SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
____________________________
SCHEDULE 13D
Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. 1)*
____________________________
EDESA BIOTECH, INC.
(Name of Issuer)
Common Shares, no par value per share
(Title of Class of Securities)
27966L108
(CUSIP Number)
Dr. Pardeep Nijhawan
c/o Edesa Biotech, Inc.
100 Spy Court
Markham, Ontario, L3R 5H6, Canada
(905) 475-1234
(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)
July 26, 2019
(Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement)
____________________________
If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition which is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of §§ 240.13d-1(e), 240.13d-1(f) or 240.13d-1(g), check the following box. ☐
Note: Schedules filed in paper format shall include a signed original and five copies of the schedule, including all exhibits. See Rule 13d-7 for other parties to whom copies are to be sent.
* The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person’s initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.
The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).
CUSIP No. 27966L108 | | Page 2 of 8 Pages |
| |
1 | NAME OF REPORTING PERSON Pardeep Nijhawan Medicine Professional Corporation |
2 | CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (see instructions)(a) ☐ (b) ☐ |
3 | SEC USE ONLY |
4 | SOURCE OF FUNDS (see instructions) OO |
5 | CHECK IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED ☐ PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) |
6 | CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION Ontario, Canada |
NUMBER OFSHARESBENEFICIALLYOWNED BYEACHREPORTINGPERSON WITH | 7 | SOLE VOTING POWER 0 |
8 | SHARED VOTING POWER 2,106,769 |
9 | SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER 0 |
10 | SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 2,106,769 |
11 | AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 2,106,769 |
12 | CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (see instructions) ☐CERTAIN SHARES (see Instructions) |
13 | PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 11 28.1% (1) |
14 | TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (see instructions) CO |
(1)
Based on a total of 7,504,468 shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding as of August 14, 2019.
CUSIP No. 27966L108 | | Page 3 of 8 Pages |
| |
1 | NAME OF REPORTING PERSON The Digestive Health Clinic Inc. |
2 | CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (see instructions)(a) ☐ (b) ☐ |
3 | SEC USE ONLY |
4 | SOURCE OF FUNDS (see instructions) OO |
5 | CHECK IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED ☐ PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) |
6 | CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION Ontario, Canada |
NUMBER OFSHARESBENEFICIALLYOWNED BYEACHREPORTINGPERSON WITH | 7 | SOLE VOTING POWER 0 |
8 | SHARED VOTING POWER 224,094 |
9 | SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER 0 |
10 | SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 224,094 |
11 | AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 224,094 |
12 | CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (see instructions) ☐CERTAIN SHARES (see Instructions) |
13 | PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 11 3.0% (1) |
14 | TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (see instructions) CO |
(1)
Based on a total of 7,504,468 shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding as of August 14, 2019.
CUSIP No. 27966L108 | | Page 4 of 8 Pages |
| |
1 | NAME OF REPORTING PERSON Pardeep Nijhawan |
2 | CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (see instructions)(a) ☐ (b) ☐ |
3 | SEC USE ONLY |
4 | SOURCE OF FUNDS (see instructions) OO |
5 | CHECK IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED ☐ PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) |
6 | CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION Canadian |
NUMBER OFSHARESBENEFICIALLYOWNED BYEACHREPORTINGPERSON WITH | 7 | SOLE VOTING POWER 537,312 |
8 | SHARED VOTING POWER 2,330,863 |
9 | SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER 537,312 |
10 | SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 2,330,863 |
11 | AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 2,868,175 |
12 | CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (see instructions) ☐CERTAIN SHARES (see Instructions) |
13 | PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 11 38.2% (1) |
14 | TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (see instructions) IN |
(1)
Based on a total of 7,504,468 shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding as of August 14, 2019.
This Amendment No. 1 (“Amendment No. 1”) amends and supplements the statement on Schedule 13D jointly filed by (i) Pardeep Nijhawan Medicine Professional Corporation, formed in Ontario, Canada, (ii) The Digestive Health Clinic Inc., formed in Ontario, Canada, and Dr. Pardeep Nijhawan, an individual (collectively, the “Reporting Persons”) on June 17, 2019 (as so amended and supplemented, the “Schedule 13D”), with respect to the common shares, no par value per share (the “Common Shares”) of Edesa Biotech, Inc., a British Columbia corporation, formerly known as “Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc.” (the “Company” or the “Issuer”). Except as expressly amended by this Amendment No. 1, the Schedule 13D remains in full force and effect.
The purpose of this Amendment No. 1 is to report an increase in the Reporting Persons’ beneficial ownership of Common Shares as a result of the issuance of Common Shares on July 26, 2019 pursuant to the post-closing adjustment contemplated by that certain Share Exchange Agreement, dated as of March 7, 2019, by and among the Company, Edesa Biotech Inc. (“Edesa”) and the shareholders of Edesa (the “Exchange Agreement”), as described in this Amendment No. 1.
Item 1. Security and Issuer.
This Schedule 13D relates to the Common Shares of the Company, which has its principal executive offices at 100 Spy Court, Markham, Ontario, Canada L3R 5H6.
Item 2. Identity and Background.
This Schedule 13D is jointly filed by the Reporting Persons. Dr. Pardeep Nijhawan is the sole executive officer and sole director of each of Pardeep Nijhawan Medicine Professional Corporation and The Digestive Health Clinic Inc. Dr. Pardeep Nijhawan is also the Chief Executive Officer of the Issuer. The principal address of the Reporting Persons is 100 Spy Court, Markham, Ontario, Canada L3R 5H6.
Pardeep Nijhawan Medicine Professional Corporation is a professional medical corporation through which Dr. Pardeep Nijhawan operates his medical practice. The Digestive Health Clinic Inc. owns and operates specialist medical clinics with services in gastroenterology, hepatology, internal medicine and hematology.
During the last five years, none of the Reporting Persons have been convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations and similar misdemeanors) or been a party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction and as a result of such proceeding, was or is subject to a judgment, decree or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or finding any violation with respect to such laws.
Item 3. Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration.
On June 7, 2019, the Company completed its business combination with Edesa in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Agreement (the “Exchange”). Pursuant to the Exchange, Edesa became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. Dr. Pardeep Nijhawan is the Chief Executive Officer and Secretary of Edesa and a director of Edesa, positions he has held since forming the company in 2015, and each of the Reporting Persons were shareholders of Edesa. Upon the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Exchange Agreement, Pardeep Nijhawan Medicine Professional Corporation received 1,988,424 Common Shares of the Issuer, The Digestive Health Clinic Inc. received 211,506 Common Shares of the Issuer and Dr. Pardeep Nijhawan received 507,129 Common Shares of the Issuer.
On July 26, 2019, Pardeep Nijhawan Medicine Professional Corporation received an additional 118,345 Common Shares of the Issuer, The Digestive Health Clinic Inc. received an additional 12,588 Common Shares of the Issuer and Dr. Pardeep Nijhawan received an additional 30,183 Common Shares of the Issuer pursuant to the post-closing adjustment contemplated by the Exchange Agreement.
Item 4. Purpose of Transaction.
Reference is made to the disclosure set forth under Item 3 of this Schedule 13D, which disclosure is incorporated herein by reference.
The Reporting Persons acquired their Common Shares for investment purposes.
Except as otherwise described in this Schedule, none of the Reporting Persons currently has any plans or proposals that relate to or would result in: (a) the acquisition by any person of additional securities of the Issuer, or the disposition of securities of the Issuer; (b) an extraordinary corporate transaction, such as a merger, reorganization or liquidation, involving the Issuer or any of its subsidiaries; (c) a sale or transfer of a material amount of assets of the Issuer or any of its subsidiaries; (d) any change in the present board of directors or management of the Issuer, including any plans or proposals to change the number or term of directors or to fill any existing vacancies on the board; (e) any material change in the present capitalization or dividend policy of the Issuer; (f) any other material change in the Issuer’s business or corporate structure; (g) any changes in the Issuer’s charter or bylaws or other actions which may impede the acquisition of control of the Issuer by any person; (h) causing a class of securities of the Issuer to be delisted from a national securities exchange or to cease to be authorized to be quoted in an interdealer quotation system of a registered national securities association; (i) causing a class of equity securities of the Issuer to become eligible for termination of registration pursuant to Section 12(g)(4) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; or (j) any action similar to any of those enumerated above.
Item 5. Interest in Securities of the Issuer.
(a)-(b)
Number of Common Shares beneficially owned:
| | | |
| Pardeep Nijhawan Medicine Professional Corporation | | 2,106,769 shares |
| The Digestive Health Clinic Inc. | | 224,094 shares |
| Pardeep Nijhawan | | 2,868,175 shares |
Percent of class:
| | | |
| Pardeep Nijhawan Medicine Professional Corporation | | 28.1% |
| The Digestive Health Clinic Inc. | | 3.0% |
| Pardeep Nijhawan | | 38.2% |
The percentage ownership was calculated based on 7,504,468 Common Shares outstanding as of August 14, 2019.
Number of shares as to which such person has:
(i) Sole power to vote or to direct the vote:
| | | |
| Pardeep Nijhawan Medicine Professional Corporation | | 0 shares |
| The Digestive Health Clinic Inc. | | 0 shares |
| Pardeep Nijhawan | | 537,312 shares |
(ii) Shared power to vote or to direct the vote:
| | | |
| Pardeep Nijhawan Medicine Professional Corporation | | 2,106,769 shares |
| The Digestive Health Clinic Inc. | | 224,094 shares |
| Pardeep Nijhawan | | 2,330,863 shares |
(iii) Sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of:
| | | |
| Pardeep Nijhawan Medicine Professional Corporation | | 0 shares |
| The Digestive Health Clinic Inc. | | 0 shares |
| Pardeep Nijhawan | | 537,312 shares |
(iv) Shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of:
| | | |
| Pardeep Nijhawan Medicine Professional Corporation | | 2,106,769 shares |
| The Digestive Health Clinic Inc. | | 224,094 shares |
| Pardeep Nijhawan | | 2,330,863 shares |
(c) Except as set forth in this Schedule 13D, the Reporting Persons have not effected any transactions with respect to the Common Shares of the Issuer during the past 60 days.
(d)-(e) Not applicable.
Item 6.
Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships with Respect to Securities of the Issuer.
Reference is made to the disclosure set forth under Items 3 of this Schedule 13D, which disclosure is incorporated herein by reference.
Designation of Directors
At the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Exchange Agreement, in accordance with the Exchange Agreement, the size of the Issuer’s board of directors was fixed at seven members and the board of directors was reconstituted to consist of four members designated by Edesa, Dr. Pardeep Nijhawan, Sean MacDonald, Paul William Pay and Peter van der Velden, one designated by Stellar, Frank R. Oakes, and two “independent” directors, Lorin Johnson and Carlo Sistilli. The directors shall serve until their respective successors are duly elected or appointed and qualified or their earlier death, resignation or removal. In addition, at the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Exchange Agreement, Frank R. Oakes resigned as the Issuer’s Chief Executive Officer and Dr. Pardeep Nijhawan, Edesa’s Chief Executive Officer, was appointed the Issuer’s Chief Executive Officer and Michael Brooks, Edesa’s Vice President Corporate Development and Strategy, was appointed the Issuer’s President. Kathi Niffenegger, the Issuer’s Chief Financial Officer, remains the Chief Financial Officer of the Issuer following the closing.
The foregoing descriptions of the Exchange Agreement do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to such agreement, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 2 and incorporated herein by reference.
Item 7. Material to be Filed as Exhibits.
Exhibit No. Description
Joint Filing Agreement, dated as of August 19, 2019 by and among (i) Pardeep Nijhawan Medicine Professional Corporation, formed in Ontario, Canada, (ii) The Digestive Health Clinic Inc., formed in Ontario, Canada, and Dr. Pardeep Nijhawan, an individual.
Share Exchange Agreement, dated as of March 7, 2019, by and between Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc., Edesa Biotech Inc. and the Edesa Shareholders (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of the Issuer’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 8, 2019).
SIGNATURE
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.
| | | | | PARDEEP NIJHAWAN MEDICINE PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION | |
| | | | | | | |
Date: August 19, 2019 | | By: | | /s/ Pardeep Nijhawan |
| | | | | Name: | | Pardeep Nijhawan |
| | | | | Title: | | Chief Executive Officer |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | THE DIGESTIVE HEALTH CLINIC INC. | |
| | | | | |
Date: August 19, 2019 | | By: | | /s/ Pardeep Nijhawan |
| | | | | Name: | | Pardeep Nijhawan |
| | | | | Title: | | Chief Executive Officer |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Date: August 19, 2019 | | By: | | /s/ Pardeep Nijhawan |
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