Tricida (TCDAQ) 424B5 Prospectus supplement for primary offering

Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)5)
Registration No. 333-252359

4,666,667 Shares of Common Stock

Pre-Funded Warrants to Purchase up to 2,333,333 Shares of Common Stock

Common Warrants to Purchase up to 7,000,000 Shares of Common Stock

We are offering directly 4,666,667 shares of our common stock at $6.00 per share, pre-funded warrants to purchase up to 2,333,333 shares of common stock, common warrants to purchase up to 7,000,000 shares of common stock, the shares of common stock and pre-funded warrants that are issuable from time to time upon exercise of the common warrants, and the shares of common stock that are issuable from time to time upon exercise of the pre-funded warrants, to one or more institutional investors and a member of our management team (the “Investors”). The shares of common stock and pre-funded warrants, and the accompanying common warrants, can only be purchased together in this offering but will be issued separately and will be immediately separable upon issuance.

The pre-funded warrants will be immediately exercisable, subject to the limitations described in the section “Description of the Securities We Are Offering—Pre-Funded Warrants—Exercisability,” and may be exercised at any time until the earliest of the fifth anniversary of the date the issuance of the common warrants, the date they are exercised in full or immediately prior to the closing of a fundamental transaction (as described in the section “Description of the Securities We Are Offering—Pre-Funded Warrants”). The purchase price of each pre-funded warrant sold in this offering will be equal to the price at which a share of common stock is sold in this offering, and the exercise price of each pre-funded warrant will be $0.001 per share. Holders of the pre-funded warrant shall not be entitled to the return or refund of all, or any portion, of such pre-paid aggregate exercise price, including in the event the pre-funded warrant shall not have been exercised prior to its expiration date.

The common warrants may be exercised for shares of common stock or, in certain circumstances as described below, pre-funded warrants, at any time on or after the date that is six months after the date of their issuance, will have an initial exercise price of $11.00 per share of common stock or per pre-funded warrant to purchase a share of common stock and are exercisable until their expiration date, which will be the date that is the earliest of: (a) the third anniversary of the date of their issuance, (b) immediately prior to the closing of a fundamental transaction (as described in the section “Description of the Securities We Are Offering—Common Warrants) or (c) the occurrence of certain other events as described in the section “Description of the Securities We Are Offering—Common Warrants—Expiration Date.”

Investors whose exercise of common warrants to purchase additional common stock would otherwise result in the Investor, together with its affiliates and certain related parties, beneficially owning more than 9.99% (or upon election by such Investor, up to 19.99%) of our outstanding common stock, will have the opportunity to purchase, if any such Investor so chooses, pre-funded warrants, in lieu of shares of common stock, that would otherwise result in such purchaser’s beneficial ownership exceeding 9.99% (or upon election by such purchaser, up to 19.99%) of our outstanding common stock. The purchase price of each pre-funded warrant issuable upon exercise of a common warrant will be equal to the price at which a share of common stock is issuable upon the exercise of a common warrant.

Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, or Nasdaq, under the symbol “TCDA.” On November 12, 2021, the last reported sale price of our common stock was $5.46 per share.

There is no established public trading market for the pre-funded warrants or the common warrants and we do not expect a market to develop. Without an active trading market, the liquidity of the warrants will be limited. In addition, we do not intend to list the pre-funded warrants or the common warrants on Nasdaq, any other national securities exchange or any other trading system.

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Before making an investment decision, please read “Risk Factors ” beginning on page S-5 of this prospectus supplement and page 28 of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2021, each of which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

Delivery of the shares of common stock is expected to be made on or about November 15, 2021.

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 supplement or the accompanying prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this prospectus supplement is November 12, 2021

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prospectus Supplement

	Page
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT		S-1
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY		S-2
RISK FACTORS		S-5
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS		S-7
USE OF PROCEEDS		S-9
DIVIDEND POLICY		S-9
DILUTION		S-10
DESCRIPTION OF THE SECURITIES WE ARE OFFERING		S-12
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION		S-15
MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS		S-16
LEGAL MATTERS		S-23
EXPERTS		S-23
INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE		S-23

Prospectus

	Page
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS		1
THE COMPANY		2
RISK FACTORS		3
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS		4
USE OF PROCEEDS		5
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK		6
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES		11
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS		19
DESCRIPTION OF UNITS		21
DESCRIPTION OF RIGHTS		22
LEGAL OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES		24
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION		27
LEGAL MATTERS		30
EXPERTS		30
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION		30
INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE		30

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are part of a “shelf” registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-252359) that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and was declared effective on March 22, 2021.

This document is in two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes the terms of this offering and also adds to and updates information contained in the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. The second part is the accompanying prospectus, which gives more general information about the shares of our common stock and other securities we may offer from time to time under our shelf registration statement, some of which does not apply to the securities offered by this prospectus supplement. To the extent there is a conflict between the information contained in this prospectus supplement, on the one hand, and the information contained in the accompanying prospectus or any document incorporated by reference herein or therein, on the other hand, you should rely on the information in this prospectus supplement.

You should read this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering before making an investment decision. You should also read and consider the information in the documents referred to in the sections of this prospectus supplement entitled “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.”

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it.

The information appearing in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering is accurate only as of its respective date, regardless of the time of delivery of the respective document or of any sale of securities covered by this prospectus supplement. You should not assume that the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, or in any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering, is accurate as of any date other than the respective dates thereof.

This prospectus supplement is an offer to sell only the securities offered hereby, and only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so. We are not making an offer to sell these securities in any state or jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

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PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY

This summary description about us and our business highlights selected information contained elsewhere in this prospectus supplement or incorporated in this prospectus supplement by reference. This summary does not contain all of the information you should consider before buying securities in this offering. You should carefully read this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including each of the documents incorporated herein or therein by reference, before making an investment decision. As used in this prospectus supplement, “we,” “us,” “Tricida” and “our” refer to Tricida, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

The Company

Overview

Our goal is to slow the progression of chronic kidney disease, or CKD, in patients with metabolic acidosis and CKD. We are a pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of our investigational drug candidate, veverimer (also known as TRC101), a non-absorbed, orally-administered polymer designed to treat metabolic acidosis and slow CKD progression by binding and removing acid from the gastrointestinal tract. Metabolic acidosis is a serious condition commonly caused by CKD and is believed to accelerate the progression of kidney deterioration. It can also lead to bone loss, muscle wasting and impaired physical function. Metabolic acidosis in patients with CKD is typically a chronic disease and, as such, requires long-term treatment to mitigate its deleterious consequences.

There are currently no therapies approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, to slow progression of kidney disease by correcting chronic metabolic acidosis in patients with CKD. We estimate that metabolic acidosis affects approximately 3 million patients with CKD in the United States, and we believe that slowing the progression of CKD in patients with metabolic acidosis and CKD represents a significant unmet medical need and market opportunity. In addition, considering that acid retention is thought to occur in patients with CKD prior to clinical diagnosis of metabolic acidosis (serum bicarbonate less than 22 mEq/L), we believe there may be potential to pursue a development pathway for veverimer which, with additional data, could expand the market opportunity beyond metabolic acidosis to include patients with CKD and eubicarbonatemia, also known as latent acidosis, who may also benefit from a therapy that aids in acid removal.

Veverimer is an in-house discovered, new chemical entity. We have a broad intellectual property estate that we believe will provide patent protection for veverimer until at least 2038 in the United States, at least 2035 in Europe, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Mexico and Russia, and at least 2034 in Australia, China, and certain other markets.

Corporate Information

We were incorporated under the laws of the state of Delaware on May 22, 2013 and were granted certification of qualification in the state of California on August 5, 2013. Our principal offices are located at 7000 Shoreline Court, Suite 201, South San Francisco, California. Our telephone number is (415) 429-7800. Our website is www.tricida.com. The information on, or that can be accessed through, our website address is not part of this prospectus supplement and is not incorporated by reference herein.

Trademarks

Tricida and our logo are some of our tradenames used in this prospectus supplement and in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement. This prospectus supplement also includes trademarks, tradenames, and service marks that are the property of other organizations. Solely for convenience, our trademarks and tradenames referred to in this prospectus supplement or in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement appear without the ^™ or ^® symbol, but those references are not intended to indicate, in any way, that we will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our rights, or the right of the applicable licensor to these trademarks and tradenames.

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The Offering

Common stock offered by us in this offering and price. 4,666,667 shares at $6.00 per share.

Pre-funded warrants offered by us in this offering The pre-funded warrants will be exercisable to purchase up to 2,333,333 shares of common stock. The purchase price of each pre-funded warrant sold in this offering will be equal to the price at which a share of common stock is sold in this offering and the exercise price of each pre-funded warrant will be $0.001 per share. Holders of the pre-funded warrant shall not be entitled to the return or refund of all, or any portion, of such pre-paid aggregate exercise price, including in the event the pre-funded warrant shall not have been exercised prior to its expiration date. The pre-funded warrants will be, subject to certain limitations, immediately exercisable and may be exercised until the earliest of the fifth anniversary of the date of their issuance, the date they are exercised in full or immediately prior to the closing of a fundamental transaction. This offering also relates to the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of any pre-funded warrants sold in this offering.

For more information, see the section “Description of the Securities We Are Offering” on page S-12 of this prospectus supplement.

Common warrants offered by us in this offering Warrants to purchase up to 7,000,000 shares of common stock or, in certain limited circumstances as described below, pre-funded warrants, which may be exercised at any time on or after the date that is six months after the date of issuance. The warrants are exercisable until the earliest of: (a) the third anniversary of the date of their issuance, (b) immediately prior to the closing of a fundamental transaction (as described in the section “Description of the Securities We Are Offering—Common Warrants) or (c) the occurrence of certain other events as described in the section “Description of the Securities We Are Offering—Common Warrants—Expiration Date.” The common warrants will have an initial exercise price of $11.00 per share of common stock or, in the limited circumstances described below, per pre-funded warrant to purchase a share of common stock.

Investors whose exercise of common warrants to purchase additional common stock would otherwise result in the Investor, together with its affiliates and certain related parties, beneficially owning more than 9.99% (or upon election by such Investor, up to 19.99%) of our outstanding common stock, will have the opportunity to purchase, if any such Investor so chooses, pre-funded warrants, in lieu of shares of common stock, that would otherwise result in such purchaser’s beneficial ownership exceeding 9.99% (or upon election by such purchaser, up to 19.99%) of our outstanding common stock. The purchase price of each pre-funded warrant issuable upon exercise of a common warrant will be equal to the price at which a share of common stock is issuable upon the exercise of a common warrant.

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Common stock to be outstanding after this offering 57,447,578 shares, assuming the exercise in full of all pre-funded warrants issued in this offering and no exercise of any common warrants issued in this offering.

Use of proceeds We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering to fund our corporate operations, including the VALOR-CKD renal outcomes trial. See “Use of Proceeds.”

Insider Participation An entity affiliated with a holder of 5.0% or more of our capital stock and a member of our management team, will purchase an aggregate of approximately $5 million of shares of our common stock and common warrants in this offering on the same terms as the other purchasers in this offering.

Risk factors See “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-5 of this prospectus supplement and page 28 of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2021, each of which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

Nasdaq Global Select Market symbol Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “TCDA.”

The number of shares of our common stock shown above to be outstanding after the completion of this offering is based on 50,447,578 shares of our common stock outstanding as of September 30, 2021, and excludes:

• 10,991,576 shares of common stock, with a weighted-average exercise price of $11.15 per share, issuable upon exercise of stock options outstanding and 151,418 shares of common stock issuable upon vesting of restricted stock units outstanding as of September 30, 2021 under our 2018 Equity Incentive Plan;

• 1,274,880 shares of common stock reserved for issuance pursuant to future awards under our 2018 Equity Incentive Plan, as of September 30, 2021, plus any future increases in the number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance under our 2018 Equity Incentive Plan pursuant to provisions thereof that automatically increase the share reserve under the plan each year;

• 2,029,882 shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under our 2018 employee stock purchase plan, or the ESPP, plus any future increases in the number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance under the ESPP pursuant to provisions thereof that automatically increase the share reserve under the plan each year;

• 5,000,000 shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under our 2020 Inducement Plan, or the Inducement Plan;

• 31,352 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants held by Hercules Capital, Inc. and Hercules Technology III, L.P. as of September 30, 2021; and

• 6,019,560 shares of common stock that would be issued upon conversion of our outstanding 3.50% convertible senior notes due 2027.

Except as otherwise indicated, the information in this prospectus assumes no exercise of the outstanding stock options and no share issuances pursuant to the exercise of any warrants subsequent to September 30, 2021. Unless otherwise indicated, all information contained in this prospectus supplement assumes no exercise of any common warrants issued in this offering.

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RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Before deciding whether to invest in our securities, you should consider carefully the risks discussed below, together with the risks under the heading “Risk Factors” under Part II, Item IA of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2021, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 8, 2021, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, as well as the other information in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference and in any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering. If any of the identified risks actually occur, they could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, operating results or prospects and the trading price of our securities. Additional risks and uncertainties that we do not presently know or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business, financial condition, operating results and prospects and the trading price of our securities.

Additional Risks Related to Our Common Stock and This Offering

Management will have broad discretion as to the use of the proceeds from this offering, if any, and may not use the proceeds effectively.

We currently anticipate that any net proceeds from this offering will be used for general corporate purposes, including the continued execution of our VALOR-CKD trial. Our management will have broad discretion as to the application of the net proceeds from this offering, if any, and could use them for purposes other than those contemplated at the time of the offering. Our management may use the net proceeds for corporate purposes that may not improve our financial condition or market value.

If you purchase our common stock, pre-funded warrants and common warrants in this offering, you will incur immediate and substantial dilution in the book value of your shares.

The combined offering price in this offering is substantially higher than the net tangible book value per share of our common stock. Investors purchasing common stock and warrants in this offering will pay a price per share that substantially exceeds the book value of our tangible assets after subtracting our liabilities. As a result, investors purchasing common stock and warrants in this offering will incur immediate dilution of $5.25 per share, based on the combined offering price of $6.00 per share.

As a result of the dilution to investors purchasing shares in this offering, investors may receive significantly less than the purchase price paid in this offering, if anything, in the event of our liquidation. For a further description of the dilution that you will incur as a result of purchasing shares in this offering, see “Dilution.”

The pre-funded warrants and common warrants are speculative in nature.

Neither the pre-funded warrants, nor the common warrants offered hereby, nor the pre-funded warrants offered upon exercise of common warrants confer any rights of common stock ownership on their holders, such as voting rights, but rather merely represent the right to acquire shares of common stock at a fixed price. Specifically, commencing on the date of issuance, holders of the pre-funded warrants may acquire the common stock issuable upon exercise of such warrants at an exercise price of $0.001 per share of common stock and, commencing on the date that is six months after the date of issuance, holders of the common warrants may acquire the common stock or, in certain circumstances, pre-funded warrants to purchase common stock, issuable upon exercise of such warrants at an exercise price of $11.00 per share. Moreover, following this offering, the market value of the pre-funded warrants and common warrants is uncertain and there can be no assurance that the market value of the pre-funded warrants or the common warrants will equal or exceed their offering price. There can be no assurance that the market price of the common stock will ever equal or exceed the exercise price of the pre-funded warrants or common warrants, and consequently, whether it will ever be profitable for holders of the pre-funded warrants to exercise the pre-funded warrants or the holders of the common warrants to exercise the common warrants.

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Holders of the pre-funded warrants and common warrants will have no voting rights as common stockholders until they acquire our common stock.

Until you acquire shares of our common stock upon exercise of the pre-funded warrants and common warrants, you will have no voting rights with respect to our common stock issuable upon exercise of the pre-funded warrants or common warrants. Upon exercise of your pre-funded warrants or common warrants, you will be entitled to exercise all the voting rights of a common stockholder only as to matters for which the record date occurs after the exercise date.

Significant holders or beneficial holders of our common stock may not be permitted to exercise pre-funded warrants or common warrants that they hold.

The pre-funded warrants and common warrants being offered hereby will prohibit a holder from exercising its pre-funded warrants or common warrants if doing so would result in such holder (together with such holder’s affiliates and any other persons acting as a group together with such holder or any of such holder’s affiliates) beneficially owning more than 19.99% of our common stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the exercise. As a result, if you hold a significant amount of our securities, you may not be able to exercise your pre-funded warrants or common warrants for shares of our common stock, in whole or in part, at a time when it would be financially beneficial for you to do so.

There is no public market for the pre-funded warrants or common warrants to purchase shares of common stock being offered in this offering.

There is no established public trading market for the pre-funded warrants or common warrants being offered in this offering, and we do not expect a market to develop. In addition, we do not intend to apply to list the pre-funded warrants or common warrants on any national securities exchange or other trading system, including Nasdaq. Without an active market, the liquidity of the pre-funded warrants or common warrants will be limited.

An investment in the pre-funded warrants, common warrants and our common stock has numerous tax consequences.

There are numerous tax consequences to investors as a result of their investment in the Company. We encourage investors to seek advice from competent tax advisors as to the consequences of an investment in our pre-funded warrants, common warrants and common stock (See “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations”).

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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any related free writing prospectus constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and releases issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. From time to time, we publish forward-looking statements relating to matters such as anticipated financial performance, business prospects, technological developments, new products, research and development activities and other aspects of our present and future business operations as well as similar matters. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our or our industry’s actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, among others:

• estimates of our expenses, capital requirements and our needs for additional financing;

• the prospects of veverimer (also known as TRC101), our only investigational drug candidate, which is still in development;

• our ability to obtain approval of our New Drug Application, or NDA, for veverimer from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, under either traditional approval or the Accelerated Approval Program, if at all;

• our ability to resolve the deficiencies identified by the FDA in the Complete Response Letter and issues raised in the Appeal Denied Letter related to our NDA for veverimer;

• our expectations regarding the timing of the completion or early termination of the VALOR-CKD trial and any other nonclinical or clinical study or trial;

• our expectations regarding the number of endpoint events that will accrue prior to the completion of the administrative stop of the VALOR-CKD trial;

• the design of our renal outcomes trial, VALOR-CKD (also known as TRCA-303), including the sample size, trial duration, endpoint definition, event rate assumptions and eligibility criteria;

• �� our expectations regarding the timing and location of the enrollment, distribution of enrollment across geographic regions, endpoint accrual, continuation, completion, outcome and reporting of results of our ongoing VALOR-CKD trial;

• the outcome and results of our ongoing VALOR-CKD trial;

• the market acceptance or commercial success of veverimer, if approved, and the degree of acceptance among physicians, patients, patient advocacy groups, health care payers and the medical community;

• our expectations regarding competition, potential market size and the size of the patient population for veverimer, if approved for commercial use;

• our expectations regarding the safety, efficacy and clinical benefit of veverimer;

• our ability to achieve and maintain regulatory approval of veverimer, and any related requirements, restrictions, limitations and/or warnings in the label of veverimer;

• our sales, marketing or distribution capabilities and our ability to commercialize veverimer, if we obtain regulatory approval;

• our current and future agreements with third parties in connection with the manufacturing, commercialization, packaging and distribution of veverimer;

• our expectations regarding the ability of our contract manufacturing partners to produce veverimer in the quantities and timeframe that we will require;

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• our expectations regarding our future costs of goods;

• our ability to attract, retain and motivate key personnel;

• the scope of protection we are able to establish and maintain for intellectual property rights covering veverimer;

• potential claims relating to our intellectual property and third-party intellectual property;

• the duration of our intellectual property estate that will provide protection for veverimer;

• our ability to establish collaborations in lieu of obtaining additional financing;

• the potential impact of pandemics, including COVID-19, on the health care system, financial markets and economy generally and on our business in particular; and

• our financial performance.

In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as ““aim,” “anticipate,” “assume,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “continue,” “could,” “due,” “estimate,” “expect,” “goal,” “intend,” “may,” “objective,” “plan,” “predict,” “potential,” “seek,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would” and other similar expressions regarding our expectations. Forward-looking statements are only predictions and actual events or results may differ materially. Although we believe that our expectations are based on reasonable assumptions within the bounds of our current knowledge of our industry, business and operations, we cannot guarantee that actual results will not differ materially from our expectations. In evaluating such forward-looking statements, you should specifically consider various factors, including the risks outlined under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any related free writing prospectus, and in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and our most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as well as any amendments thereto reflected in subsequent filings with the SEC. The discussion of risks and uncertainties set forth in those filings is not necessarily a complete or exhaustive list of all risks facing us at any particular point in time. We operate in a highly competitive, highly regulated and rapidly changing environment, and our business is in a state of evolution. Therefore, it is likely that over time new risks will emerge and the nature and elements of existing risks will change. It is not possible for management to predict all such risk factors or changes therein or to assess either the impact of all such risk factors on our business or the extent to which any individual risk factor, combination of factors or new or altered factors may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Forward-looking statements represent our estimates and assumptions only as of the date such forward-looking statements are made. You should carefully read this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any related free writing prospectus, together with the information incorporated herein or therein by reference, and with the understanding that our actual future results may materially differ from what we expect.

Except as required by law, forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements publicly or to update the reasons why actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in any forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available.

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We estimate that we will receive net proceeds of approximately $41.4 million from the sale of the securities offered by us in this offering after deducting estimated offering expenses payable by us. If a holder of common warrants elects to exercise the common warrants issued in this offering, we may also receive proceeds from the exercise of the common warrants. We cannot predict when or if the common warrants will be exercised. It is possible that the common warrants may expire and may never be exercised.

We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering to fund corporate operations, including the VALOR-CKD renal outcomes trial. The net proceeds from this offering are expected to extend our financial runway into the first quarter of 2023. We estimate that the additional financial resources will enable us to conduct the previously announced administrative stop of the VALOR-CKD trial in the second quarter of 2022 and enable the accrual of primary endpoint events until approximately July 2022. Based on our historical rate of accrual of primary endpoint events of about 10 to 12 events per month, we believe that this date corresponds to approximately 240 to 255 primary endpoint events. Based on current estimates, we anticipate reporting topline results from the VALOR-CKD trial in the third quarter of 2022 and believe that, with the proceeds of this offering, our financial resources will extend for approximately six months following the anticipated announcement of top-line results from the VALOR-CKD trial.

Our expected use of net proceeds from this offering represents our current intentions based upon our present plans and business condition. We may find it necessary or advisable to use the net proceeds for other purposes, and our management will have broad discretion in the application of the net proceeds. Our estimates regarding the VALOR-CKD trial and financial runway will change if we use the net proceeds from this offering for uses that are different to the ones described as well as due to other additional factors that we cannot predict at this time.

DIVIDEND POLICY

We have never declared nor paid cash dividends on our common stock. We currently intend to retain all of our future earnings, if any, to finance the growth and development of our business. We do not intend to pay cash dividends in respect of our common stock in the foreseeable future.

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DILUTION

If you invest in our common stock in this offering, your interest will be diluted to the extent of the difference between the combined offering price per share of our common stock and accompanying common warrant and the net tangible book value per share of our common stock upon consummation of this offering. Dilution results from the fact that the combined offering price is substantially in excess of the book value per share attributable to the existing stockholders for the presently outstanding stock.

The historical net tangible book value of our common stock as of September 30, 2021 was approximately $1.9 million, or approximately $0.04 per share of common stock. Historical net tangible book value (deficit) per share is determined by dividing the number of outstanding shares of common stock into its total tangible assets (total assets less intangible assets) less total liabilities and preferred shares, if any.

Investors purchasing securities in this offering will incur immediate and substantial dilution. After giving effect to the sale of securities offered in this offering at a combined offering price of $6.00 per share of common stock and common warrant (assuming the exercise of the 2,333,333 pre-funded warrants issued at the time of the closing of this offering but excluding any shares of common stock or pre-funded warrants to be issued pursuant to the exercise of common warrants and any proceeds to be received upon exercise of the common warrants), and after deducting the estimated offering costs payable by us, our as adjusted net tangible book value as of September 30, 2021 would have been approximately $43.3 million, or approximately $0.75 per share of common stock. This represents an immediate increase in net tangible book value of $0.71 per share to existing stockholders, and an immediate dilution in the as adjusted net tangible book value of $5.25 per share to investors purchasing shares of our common stock and common warrants in this offering.

The following table illustrates this per share dilution:

Combined offering price per share of common stock and common warrant			$	6.00
Historical net tangible book value per share as of September 30, 2021	$	0.04
Increase in net tangible book value per share attributable to this offering		0.71
As adjusted net tangible book value as of September 30, 2021 (giving effect to this offering)				0.75
Dilution per share to investors			$	5.25

The discussion and table above assumes (i) the exercise of 2,333,333 pre-funded warrants sold in this offering, and (ii) no exercise of common warrants accompanying the shares of common stock and pre-funded warrants sold in this offering.

To the extent that stock options are exercised or new stock options are issued under our equity incentive plans, there will be further dilution to investors purchasing common stock in this offering. In addition, we will need to raise additional capital because of market conditions and strategic considerations. If we raise additional capital through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, the issuance of these securities could result in further dilution to our stockholders.

The number of shares of our common stock shown above to be outstanding after the completion of this offering is based on 50,447,578 shares of our common stock outstanding as of September 30, 2021, and excludes:

• 10,991,576 shares of common stock, with a weighted-average exercise price of $11.15 per share, issuable upon exercise of stock options outstanding and 151,418 shares of common stock issuable upon vesting of restricted stock units outstanding as of September 30, 2021 under our 2018 Equity Incentive Plan;

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• 1,274,880 shares of common stock reserved for issuance pursuant to future awards under our 2018 Equity Incentive Plan, as of September 30, 2021, plus any future increases in the number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance under our 2018 Equity Incentive Plan pursuant to provisions thereof that automatically increase the share reserve under the plan each year;

• 2,029,882 shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under our ESPP plus any future increases in the number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance under the ESPP pursuant to provisions thereof that automatically increase the share reserve under the plan each year;

• 5,000,000 shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under our 2020 Inducement Plan, or the Inducement Plan;

• 31,352 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants held by Hercules Capital, Inc. and Hercules Technology III, L.P. as of September 30, 2021; and

• 6,019,560 shares of common stock that would be issued upon conversion of our outstanding 3.50% convertible senior notes due 2027.

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DESCRIPTION OF THE SECURITIES WE ARE OFFERING

The material terms and provisions of our common stock are described under the heading “Description of Capital Stock” starting on page 9 of the accompanying prospectus. The material terms and provisions of the pre-funded warrants and common warrants being issued in this offering are summarized below and are qualified in their entirety by the full text of the pre-funded warrant agreement and the common warrant agreement.

Pre-Funded Warrants

Duration and Exercise Price. The pre-funded warrants will be immediately exercisable and may be exercised at any time until the earliest of the fifth anniversary date of the issuance of the common warrants, the date they are exercised in full or immediately prior to the closing of a fundamental transaction (as defined in the warrant agreement and generally including our consolidation or merger with or into another person, the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of our properties or assets, the acquisition of more than 50% of our outstanding common stock, or any person or group becoming the beneficial owner of 50% of the voting power represented by our outstanding common stock). The purchase price of each pre-funded warrant sold in this offering will be equal to the price at which a share of common stock is sold in this offering and the purchase price of each pre-funded warrant issuable upon exercise of a common warrant will be equal to the price at which a share of common stock is issuable upon the exercise of a common warrant. The exercise price of each pre-funded warrant will be $0.001 per share. Holders of the pre-funded warrant shall not be entitled to the return or refund of all, or any portion, of such pre-paid aggregate exercise price, including in the event the pre-funded warrant shall not have been exercised prior to its expiration date. The exercise price and number of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise is subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of stock dividends, stock splits, reorganizations or similar events affecting our common stock and the exercise price. In addition, holders of the pre-funded warrants will be entitled to acquire certain purchase rights and pro rata distributions to the same extent as if such holders would have participated if they held the amount of common stock acquirable upon complete exercise of the pre-funded warrant, subject to certain exceptions, provided that in no event will such distributions result in the holder exceeding the 19.99% beneficial ownership limitation.

Exercisability. The pre-funded warrants will be exercisable, at the option of each holder, in whole or in part, by delivering to us a duly executed exercise notice accompanied by payment in full for the number of shares of our common stock purchased upon such exercise (except in the case of a cashless exercise as discussed below). A holder (together with its affiliates) may not exercise any portion of the pre-funded warrant to the extent that the holder would own more than 9.99% of the outstanding common stock immediately after exercise, except that upon at least 61 days’ prior notice from the holder to us, the holder may increase the amount of ownership of outstanding stock after exercising the holder’s pre-funded warrants up to 19.99% of the number of shares of our common stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the exercise, as such percentage ownership is determined in accordance with the terms of the pre-funded warrants. Purchasers of pre-funded warrants in this offering may also elect, prior to the issuance of the pre-funded warrants to those purchasers, to have the initial exercise limitation set at 19.99% of our outstanding common stock.

Transferability. Subject to applicable laws, the pre-funded warrants are separately tradeable immediately after issuance at the option of the holders and may be transferred at the option of the holders upon surrender of the pre-funded warrant to us together with the appropriate instruments of transfer.

No Listing. There is no established public trading market for the pre-funded warrants and we do not expect a market to develop. In addition, we do not intend to apply for listing of the pre-funded warrants on any securities exchange or trading system. Without an active market, the liquidity of the pre-funded warrants will be limited.

Fundamental Transactions. In the event of a “fundamental transaction,” as defined in the pre-funded warrants and generally including any reorganization, recapitalization or reclassification of our common stock, the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of our properties or assets, our consolidation or merger

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with or into another person, the acquisition of more than 50% of our outstanding common stock, or any person or group becoming the beneficial owner of 50% of the voting power represented by our outstanding common stock, the holders of the pre-funded warrants will be entitled to receive concurrently with the closing of such fundamental transaction, the number of shares of common stock, the amount of securities, cash or other property that the holders would have received had they exercised the pre-funded warrants on a cashless basis immediately prior to such fundamental transaction.

Cashless Exercise. In lieu of making the cash payment otherwise contemplated to be made to us upon such exercise in payment of the aggregate exercise price, the holder may elect instead to receive upon such exercise (either in whole or in part) the net number of shares of our common stock determined according to a formula set forth in the pre-funded warrant agreement. If we fail to timely deliver the shares underlying the common warrants, we will be subject to certain buy-in provisions.

Rights as a Stockholder. Except as otherwise provided in the pre-funded warrant or by virtue of a holder’s ownership of shares of our common stock, the holders of the pre-funded warrants do not have the rights or privileges of holders of our common stock, including any voting rights, until they exercise their pre-funded warrants.

Amendments. Amendments and waivers of the terms of the pre-funded warrants require the written consent of the holders of a majority in interest of the pre-funded warrants then outstanding on the one hand and the Company on the other hand.

No Fractional Shares. No fractional shares or scrip representing fractional shares shall be issued upon the exercise of the pre-funded warrants. As to any fraction of a share which the holder would otherwise be entitled to purchase upon such exercise, we shall or shall cause, at our option, the payment of a cash adjustment in respect of such final fraction in an amount equal to such fraction multiplied by the exercise price of the pre-funded warrant per whole share or round such fractional share up to the nearest whole share.

Common Warrants

General. Each purchaser of shares will receive a common warrant to purchase one share of common stock. However, if at the time of such exercise, the holder would beneficially own in excess 9.99% (or, at election of holder, 19.99%), the common warrant shall instead be exercisable for additional pre-funded warrants.

Exercisability. The common warrants may be exercised at any time on or after the date that is six months after the date of their issuance, will have an initial exercise price of $11.00 per share of common stock or, in the limited circumstance described in the paragraph above, a pre-funded warrant to purchase one share of common stock and are exercisable until their expiration date. The common warrants will be exercisable, at the option of each holder, in whole or in part by delivering a duly executed exercise notice to us accompanied by payment in full for the number of shares of our common stock purchased upon such exercise or the number of shares of common stock purchasable upon the exercise of pre-funded warrants issued upon such exercise. The exercise price of the common warrant is subject to adjustment in the event of stock dividends and distributions, stock splits, stock combinations, reclassifications or similar events affecting our common stock.

Expiration Date. The common warrants shall not be exercisable subsequent to the earliest of: (a) the third anniversary of the date of their issuance, (b) immediately prior to the closing of a fundamental transaction or (c) five business days following delivery by the Company of a written notice following the earliest of: (i) the date that is 30 days following the date of (re)submission of the Company’s NDA for veverimer with the FDA, or (ii) the date that both of the following shall have occurred (x) the expiration of six weeks following a press-release from the Company reporting the results of primary analysis of the Valor CKD trial and (y) one of the following: (1) the Company’s completion of a common stock financing resulting in not less than $75 million in gross proceeds at an offering price of not less than $13.50 per share, or (2) the VWAP of the Company’s

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common stock is greater than $15.00 per share for five consecutive trading days and the aggregate volume of shares during this period is or exceeds 5,000,000 shares, or (3) the VWAP of the Company’s common stock is greater than $15.00 per share for a period of fifteen consecutive trading days with an average daily trading volume of not less than 300,000 shares. A fundamental transaction includes our consolidation or merger with or into another person, the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of our properties or assets, the acquisition of more than 50% of our outstanding common stock, any reorganization, recapitalization or reclassification of our common stock or any person or group becoming the beneficial owner of 50% of the voting power represented by our outstanding common stock.

Exercise Limitations. A holder of a common warrant will not have the right to exercise any portion of the common warrant for common stock if the holder (together with its affiliates) would beneficially own in excess of 9.99% (or, at election of holder, up to 19.99%) of the number of shares of our common stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the exercise, as such percentage ownership is determined in accordance with the terms of the common warrants. However, any holder may increase or decrease such percentage to any other percentage not in excess of up to 19.99% upon notice to us provided that any increase shall not be effective until 61 days following notice to us. If a holder of a common warrant would beneficially own in excess of the ownership threshold, the holder may exercise the common warrant for pre-funded warrants.

Transferability. Subject to applicable laws, the common warrants are separately tradeable immediately after issuance at the option of the holders and may be transferred at the option of the holders upon surrender of the common warrant to us together with the appropriate instruments of transfer.

No Listing. There is no established public trading market for the common warrants and we do not expect a market to develop. In addition, we do not intend to apply for listing of the common warrants on any securities exchange or trading system. Without an active market, the liquidity of the common warrants will be limited.

Cashless Exercise. If, at the time a holder exercises its common warrant, there is no effective registration statement registering, or the prospectus contained therein is not available for an issuance of, the shares underlying the common warrant to the holder, and the holder is not able to sell the shares issuable upon exercise of the common warrant without limitations on volume pursuant to Rule 144, then in lieu of making the cash payment otherwise contemplated to be made to us upon such exercise in payment of the aggregate exercise price, the holder may elect instead to receive upon such exercise (either in whole or in part) the net number of shares of our common stock determined according to a formula set forth in the common warrant agreement. If we fail to timely deliver the shares underlying the common warrants, we will be subject to certain buy-in provisions.

Rights as a Stockholder. Except as otherwise provided in the common warrant or by virtue of a holder’s ownership of shares of our common stock, the holders of the common warrants do not have the rights or privileges of holders of our common stock, including any voting rights, until they exercise their common warrants.

Amendments. Amendments and waivers of the terms of the common warrants require the written consent of the holders of a majority in interest of the common warrants (or pre-funded warrants issued in lieu thereof) then outstanding on the one hand and the Company on the other hand.

No Fractional Shares. No fractional shares or scrip representing fractional shares shall be issued upon the exercise of the common warrants. As to any fraction of a share which the holder would otherwise be entitled to purchase upon such exercise, we shall or shall cause, at our option, the payment of a cash adjustment in respect of such final fraction in an amount equal to such fraction multiplied by the exercise price of the common warrant per whole share or round such fractional share up to the nearest whole share.

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We are offering directly 4,666,667 shares of our common stock at $6.00 per share, pre-funded warrants to purchase up to 2,333,333 shares of common stock, common warrants to purchase up to 7,000,000 shares of common stock, the shares of common stock and pre-funded warrants that are issuable from time to time upon exercise of the common warrants, and the shares of common stock that are issuable from time to time upon exercise of the pre-funded warrants, to the Investors. The shares of common stock and pre-funded warrants, and the accompanying common warrants, can only be purchased together in this offering but will be issued separately and will be immediately separable upon issuance.

An entity affiliated with a holder of 5.0% or more of our capital stock and a member of our management team, will purchase an aggregate of approximately $5 million of shares of our common stock and common warrants in this offering on the same terms as the other purchasers in this offering.

We anticipate that the closing date of this offering will take place on or about November 15, 2021.

There is no established public trading market for the pre-funded warrants or the common warrants and we do not expect a market to develop. Without an active trading market, the liquidity of the warrants will be limited. In addition, we do not intend to list the pre-funded warrants or the common warrants on Nasdaq, any other national securities exchange or any other trading system.

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MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

The following is a general discussion of the material U.S. federal income considerations applicable to the ownership and disposition of shares of our common stock and warrants acquired in this offering. This discussion is for general information only and is not tax advice. Accordingly, all prospective holders of our common stock and warrants should consult their own tax advisors with respect to the U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of our common stock and warrants. This discussion is based on current provisions of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, which we refer to as the Code, existing and proposed U.S. Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, current administrative rulings and judicial decisions, all as in effect as of the date of this prospectus, all of which are subject to change or to differing interpretation, possibly with retroactive effect. Any change could alter the tax consequences described in this prospectus. We assume in this discussion that each holder holds shares of our common stock and warrants as capital assets within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (generally property held for investment).

This discussion does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to a particular holder in light of that holder’s individual circumstances, does not address the alternative minimum or Medicare contribution taxes, and does not address any aspects of U.S. state, local or non-U.S. taxes or any U.S. federal taxes other than income tax. This discussion also does not consider any specific facts or circumstances that may apply to a holder and does not address aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be applicable to holders that are subject to special tax rules, including without limitation:

�� insurance companies;

• tax-exempt organizations;

• financial institutions;

• brokers or dealers in securities;

• regulated investment companies;

• real estate investment trusts;

• pension plans, individual retirement accounts and other tax deferred accounts;

• persons that mark their securities to market;

• controlled foreign corporations;

• passive foreign investment companies;

• “dual resident” corporations;

• persons that receive our common stock or warrants as compensation for the performance of services;

• owners that hold our common stock or warrants as part of a straddle, hedge, conversion transaction, synthetic security or other integrated investment;

• owners that own, or are deemed to own, more than 5% of our capital stock (except to the extent specifically set forth below);

• persons that have a functional currency other than the U.S. dollar; and

• certain U.S. expatriates.

In addition, this discussion does not address the tax treatment of partnerships or other pass-through entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes, or persons who hold our common stock or warrants through partnerships or other pass-through entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes. A partner in a partnership or other pass-through entity that will hold our common stock or warrants should consult his, her or its own tax advisor regarding the tax consequences of acquiring, holding and disposing of our common stock or warrants through a partnership or other pass-through entity, as applicable.

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As used in this prospectus supplement, the term “U.S. holder” means a beneficial owner of common stock or warrants that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

• a citizen or individual resident of the United States;

• a corporation (or other entity properly classified as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state within the United States, or the District of Columbia;

• an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or

• a trust, if (i) a U.S. court is able to exercise primary supervision over the trust’s administration and one or more “United States persons” (as defined in the Code) have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust, or (ii) in the case of a trust that was treated as a domestic trust under the laws in effect before 1997, a valid election is in place under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations to treat such trust as a domestic trust.

The term “non-U.S. holder” means any beneficial owner of common stock or warrants that is not a U.S. holder and is not a partnership or other entity properly classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. For the purposes of this prospectus supplement, U.S. holders and non-U.S. holders are referred to collectively as “holders.”

There can be no assurance that the Internal Revenue Service, which we refer to as the IRS, will not challenge one or more of the tax consequences described herein. We have not obtained, nor do we intend to obtain, a ruling from the IRS with respect to the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership or disposition of our common stock or warrants.

Allocation of Purchase Price Between Share of Common Stock or Pre-Funded Warrant and Accompanying Common Warrant

Each share of common stock (or, in lieu of common stock, each pre-funded warrant) and the accompanying common warrant issued pursuant to this offering should be treated as an “investment unit” consisting of one share of common stock or pre-funded warrant, as the case may be, and the accompanying common warrant. The purchase price for each investment unit will be allocated between these components in proportion to their relative fair market values at the time the investment unit is purchased by the holder. This allocation will establish a holder’s initial tax basis for U.S. federal income tax purposes in his, her or its share of common stock (or, in lieu of common stock, pre-funded warrant) and common warrant included in each investment unit. We will not be providing holders with such allocation, and it is possible that different holders will reach different determinations regarding such allocation. A holder’s allocation of purchase price between each share of common stock (or, in lieu of common stock, each pre-funded warrant) and the accompanying common warrant is not binding on the IRS or the courts, and no assurance can be given that the IRS or the courts will agree with a holder’s allocation.

Accordingly, each prospective holder should consult his, her or its own tax advisor with respect to the allocation, and the risks associated with such allocation, of the holder’s purchase price for the investment unit between our shares of common stock (or, in lieu of common stock, pre-funded warrants) and common warrants.

Treatment of Pre-Funded Warrants

Although it is not entirely free from doubt, a pre-funded warrant should be treated as a share of our common stock for U.S. federal income tax purposes and a holder of pre-funded warrants should generally be taxed in the same manner as a holder of common stock, as described below. Accordingly, no gain or loss should be recognized upon the exercise of a pre-funded warrant and, upon exercise, the holding period of a pre-funded warrant should carry over to the share of common stock received. Similarly, the tax basis of the pre-funded warrant should carry over to the share of common stock received upon exercise, increased by the exercise price

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of $0.001 per share. Each holder should consult his, her or its own tax advisor regarding the risks associated with the acquisition of pre-funded warrants pursuant to this offering (including potential alternative characterizations). The balance of this discussion generally assumes that the characterization described above will be respected for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Tax Consequences to U.S. Holders

Exercise or Expiration of Common Warrants

Subject to the discussion below with respect to the cashless exercise of a common warrant, a U.S. holder will not recognize income, gain or loss on the exercise of a common warrant. A U.S. holder’s tax basis in the common stock received upon the exercise of a common warrant will equal the sum of (i) the initial tax basis of the common warrant exercised (as determined pursuant to the rules discussed above under “Allocation of Purchase Price Between Share of Common Stock or Pre-Funded Warrant and Accompanying Common Warrant”) and (ii) the exercise price of the common warrant. The U.S. holder’s holding period for the common stock received upon exercise of a common warrant will begin on the day after such exercise (or possibly on the date of exercise) and will not include the period during which the U.S. holder held the common warrant.

The tax consequences of a cashless exercise of a common warrant are not clear under current U.S. tax law. A cashless exercise may be tax-free, either because the exercise is not a realization event or because the exercise is treated as a recapitalization for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In either case, a U.S. holder’s basis in the common stock received in connection with the cashless exercise would equal the U.S. holder’s basis in the common warrants surrendered in connection with the cashless exercise. If the cashless exercise was not a realization event, it is unclear whether a U.S. holder’s holding period for the common stock would be treated as commencing on the date of exercise or on the day following the date of exercise. If the cashless exercise were treated as a recapitalization, the holding period of the common stock would include the holding period of the common warrants surrendered in connection with the cashless exercise.

It is possible that a cashless exercise could be treated in part as a taxable exchange in which gain or loss would be recognized. In such event, a U.S. holder could be deemed to have surrendered common warrants having an aggregate fair market value equal to the exercise price for the total number of common warrants to be exercised. The U.S. holder would recognize capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount deemed realized (i.e., the exercise price for the common warrants exercised) and the U.S. holder’s tax basis in the common warrants deemed surrendered to pay the exercise price. In this case, a U.S. holder’s tax basis in the common stock received would equal the sum of the U.S. holder’s initial investment in the exercised common warrants and the exercise price for such common warrants. It is unclear whether a U.S. holder’s holding period for the common stock would commence on the date of exercise of the common warrants or the day following the date of exercise of the common warrants.

Due to the absence of authority on the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a cashless exercise, there can be no assurance which, if any, of the alternative approaches described above would be adopted by the IRS or a court of law. Accordingly, U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of a cashless exercise.

If a common warrant is allowed to lapse unexercised, a U.S. holder generally will recognize a capital loss equal to such holder’s tax basis in the common warrant. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to significant limitations.

Distributions on Our Common Stock

As discussed above under “Dividend Policy”, we do not currently expect to make distributions on our common stock. In the event that we do make distributions on our common stock to a U.S. holder, those

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distributions generally will constitute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent paid from our current or accumulated earnings and profits as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. If a distribution exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits, the excess will be treated as a tax-free return of the U.S. holder’s investment, up to such U.S. holder’s tax basis in the common stock. Any remaining excess will be treated as capital gain, subject to the tax treatment described below in “—Sale, Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Our Common Stock or Warrants.” Dividends paid by us generally will be eligible for the reduced rates of tax for qualified dividend income allowed to individual U.S. holders and for the dividends received deduction allowed to corporate U.S. holders, in each case assuming that certain holding period and other requirements are satisfied.

Constructive Distributions on Our Warrants

Under Section 305 of the Code, an adjustment to the number of shares of common stock that will be issued on the exercise of our warrants (whether pre-funded warrants or common warrants), or an adjustment to the exercise price of such warrants, may be treated as a constructive distribution to a U.S. Holder of the warrants if, and to the extent that, such adjustment has the effect of increasing such U.S. Holder’s proportionate interest in our “earnings and profits” or assets, depending on the circumstances of such adjustment (for example, if such adjustment is to compensate for a distribution of cash or other property to holders of our common stock). Adjustments to the exercise price of a warrant made pursuant to a bona fide reasonable adjustment formula that has the effect of preventing dilution of the interest of the holder of the warrant should generally not result in a constructive distribution. Any constructive distributions generally would be subject to the tax treatment described above under “—Distributions on our Common Stock”.

Sale, Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Our Common Stock or Warrants

Upon the sale, exchange, or other taxable disposition of our common stock or warrants (whether pre-funded warrants or common warrants), a U.S. holder will recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized upon the disposition and the U.S. holder’s tax basis in the common stock or warrants sold or exchanged. Any gain or loss generally will be capital gain or loss, and will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. holder’s holding period for the common stock or common warrants exceeded one year at the time of the disposition. Certain U.S. holders (including individuals) are currently eligible for preferential rates of U.S. federal income taxation in respect of long-term capital gains. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to significant limitations.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

In general, information reporting requirements may apply to distributions (whether actual or constructive) paid to a U.S. holder on our common stock or warrants, and to the proceeds of the sale, exchange or other disposition of our common stock and warrants, unless the U.S. holder is an exempt recipient. Backup withholding will apply to such payments if the U.S. holder fails to provide a taxpayer identification number, a certification of exempt status or has been notified by the IRS that it is subject to backup withholding (and such notification has not been withdrawn). Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a refund or a credit against a U.S. holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

Tax Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders

Exercise or Expiration of Common Warrants

In general, a non-U.S. holder will not be required to recognize income, gain or loss upon the exercise of a common warrant by payment of the exercise price. To the extent that a cashless exercise results in a taxable exchange, the consequences would be similar to those described below under “Sale, Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of our Common Stock or Warrants”.

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The expiration of a common warrant will be treated as if the non-U.S. holder sold or exchanged the common warrant and recognized a capital loss equal to the non-U.S. holder’s basis in the common warrant. A non-U.S. holder will not be able to utilize a loss recognized upon expiration of a common warrant against the Non-U.S. holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, however, unless the loss (i) is effectively connected with the non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, if an income tax treaty applies, is attributable to a “permanent establishment” or “fixed base” in the United States) or (ii) is treated as a U.S. source loss and the non-U.S. holder is present in the United States 183 days or more in the taxable year of disposition and certain other conditions are met.

Distributions on Our Common Stock

As discussed above under “Dividend Policy”, we do not currently expect to make distributions on our common stock. In the event that we do make distributions to holders of our common stock or if we are treated as making a constructive distribution to holders of our warrants or pre-funded warrants, those distributions generally will constitute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent paid from our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. If a distribution exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits, the excess will be treated as a tax-free return of the non-U.S. holder’s investment, up to such non-U.S. holder’s tax basis in the common stock. Any remaining excess will be treated as capital gain, subject to the tax treatment described below in “—Sale, Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Our Common Stock or Warrants.”

Distributions (including constructive distributions) made to a non-U.S. holder that are treated as dividends generally will be subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% of the gross amount or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty between the United States and such holder’s country of residence, unless such dividends are effectively connected with a trade or business conducted by a non U.S. holder within the United States (as discussed below). A non-U.S. holder of our common stock who claims the benefit of an applicable income tax treaty between the United States and such holder’s country of residence generally will be required to provide a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E (or successor form), as applicable, and satisfy applicable certification and other requirements. Non-U.S. holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding their entitlement to benefits under a relevant income tax treaty. A non-U.S. holder that is eligible for a reduced rate of U.S. withholding tax under an income tax treaty may be able to obtain a refund or credit of any excess amounts withheld by timely filing the required information with the IRS.

Dividends that are treated as effectively connected with a trade or business conducted by a non-U.S. holder within the United States and, if an applicable income tax treaty so provides, that are attributable to a “permanent establishment” or a “fixed base” maintained by the non-U.S. holder within the United States, generally are exempt from the 30% withholding tax if the non-U.S. holder satisfies applicable certification and disclosure requirements. U.S. effectively connected income, net of specified deductions and credits, is generally taxed at the same graduated U.S. federal income tax rates applicable to United States persons (as defined in the Code). Any U.S. effectively connected income received by a non-U.S. holder that is a corporation may also be subject to an additional “branch profits tax” at a 30% rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty between the United States and such holder’s country of residence.

Constructive Distributions on Our Warrants

As described above under “—Tax Consequences to U.S. Holders—Constructive Distributions on our Warrants,” an adjustment to the warrants could result in a constructive distribution to a non-U.S. holder, which would be treated as described under “—Distributions on Our Common Stock” above. Any resulting withholding tax attributable to deemed dividends would be collected from other amounts payable or distributable to the non-U.S. holder. Non U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the proper treatment of any adjustments to the warrants.

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In addition, regulations governing “dividend equivalents” under Section 871(m) of the Code may apply to the pre-funded warrants. Under those regulations, an implicit or explicit payment made to the holder of pre-funded warrants that references a distribution on our common stock would generally be taxable to a non-U.S. holder in the manner described under “Distributions on our Common Stock” below. Such dividend equivalent amount would be taxable and subject to withholding whether or not there is actual payment of cash or other property, and we may satisfy any withholding obligations by withholding from other amounts due to the non-U.S. holder. Non-U.S. holders are encouraged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the application of Section 871(m) of the Code to the pre-funded warrants.

Sale, Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Our Common Stock or Warrants

In general, a non-U.S. holder will not be subject to any U.S. federal income tax on any gain realized upon such holder’s sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of shares of our common stock or warrants unless:

• the gain is effectively connected with the non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a U.S. trade or business and, if an applicable income tax treaty so provides, is attributable to a “permanent establishment” or a “fixed base” maintained by such non-U.S. holder in the United States, in which case the non-U.S. holder generally will be taxed on such gain at the graduated U.S. federal income tax rates applicable to United States persons (as defined in the Code) and, if the non-U.S. holder is a foreign corporation, the branch profits tax described above in “—Tax Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders—Distributions on Our Common Stock” also may apply to such gain;

• the non-U.S. holder is a nonresident alien individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of the taxable disposition and certain other conditions are met, in which case the non-U.S. holder will be subject to a 30% tax (or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty between the United States and such holder’s country of residence) on the net gain derived from the taxable disposition, which may be offset by certain U.S. source capital losses of the non-U.S. holder, if any; or

• we are, or have been, at any time during the five-year period preceding such taxable disposition (or the non-U.S. holder’s holding period, if shorter) a “U.S. real property holding corporation,” unless our common stock is regularly traded on an established securities market and the non-U.S. holder holds no more than 5% of our outstanding common stock, directly or indirectly, during the shorter of the 5-year period ending on the date of the taxable disposition or the period that the non-U.S. holder held our common stock. If we are determined to be a U.S. real property holding corporation and the foregoing exception does not apply, then a purchaser may withhold 15% of the proceeds payable to a non-U.S. holder from a sale of our common stock or warrants, and the non-U.S. holder generally will be taxed on its net gain derived from the disposition at the graduated U.S. federal income tax rates applicable to United States persons (as defined in the Code). Generally, a corporation is a U.S. real property holding corporation only if the fair market value of its U.S. real property interests equals or exceeds 50% of the sum of the fair market value of its worldwide real property interests plus its other assets used or held for use in a trade or business. Although there can be no assurance, we do not believe that we are, or have been, a U.S. real property holding corporation, or that we are likely to become one in the future. No assurance can be provided that our common stock will be regularly traded on an established securities market for purposes of the rules described above.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

We must report annually to the IRS and to each non-U.S. holder the gross amount of the distributions paid on our common stock (and constructive distributions on our warrants) to such holder and the tax withheld, if any, with respect to such distributions. Non-U.S. holders may have to comply with specific certification procedures to establish that the holder is not a United States person (as defined in the Code) in order to avoid backup withholding at the applicable rate with respect to dividends on our common stock or warrants. Dividends paid to

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non-U.S. holders subject to the U.S. withholding tax, as described above in “Non-U.S. Holders—Distributions on Our Common Stock,” generally will be exempt from U.S. backup withholding.

Information reporting and backup withholding generally will apply to the proceeds of a disposition of our common stock and warrants by a non-U.S. holder effected by or through the U.S. office of any broker, U.S. or foreign, unless the holder certifies its status as a non-U.S. holder and satisfies certain other requirements, or otherwise establishes an exemption. Generally, information reporting and backup withholding will not apply to a payment of disposition proceeds to a non-U.S. holder where the transaction is effected outside the United States through a non-U.S. office of a broker. However, for information reporting purposes, dispositions effected through a non-U.S. office of a broker with substantial U.S. ownership or operations generally will be treated in a manner similar to dispositions effected through a U.S. office of a broker. Non-U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the application of the information reporting and backup withholding rules to them.

Copies of information returns may be made available to the tax authorities of the country in which the non-U.S. holder resides or is incorporated under the provisions of a specific treaty or agreement.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules from a payment to a non-U.S. holder can be refunded or credited against the non-U.S. holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, provided that an appropriate claim is filed with the IRS.

Foreign Accounts

The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, or FATCA, generally imposes a 30% withholding tax on dividends (including constructive dividends) on, and gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of, our common stock and Warrants if paid to a non-U.S. entity unless (i) if the non-U.S. entity is a “foreign financial institution,” the non-U.S. entity undertakes certain due diligence, reporting, withholding, and certification obligations, (ii) if the non-U.S. entity is not a “foreign financial institution,” the non-U.S. entity identifies certain of its U.S. investors, if any, or (iii) the non-U.S. entity is otherwise exempt under FATCA.

Withholding under FATCA generally will apply to payments of dividends (including constructive dividends) on our common stock and warrants. While withholding under FATCA may apply to payments of gross proceeds from a sale or other disposition of our common stock or warrants, under proposed U.S. Treasury Regulations withholding on payments of gross proceeds is not required. Although such regulations are not final, applicable withholding agents may rely on the proposed regulations until final regulations are issued.

An intergovernmental agreement between the United States and an applicable foreign country may modify the requirements described in this section. Under certain circumstances, a holder may be eligible for refunds or credits of the tax. Non-U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the possible implications of FATCA on their investment in our common stock or warrants. The preceding discussion of material U.S. federal income tax considerations is for informational purposes only. It is not tax advice. Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisors regarding the particular U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. tax consequences of purchasing, holding and disposing of our common stock or warrants, including the consequences of any proposed changes in applicable laws.

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LEGAL MATTERS

Sidley Austin LLP, New York, New York, will pass upon the validity of the securities offered hereby.

EXPERTS

Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, has audited our financial statements 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 supplement and elsewhere in the registration statement. Our financial statements are incorporated by reference in reliance on Ernst & Young LLP’s reports, given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference into this prospectus supplement certain information we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this prospectus supplement, and information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede information contained in this prospectus supplement. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below that we have previously filed with the SEC (excluding any portions of any Form 8-K that are not deemed “filed” pursuant to the General Instructions of Form 8-K):

• our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, filed with the SEC on February  26, 2021 (including the portions of the Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for the annual general meeting of shareholders filed on April 23, 2021 and incorporated by reference therein);

• our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2021, June 30, 2021 and September 30, 2021, filed with the SEC on May  7, 2021, August  9, 2021 and November 8, 2021 respectively;

• our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 11, 2021 (solely with respect to Item 1.01, Item 2.03 and the related Exhibit 99.1), February 22, 2021, February  25, 2021 (solely with respect to Item 8.01 and the related Exhibit 99.2), March 2, 2021 (solely with respect to Item 1.01), March  16, 2021 (solely with respect to Item 1.02), April  1, 2021 (solely with respect to Item 1.01), June  15, 2021, August  16, 2021, August  31, 2021 (solely with respect to Item 1.01) and November 8, 2021 (solely with respect to Item 5.02).

• the description of our common stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A as filed with the SEC on June 25, 2018 pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act.

We also incorporate by reference into this prospectus supplement additional documents that we may file with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the completion or termination of the offering. Any statements contained in a previously filed document incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement are deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus supplement to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus supplement, or in a subsequently filed document also incorporated by reference herein, modifies or supersedes that statement.

You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone else to provide you with different information. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date of this prospectus supplement or the date of the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement.

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We will provide to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom this prospectus supplement is delivered, upon written or oral request, at no cost to the requester, a copy of any and all of the information that is incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement. You should direct any requests for documents to Tricida, Inc., 7000 Shoreline Court, Suite 201, South San Francisco, CA 94080, telephone number: (415) 429-7800.

Our reports and documents incorporated by reference herein may also be found in the “Investor Relations” section of our website at tricida.com. Our website and the information contained in it or connected to it shall not be deemed to be incorporated into this prospectus supplement or the registration statement of which it forms a part.

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PROSPECTUS

$250,000,000

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Debt Securities

Warrants

Units

Rights to Purchase Common Stock, Preferred Stock,

Debt Securities or Units

We may offer and sell from time to time up to $250,000,000 in one or more series or issuances and on terms that we will determine at the time of the offering, any combination of the securities described in this prospectus.

This prospectus provides a general description of the securities we may offer. We will provide specific terms of any offering in a prospectus supplement to this prospectus. Any prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus may also add, update, or change information contained in this prospectus. You should carefully read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus relating to a particular offering as well as the documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference before you purchase any of the securities offered hereby.

We may offer and sell these securities in the same offering or in separate offerings; to or through underwriters, dealers, and agents; or directly to purchasers. The names of any underwriters, dealers, or agents involved in the sale of our securities, their compensation and any over-allotment options held by them will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. None of our securities may be sold without delivery of the applicable prospectus supplement describing the method and terms of the offering of those securities. See “Plan of Distribution.”

Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, or Nasdaq, under the symbol “TCDA.” On March 16, 2021, the last reported sale price of our common stock was $4.95 per share.

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

INVESTING IN OUR SECURITIES INVOLVES SIGNIFICANT RISKS. SEE “RISK FACTORS” BEGINNING ON PAGE 3 OF THIS PROSPECTUS AND IN THE APPLICABLE PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT, AS WELL AS THE RISK FACTORS THAT ARE INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO THIS PROSPECTUS AND ANY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT FROM OUR FILINGS WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, BEFORE INVESTING IN ANY OF OUR 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 March 22, 2021

Table of Contents

	Page
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS		1
THE COMPANY		2
RISK FACTORS		3
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS		4
USE OF PROCEEDS		5
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK		6
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES		11
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS		19
DESCRIPTION OF UNITS		21
DESCRIPTION OF RIGHTS		22
LEGAL OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES		24
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION		27
LEGAL MATTERS		30
EXPERTS		30
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION		30
INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE		30

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may, from time to time, offer and sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings up to a total aggregate offering price of $250,000,000.

This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may include a discussion of any risk factors or other special considerations that apply to those securities. The prospectus supplement may also add to, update or change information contained in the prospectus and, accordingly, to the extent inconsistent, information in this prospectus is superseded by the information in the prospectus supplement.

The prospectus supplement to be attached to the front of this prospectus may describe, as applicable: the terms of the securities offered; the initial or secondary public offering price; the price paid for the securities; net proceeds; and the other specific terms related to the offering of the securities.

You should only rely on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement or related free writing prospectus relating to a particular offering. No person has been authorized to give any information or make any representations in connection with this offering other than those contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus in connection with the offering described herein and therein, and, if given or made, such information or representations must not be relied upon as having been authorized by us. Neither this prospectus nor any prospectus supplement nor any related free writing prospectus shall constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy offered securities in any jurisdiction in which it is unlawful for such person to make such an offering or solicitation. This prospectus does not contain all of the information included in the registration statement. For a more complete understanding of the offering of the securities, you should refer to the registration statement, including its exhibits.

You should read the entire prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, as well as the documents incorporated by reference before making an investment decision. Neither the delivery of this prospectus or any prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus nor any sale made hereunder shall under any circumstances imply that the information contained or incorporated by reference herein or in any prospectus supplement or related free writing prospectus is correct as of any date subsequent to the date hereof or of such prospectus supplement or related free writing prospectus, as applicable. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or any document incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date of the applicable documents, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any sale of securities. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.

1

THE COMPANY

This summary description about us and our business highlights selected information contained elsewhere in this prospectus or incorporated in this prospectus by reference. This summary does not contain all of the information you should consider before buying securities in this offering. You should carefully read this entire prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, including each of the documents incorporated herein or therein by reference, before making an investment decision. As used in this prospectus, “we,” “us,” “Tricida” and “our” refer to Tricida, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

Overview

Our goal is to slow the progression of chronic kidney disease, or CKD, through the treatment of metabolic acidosis. We are a pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of our investigational drug candidate, veverimer (also known as TRC101), a non-absorbed, orally administered polymer designed to treat metabolic acidosis by binding and removing acid from the gastrointestinal, or GI, tract. Metabolic acidosis is a serious condition commonly caused by CKD and is believed to accelerate the progression of kidney deterioration. It can also lead to bone loss, muscle wasting and impaired physical function. Metabolic acidosis in patients with CKD is typically a chronic disease and, as such, requires long-term treatment to mitigate its deleterious consequences.

There are currently no FDA-approved therapies for treating chronic metabolic acidosis. We estimate that metabolic acidosis affects approximately 3 million patients with CKD in the United States, and we believe that treating metabolic acidosis and slowing the progression of CKD in patients with metabolic acidosis and CKD represents a significant unmet medical need and market opportunity.

Veverimer is an in-house discovered, new chemical entity. We have a broad intellectual property estate that we believe will provide patent protection for veverimer until at least 2038 in the United States, at least 2035 in Europe and Russia, and at least 2034 in Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Japan, Mexico and certain other markets.

Corporate Information

We were incorporated under the laws of the state of Delaware on May 22, 2013 and were granted certification of qualification in the state of California on August 5, 2013. Our principal offices are located at 7000 Shoreline Court, Suite 201, South San Francisco, California. Our telephone number is (415) 429-7800. Our website is www.tricida.com. The information on, or that can be accessed through, our website address is not part of this prospectus and is not incorporated by reference herein.

Trademarks

Tricida and our logo are some of our tradenames used in this prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus. This prospectus also includes trademarks, tradenames, and service marks that are the property of other organizations. Solely for convenience, our trademarks and tradenames referred to in this prospectus or in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus appear without the ^™ or ^® symbol, but those references are not intended to indicate, in any way, that we will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our rights, or the right of the applicable licensor to these trademarks and tradenames.

2

RISK FACTORS

An investment in our securities involves significant risks. The prospectus supplement applicable to each offering of our securities will contain a discussion of the risks applicable to an investment in our securities. Prior to making a decision about investing in our securities, you should carefully consider the specific factors discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in the applicable prospectus supplement, together with all of the other information contained or incorporated by reference. You should also consider the risks, uncertainties and assumptions discussed under Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed subsequent to such Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as any amendments thereto, all of which are incorporated herein by reference, and may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by other subsequent reports we file with the SEC in the future and by information contained in any prospectus supplement related to a particular offering. The risks and uncertainties we have described are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also affect our business, result of operations and financial conditions and could result in a partial or complete loss of your investment.

3

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus, each prospectus supplement and the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus and each prospectus supplement contains and may contain certain statements that constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The words ““aim,” “anticipate,” “assume,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “continue,” “could,” “due,” “estimate,” “expect,” “goal,” “intend,” “may,” “objective,” “plan,” “predict,” “potential,” “seek,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions and variations thereof are intended to identify forward-looking statements, but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. Those statements appear in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated herein and therein by reference, particularly in the sections entitled “The Company,” “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Business,” and include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of the Company and management that are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions.

This prospectus, any prospectus supplement and the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement also contain statements that are based on the current expectations of our company and management. You are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors.

Because forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified, you should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. The events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements may not be achieved or occur and actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. The risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated or implied in our forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those set forth above under the section entitled “Risk Factors” and in the applicable prospectus supplement, together with all of the other information contained in or incorporated by reference into the prospectus supplement or appearing or incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

Except as required by applicable law, including the securities laws of the United States and the rules and regulations of the SEC, we do not plan to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements contained herein after we distribute this prospectus, whether as a result of any new information, future events or otherwise.

4

USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, we will use the net proceeds from the sale of securities offered by this prospectus for general corporate purposes, which may include, among other purposes, working capital, capital expenditures, other corporate expenses and acquisitions of assets, licenses, products, technologies or businesses. The timing and amount of our actual expenditures will be based on many factors, including the anticipated growth of our business. As a result, unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, our management will have broad discretion to allocate the net proceeds of the offerings. Pending their ultimate use, we intend to invest the net proceeds in short-term, investment-grade, interest-bearing instruments.

5

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

The following description is a general summary of the terms of the shares of common stock or shares of preferred stock that we may issue. The description below and in any prospectus supplement does not include all of the terms of the shares of common stock or shares of preferred stock and should be read together with our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws. This description also summarizes relevant provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, or “DGCL.” Therefore, please carefully consider the actual provisions of the amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws, which have been filed with the SEC as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, and the DGCL.

General

Our authorized capital stock consists of 400,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.001 par value per share, and 40,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share. As of December 31, 2020, there were outstanding:

• 50,210,779 shares of our common stock;

• 8,030,415 shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options;

• 31,352 shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding warrant; and

• 90,020 shares of our common stock issuable upon vesting of restricted stock units.

Common Stock

Voting Rights

Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share of common stock held of record for the election of directors and on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders. In the election of directors, a plurality of the votes cast at a meeting of stockholders is sufficient to elect a director. Our stockholders do not have cumulative voting rights in the election of directors. Accordingly, holders of a majority of the voting shares are able to elect all of the directors. In all other matters, except as noted below under “Anti-Takeover Effects of Provisions of our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, our Amended and Restated Bylaws and Delaware Law” a majority vote of common stockholders is generally required to take action under our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws.

Dividends

Subject to preferences that may be applicable to any then outstanding convertible preferred stock, holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by our board of directors out of legally available funds. We have never paid cash dividends on our common stock and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future.

Liquidation

In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, holders of our common stock will be entitled to share ratably in the net assets legally available for distribution to stockholders after the payment of all of our debts and other liabilities and the satisfaction of any liquidation preference granted to the holders of any then outstanding shares of convertible preferred stock.

Rights and Preferences

Holders of our common stock have no preemptive, conversion, subscription or other rights, and there are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to our common stock. The rights, preferences and privileges of the 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 our convertible preferred stock that we may designate in the future.

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Fully Paid and Nonassessable

All of our outstanding shares of common stock are, and the shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the notes, if any, will be fully paid and nonassessable.

Preferred Stock

The following description of preferred stock and the description of the terms of any particular series of preferred stock that we choose to issue hereunder and that will be set forth in the related prospectus supplement are not complete. These descriptions are qualified in their entirety by reference to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and the certificate of designation relating to any series. The rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of the preferred stock of each series will be fixed by the certificate of designation relating to that series. The prospectus supplement also will contain a description of certain United States federal income tax consequences relating to the purchase and ownership of the series of preferred stock that is described in the prospectus supplement.

Our board of directors has been authorized to designate and issue up to an aggregate of 40,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series without action by the stockholders. The board of directors can fix the rights, preferences and privileges of the shares of each series and any of its qualifications, limitations or restrictions. Our board of directors may authorize the issuance of preferred stock with voting or conversion rights that could adversely affect the voting power or other rights of the holders of common stock. The issuance of preferred stock, while providing flexibility in connection with possible future financings and acquisitions and other corporate purposes could, under certain circumstances, have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control of our company and might harm the market price of our common stock. As of the date of this prospectus, there were no preferred stock issued and outstanding.

The prospectus supplement for a series of preferred stock will specify, among other things:

• the maximum number of shares;

• the designation of the shares;

• the annual dividend rate, if any, whether the dividend rate is fixed or variable, the date or dates on which dividends will accrue, the dividend payment dates, and whether dividends will be cumulative;

• the price and the terms and conditions for redemption, if any, including redemption at our option or at the option of the holders, including the time period for redemption, and any accumulated dividends or premiums;

• the liquidation preference, if any, and any accumulated dividends upon the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs;

• any sinking fund or similar provision, and, if so, the terms and provisions relating to the purpose and operation of the fund;

• the terms and conditions, if any, for conversion or exchange of shares of any other class or classes of our capital stock or any series of any other class or classes, or of any other series of the same class, or any other securities or assets, including the price or the rate of conversion or exchange and the method, if any, of adjustment;

• the voting rights; and

• any or all other preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, privileges or qualifications, limitations or restrictions.

Options

As of December 31, 2020, we had outstanding options to purchase 8,030,415 shares of our common stock, with a weighted-average exercise price of $19.25 per share, under our 2018 Equity Incentive Plan.

7

Warrants

Pursuant to the terms of certain warrant agreements, Hercules and Hercules Technology, have the right to purchase an aggregate of 31,352 shares of our common stock as of December 31, 2020. The shares issuable on exercise of the warrants are entitled to the piggyback registration rights and Form S-3 registration rights described below.

Registration Rights

We are party to an amended and restated investor rights agreement, dated as of November 7, 2017, as amended, pursuant to which certain of our stockholders, including certain holders of five percent or more of our capital stock and entities affiliated with certain of our directors, have the right to demand that we file a registration statement for their shares of our common stock or request that their shares of our common stock be covered by a registration statement that we are otherwise filing, including, in each case, shares of our common stock that were issued upon conversion of convertible preferred stock. These shares are referred to as registrable securities.

Demand Registration Rights

The holders of at least a majority of the registrable securities have the right to demand that we file, on no more than two occasions, a registration statement on Form S-1 to register all or a portion of their registrable securities, provided that the anticipated aggregate offering price of the registrable securities to be sold under the registration statement on Form S-1 exceeds $10.0 million. Depending on certain conditions, we may defer a demand registration for up to 90 days in any twelve-month period.

Piggyback Registration Rights

If we propose to file a registration statement under the Securities Act for the purposes of a public offering of our securities (including, but not limited to, registration statements relating to secondary offering of our securities but excluding (i) a registration statement relating to any employee benefit plan or (ii) with respect to any corporate reorganization or transaction under Rule 145 of the Securities Act, any registration statements related to the issuance or resale of securities issued in such a transaction or (iii) a registration related to stock issued upon conversion of debt securities), the holders of registrable securities are entitled to receive notice of such registration and to request that we include their registrable securities for resale in the registration statement. The underwriters of such offering will have the right to limit the number of shares to be included in such registration.

Form S-3 Registration Rights

A holder of at least 2,000,000 shares of registrable securities (including common stock issued upon conversion of convertible preferred stock) (as adjusted for any future stock dividend, combinations, splits, recapitalizations and the like) shall have the right to demand, subject to certain exceptions, that we file an unlimited number of registration statements on Form S-3 with respect to all of a part of the registrable securities owned by such holder provided that the anticipated aggregate offering price of the registrable securities to be sold under any such registration statement exceeds $5 million. Once the demand has been made, other holders of registrable securities may join in the registration statement.

Termination of Registration Rights

The demand, Form S-3 and piggyback registration rights described above will terminate five years after the completion of our initial public offering on July 2, 2018. In addition, the registration rights of a holder of registrable securities will expire if all of the holder’s registrable securities may be sold without limitation (and without the requirement for us to be in compliance with the current public information requirement) under Rule 144 of the Securities Act.

8

Expenses of Registration; Indemnification

We are generally required to bear all registration expenses incurred in connection with any offerings pursuant to the demand, Form S-3 and piggyback registration rights described above, other than underwriting commissions and discounts. The amended and restated investor rights agreement contains customary indemnification provisions with respect to registration rights.

Anti-Takeover Effects of Provisions of our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, our Amended and Restated Bylaws and Delaware Law

Some provisions of Delaware law and our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws contain provisions that could make the following transactions more difficult: acquisition of us by means of a tender offer; acquisition of us by means of a proxy contest or otherwise; or removal of our incumbent officers and directors. It is possible that these provisions could make it more difficult to accomplish or could deter transactions that stockholders may otherwise consider to be in their best interest or in our best interests, including transactions that might result in a premium over the market price for our shares.

These provisions, 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. We believe that the benefits of increased protection of our potential ability to negotiate with the proponent of an unfriendly or unsolicited proposal to acquire or restructure us outweigh the disadvantages of discouraging these proposals because negotiation of these proposals could result in an improvement of their terms.

Delaware Anti-Takeover Statute

We are subject to Section 203 of the DGCL, which prohibits persons deemed “interested stockholders” from engaging in a “business combination” with a publicly-held Delaware corporation for three years following the date these persons become interested stockholders unless the business combination is, or the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder was, approved in a prescribed manner or another prescribed exception applies. Generally, an “interested stockholder” is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns, or within three years prior to the determination of interested stockholder status did own, 15% or more of a corporation’s voting stock. Generally, a “business combination” includes a merger, asset or stock sale, or other transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. The existence of this provision may have an anti-takeover effect with respect to transactions not approved in advance by the board of directors, such as discouraging takeover attempts that might result in a premium over the market price of our common stock.

Undesignated Preferred Stock

The ability to authorize undesignated preferred stock makes it possible for our board of directors to issue preferred stock with voting or other rights or preferences that could impede the success of any attempt to change control of us. These and other provisions may have the effect of deterring hostile takeovers or delaying changes in control or management of our company.

Special Stockholder Meetings

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws provide that a special meeting of stockholders may be called only by our chairman of the board of directors, Chief Executive Officer or President, in the absence of a Chief Executive Officer, or our board of directors.

Requirements for Advance Notification of Stockholder Nominations and Proposals

Our amended and restated bylaws establish advance notice procedures with respect to stockholder proposals and the nomination of candidates for election as directors, other than nominations made by or at the direction of the board of directors or a committee of the board of directors.

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Elimination of Stockholder Action by Written Consent

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws eliminate the right of stockholders to act by written consent without a meeting.

Choice of Forum

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware is the exclusive forum for any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf; any action asserting a breach of fiduciary duty; any action asserting a claim against us or any of our directors, officers or other employees arising pursuant to the DGCL, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or our amended and restated bylaws; any action asserting a claim against us or any of our directors, officers or other employees that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine of the State of Delaware, or any other action asserting an “internal corporate claim,” as defined in Section 115 of the DGCL.

This exclusive forum provision would not apply to suits brought to enforce any liability or duty created by the Securities Act or the Exchange Act or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction. To the extent that any such claims may be based upon federal law claims, Section 27 of the Exchange Act creates exclusive federal jurisdiction over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations thereunder. Furthermore, Section 22 of the Securities Act creates concurrent jurisdiction for federal and state courts over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Securities Act or the rules and regulations thereunder.

Additionally, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that unless a majority of the board of directors, acting on our behalf, consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the federal district courts of the United States of America is the sole and exclusive forum for any action arising under the Securities Act.

Although our amended and restated certificate of incorporation contains the choice of forum provisions described above, it is possible that a court could find that such a provision is inapplicable for a particular claim or action or that such provision is unenforceable.

Amendment of Charter Provisions

The amendment of any of the above provisions, except for the provision making it possible for our board of directors to issue preferred stock, would require approval by holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of our then outstanding voting stock.

The provisions of the DGCL, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws could have the effect of discouraging others from attempting hostile takeovers and, as a consequence, they may also inhibit temporary fluctuations in the market price of our common stock that often result from actual or rumored hostile takeover attempts. These provisions may also have the effect of preventing changes in our management. It is possible that these provisions could make it more difficult to accomplish transactions that stockholders may otherwise deem to be in their best interests.

The Nasdaq Global Select Market Listing

Our common stock is listed on Nasdaq under the symbol “TCDA.”

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Computershare Trust Company, N.A. The transfer agent and registrar’s address is 150 Royall Street, Canton, MA 02021.

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

We may issue debt securities in one or more distinct series. This section summarizes the material terms of the debt securities that are expected to be common to all series. Most of the financial terms and other specific material terms, as well as any material U.S. federal income tax consequences, of any series of debt securities that we offer will be described in a prospectus supplement. Since the terms of specific debt securities may differ from the general information provided below, you should read both this prospectus and the relevant prospectus supplement and rely on information in the prospectus supplement that supersedes any contrary or inconsistent information below.

As required by federal law for all bonds and notes of companies that are publicly offered, the debt securities will be governed by a document called an “indenture.” An indenture is a contract between us and a financial institution acting as trustee on your behalf. The trustee has two main roles. First, the trustee can enforce your rights against us if we default. There are some limitations on the extent to which the trustee acts on your behalf, described in the second paragraph under “Events of Default.” Second, the trustee performs certain administrative duties for us.

Senior or subordinated debt securities will be issued by us under an indenture or indentures, as may be supplemented from time to time, between us, as issuer, and the trustee.

The indenture will be subject to and governed by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “TIA”). The terms “we,” “our” and “us,” when used to refer to an issuer of securities, means Tricida, Inc.

Because this section is a summary, it does not describe every aspect of the debt securities and the indenture. We urge you to read the indenture because it, and not this description, defines your rights as a holder of debt securities. For example, in this section, we use capitalized words to signify terms that are specifically defined in the indenture. Some of the definitions are repeated in this prospectus, or in the relevant prospectus supplement, but for the rest you will need to read the indenture. See “Where You Can Find More Information” for information on how to locate the indenture and any supplemental indentures that may be filed.

To the extent our term loan remains outstanding, we will need to obtain the consent of our lender in order to issue any debt securities.

General Provisions of the Indenture

Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement for a particular series, the debt securities covered by this prospectus will be direct, unsecured obligations of Tricida. Any senior securities will be unsecured and will rank equally with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of Tricida. Any subordinated securities will be unsecured and will be subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full of the senior indebtedness of Tricida, as more fully described in a prospectus supplement.

The indenture provides that any debt securities proposed to be sold under this prospectus and an attached prospectus supplement (“offered debt securities”) and any debt securities issuable upon the exercise of debt warrants or upon conversion or exchange of other offered securities (“underlying debt securities”), as well as other debt securities, may be issued under the indenture in one or more series. Any secured indebtedness of ours will rank ahead of the debt securities to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness.

You should read the prospectus supplement for the material terms of the offered debt securities and any underlying debt securities, including the following:

• the title of the debt securities and whether the debt securities will be senior securities or subordinated securities of Tricida;

• the total principal amount of the debt securities of the series and any limit on such total principal amount;

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• if not the principal amount of the debt securities, the portion of the principal amount payable upon acceleration of the maturity of the debt securities or how this portion will be determined;

• the date or dates, or how the date or dates will be determined or may be extended, when the principal of the debt securities will be payable;

• the interest rate or rates, which may be fixed or variable, that the debt securities will bear, if any, or how the rate or rates will be determined, the date or dates from which any interest will accrue or how the date or dates will be determined, the interest payment dates, any record dates for these payments, whether payments of interest will be made in cash or in kind and the basis upon which interest will be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months;

• any optional redemption provisions;

• any sinking fund or other provisions that would obligate us to repurchase or otherwise redeem the debt securities;

• the form in which we will issue the debt securities and whether we will have the option of issuing debt securities in “certificated” form;

• if other than U.S. dollars, the currency or currencies in which the debt securities are denominated and/or payable;

• whether the amount of payments of principal, premium or interest, if any, on the debt securities will be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method (which index, formula or method may be based, without limitation, on one or more currencies, commodities, equity indices or other indices), and how these amounts will be determined;

• the place or places, if any, other than or in addition to The City of New York, of payment, transfer, conversion and/or exchange of the debt securities;

• if other than minimum denominations of $2,000 or any integral multiple of $1,000 above the minimum denomination in the case of registered securities issued in certificated form, the denominations in which the offered debt securities will be issued;

• if the provisions of Article Fourteen of the indenture described under “defeasance” are not applicable and any provisions in modification of, in addition to or in lieu of any of these provisions;

• whether and under what circumstances we will pay additional amounts, in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge and, if so, whether we will have the option to redeem the debt securities rather than pay the additional amounts (and the terms of this option);

• whether the debt securities are subordinated and the terms of such subordination;

• any provisions granting special rights to the holders of the debt securities upon the occurrence of specified events;

• any changes or additions to the Events of Default or covenants contained in the applicable indenture;

• whether the debt securities will be convertible into or exchangeable for any other securities and the applicable terms and conditions;

• whether the debt securities are guaranteed; and

• any other material terms of the debt securities.

For purposes of this prospectus, any reference to the payment of principal of or premium or interest, if any, on the debt securities will include additional amounts if required by the terms of the debt securities.

The indenture does not limit the amount of debt securities that may be issued thereunder from time to time. Debt securities issued under the indenture when a single trustee is acting for all debt securities issued under the indenture are called the “indenture securities.” The indenture also provides that there may be more than one

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trustee thereunder, each with respect to one or more different series of indenture securities. See “-Resignation of Trustee” below. At a time when two or more trustees are acting under the indenture, each with respect to only certain series, the term “indenture securities” means the one or more series of debt securities with respect to which each respective trustee is acting. In the event that there is more than one trustee under the indenture, the powers and trust obligations of each trustee described in this prospectus will extend only to the one or more series of indenture securities for which it is trustee. If two or more trustees are acting under the indenture, then the indenture securities for which each trustee is acting would be treated as if issued under separate indentures.

The indenture does not contain any provisions that give you protection in the event we issue a large amount of debt, we repurchase a significant amount of equity or effect a recapitalization, or we are acquired by another entity.

We refer you to the applicable prospectus supplement for information with respect to any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the Events of Default or our covenants that are described below, including any addition of a covenant or other provision providing event risk or similar protection.

We have the ability to issue indenture securities with terms different from those of indenture securities previously issued and, without the consent of the holders thereof, to reopen a previous issue of a series of indenture securities and issue additional indenture securities of that series unless the reopening was restricted when that series was created. Any additional indenture securities, together with all other outstanding indenture securities of that series, will constitute a single series of indenture securities under the indenture.

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will be denominated in U.S. dollars and all payments on the debt securities will be made in U.S. dollars.

Payment of the purchase price of the debt securities must be made in immediately available funds.

The authorized denominations of debt securities denominated in U.S. dollars will be a minimum denomination of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 above the minimum denomination. The authorized denominations of foreign currency notes will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Interest and Interest Rates

Each debt security will begin to accrue interest from the date it is originally issued. The related prospectus supplement will describe the method of determining the interest rate.

Payment and Paying Agents

We will pay interest to the person listed in the trustee’s records as the owner of the debt security at the close of business on a particular day in advance of each regularly scheduled date for interest, even if that person no longer owns the debt security on the interest due date. That day, typically set at a date approximately two weeks prior to the interest due date, is called the “record date.” Because we will pay all the interest for an interest period to the holders on the record date, holders buying and selling debt securities must work out between themselves the appropriate purchase price. The most common manner is to adjust the sales price of the debt securities to prorate interest fairly between buyer and seller based on their respective ownership periods within the particular interest period. This prorated interest amount is called “accrued interest.”

Payments on Global Securities

We will make payments on a global security in accordance with the applicable policies of the depositary as in effect from time to time. Under those policies, we will make payments directly to the depositary, or its nominee, and not to any indirect holders who own beneficial interests in the global security. An indirect holder’s right to those payments will be governed by the rules and practices of the depositary and its participants.

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Payments on Certificated Debt Securities

We will make payments on a certificated debt security as follows. We will pay interest that is due on an interest payment date by check mailed on the interest payment date to the holder at his or her address shown on the trustee’s records as of the close of business on the regular record date. We will make payments of principal and premium, if any, duly and punctually to the office of the trustee.

Alternatively, if the holder asks us to do so, we may pay any amount that becomes due on the debt security by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account at a bank in New York City, on the due date. To request payment by wire, the holder must give the trustee or other paying agent appropriate transfer instructions at least 15 calendar days before the requested wire payment is due. In the case of any interest payment due on an interest payment date, the instructions must be given by the person who is the holder on the relevant regular record date. Any wire instructions, once properly given, will remain in effect unless and until new instructions are given in the manner described above. In addition, see the description under “Interest and Interest Rates.”

Material Covenants

The prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of debt securities that we offer will describe the material covenants included in the indenture and will be subject to negotiation between the holder and us. Such material covenants may include covenants with respect to payments of principal, premium (if any) and interest and limitations or restrictions with respect to a consolidation, merger sale or conveyance of us, restrictions on liens, or other covenants, limitations or restrictions on us.

Events of Default

An event of default with respect to the debt securities of any series in the indenture includes:

(a) default for 30 days in payment of any interest on the debt securities of such series when it becomes due and payable;

(b) default in payment of principal of or any premium on the debt securities of such series at maturity or upon redemption or repayment when the same becomes due and payable;

(c) default by us in the performance of any other covenant contained in the applicable indenture for the benefit of the debt securities of such series that has not been remedied by the end of a specified period of time after notice is given as specified in the indenture; and

(d) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency and reorganization of Tricida.

The prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of debt securities that we offer will describe the events of default included in the indenture and will be subject to negotiation between the holder and us.

Modification of the Indenture

We and the trustee may, without the consent of the holders of the debt securities issued under such indenture, enter into supplemental indentures for, among others, one or more of the following purposes:

• to evidence the succession of another corporation to us and the assumption by such successor of its obligations under the indenture and the debt securities;

• to add covenants of Tricida or surrender any of its rights, or add any rights for the benefit of the holders of debt securities;

• to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency in such indenture;

• to establish the form or terms of any other series of debt securities, including any subordinated securities;

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• to comply with requirements of the SEC in order to maintain the qualification of the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act;

• to evidence and provide the acceptance of any successor trustee with respect to the debt securities or one or more other series of debt securities under the indenture or to facilitate the administration of the trusts thereunder by one or more trustees in accordance with the indenture; and

• to provide any additional events of default;

• to add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of the indentures in respect of one or more series of debt securities, provided that any such addition, change or elimination, shall become effective only when there is no security outstanding of any series created prior to the adoption of such addition, change or elimination;

• to make any provisions with respect to the optional conversion rights of holders, including providing for the conversion of the debt securities into any other security or securities of ours, provided that such provisions are not adverse to the interests of the holders of any debt securities then outstanding;

• to add any guarantee of one or more series of the debt securities; or

• to supplement any of the provisions of the indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance and discharge of any series of debt securities pursuant to the indenture; provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the holders of debt securities of such series and any related coupons or any other series of securities in any material respect.

With certain exceptions, the indenture or the rights of the holders of the debt securities may be modified by us and the trustee with the consent of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities then outstanding affected thereby, but no such modification may be made without the consent of the holder of each outstanding note affected thereby that would:

• change the maturity of the principal of, or any premium on, or any installment of principal of or interest on any debt securities, or reduce the principal amount or any premium or the rate or manner of calculating interest or any premium payable upon redemption or repayment of any debt securities, or change the dates or periods for any redemption or repayment or change any place of payment where, or the coin or currency in which, any principal, premium or interest is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption or repayment, on or after the redemption or repayment date);

• reduce the percentage in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities, the consent whose holders is required for any such modification, or the consent of whose holders is required for any waiver of compliance with certain provisions of the indenture or certain defaults thereunder and their consequences provided for in the indenture; or

• modify any of the provisions of certain sections of the indenture, including the provisions summarized in this paragraph, except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain other provisions of the indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the holder of each of the outstanding debt securities affected thereby.

Defeasance

The following provisions will be applicable to each series of debt securities unless we state in the applicable prospectus supplement that the provisions of covenant defeasance and full defeasance will not be applicable to that series.

Covenant Defeasance

Under current United States federal tax law, we can make the deposit described below and be released from some of the restrictive covenants in the indenture under which the particular series was issued. This is called

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“covenant defeasance.” In that event, you would lose the protection of those restrictive covenants but would gain the protection of having money and government securities set aside in trust to repay your debt securities. In order to achieve covenant defeasance, we must do the following:

• deposit in trust for the benefit of all holders of such debt securities a combination of money and government or government agency debt securities or bonds in the relevant currency that will generate enough cash to make interest, principal and any other payments on the debt securities of such series in the relevant currency on their various due dates; and

• deliver to the trustee a legal opinion of our counsel confirming that, under current United States federal income tax law, we may make the above deposit without causing you to be taxed on the debt securities of such series any differently than if we did not make the deposit and just repaid such debt securities ourselves at maturity.

If we accomplish covenant defeasance, you can still look to us for repayment of the debt securities if there were a shortfall in the trust deposit or the trustee is prevented from making payment. In fact, if one of the remaining Events of Default occurred (such as our bankruptcy) and the debt securities became immediately due and payable, there might be a shortfall. Depending on the event causing the default, you may not be able to obtain payment of the shortfall.

Full Defeasance

If there is a change in United States federal tax law, as described below, we can legally release ourselves from all payment and other obligations on the debt securities of a particular series (called “full defeasance”) if we put in place the following other arrangements for you to be repaid:

• we must deposit in trust for the benefit of all holders of the debt securities of such series a combination of money and government or government agency debt securities or bonds in the relevant currency that will generate enough cash to make interest, principal and any other payments on the debt securities of such series in the relevant currency on their various due dates; and

• we must deliver to the trustee a legal opinion confirming that there has been a change in current United States federal tax law or an Internal Revenue Service ruling that allows us to make the above deposit without causing you to be taxed on the debt securities of such series any differently than if we did not make the deposit and just repaid such debt securities ourselves at maturity. Under current United States federal tax law, the deposit and our legal release from the debt securities of such series would be treated as though we paid you your share of the cash and debt securities or bonds at the time the cash and debt securities or bonds were deposited in trust in exchange for your debt securities and you would recognize gain or loss on your debt securities at the time of the deposit.

If we ever did accomplish full defeasance, as described above, you would have to rely solely on the trust deposit for repayment of the debt securities of such series. You could not look to us for repayment in the unlikely event of any shortfall. Conversely, the trust deposit would most likely be protected from claims of our lenders and other creditors if we ever became bankrupt or insolvent.

Covenant defeasance and full defeasance are both subject to certain conditions, such as no default or event of default occurring and continuing, and no breach of any material agreement.

Discharge of the Indenture

We may satisfy and discharge our obligations under the indenture by delivering to the trustee for cancellation all outstanding debt securities or by depositing with the trustee or the paying agent after the debt securities have become due and payable, whether at stated maturity, or any redemption or repayment date, or otherwise, cash sufficient to pay all of the outstanding debt securities and paying all other sums payable under the indenture.

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No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders

No recourse for the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any debt security or any coupons appertaining thereto, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, and no recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of ours in the indenture or in any supplemental indenture, or in any debt security or any coupons appertaining thereto, or because of the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any director, officer, employee, or stockholder as such, past, present or future, of ours or any of our affiliates or any successor person, either directly or through us or any of our affiliates or any successor person, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly understood that all such liability is hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as a consideration for, the execution of the indenture and the issue of the debt securities.

Governing Law

New York law will govern the indenture and the debt securities.

Form, Exchange and Transfer of Certificated Debt Securities

If registered debt securities cease to be issued in book-entry form, they will be issued:

• only in fully registered certificated form,

• without interest coupons, and

• unless we indicate otherwise in the prospectus supplement, in a minimum denomination of $2,000 and amounts above the minimum denomination that are integral multiples of $1,000.

Holders may exchange their certificated debt securities of smaller denominations or combined into fewer debt securities of larger denominations, as long as the total principal amount is not changed.

Holders may exchange or transfer their certificated debt securities at the office of the trustee. We have appointed the trustee to act as our agent for registering debt securities in the names of holders transferring debt securities. We may appoint another entity to perform these functions or perform them ourselves.

Holders will not be required to pay a service charge to transfer or exchange their certificated securities, but they may be required to pay any tax or other governmental charge associated with the transfer or exchange. The transfer or exchange will be made only if our transfer agent is satisfied with the holder’s proof of legal ownership.

If we have designated additional transfer agents for your debt security, they will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement. We may appoint additional transfer agents or cancel the appointment of any particular transfer agent. We may also approve a change in the office through which any transfer agent acts.

If any certificated debt securities of a particular series are redeemable and we redeem less than all the debt securities of that series, we may block the transfer or exchange of those debt securities during the period beginning 15 days before the day we mail the notice of redemption and ending on the day of that mailing, in order to freeze the list of holders to prepare the mailing. We may also refuse to register transfers or exchanges of any certificated debt securities selected for redemption, except that we will continue to permit transfers and exchanges of the unredeemed portion of any debt security that will be partially redeemed.

If a registered debt security is issued in book-entry form, only the depositary will be entitled to transfer and exchange the debt security as described in this subsection, since it will be the sole holder of the debt security.

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Resignation of Trustee

The trustee may resign or be removed at any time with respect to one or more series of indenture securities provided that a successor trustee is appointed to act with respect to these series. In the event that two or more persons are acting as trustee with respect to different series of indenture securities under the indenture, each of the trustees will be a trustee of a trust separate and apart from the trust administered by any other trustee.

The Trustee under the Indenture

The trustee may be one of a number of banks with which we maintain ordinary banking relationships and from which we may obtain credit facilities and lines of credit in the future. The trustee may also serve as trustee under other indentures under which we are the obligor in the future.

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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

We may issue warrants for the purchase of our preferred stock, common stock, debt securities or any combination thereof. Warrants may be issued independently or together with our preferred stock, common stock or debt securities and may be attached to or separate from any offered securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants. The warrant agent will not have any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of warrants. This summary of certain provisions of the warrants is not complete. For the terms of a particular series of warrants, you should refer to the prospectus supplement for that series of warrants and the warrant agreement for that particular series.

The prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of warrants to purchase such securities will describe the terms of the warrants, including the following:

• the title of the warrants;

• the offering price for the warrants, if any;

• the aggregate number of warrants;

• the designation and terms of the securities that may be purchased upon exercise of the warrants;

• if applicable, the designation and terms of the securities with which the warrants are issued and the number of warrants issued with each security;

• if applicable, the date from and after which the warrants and any securities issued with the warrants will be separately transferable;

• whether the warrants will be issued in registered form or bearer form;

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

• the number and basic terms of the securities that may be purchased upon exercise of a warrant and the exercise price for the warrants;

• the dates on which the right to exercise the warrants shall commence and expire;

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

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

• if applicable, a discussion of material U.S. federal income tax considerations;

• the antidilution provisions of the warrants, if any;

• the redemption or call provisions, if any, applicable to the warrants;

• any provisions with respect to the holder’s right to require us to repurchase the warrants upon a change in control or similar event; and

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

Holders of equity warrants will not be entitled:

• to vote, consent or receive dividends;

• receive notice as stockholders with respect to any meeting of stockholders for the election of our directors or any other matter; or

• exercise any rights as stockholders of us.

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Holders of warrants to purchase debt securities will not be entitled to payments of principal of, or any premium or interest on, the debt securities purchasable on exercise, or to exercise any of the rights of the holders of such debt securities until such warrant is exercised.

Exercise of Warrants

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

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

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

Enforceability of Rights by Holders of Warrants

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

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DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

We may issue units consisting of any combination of the other types of securities offered under this prospectus in one or more series. We may evidence each series of units by unit certificates that we will issue under a separate agreement. We may enter into unit agreements with a unit agent. Each unit agent will be a bank or trust company that we select. We will indicate the name and address of the unit agent in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of units.

The following description, together with the additional information included in any applicable prospectus supplement, summarizes the general features of the units that we may offer under this prospectus. You should read any prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you related to the series of units being offered, as well as the complete unit agreements that contain the terms of the units. Specific unit agreements will contain additional important terms and provisions and we will file as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by reference from another report that we file with the SEC, the form of each unit agreement relating to units offered under this prospectus.

If we offer any units, certain terms of that series of units will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement, including, without limitation, the following, as applicable:

• the title of the series of units;

• identification and description of the separate constituent securities comprising the units;

• the price or prices at which the units will be issued;

• the date, if any, on and after which the constituent securities comprising the units will be separately transferable;

• a discussion of certain United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the units; and

• any other terms of the units and their constituent securities.

Enforceability of Rights by Holders of Units

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

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

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DESCRIPTION OF RIGHTS

We may issue rights to purchase common stock, preferred stock, debt securities or units. Rights may be issued independently or together with other securities and may or may not be transferable by the person purchasing or receiving the rights. In connection with any rights offering to our stockholders, we may enter into a standby underwriting, backstop or other arrangement with one or more underwriters or other persons pursuant to which such underwriters or other persons would purchase any offered securities remaining unsubscribed for after such rights offering. In connection with a rights offering to our stockholders, we would distribute certificates evidencing the rights and a prospectus supplement to our stockholders on or about the record date that we set for receiving rights in such rights offering.

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the following terms of any rights we may issue, including some or all of the following:

• the title and aggregate number of the rights;

• the subscription price or a formula for the determination of the subscription price for the rights and the currency or currencies in which the subscription price may be payable;

• if applicable, the designation and terms of the securities with which the rights are issued and the number of rights issued with each such security or each principal amount of such security;

• the number or a formula for the determination of the number of the rights issued to each stockholder;

• the extent to which the rights are transferable;

• in the case of rights to purchase debt securities, the principal amount of debt securities purchasable upon exercise of one right;

• in the case of rights to purchase common stock or preferred stock, the type of stock and number of shares of stock purchasable upon exercise of one right;

• the date on which the right to exercise the rights will commence, and the date on which the rights will expire (subject to any extension);

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

• the extent to which such rights include an over-subscription privilege with respect to unsubscribed securities;

• if applicable, the procedures for adjusting the subscription price and number of shares of common stock or preferred stock purchasable upon the exercise of each right upon the occurrence of certain events, including stock splits, reverse stock splits, combinations, subdivisions or reclassifications of common stock or preferred stock;

• the effect on the rights of any merger, consolidation, sale or other disposition of our business;

• the terms of any rights to redeem or call the rights;

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

• the terms of the securities issuable upon exercise of the rights;

• if applicable, the material terms of any standby underwriting, backstop or other purchase arrangement that we may enter into in connection with the rights offering;

• if applicable, a discussion of material U.S. Federal income tax considerations; and

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

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Exercise of Rights

Each right will entitle the holder to purchase for cash or other consideration such shares of stock or principal amount of securities at the subscription price as shall in each case be set forth in, or be determinable as set forth in, the prospectus supplement relating to the rights offered thereby. Rights may be exercised as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement beginning on the date specified therein and continuing until the close of business on the expiration date set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the rights offered thereby. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised rights will become void.

Upon receipt of payment and a subscription certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the subscription agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement, we will, as soon as practicable, forward the securities purchasable upon such exercise. If less than all of the rights represented by such subscription certificate are exercised, a new subscription certificate will be issued for the remaining rights. If we so indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the rights may surrender securities as all or part of the exercise price for rights.

We may determine to offer any unsubscribed offered securities directly to stockholders, persons other than stockholders, to or through agents, underwriters or dealers or through a combination of such methods, including pursuant to standby underwriting, backstop or other arrangements, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Prior to exercising their rights, holders of rights will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities purchasable upon subscription, including, in the case of rights to purchase common stock or preferred stock, the right to receive dividends, if any, or payments upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up or to exercise any voting rights or, in the case of rights to purchase debt securities, the right to receive principal, premium, if any, or interest payments, on the debt securities purchasable upon exercise or to enforce covenants in the applicable indenture.

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LEGAL OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES

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

Book-Entry Holders

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

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

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

Street Name Holders

We may terminate a global security or issue securities that are not issued in global form. In these cases, investors may choose to hold their securities in their own names or in “street name.” Securities held by an investor in street name would be registered in the name of a bank, broker or other financial institution that the investor chooses, and the investor would hold only a beneficial interest in those securities through an account he or she maintains at that institution.

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

Legal Holders

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

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For example, once we make a payment or give a notice to the holder, we have no further responsibility for the payment or notice even if that holder is required, under agreements with its participants or customers or by law, to pass it along to the indirect holders but does not do so.

Special Considerations for Indirect Holders

If you hold securities through a bank, broker or other financial institution, either in book-entry form because the securities are represented by one or more global securities or in street name, you should check with your own institution to find out:

• how it handles securities payments and notices;

• whether it imposes fees or charges;

• how it would handle a request for the holders’ consent, if ever required;

• whether and how you can instruct it to send you securities registered in your own name so you can be a legal holder, if that is permitted in the future;

• how it would exercise rights under the securities if there were a default or other event triggering the need for holders to act to protect their interests; and

• if the securities are in book-entry form, how the depositary’s rules and procedures will affect these matters.

Global Securities

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

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

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

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

Special Considerations For Global Securities

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

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If securities are issued only as global securities, an investor should be aware of the following:

• an investor cannot cause the securities to be registered in his or her name, and cannot obtain non-global certificates for his or her interest in the securities, except in the special situations we describe below;

• an investor will be an indirect holder and must look to his or her own bank or broker for payments on the securities and protection of his or her legal rights relating to the securities, as we describe above;

• an investor may not be able to sell interests in the securities to some insurance companies and to other institutions that are required by law to own their securities in non-book-entry form;

• an investor may not be able to pledge his or her interest in the global security in circumstances where certificates representing the securities must be delivered to the lender or other beneficiary of the pledge in order for the pledge to be effective;

• the depositary’s policies, which may change from time to time, will govern payments, transfers, exchanges and other matters relating to an investor’s interest in the global security. We and any applicable trustee have no responsibility for any aspect of the depositary’s actions or for its records of ownership interests in the global security. We and the trustee also do not supervise the depositary in any way;

• the depositary may, and we understand that DTC will, require that those who purchase and sell interests in the global security within its book-entry system use immediately available funds, and your broker or bank may require you to do so as well; and

• financial institutions that participate in the depositary’s book-entry system, and through which an investor holds its interest in the global security, may also have their own policies affecting payments, notices and other matters relating to the securities. There may be more than one financial intermediary in the chain of ownership for an investor. We do not monitor and are not responsible for the actions of any of those intermediaries.

Special Situations When A Global Security Will Be Terminated

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

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

• if the depositary notifies us that it is unwilling, unable or no longer qualified to continue as depositary for that global security and we do not appoint another institution to act as depositary within 90 days;

• if we notify any applicable trustee that we wish to terminate that global security; or

• if an event of default has occurred with regard to securities represented by that global security and has not been cured or waived.

The applicable prospectus supplement may also list additional situations for terminating a global security that would apply only to the particular series of securities covered by the prospectus supplement. When a global security terminates, the depositary, and neither we nor any applicable trustee, is responsible for deciding the names of the institutions that will be the initial direct holders.

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell the securities offered through this prospectus in primary offerings (1) to or through underwriters or dealers, (2) directly to purchasers, including our affiliates, (3) through agents, or (4) through a combination of any these methods. The securities may be distributed at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, market prices prevailing at the time of sale, prices related to the prevailing market prices, or negotiated prices. The prospectus supplement will include the following information:

• the terms of the offering;

• the names of any underwriters or agents;

• the name or names of any managing underwriter or underwriters;

• the purchase price of the securities;

• the net proceeds from the sale of the securities;

• any delayed delivery arrangements;

• any underwriting discounts, commissions and other items constituting underwriters’ compensation;

• any initial public offering price;

• any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and

• any commissions paid to agents.

Sale through underwriters or dealers

If underwriters are used in the sale, the underwriters will acquire the securities for their own account, including through underwriting, purchase, security lending or repurchase agreements with us. The underwriters may resell the securities from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions. Underwriters may sell the securities in order to facilitate transactions in any of our other securities (described in this prospectus or otherwise), including other public or private transactions and short sales. Underwriters may offer securities to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters or directly by one or more firms acting as underwriters. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to certain conditions, and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the offered securities if they purchase any of them. The underwriters may change from time to time any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers. The prospectus supplement will include the names of the principal underwriters the respective amount of securities underwritten, the nature of the obligation of the underwriters to take the securities and the nature of any material relationship between an underwriter and us.

If dealers are used in the sale of securities offered through this prospectus, we will sell the securities to them as principals. They may then resell those securities to the public at varying prices determined by the dealers at the time of resale. The prospectus supplement will include the names of the dealers and the terms of the transaction.

Direct sales and sales through agents

We may sell the securities offered through this prospectus directly. In this case, no underwriters or agents would be involved. Such securities may also be sold through agents designated from time to time. The prospectus supplement will name any agent involved in the offer or sale of the offered securities and will describe any commissions payable to the agent by us. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, any agent will agree to use its reasonable best efforts to solicit purchases for the period of its appointment.

We may sell the securities directly to institutional investors or others who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any sale of those securities. The terms of any such sales will be described in the prospectus supplement.

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Delayed delivery contracts

If the prospectus supplement indicates, we may authorize agents, underwriters or dealers to solicit offers from certain types of institutions to purchase securities at the public offering price under delayed delivery contracts. These contracts would provide for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. The contracts would be subject only to those conditions described in the prospectus supplement. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the commission payable for solicitation of those contracts.

Market making, stabilization and other transactions

Unless the applicable prospectus supplement states otherwise, each series of offered securities will be a new issue and will have no established trading market. We may elect to list any series of offered securities on an exchange. Any underwriters that we use in the sale of offered securities may make a market in such securities, but may discontinue such market making at any time without notice. Therefore, we cannot assure you that the securities will have a liquid trading market.

Any underwriter may also engage in stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Rule 104 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Stabilizing transactions involve bids to purchase the underlying security in the open market for the purpose of pegging, fixing or maintaining the price of the securities. Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of the securities in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover syndicate short positions.

Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when the securities originally sold by the syndicate member are purchased in a syndicate covering transaction to cover syndicate short positions. Stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids may cause the price of the securities to be higher than it would be in the absence of the transactions. The underwriters may, if they commence these transactions, discontinue them at any time.

Derivative transactions and hedging

We, the underwriters or other agents may engage in derivative transactions involving the securities. These derivatives may consist of short sale transactions and other hedging activities. The underwriters or agents may acquire a long or short position in the securities, hold or resell securities acquired and purchase options or futures on the securities and other derivative instruments with returns linked to or related to changes in the price of the securities. In order to facilitate these derivative transactions, we may enter into security lending or repurchase agreements with the underwriters or agents. The underwriters or agents may affect the derivative transactions through sales of the securities to the public, including short sales, or by lending the securities in order to facilitate short sale transactions by others. The underwriters or agents may also use the securities purchased or borrowed from us or others (or, in the case of derivatives, securities received from us in settlement of those derivatives) to directly or indirectly settle sales of the securities or close out any related open borrowings of the securities.

Electronic auctions

We may also make sales through the Internet or through other electronic means. Since we may from time to time elect to offer securities directly to the public, with or without the involvement of agents, underwriters or dealers, utilizing the Internet or other forms of electronic bidding or ordering systems for the pricing and allocation of such securities, you should pay particular attention to the description of that system we will provide in a prospectus supplement.

Such electronic system may allow bidders to directly participate, through electronic access to an auction site, by submitting conditional offers to buy that are subject to acceptance by us, and which may directly affect the price or other terms and conditions at which such securities are sold. These bidding or ordering systems may

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present to each bidder, on a so-called “real-time” basis, relevant information to assist in making a bid, such as the clearing spread at which the offering would be sold, based on the bids submitted, and whether a bidder’s individual bids would be accepted, prorated or rejected.

Upon completion of such an electronic auction process, securities will be allocated based on prices bid, terms of bid or other factors. The final offering price at which securities would be sold and the allocation of securities among bidders would be based in whole or in part on the results of the Internet or other electronic bidding process or auction.

General information

Agents, underwriters, and dealers may be entitled, under agreements entered into with us, to indemnification by us against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

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LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the securities being offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Sidley Austin LLP, New York, New York. Additional legal matters may be passed upon for us or any underwriters, dealers or agents, by counsel that we will name in the applicable prospectus supplement.

EXPERTS

Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, has audited our financial statements 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 are incorporated by reference in reliance on Ernst & Young LLP’s reports, given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We file annual, quarterly and other reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K, including any amendments to those reports, and other information that we file with or furnish to the SEC pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act can also be accessed free of charge through the Internet. These filings will be available as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC.

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3 under the Securities Act of 1933 relating to the offering of these securities. The registration statement, including the attached exhibits, contains additional relevant information about us and the securities. This prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement. The registration statement and the documents referred to below under “Information Incorporated by Reference” are also available on our Internet website. We have not incorporated by reference into this prospectus the information on our website, and you should not consider it to be a part of this prospectus.

INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference into this prospectus certain information we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede information contained in this prospectus. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below that we have previously filed with the SEC (excluding any portions of any Form 8-K that are not deemed “filed” pursuant to the General Instructions of Form 8-K):

• our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, filed with the SEC on February 26, 2021

• our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 11, 2021 (solely with respect to Item 1.01, Item 2.03 and the related Exhibit 99.1), February 22, 2021, February  25, 2021 (solely with respect to Item 8.01 and the related Exhibit 99.2), March 2, 2021 (solely with respect to Item 1.01); and March 16, 2021 (solely with respect to Item 1.02).

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• the description of our common stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A as filed with the SEC on June 25, 2018 pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act.

We also incorporate by reference into this prospectus additional documents that we may file with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the completion or termination of the offering, including all such documents we may file with the SEC after the date of the initial registration statement and prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement, but excluding any information deemed furnished and not filed with the SEC. Any statements contained in a previously filed document incorporated by reference into this prospectus is deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus, or in a subsequently filed document also incorporated by reference herein, modifies or supersedes that statement.

This prospectus may contain information that updates, modifies or is contrary to information in one or more of the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus. You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus. Neither we, nor the selling stockholders have authorized anyone else to provide you with different information. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date of this prospectus or the date of the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

We will provide to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom this prospectus is delivered, upon written or oral request, at no cost to the requester, a copy of any and all of the information that is incorporated by reference in this prospectus. You should direct any requests for documents to Tricida, Inc., 7000 Shoreline Court, Suite 201, South San Francisco, CA 94080, Attention: Chief Financial Officer, telephone number: (415) 429-7800.

Our reports and documents incorporated by reference herein may also be found in the “Investor Relations” section of our website at tricida.com. Our website and the information contained in it or connected to it shall not be deemed to be incorporated into this prospectus or the registration statement of which it forms a part.

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4,666,667 Shares of Common Stock

Pre-Funded Warrants to Purchase up to 2,333,333 Shares of Common Stock

Common Warrants to Purchase up to 7,000,000 Shares of Common Stock

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

November 12, 2021