to pay full dividends on the preferred stock of such series for the then current dividend period. |
However, at any time we may purchase or acquire preferred stock of that series (1) pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to holders of all outstanding preferred stock of such series or (2) by conversion into or exchange for shares of our capital stock ranking junior to the preferred stock of such series as to dividends and upon liquidation.
If fewer than all of the outstanding shares of preferred stock of any series are to be redeemed, we will determine the number of shares that may be redeemed pro rata from the holders of record of such shares in proportion to the number of such shares held or for which redemption is requested by such holder or by any other equitable manner that we determine. Such determination will reflect adjustments to avoid redemption of fractional shares.
Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement, we will mail notice of redemption at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each holder of record of preferred stock to be redeemed at the address shown on our stock transfer books. Each notice shall state:
| • | the redemption date; |
| • | the number of shares and series of preferred stock to be redeemed; |
| • | the redemption price; |
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| • | the place or places where certificates for such preferred stock are to be surrendered for payment of the redemption price; |
| • | that dividends on the shares to be redeemed will cease to accrue on such redemption date; |
| • | the date on which the holder’s conversion rights, if any, as to such shares shall terminate; and |
| • | the specific number of shares to be redeemed from each such holder if fewer than all the shares of any series are to be redeemed. |
If notice of redemption has been given and we have set aside the funds necessary for such redemption in trust for the benefit of the holders of any shares called for redemption, then from and after the redemption date, dividends will cease to accrue on such shares, and all rights of the holders of such shares will terminate, except the right to receive the redemption price.
Voting Rights. Holders of preferred stock will not have any voting rights, except as required by law or as indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Unless otherwise provided for under the terms of any series of preferred stock, no consent or vote of the holders of shares of preferred stock or any series thereof shall be required for any amendment to our certificate of incorporation that would increase the number of authorized shares of preferred stock or the number of authorized shares of any series thereof or decrease the number of authorized shares of preferred stock or the number of authorized shares of any series thereof (but not below the number of authorized shares of preferred stock or such series, as the case may be, then outstanding).
Conversion Rights. The terms and conditions, if any, upon which any series of preferred stock is convertible into our common stock will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement relating thereto. Such terms will include the number of shares of common stock into which the shares of preferred stock are convertible, the conversion price, rate or manner of calculation thereof, the conversion period, provisions as to whether conversion will be at our option or at the option of the holders of the preferred stock, the events requiring an adjustment of the conversion price and provisions affecting conversion in the event of the redemption.
Transfer Agent and Registrar. The transfer agent and registrar for the preferred stock will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Stockholder Rights Plan
Our Board of Directors may implement a stockholder rights plan without stockholder approval, which may have anti-takeover effects. We previously implemented a stockholder rights plan, which expired on November 14, 2016. Under our prior stockholder rights plan, we issued to each of our stockholders one preferred stock purchase right for each outstanding share of our common stock. Each right, when exercisable, would have entitled its holder to purchase from us a unit consisting of one one-thousandth of a share of series A junior participating preferred stock at a purchase price of $150 in cash, subject to adjustments. Our stockholder rights plan was intended to protect stockholders in the event of an unfair or coercive offer to acquire us and to provide our Board of Directors with adequate time to evaluate unsolicited offers.
Provisions of Our Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws and Delaware Law That May Have Anti-Takeover Effects
Our certificate of incorporation and by-laws and Delaware law contain provisions that could have the effect of delaying, deferring or discouraging another party from acquiring control of us. These provisions, which are summarized below, are expected to discourage coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids. These provisions are also designed to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to first negotiate with our board of directors.
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As of July 23, 2021, Fuad El-Hibri, our executive chairman, was the beneficial owner of approximately 9% of our outstanding common stock. As a result, Mr. El-Hibri has significant influence over the election of the members of our board of directors. The percentage ownership of our common stock by Mr. El-Hibri following the offering and sale of our securities under this prospectus will be summarized in the prospectus supplement relating to such offering. This control could discourage others from initiating a potential merger, takeover or other change of control transaction that other stockholders may view as beneficial.
Number of Directors. Subject to the rights of holders of any series of preferred stock to elect directors, our board of directors will establish the number of directors.
Staggered Board; Removal of Directors. Our certificate of incorporation and our by-laws divide our directors into three classes with staggered three-year terms. Our directors may be removed from office only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of holders of our capital stock representing at least 75% of the voting power of all outstanding stock entitled to vote.
Any vacancy on our board of directors, including a vacancy resulting from an enlargement of our board of directors, may be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of our directors present at a meeting duly held at which a quorum is present.
The classification of our board of directors and the limitations on the removal of directors and filling of vacancies could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire, or discourage a third party from seeking to acquire, control of our company.
Stockholder Action by Written Consent; Special Meetings. Our certificate of incorporation and our by-laws provide that any action required or permitted to be taken by our stockholders must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of such holders and may not be effected by any consent in writing by such holders. Our certificate of incorporation and our by-laws also provide that, except as otherwise required by law, special meetings of our stockholders can only be called by our board of directors, our chairman of the board or our president.
Advance Notice Requirements. Our by-laws establish an advance notice procedure for stockholder proposals to be brought before an annual meeting of stockholders, including proposed nominations of persons for election to the board of directors. Stockholders at an annual meeting may only consider proposals or nominations specified in the notice of meeting or brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the board of directors or by a stockholder of record on the record date for the meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who has delivered timely written notice in proper form to our secretary of the stockholder’s intention to bring such business before the meeting. These provisions could have the effect of delaying until the next stockholder meeting stockholder actions that are favored by the holders of a majority of our outstanding voting securities.
Delaware Business Combination Statute. We are subject to Section 203 of the DGCL (“Section 203”), which prohibits a Delaware corporation from engaging in business combinations with an interested stockholder. An interested stockholder is generally defined as an entity or person beneficially owning 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation or any entity or person affiliated with or controlling or controlled by such entity or person (“interested stockholder”). Section 203 provides that an interested stockholder may not engage in business combinations with the corporation for a period of three years after the date that such stockholder became an interested stockholder, with the following exceptions:
| • | before such date, the board of directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, and |
| • | 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; |
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| • | on or after such date, the business combination is approved by the board of directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of the stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder. |
In general, Section 203 defines business combinations to include the following:
| • | any merger or consolidation involving the corporation and the interested stockholder; |
| • | any sale, lease, transfer, pledge or other disposition of 10% or more of the assets of the corporation to or with 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. |
Super-Majority Voting. The DGCL provides generally that the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares entitled to vote on any matter is required to amend a corporation’s certificate of incorporation or by-laws, unless a corporation’s certificate of incorporation or by-laws, as the case may be, requires a greater percentage. The affirmative vote of holders of our capital stock representing at least 75% of the voting power of all outstanding stock entitled to vote is required to amend or repeal the provisions of our certificate of incorporation described in this section entitled “Provisions of Our Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws and Delaware Law That May Have Anti-Takeover Effects.” The affirmative vote of either a majority of the directors present at a meeting of our board of directors or holders of our capital stock representing at least 75% of the voting power of all outstanding stock entitled to vote is required to amend or repeal our by-laws.
Limitation of Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors
Our certificate of incorporation contains provisions permitted under the DGCL relating to the liability of directors. The provisions eliminate a director’s liability for monetary damages for a breach of fiduciary duty, except in circumstances involving wrongful acts, such as the breach of a director’s duty of loyalty or acts or omissions that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law. Further, our certificate of incorporation contains provisions to indemnify our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL. We have entered into agreements to indemnify our directors and executive officers. These agreements, among other things, provide that we will indemnify the director or executive officer to the fullest extent permitted by law for claims arising in his or her capacity as a director, officer, manager, employee, agent or representative of us. The indemnification agreements also establish the procedures that will apply in the event a director or officer makes a claim for indemnification.
Registration Rights
Biovac, L.L.C. and Intervac, L.L.C. hold an aggregate of 3,664,618 shares of our common stock as of July 23, 2021 and have the right to require us to register these shares of common stock under the Securities Act under specified circumstances, including any additional shares issued or distributed by way of a dividend, stock split or other distribution in respect of these shares.
Demand Registration Rights. Subject to specified limitations, holders of these registration rights may require that we register all or part of our common stock subject to the registration rights for sale under the Securities Act. These holders may demand registration of our common stock so long as the aggregate offering price to the public of the shares requested to be registered is at least $25,000,000. We are required to effect only one demand registration, subject to specified exceptions.
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Incidental Registration Rights. If we propose to file a registration statement under the Securities Act either for our own account or for the account of other stockholders (other than in connection with a registration statement on Form S-8 or Form S-4 or to cover securities proposed to be issued in exchange for securities or assets of another corporation), the holders of registrable shares will be entitled to notice of the registration and we will be required to use our commercially reasonable efforts to register all or a portion of any registrable shares then held by such holders that they request that we register. In the event that any registration in which the holders of registrable shares participate pursuant to our stockholders agreement is an underwritten public offering, we agree to enter into an underwriting agreement containing such terms as are customary.
Limitations and Expenses. With specified exceptions, the right to include shares in a registration is subject to the right of underwriters for the offering to limit the number of shares included in the offering. We are required to pay one-half of all fees, costs and expenses of any demand registration, other than underwriting discounts and commissions.
DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES
General
We may, at our option, elect to offer fractional shares of preferred stock, which we call depositary shares, rather than full shares of preferred stock. If we do, we will issue to the public receipts, called depositary receipts, for depositary shares, each of which will represent a fraction, to be described in the applicable prospectus supplement, of a share of a particular series of preferred stock. Unless otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement, each owner of a depositary share will be entitled, in proportion to the applicable fractional interest in a share of preferred stock represented by the depositary share, to all the rights and preferences of the preferred stock represented by the depositary share. Those rights include dividend, voting, redemption, conversion and liquidation rights.
The shares of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares will be deposited with a bank or trust company selected by us to act as depositary under a deposit agreement between us, the depositary and the holders of the depositary receipts. The depositary will be the transfer agent, registrar and dividend disbursing agent for the depositary shares.
The depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued pursuant to the deposit agreement. Holders of depositary receipts agree to be bound by the deposit agreement, which requires holders to take certain actions such as filing proof of residence and paying certain charges.
The summary of terms of the depositary shares contained in this prospectus is not a complete description of the terms of the depositary shares. You should refer to the form of the deposit agreement, our certificate of incorporation and the certificate of designation for the applicable series of preferred stock that are, or will be, filed with the SEC.
Dividends and Other Distributions
The depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other cash distributions, if any, received in respect of the preferred stock underlying the depositary shares to the record holders of depositary shares in proportion to the numbers of depositary shares owned by those holders on the relevant record date. The relevant record date for depositary shares will be the same date as the record date for the underlying preferred stock.
If there is a distribution other than in cash, the depositary will distribute property (including securities) received by it to the record holders of depositary shares, unless the depositary determines that it is not feasible to make the distribution. If this occurs, the depositary may, with our approval, adopt another method for the distribution, including selling the property and distributing the net proceeds from the sale to the holders.
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Liquidation Preference
If a series of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares has a liquidation preference, in the event of the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of us, holders of depositary shares will be entitled to receive the fraction of the liquidation preference accorded each share of the applicable series of preferred stock, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Withdrawal of Stock
Unless the related depositary shares have been previously called for redemption, upon surrender of the depositary receipts at the office of the depositary, the holder of the depositary shares will be entitled to delivery, at the office of the depositary to or upon his or her order, of the number of whole shares of the preferred stock and any money or other property represented by the depositary shares. If the depositary receipts delivered by the holder evidence a number of depositary shares in excess of the number of depositary shares representing the number of whole shares of preferred stock to be withdrawn, the depositary will deliver to the holder at the same time a new depositary receipt evidencing the excess number of depositary shares. In no event will the depositary deliver fractional shares of preferred stock upon surrender of depositary receipts. Holders of preferred stock thus withdrawn may not thereafter deposit those shares under the deposit agreement or receive depositary receipts evidencing depositary shares therefor.
Redemption of Depositary Shares
Whenever we redeem shares of preferred stock held by the depositary, the depositary will redeem as of the same redemption date the number of depositary shares representing shares of the preferred stock so redeemed, so long as we have paid in full to the depositary the redemption price of the preferred stock to be redeemed plus an amount equal to any accumulated and unpaid dividends on the preferred stock to the date fixed for redemption. The redemption price per depositary share will be equal to the redemption price and any other amounts per share payable on the preferred stock multiplied by the fraction of a share of preferred stock represented by one depositary share. If less than all the depositary shares are to be redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected by lot or pro rata or by any other equitable method as may be determined by the depositary.
After the date fixed for redemption, depositary shares called for redemption will no longer be deemed to be outstanding and all rights of the holders of depositary shares will cease, except the right to receive the monies payable upon redemption and any money or other property to which the holders of the depositary shares were entitled upon redemption upon surrender to the depositary of the depositary receipts evidencing the depositary shares.
Voting the Preferred Stock
Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of the preferred stock are entitled to vote, the depositary will mail the information contained in the notice of meeting to the record holders of the depositary receipts relating to that preferred stock. The record date for the depositary receipts relating to the preferred stock will be the same date as the record date for the preferred stock. Each record holder of the depositary shares on the record date will be entitled to instruct the depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights pertaining to the number of shares of preferred stock represented by that holder’s depositary shares. The depositary will endeavor, insofar as practicable, to vote the number of shares of preferred stock represented by the depositary shares in accordance with those instructions, and we will agree to take all action that may be deemed necessary by the depositary in order to enable the depositary to do so. The depositary will not vote any shares of preferred stock except to the extent it receives specific instructions from the holders of depositary shares representing that number of shares of preferred stock.
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Charges of Depositary
We will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the existence of the depositary arrangements. We will pay charges of the depositary in connection with the initial deposit of the preferred stock and any redemption of the preferred stock. Holders of depositary receipts will pay transfer, income and other taxes and governmental charges and such other charges (including those in connection with the receipt and distribution of dividends, the sale or exercise of rights, the withdrawal of the preferred stock and the transferring, splitting or grouping of depositary receipts) as are expressly provided in the deposit agreement to be for their accounts. If these charges have not been paid by the holders of depositary receipts, the depositary may refuse to transfer depositary shares, withhold dividends and distributions and sell the depositary shares evidenced by the depositary receipt.
Amendment and Termination of the Deposit Agreement
The form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares and any provision of the deposit agreement may be amended by agreement between us and the depositary. However, any amendment that materially and adversely alters the rights of the holders of depositary shares, other than fee changes, will not be effective unless the amendment has been approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding depositary shares. The deposit agreement may be terminated by the depositary or us only if:
| • | all outstanding depositary shares have been redeemed; or |
| • | there has been a final distribution of the preferred stock in connection with our dissolution and such distribution has been made to all the holders of depositary shares. |
Resignation and Removal of Depositary
The depositary may resign at any time by delivering to us notice of its election to do so, and we may remove the depositary at any time. Any resignation or removal of the depositary will take effect upon our appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment. The successor depositary must be appointed within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal and must be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the United States and having the requisite combined capital and surplus as set forth in the applicable agreement.
Notices
The depositary will forward to holders of depositary receipts all notices, reports and other communications, including proxy solicitation materials received from us, that are delivered to the depositary and that we are required to furnish to the holders of the preferred stock. In addition, the depositary will make available for inspection by holders of depositary receipts at the principal office of the depositary, and at such other places as it may from time to time deem advisable, any reports and communications we deliver to the depositary as the holder of preferred stock.
Limitation of Liability
Neither we nor the depositary will be liable if either we or it is prevented or delayed by law or any circumstance beyond its control in performing its obligations. Our obligations and those of the depositary will be limited to performance in good faith of our and their duties thereunder. We and the depositary will not be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding in respect of any depositary shares or preferred stock unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished. We and the depositary may rely upon written advice of counsel or accountants, on information provided by persons presenting preferred stock for deposit, holders of depositary receipts or other persons believed to be competent to give such information and on documents believed to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties.
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We may issue units comprised of one or more of the other securities that may be offered under this prospectus, in any combination. The following, together with the additional information we may include in the applicable prospectus supplement, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the units that we may offer under this prospectus. While the terms summarized below will apply generally to any units we may offer, we will describe the particular terms of any series of units in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. The unit agreement under which a unit is issued may provide that the securities included in the unit may not be held or transferred separately at any time, or at any time before a specified date. Any applicable prospectus supplement will describe:
| • | the material terms of the units and of the securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances those securities may be held or transferred separately; |
| • | any material provisions relating to the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units or of the securities comprising the units; and |
| • | any material provisions of the governing unit agreement that differ from those described above. |
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We may issue warrants to purchase common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares or debt securities. We may offer warrants separately or together with one or more additional warrants, common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares or debt securities, or any combination of those securities in the form of units, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. If we issue warrants as part of a unit, the accompanying prospectus supplement will specify whether those warrants may be separated from the other securities in the unit prior to the expiration date of the warrants. The applicable prospectus supplement will also describe the following terms of any warrants:
| • | the specific designation and aggregate number of, and the offering price at which we will issue, the warrants; |
| • | the currency or currency units in which the offering price, if any, and the exercise price are payable; |
| • | the date on which the right to exercise the warrants will begin and the date on which that right will expire or, if you may not continuously exercise the warrants throughout that period, the specific date or dates on which you may exercise the warrants; |
| • | whether the warrants are to be sold separately or with other securities as parts of units; |
| • | whether the warrants will be issued in definitive or global form or in any combination of these forms, although, in any case, the form of a warrant included in a unit will correspond to the form of the unit and of any security included in that unit; |
| • | any applicable material U.S. federal income tax consequences; |
| • | the identity of the warrant agent for the warrants and of any other depositaries, execution or paying agents, transfer agents, registrars or other agents; |
| • | the proposed listing, if any, of the warrants or any securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants on any securities exchange; |
| • | the designation and terms of any equity securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants; |
| • | the designation, aggregate principal amount, currency and terms of any debt securities that may be purchased upon exercise of the warrants; |
| • | if applicable, the designation and terms of the preferred stock or depositary shares with which the warrants are issued and the number of warrants issued with each security; |
| • | if applicable, the date from and after which any warrants issued as part of a unit and the related debt securities, preferred stock, depositary shares or common stock will be separately transferable; |
| • | the number of shares of common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares purchasable upon exercise of a warrant and the price at which those shares may be purchased; |
| • | if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of the warrants that may be exercised at any one time; |
| • | information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any; |
| • | the anti-dilution provisions of, and other provisions for changes to or adjustment in the exercise price of, the warrants, if any; |
| • | any redemption or call provisions; and |
| • | any additional terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange or exercise of the warrants. |
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Each debt security, depositary share, unit and warrant will be represented either by a certificate issued in definitive form to a particular investor or by one or more global securities representing the entire issuance of securities. Unless the applicable prospectus supplement provides otherwise, certificated securities in definitive form and global securities will be issued in registered form. Definitive securities name you or your nominee as the owner of the security, and in order to transfer or exchange these securities or to receive payments other than interest or other interim payments, you or your nominee must physically deliver the securities to the trustee, registrar, paying agent or other agent, as applicable. Global securities name a depositary or its nominee as the owner of the debt securities, depositary shares, units or warrants represented by these global securities. The depositary maintains a computerized system that will reflect each investor’s beneficial ownership of the securities through an account maintained by the investor with its broker/dealer, bank, trust company or other representative, as we explain more fully below.
Global Securities
We may issue the debt securities, depositary shares, units and warrants in the form of one or more fully registered global securities that will be deposited with a depositary or its nominee identified in the applicable prospectus supplement and registered in the name of that depositary or nominee. In those cases, one or more global securities will be issued in a denomination or aggregate denominations equal to the portion of the aggregate principal or face amount of the securities to be represented by global securities. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole for securities in definitive registered form, a global security may not be transferred except as a whole by and among the depositary for the global security, the nominees of the depositary or any successors of the depositary or those nominees.
If not described below, any specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any securities to be represented by a global security will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to those securities. We anticipate that the following provisions will apply to all depositary arrangements.
Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be limited to persons, called participants, that have accounts with the depositary or persons that may hold interests through participants. Upon the issuance of a global security, the depositary will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the participants’ accounts with the respective principal or face amounts of the securities beneficially owned by the participants. Any dealers, underwriters or agents participating in the distribution of the securities will designate the accounts to be credited. Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be shown on, and the transfer of ownership interests will be effected only through, records maintained by the depositary, with respect to interests of participants, and on the records of participants, with respect to interests of persons holding through participants. The laws of some states may require that some purchasers of securities take physical delivery of these securities in definitive form. These laws may impair your ability to own, transfer or pledge beneficial interests in global securities.
So long as the depositary, or its nominee, is the registered owner of a global security, that depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the securities represented by the global security for all purposes under the applicable indenture, deposit agreement, warrant agreement or unit agreement. Except as described below, owners of beneficial interests in a global security will not be entitled to have the securities represented by the global security registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of the securities in definitive form and will not be considered the owners or holders of the securities under the applicable indenture, deposit agreement, unit agreement or warrant agreement. Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in a global security must rely on the procedures of the depositary for that global security and, if that person is not a participant, on the procedures of the participant through which the person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder under the applicable indenture, deposit agreement, unit agreement or warrant agreement. We understand that under existing industry practices, if we request any action of holders or if an owner of a beneficial interest in a global security desires to give or take any action that a holder is entitled to give or take under the applicable indenture, deposit agreement, unit agreement or warrant agreement, the depositary for the global security would authorize the participants holding the relevant beneficial interests to give or take that action, and the participants would authorize beneficial owners owning through them to give or take that action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners holding through them.
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Principal, premium, if any, and interest payments on debt securities, and any payments to holders with respect to depositary shares, warrants, or units, represented by a global security registered in the name of a depositary or its nominee will be made to the depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner of the global security. None of us, or any trustee, warrant agent, unit agent or other agent of ours, or any agent of any trustee, warrant agent or unit agent will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in the global security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to those beneficial ownership interests.
We expect that the depositary for any of the securities represented by a global security, upon receipt of any payment to holders of principal, premium, interest or other distribution of underlying securities or other property on that registered global security, will immediately credit participants’ accounts in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in that global security as shown on the records of the depositary. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in a global security held through participants will be governed by standing customer instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with the securities held for the accounts of customers or registered in “street name,” and will be the responsibility of those participants.
If the depositary for any of the securities represented by a global security is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as depositary or ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and a successor depositary registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act is not appointed by us within 90 days, we will issue securities in definitive form in exchange for the global security that had been held by the depositary. Any securities issued in definitive form in exchange for a global security will be registered in the name or names that the depositary gives to the relevant trustee, warrant agent, unit agent or other relevant agent of ours or theirs. It is expected that the depositary’s instructions will be based upon directions received by the depositary from participants with respect to ownership of beneficial interests in the global security that had been held by the depositary.
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We or any selling security holder may sell securities:
| • | through underwriters; |
| • | through dealers; |
| • | through agents; |
| • | directly to purchasers; or |
| • | through a combination of any of these methods of sale. |
In addition, we may issue the securities as a dividend or distribution or in a subscription rights offering to our existing security holders. This prospectus may be used in connection with any offering of our securities through any of these methods or other methods described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
We or any selling security holder may directly solicit offers to purchase securities, or agents may be designated to solicit such offers. We will, in the prospectus supplement relating to such offering, name any agent that could be viewed as an underwriter under the Securities Act, and describe any commissions that we must pay. Any such agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment or, if indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, on a firm commitment basis.
The distribution of the securities may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions:
| • | at a fixed price, or prices, which may be changed from time to time; |
| • | at market prices prevailing at the time of sale; |
| • | at prices related to such prevailing market prices; or |
| • | at negotiated prices. |
We may also engage in “at the market” offerings, as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, including sales made directly on the NYSE or sales made to or through a market maker other than on an exchange.
Each prospectus supplement will describe the method of distribution of the securities and any applicable restrictions.
The prospectus supplement with respect to the securities of a particular series will describe the terms of the offering of the securities, including the following:
| • | the name of the agent or any underwriters; |
| • | the public offering or purchase price and the proceeds we will receive from the sale of the securities; |
| • | any discounts and commissions to be allowed or re-allowed or paid to the agent or underwriters; |
| • | all other items constituting underwriting compensation; |
| • | any discounts and commissions to be allowed or re-allowed or paid to dealers; and |
| • | any exchanges on which the securities will be listed. |
If any underwriters or agents are utilized in the sale of the securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered, we will enter into an underwriting agreement or other agreement with them at the time of sale to them, and we will set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to such offering the names of the underwriters or agents and the terms of the related agreement with them.
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If a dealer is utilized in the sale of the securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered, we or any selling security holder will sell such securities to the dealer, as principal. The dealer may then resell such securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by such dealer at the time of resale.
If we offer securities in a subscription rights offering to our existing security holders, we may enter into a standby underwriting agreement with dealers, acting as standby underwriters. We may pay the standby underwriters a commitment fee for the securities they commit to purchase on a standby basis. If we do not enter into a standby underwriting arrangement, we may retain a dealer-manager to manage a subscription rights offering for us.
Remarketing firms, agents, underwriters, dealers and other persons may be entitled under agreements which they may enter into with us to indemnification by us against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of business.
If so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we or any selling security holder will authorize underwriters or other persons acting as our agents to solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase securities from us pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on the date stated in the prospectus supplement. Each contract will be for an amount not less than, and the aggregate amount of securities sold pursuant to such contracts shall not be less nor more than, the respective amounts stated in the prospectus supplement. Institutions with whom the contracts, when authorized, may be made include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and charitable institutions and other institutions, but shall in all cases be subject to our approval. Delayed delivery contracts will not be subject to any conditions except that:
| • | the purchase by an institution of the securities covered under that contract shall not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of the jurisdiction to which that institution is subject; and |
| • | if the securities are also being sold to underwriters acting as principals for their own account, the underwriters shall have purchased such securities not sold for delayed delivery. The underwriters and other persons acting as our agents will not have any responsibility in respect of the validity or performance of delayed delivery contracts. |
Certain agents, underwriters and dealers, and their associates and affiliates may be customers of, have borrowing relationships with, engage in other transactions with, and/or perform services, including investment banking services, for us or one or more of our respective affiliates or any selling security holder in the ordinary course of business.
In order to facilitate the offering of the securities, any underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the securities or any other securities the prices of which may be used to determine payments on such securities. Specifically, any underwriters may overallot in connection with the offering, creating a short position for their own accounts. In addition, to cover overallotments or to stabilize the price of the securities or of any such other securities, the underwriters may bid for, and purchase, the securities or any such other securities in the open market. Finally, in any offering of the securities through a syndicate of underwriters, the underwriting syndicate may reclaim selling concessions allowed to an underwriter or a dealer for distributing the securities in the offering if the syndicate repurchases previously distributed securities in transactions to cover syndicate short positions, in stabilization transactions or otherwise. Any of these activities may stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities above independent market levels. Any such underwriters are not required to engage in these activities and may end any of these activities at any time.
Under Rule 15c6-1 of the Exchange Act, trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in two business days, unless the parties to any such trade expressly agree otherwise or the securities are sold by us to an underwriter in a firm commitment underwritten offering. The applicable prospectus supplement may provide that the original issue date for your securities may be more than two scheduled business days after the trade date for your securities. Accordingly, in such a case, if you wish to trade securities on any date prior to the second business day before the original issue date for your securities, you will be required, by virtue of the fact that your securities initially are expected to settle more than two scheduled business days after the trade date for your securities, to make alternative settlement arrangements to prevent a failed settlement.
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The securities may be new issues of securities and may have no established trading market. The securities may or may not be listed on a national securities exchange. We can make no assurance as to the liquidity of or the existence of trading markets for any of the securities.
Unless the applicable prospectus supplement indicates otherwise, the validity of each of the offered securities when, and if issued hereunder, will be passed upon for us by Daniel Woubishet, Associate General Counsel and Assistant Corporate Secretary of the company. Mr. Woubishet is compensated by the company as an employee and holds awards granted under the company’s Stock Incentive Plan.
Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, has audited our consolidated financial statements and schedule included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, as set forth in their reports, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement. Our financial statements and schedule are incorporated by reference in reliance on Ernst & Young LLP’s reports, given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
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$150,000,000
Common Stock
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
| Evercore ISI | RBC Capital Markets |
May 18, 2023
