Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration No. 333-268282
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(To Prospectus dated November 18, 2022)
620,000 Shares of Common Stock
Pre-Funded Warrants to Purchase up to 230,000 Shares of Common Stock
Warrants to Purchase up to 850,000 Shares of Common Stock
We are offering 620,000 shares of our common stock and pre-funded warrants to purchase up to 230,000 shares of our common stock (each, a “Pre-Funded Warrant” and collectively, the “Pre-Funded Warrants”) in a registered direct offering to an institutional investor pursuant to this prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus and a securities purchase agreement with such investor. Each share of common stock and Pre-Funded Warrant we sell will be accompanied by a warrant to purchase one share of common stock (each, a “Warrant” and collectively, the “Warrants”). Subject to certain ownership limitations, each Pre-Funded Warrant is immediately exercisable at an exercise price of $0.001 per share and expires when it is exercised in full, and each Warrant is immediately exercisable upon issuance at an exercise price of $3.91 per share and expires five years from the date of issuance.
The shares of common stock and the accompanying Warrants, and the Pre-Funded Warrants and the accompanying Warrants, as applicable, can only be purchased together in this offering but will be issued separately and will be immediately separable upon issuance.
This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus also relate to the offering of the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the Pre-Funded Warrants and Warrants. We collectively refer to the shares of common stock, Pre-Funded Warrants and Warrants offered hereby, and the shares of common stock underlying the Pre-Funded Warrants and Warrants, as the “securities.”
Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “MMAT.” The closing price of our common stock on February 16, 2024, as reported by Nasdaq, was $4.53 per share. There is no established public trading market for the Warrants or Pre-Funded Warrants, and we do not expect such a market to develop. We do not intend to apply to list the Warrants or Pre-Funded Warrants on any securities exchange or other nationally recognized trading system. Without an active trading market, the liquidity of the Warrants and Pre-Funded Warrants will be limited.
We have retained A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners as our placement agent (the “Placement Agent”) in connection with this offering. The Placement Agent has no obligation to buy any of the securities from us or to arrange for the purchase or sale of any specific number or dollar amount of securities. We will deliver all securities to be issued in connection with this offering delivery versus payment (“DVP”)/receipt versus payment (“RVP”) upon receipt of investor funds received by us. Accordingly, neither we nor the Placement Agent have made any arrangements to place investor funds in an escrow account or trust account since the Placement Agent will not receive investor funds in connection with the sale of the securities offered hereunder. Further, any proceeds from the sale of the securities offered by us will be available for our immediate use, despite uncertainty about whether we would be able to use such funds to effectively implement our business plan. See the section entitled “Risk Factors” in this prospectus supplement for more information. We have agreed to pay the Placement Agent the Placement Agent fees set forth in the table below, which assumes that we sell all of the securities we are offering. See “Plan of Distribution” for more information regarding these arrangements.
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Before making an investment decision, please read the information under the heading “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-6 of this prospectus supplement and in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
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Per Share of Common Stock and Accompanying Warrant |
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Per Pre-Funded Warrant and Accompanying Warrant |
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Total |
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Public offering price |
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$ |
4.04 |
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$ |
4.039 |
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$ |
3,433,770 |
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Placement Agent fees(1) |
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$ |
0.26 |
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$ |
0.26 |
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$ |
223,210 |
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Proceeds, before expenses, to us(2) |
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$ |
3.78 |
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$ |
3.779 |
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$ |
3,210,560 |
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(1) |
We have agreed to pay the Placement Agent a cash fee of 6.5% of the aggregate gross proceeds raised in connection with the offering. We have also agreed to reimburse the Placement Agent for certain of its expenses as described under “Plan of Distribution.” |
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(2) |
The amount of the offering proceeds to us presented in this table does not include proceeds from the exercise of the Pre-Funded Warrants or Warrants for cash, if any, issued in the offering. |
Delivery of the securities will be made on or about February 21, 2024.
A.G.P.
The date of this prospectus supplement is February 19, 2024
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Prospectus Supplement
Prospectus
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
This document is in two parts. The first part is the prospectus supplement, including the documents incorporated by reference, which describes the specific terms of this offering. The second part, the accompanying prospectus, including the documents incorporated by reference, provides more general information. Before you invest, you should carefully read this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, all information incorporated by reference herein and therein, and any free writing prospectus we may authorize for use in connection with this offering, as well as the additional information described under “Where You Can Find Additional Information.” on page S-20 of this prospectus supplement. These documents contain information you should consider when making your investment decision. This prospectus supplement may add, update or change information contained in the accompanying prospectus. 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 therein filed prior to the date of this prospectus supplement, on the other hand, you should rely on the information in this prospectus supplement. If any statement in one of these documents is inconsistent with a statement in another document having a later date — for example, a document filed after the date of this prospectus supplement and incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus — the statement in the document having the later date modifies or supersedes the earlier statement.
This prospectus supplement is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) using a “shelf” registration process. Under the shelf registration process, we may from time to time offer and sell any combination of the securities described in the accompanying prospectus up to a total dollar amount of $250 million. The $3.4 million of securities offered, issued and sold under this prospectus supplement is included in the $250 million of securities that may be offered, issued and sold by us pursuant to our shelf registration statement.
You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and in any free writing prospectuses we may authorize for use in connection with this offering. We have not, and the Placement Agent has not, authorized any other person to provide you with any information that is different. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We and the Placement Agent take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. Additionally, you should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein, and in any free writing prospectus that we may authorize for use in connection with this offering, is accurate only as of the date of those respective documents. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates. We are offering to sell, and seeking offers to buy, the securities only in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted. The distribution of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and the offering of the securities in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law. Persons outside the United States who come into possession of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus must inform themselves about, and observe any restrictions relating to, the offering of the securities and the distribution of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus outside the United States. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus do not constitute, and may not be used in connection with, an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus by any person in any jurisdiction in which it is unlawful for such person to make such an offer or solicitation.
We further note that the representations, warranties and covenants made by us in any agreement that is filed as an exhibit to any document that is incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus were made solely for the benefit of the parties to such agreement, including, in some cases, for the purpose of allocating risk among the parties to such agreements, and should not be deemed to be a representation, warranty or covenant to you. Moreover, such representations, warranties or covenants were accurate only as of the date when made. Accordingly, such representations, warranties and covenants should not be relied on as accurately representing the current state of our affairs.
This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the information incorporated herein and therein by reference include trademarks, servicemarks and tradenames owned by us or other companies. All trademarks, servicemarks and tradenames included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus are the property of their respective owners.
On January 29, 2024, we effected a reverse split of our common stock at a ratio of 1-for-100 (the “Reverse Stock Split”). Unless otherwise indicated, all share amounts, per share data, share prices, exercise prices and conversion rates set forth in this prospectus supplement have, where applicable, been adjusted retroactively to reflect the Reverse Stock Split (subject to adjustment for fractional shares).
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and our SEC filings that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, which statements involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements generally relate to future events or our future financial or operating performance. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements because they contain words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “could,” “intend,” “target,” “project,” “contemplate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential” or “continue” or the negative of these words or other similar terms or expressions that concern our expectations, strategy, plans or intentions. Forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and our SEC filings that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus include statements about:
•estimated cash and cash equivalents and total revenue;
•our ability to achieve expected savings and benefits in association with our realignment and consolidation plan,
•our strategy for protecting our intellectual property,
•our ability to obtain necessary funding on favorable terms or at all,
•our ability to retain and increase sales to existing customers,
•our plan and ability to secure revenues,
•the risk of competitors entering the market,
•our ability to expand operations, facilities and hire and retain skilled staff,
•our ability to obtain financing to fund future expenditures and capital requirements,
•our plans with respect to new facilities and the scaling of our manufacturing capabilities,
•the impact of adoption of new accounting standards,
•statements relating to the acquisition of Plasma App Ltd., including but not limited to the effect the acquisition will have on significantly accelerating line speed and increasing our annual capacity for NANOWEB® films as well as KolourOptik® security films,
•statements relating to the acquisition of Optodot Corporation, including but not limited to the effect that the acquisition will offer simpler, faster, lower-cost assembly processes compatible with current and future battery chemistries,
•expectations regarding vehicle electrification,
•the capabilities of our technology, including but not limited to expectations regarding NANOWEB® capacity,
•our ability to maintain an adequate rate of revenue growth and our future financial performance, including our expectations regarding our revenue, gross profit or gross margin and operating expenses
•our ability to expand our business, including to expand globally and into other markets,
•the sufficiency of our present cash and cash equivalents balances and cash flows,
•the effect of foreign currency fluctuation,
•the effect of a global chip shortage,
•our ability to maintain listing of our common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market, and
•ability to effectively use the net proceeds from this offering.
Forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to future events, are based on assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties. We cannot guarantee that we actually will achieve the plans, intentions or expectations expressed in our forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on these statements. There are a number of important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated or implied by forward-looking statements. These important factors include those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” contained or incorporated in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and any free writing prospectus we may authorize for use in connection with this offering. These factors and the other cautionary statements made in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus should be read as
being applicable to all related forward-looking statements whenever they appear in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Except as required by law, we do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statement. We disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY
This summary highlights selected information about us, this offering and information appearing elsewhere in this prospectus supplement and in the documents we incorporate herein by reference. This summary is not complete and does not contain all the information you should consider before investing in our securities pursuant to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Before making an investment decision, to fully understand this offering and its consequences to you, you should carefully read this entire prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-6 of this prospectus supplement and the financial statements and related notes and the other information that we incorporated by reference herein, including our Annual Reports on Form 10-K and 10-K/A, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and any other filings that we file with the SEC from time to time. Unless the context indicates otherwise, references in this prospectus to "META,"“Meta Materials Inc.,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer, collectively, to Meta Materials Inc., a Nevada corporation, and its subsidiaries taken as a whole.
Company Overview
We are an advanced materials and nanotechnology company. We are developing materials that we believe can improve the performance and efficiency of many current products as well as allow new products to be developed that cannot otherwise be developed without such materials. We believe META is positioned for growth, by pioneering a new category of intelligent surfaces, which will allow us to become the metamaterials industry leader. We enable our potential customers across a range of industries - consumer electronics, 5G communications, healthcare, aerospace, automotive, and clean energy - to deliver improved products to their customers.
Corporate Information
Our principal executive offices are located at 60 Highfield Park Drive, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia B3A 4R9 and our telephone number is (902) 482-5729. Our corporate website address is www.metamaterial.com. Our website and the information contained on, or that can be accessed through, the website will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference in, and is not considered part of, this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. You should not rely on any such information in making your decision whether to purchase our securities.
Recent Developments
Reverse Stock Split
On January 23, 2024, we announced, and on January 29, 2024 (the “Effective Time”), we effected, the Reverse Stock Split of our common stock at a ratio of 1-for-100. Our common stock began trading on a split-adjusted basis when the market opened on January 29, 2024. Our common stock continued to trade on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “MMAT" with new CUSIP number 59134N302.
The Reverse Stock Split was part of our plan to regain compliance with the certain continued listing requirements on The Nasdaq Capital Market. On February 12, 2024, we received a letter from Nasdaq notifying us that we had regained compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement (as defined below). We are currently in full compliance with Nasdaq listing requirements and will continue trading on Nasdaq.
The Reverse Stock Split was approved by our board of directors in accordance with Nevada law. As a result of the Reverse Stock Split, every 100 shares of common stock issued and outstanding prior to the Effective Time was automatically reclassified into one share of common stock with no change in the $0.001 par value per share. The exercise prices and the number of shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options, equity awards and warrants, and the number of shares available for future issuance under our equity incentive plans were adjusted in accordance with their respective terms. The Reverse Stock Split also proportionately reduced the number of authorized shares of common stock from 1 billion to 10 million.
No fractional shares were issued in connection with the Reverse Stock Split. Any fractional shares of common stock resulting from the Reverse Stock Split were rounded up to the nearest whole post-split share and no stockholders received cash in lieu of fractional shares.
The foregoing description of the Reverse Stock Split does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by, the full text of the Certificate of Change, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 3.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on January 29, 2024, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Distribution of Series C Preferred Stock
On January 23, 2024, our Board of Directors (the “Board”) declared a distribution of one share of newly designated Series C Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Series C Preferred Stock”), for each outstanding share of our common stock and each voting right represented by our Series B Preferred Stock held of record on February 2, 2024 (the “Record Date”). The outstanding
shares of Series C Preferred Stock will vote together with the outstanding shares of our common stock, as a single class, exclusively with respect to a proposal to increase our authorized shares as well as any proposal to adjourn any meeting of stockholders called for the purpose of voting on the increase in authorized shares, and will not be entitled to vote on any other matter, except to the extent required under Nevada law. Subject to certain limitations, each outstanding share of Series C Preferred Stock will have 1,000 votes per share.
All shares of Series C Preferred Stock that are not present in person or by proxy at the meeting of stockholders held to vote on the increase in authorized shares as of immediately prior to the opening of the polls at such meeting will automatically be redeemed by us. Any outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock that have not been so redeemed will be redeemed if such redemption is ordered by our board of directors or automatically upon the approval by our stockholders of an amendment to our articles of incorporation effecting the increase of authorized shares at such meeting.
The Series C Preferred Stock will be uncertificated, and no shares of Series C Preferred Stock will be transferable by any holder thereof except in connection with a transfer by such holder of any shares of our common stock held by such holder. In that case, a number of shares of Series C Preferred Stock equal to the number of shares of our common stock to be transferred by such holder would be transferred to the transferee of such shares of common stock.
The foregoing description of the Certificate of Designation of Series C Preferred Stock does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text thereof, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 29, 2024, which is incorporated herein by reference.
On February 29, 2024, pursuant to the securities purchase agreement with the investor in this offering, such investor received one share of Series C Preferred Stock for each share of common stock purchased in this offering, providing the investor the same rights described above as other holders of the Company as of the Record Date.
2023 Registered Direct Offering
On December 4, 2023, we entered into a securities purchase agreement (the “December 2023 Purchase Agreement”) with certain institutional and accredited investors, providing for the issuance and sale by us, in a registered direct offering (the “December 2023 Offering”), of (i) 750,000 (after adjustment to give effect to the Reverse Stock Split) shares of common stock and (ii) warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 750,000 (after adjustment to give effect to the Reverse Stock Split) shares of common stock (referred to individually as a “December 2023 Warrant” and collectively as the “December 2023 Warrants”). Each share of common stock and accompanying December 2023 Warrant was offered and sold at a combined price of $8.00 (after adjustment to give effect to the Reverse Stock Split). Each December 2023 Warrant is exercisable at any time on or after the date that is six months from the date of issuance to purchase one share of common stock at a price of $9.50 (after adjustment to give effect to the Reverse Stock Split) per share. The December 2023 Warrants expire five years from the initial exercise date.
The December 2023 Offering closed on December 6, 2023. We received net proceeds of approximately $5.4 million from the December 2023 Offering, after deducting placement agent fees and offering expenses payable by us.
The foregoing descriptions of the December 2023 Warrants and the December 2023 Purchase Agreement do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by, the full text of such documents, copies of which are attached as Exhibit 4.1 and Exhibit 10.1, respectively, to our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on December 6, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference.
June 2022 and December 2023 Warrant Amendments
On February 19, 2024, in connection with, and as a condition to, this offering, we entered into a letter agreement (the “Letter Agreement”) pursuant to which we agreed to amend certain of our (a) warrants to purchase common stock issued on June 28, 2022 (the “June 2022 Warrants”) with a holder of such warrants representing an aggregate of 74,074 (after adjustment to give effect to the Reverse Stock Split) shares of common stock and (b) our December 2023 Warrants representing an aggregate of 250,000 (after adjustment to give effect to the Reverse Stock Split) shares of common stock.
Pursuant to the Letter Agreement, the exercise price per share of $9.50 (after adjustment to give effect to the Reverse Stock Split) of each of the warrants will automatically be reduced on June 6, 2024 to the Minimum Price (as defined by The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC) if the Minimum Price is lower than the exercise price in effect on June 6, 2024, subject to certain adjustments.
Pursuant to the Letter Agreement, we agreed to seek stockholder approval at the next annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Company to effect an amendment to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of Common Stock to 250,000,000 shares (the “Authorized Common Stock Increase Proposal”). The investor also agreed to use commercially reasonable efforts to vote all of the shares of common stock that it either owns or that it has discretion to vote as of the applicable record date in favor of (i) the Authorized Common Stock Increase Proposal and (ii) any other matter specifically relating to the Authorized Common Stock Increase Proposal.
Listing Compliance
On March 20, 2023, we received a notification letter from The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) notifying us that, because the closing bid price for our common stock was below $1.00 per share for 30 consecutive trading days, we were not in compliance with the minimum bid price requirement for continued listing on The Nasdaq Capital Market, as set forth in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) (the “Minimum Bid Price Requirement”). In accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(A), we were provided 180 calendar days, or until September 18, 2023, to regain compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement. On September 19, 2023, Nasdaq further notified the Company we were eligible for an additional 180 calendar day period, or until March 18, 2024, to regain compliance.
Further, on November 27, 2023, we received a notification letter from Nasdaq notifying us that our Common Stock had a closing bid price of $0.10 or less for ten consecutive trading days and that, consistent with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(A)(iii), the staff of Nasdaq had determined to delist the Common Stock from The Nasdaq Capital Market, subject to the request of a hearing. On November 28, 2023, we timely submitted a request for a hearing before the Nasdaq Hearings Panel to appeal the delisting determination, which was granted by the Nasdaq Hearings Panel and a hearing was originally scheduled to occur on March 21, 2024 (subsequently changed to February 22, 2024).
On February 12, 2024, we received a letter from Nasdaq notifying us that we had regained compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement, and consequently, the previously scheduled hearing was cancelled by the Nasdaq Hearings Panel. We are currently in full compliance with Nasdaq listing requirements and will continue trading on Nasdaq.
Cash
As of December 31, 2023, we had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $10.3 million.
These amounts are unaudited and preliminary, and do not present all information necessary for an understanding of our financial condition as of December 31, 2023. Our estimates are based solely on information available to us as of the date of this prospectus supplement. Our estimates contained in this prospectus supplement, therefore, are forward-looking statements. Actual results for the year ended December 31, 2023 remain subject to the completion of management’s and our audit committee’s final reviews and our other financial closing procedures and the completion of the preparation of our audited consolidated financial statements. Our actual audited consolidated financial statements and related notes as of and for the year ending December 31, 2023 will not be filed with the SEC until after this offering is completed, and consequently will not be available to you prior to you investing in this offering.
The preliminary financial data included in this prospectus has been prepared by and is the responsibility of our management. Our independent registered public accounting firm, KPMG LLP, has not audited, reviewed, compiled or performed any procedures with respect to the preliminary financial data. Accordingly, KPMG LLP does not express an opinion or any other form of assurance with respect thereto.
THE OFFERING
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Issuer |
Meta Materials Inc. |
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Common stock offered by us |
620,000 shares of our common stock. |
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Pre-Funded Warrants offered by us |
Pre-Funded Warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 230,000 shares of common stock. Each Pre-Funded Warrant will have an exercise price of $0.001 per share, will be exercisable commencing on the date of issuance and will expire when it is exercised in full. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus also relate to the offering of the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the Pre-Funded Warrants. The exercise price of the Pre-Funded Warrants and the number of shares into which the Pre-Funded Warrants may be exercised are subject to adjustment in certain circumstances. See “Description of Securities.” |
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Warrants offered by us |
Warrants to purchase an aggregate of 850,000 shares of common stock. Each share of our common stock and each Pre-Funded Warrant is being sold together with one Warrant to purchase one share of our common stock. Each Warrant will have an exercise price of $3.91 per share, will be exercisable commencing on the date of issuance and will expire on the fifth anniversary of the issuance date. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus also relate to the offering of the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants. The exercise price of the Warrants and the number of shares into which the Warrants may be exercised are subject to adjustment in certain circumstances. See “Description of Securities.” |
Offering price per share and associated Warrant |
$4.04 |
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Offering price per Pre-Funded Warrant and associated Warrant |
$4.039 |
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Common stock to be outstanding after this offering |
6,441,384 shares, assuming no exercise of the Pre-Funded Warrants or Warrants. |
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Use of proceeds |
We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering for the expansion of our technology commercialization and sales efforts (specifically in bank note and brand authentication, NPORE® and NCORE technologies for Li-ion battery applications, NANOWEB® transparent conductive films for automotive and consumer electronics applications, and VLEPSIS® systems for wide area motion imagery), as well as for general corporate purposes. Please see “Use of Proceeds.” |
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Nasdaq Capital Market symbol |
Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “MMAT.” There is no established public trading market for the Pre-Funded Warrants or Warrants, and we do not expect such a market to develop. We do not intend to apply to list the Pre-Funded Warrants or Warrants on any securities exchange or other nationally recognized trading system. Without an active trading market, the liquidity of the Pre-Funded Warrants and Warrants will be limited. |
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Reasonable best efforts offering |
We have agreed to offer and sell the securities offered hereby to the purchaser through the Placement Agent. The Placement Agent is not required to buy or sell any specific number or dollar amount of the securities offered hereby, but will use its reasonable best efforts to solicit offers to purchase the securities offered by this prospectus. See “Plan of Distribution” on page S-18 of this prospectus supplement. |
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Risk factors |
This investment involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-6 of this prospectus supplement, as well as the other information included in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying |
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prospectus, for a discussion of risks you should carefully consider before investing in our securities. |
The number of shares of our common stock that will be outstanding after this offering is based on 5,821,384 shares of common stock issued and outstanding as of February 16, 2024 and excludes as of that date:
•154,085 shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options under our 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2021 Plan”), at a weighted-average exercise price of $51.08 per share;
•86,085 shares of our common stock issuable upon the vesting of restricted stock units under our 2021 Plan;
•48,746 shares of our common stock issuable upon the redemption of deferred stock units under our 2021 Plan;
•1,974,296 shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants, at a weighted-average exercise price of $23.69 per share; and
•213,580 shares of our common stock reserved for future issuance under the 2021 Plan.
Unless otherwise noted, the information in this prospectus supplement reflects and assumes no exercise of outstanding options or warrants subsequent to February 16, 2024, including any Pre-Funded Warrants or Warrants issued in this offering.
RISK FACTORS
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk and uncertainty. In addition to the other information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, you should carefully consider the risks described below, before making an investment decision with respect to the securities. We expect to update these Risk Factors from time to time in the periodic and current reports that we file with the SEC after the date of this prospectus supplement. These updated Risk Factors will be incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Please refer to these subsequent reports for additional information relating to the risks associated with investing in our securities. If any of such risks and uncertainties actually occurs, our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be severely harmed. This could cause the trading price of our securities to decline, and you could lose all or part of your investment. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements made throughout this prospectus supplement or the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus as a result of different factors, including the risks we face described below.
Risks Related to this Offering
If our common stock ceases to be listed on a national securities exchange it will become subject to the so-called “penny stock” rules that impose restrictive sales practice requirements.
If we are unable to maintain the listing of our common stock on The Nasdaq Capital Market or another national securities exchange, our common stock could become subject to the so-called “penny stock” rules if the shares have a market value of less than $5.00 per share. The SEC has adopted regulations that define a penny stock to include any stock that has a market price of less than $5.00 per share, subject to certain exceptions, including an exception for stock traded on a national securities exchange. The SEC regulations impose restrictive sales practice requirements on broker-dealers who sell penny stocks to persons other than established customers and accredited investors. For transactions covered by this rule, the broker-dealer must make a special suitability determination for the purchaser and must have received the purchaser’s written consent to the transaction prior to sale. This means that if we are unable maintain the listing of our common stock on a national securities exchange, the ability of stockholders to sell their common stock in the secondary market could be adversely affected. If a transaction involving a penny stock is not exempt from the SEC’s rule, a broker-dealer must deliver a disclosure schedule relating to the penny stock market to each investor prior to a transaction. The broker-dealer also must disclose the commissions payable to both the broker-dealer and its registered representative, current quotations for the penny stock, and, if the broker-dealer is the sole market-maker, the broker-dealer must disclose this fact and the broker-dealer’s presumed control over the market. Finally, monthly statements must be sent disclosing recent price information for the penny stock held in the customer’s account and information on the limited market in penny stocks.
We will be unable to issue additional shares for future capital raising transactions or strategic transactions unless we obtain stockholder approval to amend our articles of incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of our common stock available for issuance.
Following the Reverse Stock Split, we have 10,000,000 authorized shares of common stock. As of February 16, 2024, we had 5,821,384 shares of common stock outstanding and had reserved for issuance 154,085 shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options under our equity incentive plans at a weighted-average exercise price of $51.08 per share, 86,085 shares of our common stock issuable upon vesting of outstanding restricted stock units under our equity incentive plans, 48,746 shares of our common stock issuable to holders of deferred stock units no later than December 1st of the first calendar year commencing after the time of termination of their services, and we had outstanding warrants to purchase 1,974,296 shares of common stock at a weighted average exercise price of $23.69 per share. In addition, we had reserved an additional 213,580 shares of our common stock for future issuance under the 2021 Plan. As a result, as of February 16, 2024, we had approximately 1,701,824 shares of authorized shares of common stock available for future issuance. We operate in a capital-intensive industry and we do not believe we have sufficient unissued shares of common stock for future issuances to raise funds to execute on our business plans. Having additional authorized shares of common stock available is critical to our continued efforts to pursue our strategic goals and we will be limited by the number of shares available for future capital raising transactions or business development transactions unless we obtain stockholder approval of an amendment to our articles of incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock. We plan to solicit the approval of our stockholders to amend our articles of incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock, but we cannot be certain that our stockholders will approve the amendment. A delay in securing, or a failure to secure, stockholder approval to amend our articles of incorporation could cause a delay in our future capital raising, collaboration, partnership or other strategic transactions, and may have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition.
We will have broad discretion in the use of proceeds from this offering and our existing cash, and we may invest or spend the proceeds and such cash in ways with which you do not agree and in ways that may not yield a return.
We will have broad discretion in the application of the net proceeds to us from this offering, including for any of the purposes described in the section of this prospectus supplement entitled “Use of Proceeds,” and our existing cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities. You may not agree with our decisions, and our use of the proceeds and our existing cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities may not improve our results of operations or enhance the value of our shares of common stock. You will be relying on the judgment of our management regarding the application of the proceeds of this offering. The results and effectiveness of the use of proceeds are uncertain, and we could spend the net proceeds in ways that you do not agree with or that do not improve our results of operations or enhance the value of our shares of common stock. Our failure to apply these funds effectively could have a material adverse effect on our business and cause the price of our shares of common stock to decline.
There may be future sales or other dilution of our equity, which may adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
In the future, assuming we obtain shareholders’ approval of an increase in our number of authorized shares, we may issue additional common stock, including any securities that are convertible into or exchangeable for, or that represent the right to receive, common stock. The market price of our common stock could decline as a result of sales of common stock or securities that are convertible into or exchangeable for, or that represent the right to receive, common stock after this offering or the perception that such sales could occur.
In connection with this offering, our executive officers, directors and 10% stockholders of the Company entered into lock-up agreements with the Placement Agent under which they have agreed, subject to specific exceptions not to sell, directly or indirectly, any shares of common stock without the permission of the Placement Agent for a period of 90 days following the date of this prospectus supplement. We refer to such period as the lock-up period. When the lock-up period expires, our securityholders subject to a lock-up agreement will be able to sell our shares in the public market.
In addition, the Placement Agent may, in its sole discretion, release all or some portion of the shares subject to lock-up agreements at any time and for any reason. As of February 16, 2024, we had 5,821,384 shares of common stock outstanding and had reserved for issuance 154,085 shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options under our equity incentive plans at a weighted-average exercise price of $51.08 per share, 86,085 shares of our common stock issuable upon vesting of outstanding restricted stock units under our equity incentive plans, 48,746 shares of our common stock issuable to holders of deferred stock units no later than December 1st of the first calendar year commencing after the time of termination of their services, and we had outstanding warrants to purchase 1,974,296 shares of common stock at a weighted average exercise price of $23.69 per share. Subject to applicable vesting requirements, upon exercise of these options or warrants or vesting of these restricted stock units, the underlying shares may be resold into the public market, subject in some cases to volume and other limitations or prospectus-delivery requirements pursuant to registration statements registering the resale of such shares. In the case of outstanding options or warrants that have exercise prices that are below the market price of our common stock from time to time, our stockholders would experience dilution upon the exercise of these options.
We may require additional financing to sustain our operations, without which we may not be able to continue operations, and the terms of subsequent financings may adversely impact our stockholders.
We may need additional capital to finance our future plans and working capital needs, and we may have to raise funds through the issuance of equity or debt securities. Depending on the type and the terms of any financing we pursue, stockholders’ rights and the value of their investment in our common stock could be reduced. A financing could involve one or more types of securities including common stock, convertible debt or warrants to acquire common stock. These securities could be issued at or below the then prevailing market price for our common stock. In addition, the holders of our outstanding debt would have a claim to our assets that would be prior to the rights of stockholders until the debt is paid. Interest on our outstanding debt would increase costs and negatively impact operating results. If the issuance of new securities results in diminished rights to holders of our common stock, the market price of our common stock could be negatively impacted. Should the financing we require to sustain our working capital needs be unavailable or prohibitively expensive when we require it, the consequences could be a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, financial condition and prospects.
There is no public market for the Pre-Funded Warrants or Warrants being offered in this offering.
There is no established public trading market for the Pre-Funded Warrants or Warrants, and we do not expect such a market to develop. We do not intend to apply to list the Pre-Funded Warrants or Warrants on any securities exchange or other nationally recognized trading system. Without an active trading market, the liquidity of the Pre-Funded Warrants and Warrants will be limited.
The holder of the Pre-Funded Warrants and Warrants purchased in this offering will have no rights as a common stockholder until such holder exercises its Pre-Funded Warrants and Warrants and acquires our common shares, except as set forth in such Pre-Funded Warrants and Warrants.
Except as otherwise set forth in the Pre-Funded Warrants and Warrants, until the holder of Pre-Funded Warrants and Warrants acquires shares of our common stock upon exercise thereof, such holder will have no rights with respect to the shares of our common
stock underlying the Pre-Funded Warrants and Warrants. Upon exercise of the Pre-Funded Warrants and Warrants, the holder will be entitled to exercise the rights of a common stockholder only as to matters for which the record date occurs after the exercise date.
The Pre-Funded Warrants and Warrants are speculative in nature.
The Pre-Funded Warrants and Warrants do not confer any rights of common stock ownership on the holder, such as voting rights or the right to receive dividends, but rather merely represent the right to acquire shares of common stock at a fixed price for a limited period of time. Specifically, the holder may exercise its right to acquire the common stock under the Pre-Funded Warrants by paying an exercise price of $0.001 per share and may exercise its right to acquire the common stock under the Warrants by paying an exercise price of $3.91 per share, subject to certain adjustments. The Pre-Funded Warrants and Warrants will be exercisable commencing on the date of issuance. The Pre-Funded Warrants will expire when they are exercised in full and the Warrants will expire on the fifth anniversary of the date of issuance, after which period any unexercised Warrants will expire and have no further value. Moreover, following this offering, the market value of the Pre-Funded Warrants and Warrants, if any, is uncertain and there can be no assurance that the market value of the Pre-Funded Warrants and Warrants will equal or exceed their actual or imputed offering price. The Pre-Funded Warrants and Warrants will not be listed or quoted for trading on any market or exchange. 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 Warrants, and consequently, it may not ever be profitable for the holder of the Pre-Funded Warrants and Warrants to exercise the Pre-Funded Warrants or Warrants.
The price of our common stock has been and may continue to be volatile.
The market price of our common stock may fluctuate substantially. For example, from June 28, 2021, the date we began trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “MMAT,” through February 20, 2024, the market price of our common stock has fluctuated between $2.64 and $997.00 per share. The price of our common stock that will prevail in the market may be higher or lower than the price that you have paid, depending on many factors, some of which are beyond our control and may not be related to our operating performance. Stock market volatility may also adversely affect the trading price of our common stock. In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a company’s securities, stockholders have often instituted class action securities litigation against those companies. Such litigation, if instituted, could result in substantial costs and diversion of management attention and resources, which could significantly harm our profitability and reputation.
USE OF PROCEEDS
We estimate the net proceeds from the sale of the securities by us in this offering will be approximately $3.0 million after deducting the Placement Agent’s fees and estimated offering expenses payable by us.
We currently expect to use the net proceeds that we receive from this offering for the expansion of our technology commercialization and sales efforts (specifically in bank note and brand authentication, NPORE® and NCORE technologies for Li-ion battery applications, NANOWEB® transparent conductive films for automotive and consumer electronics applications, and VLEPSIS® systems for wide area motion imagery), as well as for general corporate purposes. The expected use of net proceeds of this offering represents our current intentions based on our present plans and business conditions. We cannot specify with certainty all of the particular uses for the net proceeds to be received in this offering. Pending the use of the net proceeds, we intend to invest the net proceeds in short-term, interest-bearing, investment-grade securities.
We may also use a portion of the net proceeds from this offering to acquire or invest in complementary businesses, technologies, product candidates or intellectual property, although we have no present commitments or agreements to do so.
As of the date of this prospectus supplement, we cannot specify with certainty all of the particular uses for the net proceeds to us from this offering. As a result, our management will have broad discretion regarding the timing and application of the net proceeds from this offering.
DIVIDEND POLICY
We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our common stock and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our common stock at any time in the foreseeable future. We currently intend to retain all available funds and any future earnings for use in the operation of our business and do not anticipate paying any dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. Any future determination to declare dividends will be made at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on, among other factors, our financial condition, operating results, capital requirements, general business conditions, the terms of any future credit agreements and other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant.
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES
The shares of common stock, the Pre-Funded Warrants and the Warrants (and the shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of the Pre-Funded Warrants and Warrants) offered in this offering will be issued pursuant to a securities purchase agreement between the investor and us. We urge you to review the form securities purchase agreement, the form of Pre-Funded Warrant and the Form of Warrant, which will be included as exhibits to a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC in connection with this offering, for a complete description of the terms and conditions applicable to these securities.
We are offering 620,000 shares of our common stock and Pre-Funded Warrants to purchase up to 230,000 shares of our common stock. Each share of our common stock and each Pre-Funded Warrant is being sold together with a Warrant to purchase one share of our common stock at a combined public offering price of $4.04 per share and accompanying Warrant and $4.039 per Pre-Funded Warrant and accompanying Warrant. The shares of our common stock and the Pre-Funded Warrants sold in this offering will be issued separately from the accompanying Warrants. We are also registering the shares of our common stock issuable from time to time upon exercise of the Pre-Funded Warrants and Warrants offered hereby.
Common Stock
The material terms and provisions of our common stock are described under the caption “Description of Capital Stock” in this prospectus and are incorporated herein by reference. However, the subsections entitled “General” and “Preferred Stock” are hereby amended and supplemented, respectively, as follows:
General
Our authorized capital stock consists of 10,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”), and 200,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Preferred Stock”). As of February 16, 2024, there were approximately 5,821,384 shares of Common Stock outstanding (including 134,831 shares of unvested restricted stock and unreleased deferred stock units), and 5,821,385 shares of Preferred Stock which consist of 1 designated share of Series B Special Voting Preferred Stock, and 5,821,384 designated shares of Series C Preferred Stock, each as described below. Additionally, we currently have warrants and stock options outstanding that are exercisable into a total of approximately 2,128,381 shares of Common Stock.
Series C Preferred Stock
On January 26, 2024, we filed the Certificate of Designation of Series C Preferred Stock, or the Series C Certificate of Designation, of Series C Preferred Stock, or the Series C Preferred Stock, with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada. On January 23, 2024, our Board declared a distribution of one share of newly designated Series C Preferred Stock for each outstanding share of our Common Stock and each voting right represented by our Series B Preferred Stock held of record on February 2, 2024. The outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock will vote together with the outstanding shares of our Common Stock, as a single class, exclusively with respect to a proposal to increase our authorized shares as well as any proposal to adjourn any meeting of stockholders called for the purpose of voting on the increase in authorized shares, and will not be entitled to vote on any other matter, except to the extent required under Nevada law. Subject to certain limitations, each outstanding share of Series C Preferred Stock will have 1,000 votes per share.
All shares of Series C Preferred Stock that are not present in person or by proxy at the meeting of stockholders held to vote on the increase in authorized shares as of immediately prior to the opening of the polls at such meeting will automatically be redeemed by us. Any outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock that have not been so redeemed will be redeemed if such redemption is ordered by our board of directors or automatically upon the approval by our stockholders of an amendment to our articles of incorporation effecting the increase of authorized shares at such meeting.
The Series C Preferred Stock will be uncertificated, and no shares of Series C Preferred Stock will be transferable by any holder thereof except in connection with a transfer by such holder of any shares of our common stock held by such holder. In that case, a number of shares of Series C Preferred Stock equal to the number of shares of our Common Stock to be transferred by such holder would be transferred to the transferee of such shares of common stock.
The foregoing description of the Certificate of Designation of Series C Preferred Stock does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text thereof, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 29, 2024, which is incorporated herein by reference.
On February 29, 2024, pursuant to the securities purchase agreement with the investor in this offering, such investor received one share of Series C Preferred Stock for each share of common stock purchased in this offering, providing the investor the same rights described above as other holders of the Company as of the Record Date.
Warrants
The following summary of certain terms and provisions of the Warrants that are being offered hereby is not complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the provisions of Warrants, the form of which will be filed as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K.
Duration and Exercise Price
Each Warrant offered hereby will have an exercise price of $3.91 per share. The Warrants will be exercisable commencing on the date of issuance and may be exercised until five years from the issuance date. The Warrants will be issued separately from the common stock and may be transferred separately immediately thereafter. The Warrants will be issued in certificated form only.
Exercise Price Adjustments
The exercise price of the Warrants will be subject to adjustment in the event of certain stock dividends and distributions, stock splits, stock combinations, reclassifications or similar events affecting our common stock.
Exercisability
The Warrants will be exercisable, at the option of the 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). The holder (together with its affiliates) may not exercise any portion of such holder’s Warrants to the extent that the holder would own more than 4.99% (or, at the election of the holder, 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 Warrants up to 9.99% 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 Warrants.
Cashless Exercise
If, at the time the holder exercises its Warrants, a registration statement registering the issuance or resale of the shares of common stock underlying the Warrants under the Securities Act is not then effective or available for the issuance of such shares, 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 common stock determined according to a formula set forth in the Warrant.
Fundamental Transactions
In the event of a fundamental transaction, as described in the Warrants and generally including any reorganization, recapitalization or reclassification of our shares of common stock, the sale, lease, license, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of our assets, our consolidation or merger with or into another person (other than for the purpose of changing our name or jurisdiction of incorporation), the acquisition of 50% or more of our outstanding shares of our common stock or 50% or more of the voting power of our common equity, any purchase offer, tender offer or exchange offer that has been accepted by the holders of 50% or more of our outstanding common stock or 50% or more of the voting power of our common equity, then upon any subsequent exercise of a Warrant, the holder will have the right to receive as alternative consideration, for each share of our common stock that would have been issuable upon such exercise immediately prior to the occurrence of such fundamental transaction, the number of shares of common stock of the successor or acquiring corporation or of our company, if it is the surviving corporation, and any additional consideration receivable as a result of such transaction by a holder of the number of shares of our common stock for which the Warrant is exercisable immediately prior to such event. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of a fundamental transaction (subject to certain exclusions), the holder of the Warrants have the right to require us or a successor entity to purchase the Warrants from it for cash in the amount of the Black-Scholes Value (as defined in each Warrant) of the unexercised portion of the Warrants concurrently with or within 30 days following the consummation of a fundamental transaction.
However, in the event of a fundamental transaction which is not in our control, including a fundamental transaction not approved by our board of directors, the holder of the Warrants will only be entitled to receive from us or our successor entity, as of the date of consummation of such fundamental transaction the same type or form of consideration (and in the same proportion), at the Black Scholes Value of the unexercised portion of the Warrant that is being offered and paid to the holders of our common stock in connection with the fundamental transaction, whether that consideration is in the form of cash, stock or any combination of cash and stock, or whether the holders of our common stock are given the choice to receive alternative forms of consideration in connection with the fundamental transaction.
Transferability
Subject to applicable laws, a Warrant may be transferred at the option of the holder upon surrender of the Warrant to us together with the appropriate instruments of transfer.
Fractional Shares
No fractional shares of common stock will be issued upon the exercise of the Warrants. Rather, the number of shares of common stock to be issued will, at our election, either be rounded up to the next whole share or we will pay a cash adjustment in respect of such final fraction in an amount equal to such fraction multiplied by the exercise price.
Trading Market
There is no established public trading market for the Warrants, and we do not expect such a market to develop. We do not intend to apply to list the Warrants on any securities exchange or other nationally recognized trading system. Without an active trading market, the liquidity of the Warrants will be limited.
Right as a Stockholder
Except as otherwise provided in the Warrants or by virtue of the holder’s ownership of shares of our common stock, such holder of Warrants does not have the rights or privileges of a holder of our common stock, including any voting rights, until such holder exercises such holder’s Warrants. The Warrants will provide that the holder of the Warrants has the right to participate in distributions or dividends paid on our shares of common stock.
Waivers and Amendments
The Warrants may be modified or amended or the provisions of such Warrants waived with the written consent of the Company and the holder of the Warrants.
Pre-Funded Warrants
The following summary of certain terms and provisions of the Pre-Funded Warrants that are being offered hereby is not complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the provisions of Pre-Funded Warrants, the form of which will be filed as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K.
Duration and Exercise Price
Each Pre-Funded Warrant offered hereby will have an exercise price of $0.001 per share. The Pre-Funded Warrants will be exercisable commencing on the date of issuance and may be exercised until they are exercised in full. The Pre-Funded Warrants will be issued separately from the Warrants and may be transferred separately immediately thereafter. The Pre-Funded Warrants will be issued in certificated form only.
Exercise Price Adjustments
The exercise price of the Pre-Funded Warrants will be subject to adjustment in the event of certain stock dividends and distributions, stock splits, stock combinations, reclassifications or similar events affecting our common stock.
Exercisability
The Pre-Funded Warrants will be exercisable, at the option of the 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). The holder (together with its affiliates) may not exercise any portion of such holder’s Pre-Funded Warrants to the extent that the holder would own more than 9.99% (or, at the election of the holder, 4.99%) 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 9.99% 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.
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 common stock determined according to a formula set forth in the Pre-Funded Warrant.
Fundamental Transactions
In the event of a fundamental transaction, as described in the Pre-Funded Warrants and generally including any reorganization, recapitalization or reclassification of our shares of common stock, the sale, lease, license, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of our assets, our consolidation or merger with or into another person (other than for the purpose of changing our name or jurisdiction of incorporation), the acquisition of 50% or more of our outstanding shares of our common stock or 50% or more of the voting power of our common equity, any purchase offer, tender offer or exchange offer that has been accepted by the holders of 50% or more of our outstanding common stock or 50% or more of the voting power of our common equity, then upon any subsequent exercise of a Pre-Funded Warrant, the holder will have the right to receive as alternative consideration, for each share of our common stock that would have been issuable upon such exercise immediately prior to the occurrence of such fundamental transaction, the number of shares of common stock of the successor or acquiring corporation or of our company, if it is the surviving corporation, and any additional consideration receivable as a result of such transaction by a holder of the number of shares of our common stock for which the Pre-Funded Warrant is exercisable immediately prior to such event.
Transferability
Subject to applicable laws, a Pre-Funded Warrant may be transferred at the option of the holder upon surrender of the Pre-Funded Warrant to us together with the appropriate instruments of transfer.
Fractional Shares
No fractional shares of common stock will be issued upon the exercise of the Pre-Funded Warrants. Rather, the number of shares of common stock to be issued will, at our election, either be rounded up to the next whole share or we will pay a cash adjustment in respect of such final fraction in an amount equal to such fraction multiplied by the exercise price.
Trading Market
There is no established public trading market for the Pre-Funded Warrants, and we do not expect such a market to develop. We do not intend to apply to list the Pre-Funded Warrants on any securities exchange or other nationally recognized trading system. Without an active trading market, the liquidity of the Pre-Funded Warrants will be limited.
Right as a Stockholder
Except as otherwise provided in the Pre-Funded Warrants or by virtue of the holder’s ownership of shares of our common stock, such holder of Pre-Funded Warrants does not have the rights or privileges of a holder of our common stock, including any voting rights, until such holder exercises such holder’s Pre-Funded Warrants. The Pre-Funded Warrants will provide that the holder of the Pre-Funded Warrants has the right to participate in distributions or dividends paid on our shares of common stock.
Waivers and Amendments
The Pre-Funded Warrants may be modified or amended or the provisions of such Pre-Funded Warrants waived with the written consent of the Company and the holder of the Pre-Funded Warrants.
CERTAIN MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
The following is a summary of certain material U.S. federal income tax consequences arising from and relating to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of (i) shares of common stock (“shares of common stock”), (ii) pre-funded warrants to purchase our common stock (“pre-funded warrants”), (iii) warrants to purchase our common stock (“warrants”), and (iv) shares of common stock received on the exercise of warrants, as applicable (“warrant shares”).
Scope of this Summary
This summary is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be a complete analysis or listing of all potential U.S. federal income tax consequences related to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of shares of common stock, pre-funded warrants, warrants and warrant shares. Except as specifically set forth below, this summary does not discuss applicable tax reporting requirements. In addition, this summary does not take into account the individual facts and circumstances of the holder that may affect the U.S. federal income tax consequences to such holder.
Accordingly, this summary is not intended to be, and should not be construed as, legal or tax advice with respect to any particular holder. The holder should consult its own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal, state and local, and non-U.S. tax consequences arising from and relating to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of shares of common stock, pre-funded warrants, warrants and warrant shares.
No legal opinion from U.S. legal counsel or ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) has been requested, or will be obtained, regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences related to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of shares of common stock, the pre-funded warrants, warrants and warrant shares. This summary is not binding on the IRS, and the IRS is not precluded from taking a position that is different from, or contrary to, the positions taken in this summary.
Authorities
This summary is based upon provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), regulations, rulings and judicial decisions as of the date hereof. Those authorities may be changed, perhaps retroactively, or be subject to differing interpretations, so as to result in U.S. federal tax considerations different from those summarized below.
Allocation of Purchase Price Between Shares of Common Stock or Pre-Funded Warrants, as Applicable, and Accompanying Warrants
Because our shares of common stock and accompanying warrants, or pre-funded warrants and accompanying warrants as applicable, will be purchased together in this offering, the holder of shares of our common stock and accompanying warrants, or pre-funded warrants and accompanying warrants, as applicable, must allocate such holder’s purchase price between each share or pre-funded warrant, as applicable, and the accompanying warrant based on their respective relative fair market values at the time of issuance. This allocation of the purchase price will establish the holder’s initial tax basis for U.S. federal income tax purposes for each share of common stock or pre-funded warrant, as applicable, and accompanying warrant. A holder’s allocation of the purchase price among the shares of common stock or pre-funded warrants, as applicable, and accompanying warrants is not binding on the IRS or the courts, and no assurance can be given that the IRS or the courts will agree with the holder’s allocation. The holder should consult such holder’s own tax advisor regarding the allocation of the purchase price among the shares of common stock or pre-funded warrants, as applicable, and accompanying warrants.
Treatment of Pre-Funded Warrants
Although the matter is not entirely free from doubt, a pre-funded warrant generally should be treated as a share of our common stock for U.S. federal income tax purposes and a holder of pre-funded warrants generally should 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 the share of common stock acquired upon exercise of a pre-funded warrant should include the holding period of such pre-funded warrant. Similarly, the tax basis of the share of common stock acquired upon exercise of a pre-funded warrant should equal the tax basis of such pre-funded warrant, increased by the exercise price of $0.001. Each holder should consult his, her or its own tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal, state and local, and non-U.S tax consequences arising from and relating to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of pre-funded warrants pursuant to this offering (including potential alternative characterizations). The balance of this summary generally assumes that the characterization described above is respected for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
U.S. Holders
As used in this summary, the term “U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of shares of common stock, pre-funded warrants, warrants or warrant shares acquired pursuant to this prospectus that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
•an individual who is a citizen or resident of the U.S.;
•a corporation (or other entity taxable as a corporation) organized under the laws of the U.S., any state thereof or the District of Columbia;
•an estate whose income is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or
•a trust that (1) is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the U.S. and the control of one or more U.S. persons for all substantial decisions or (2) has a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury Regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.
Non-U.S. Holders
For purposes of this summary, a “Non-U.S. holder” means a beneficial owner of shares of common stock, pre-funded warrants, warrants, or warrant shares acquired pursuant to this prospectus that is neither a U.S. Holder nor a partnership (or an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes). A Non-U.S. Holder should review the discussion under the heading “Non-U.S. Holders” below for more information.
Holders Subject to Special U.S. Federal Income Tax Rules
This summary deals only with persons or entities who hold shares of common stock, pre-funded warrants, warrants or warrant shares as a capital asset within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (generally, property held for investment purposes). This summary does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be applicable to holders in light of their particular circumstances or to holders subject to special treatment under U.S. federal income tax law, such as: banks, insurance companies, and other financial institutions; dealers or traders in securities, commodities or foreign currencies; regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, government organizations or tax-exempt organizations; U.S. expatriates or former long-term residents of the U.S.; persons required for U.S. federal income tax purposes to conform the timing of income accruals to their financial statements under Section 451(b) of the Code; persons holding shares of common stock, pre-funded warrants, warrants or warrant shares as part of a straddle, appreciated financial position, synthetic security, hedge, conversion transaction or other integrated investment; persons holding shares of common stock, pre-funded warrants, warrants or warrant shares as a result of a constructive sale; real estate investment trusts; U.S. Holders that have a “functional currency” other than the U.S. dollar; holders that acquired shares of common stock, pre-funded warrants, warrants, or warrant shares in connection with the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as consideration for services; or holders that are “controlled foreign corporations” or “passive foreign investment companies.” Holders that are subject to special provisions under the Code, including holders described immediately above, should consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal, state and local, and non-U.S. tax consequences arising from and relating to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of shares of common stock, pre-funded warrants, warrants and warrant shares.
If an entity classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds shares of common stock, pre-funded warrants, warrants or warrant shares, the tax treatment of a partner generally will depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. This summary does not address the tax consequences to any such owner or entity. Partners of entities or arrangements that are classified as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes should consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences arising from and relating to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of shares of common stock, pre-funded warrants, warrants and warrant shares.
Tax Consequences Not Addressed
This summary does not address the U.S. state and local, U.S. federal estate and gift, U.S. federal alternative minimum tax, or non-U.S. tax consequences to holders of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of shares of common stock, pre-funded warrants, warrants and warrant shares. Each holder should consult its own tax advisors regarding the U.S. state and local, U.S. federal estate and gift, U.S. federal alternative minimum tax, and non-U.S. tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of shares of common stock, pre-funded warrants, warrants and warrant shares.
U.S. Holders
Exercise of Warrants
A U.S. Holder generally will not recognize gain or loss on the exercise of a warrant and related receipt of a warrant share (unless cash is received in lieu of the issuance of a fractional warrant share). A U.S. Holder’s initial tax basis in the warrant share received on the exercise of a warrant should be equal to the sum of (i) the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the warrant plus (ii) the exercise price paid by the U.S. Holder on the exercise of the warrant. A U.S. Holder’s holding period for the warrant share received on the exercise of a warrant will begin on the day the warrant is exercised by the U.S. Holder.
The U.S. federal income tax treatment of a cashless exercise of warrants into warrant shares is unclear, and the tax consequences of a cashless exercise could differ from the consequences upon the exercise of a warrant described in the preceding paragraph. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of a cashless exercise of warrants.
Disposition of Warrants
A U.S. Holder will recognize gain or loss on the sale or other taxable disposition of a warrant in an amount equal to the difference, if any, between (i) the amount of cash plus the fair market value of any property received upon such taxable disposition and (ii) the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the warrant sold or otherwise disposed of. Any such gain or loss generally will be a capital gain or loss, which will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder’s holding period in the warrant is more than one year at the time of the taxable disposition. Long-term capital gains recognized by certain non-corporate U.S. Holders (including individuals) may be eligible for preferential rates of taxation. Deductions for capital losses are subject to limitations under the Code.
Expiration of Warrants without Exercise
Upon the lapse or expiration of a warrant, a U.S. Holder will recognize a loss in an amount equal to such U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the warrant. Any such loss generally will be a capital loss and will be long-term capital loss if the U.S. Holder’s holding period in the warrant is more than one year at the time of the lapse or expiration. Deductions for capital losses are subject to limitations under the Code.
Certain Adjustments to the Warrants
Under Section 305 of the Code, an adjustment to the number of warrant shares that will be issued on the exercise of the warrants, or an adjustment to the exercise price of the 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 our stockholders). 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 holders of the warrants generally should not result in a constructive distribution (see the more detailed discussion of the rules applicable to distributions made by us at “Distributions on Shares of Common Stock, Pre-Funded Warrants, Warrants and Warrant Shares” below).
Distributions on Shares of Common Stock, Pre-Funded Warrants, Warrants and Warrant Shares
We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our common stock and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our common stock, pre-funded warrants, warrants or warrant shares in the foreseeable future. If we were to pay cash dividends in the future, such distributions made on shares of common stock, pre-funded warrants, warrants (subject the discussion in the following paragraph) and warrant shares generally would be included in a U.S. Holder’s income as ordinary dividend income to the extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits (determined under U.S. federal income tax principles) as of the end of our taxable year in which the distribution occurred. Dividends received by certain non-corporate U.S. Holders may be eligible for taxation at preferential rates provided certain holding period and other requirements are satisfied. Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits would be treated as a return of capital to the extent of a U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the shares, pre-funded warrants or warrants (subject to the discussion in the following paragraph) and thereafter as capital gain from the sale or exchange of such shares, pre-funded warrants or warrants (subject to the discussion in the following paragraph), as the case may be, which would be taxable according to rules discussed under the heading “Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of Shares of Common Stock, Pre-Funded Warrants and Warrant Shares,” below or under the heading “Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of Warrants,” above, as the case may be. Dividends received by a corporate holder may be eligible for a dividends received deduction, subject to applicable limitations.
The taxation of a distribution received with respect to a warrant is unclear. Although the matter is not free from doubt, we intend to treat any distribution (excluding constructive distribution as discussed under the heading “Certain Adjustments to the Warrants”) to a holder of warrants as a distribution with respect to our stock for U.S. federal income tax purposes, in which case, such a distribution would be treated as a distribution subject to the immediately preceding paragraph. However, the matter is not entirely free from doubt, and U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income consequences of distributions received with respect to warrants.
Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of Shares of Common Stock, Pre-Funded Warrants or Warrant Shares
Upon the sale or other taxable disposition of shares of common stock, pre-funded warrants or warrant shares, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference, if any, between (i) the amount of cash and the fair market value of any property received upon such taxable disposition and (ii) the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the shares of common stock, pre-funded warrants or warrant shares sold or otherwise disposed of. Such capital gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if a U.S. Holder’s holding period in the shares of common stock, pre-funded warrants or warrant shares is more than one year at the time of the taxable disposition. Long-term capital gains recognized by certain non-corporate U.S. Holders (including individuals) may be eligible for taxation at preferential rates. Deductions for capital losses are subject to limitations under the Code.
Additional Tax on Passive Income
Individuals, estates and certain trusts whose income exceeds certain thresholds will be required to pay a 3.8% Medicare surtax on “net investment income” including, among other things, dividends and net gain from disposition of property (other than property held in certain trades or businesses). U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the effect, if any, of this tax on their ownership and disposition of shares of common stock, pre-funded warrants, warrants and warrant shares.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
Information reporting requirements generally will apply to payments of dividends on shares of common stock, pre-funded warrants, warrants and warrant shares and to the proceeds of a sale of shares of common stock, pre-funded warrants, warrants or warrant shares paid to a U.S. Holder unless the U.S. Holder is an exempt recipient (such as a corporation). Backup withholding will apply to those payments if the U.S. Holder fails to provide its correct taxpayer identification number, or certification of exempt status, or if the U.S. Holder is notified by the IRS that it has failed to report in full payments of interest and dividend income. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules generally will be allowed as a refund or a credit against a U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, provided the required information is furnished in a timely manner to the IRS.
Non-U.S. Holders
Exercise of Warrants
A Non-U.S. Holder generally will not recognize gain or loss for U.S. tax purposes on the exercise of a warrant and related receipt of a warrant share (unless cash is received in lieu of the issuance of a fractional warrant share and certain other conditions are present, as discussed below under “Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of Shares of Common Stock, Pre-Funded Warrants, Warrants and Warrant Shares”).
The U.S. federal income tax treatment of a cashless exercise of warrants into warrant shares is unclear, and the tax consequences of a cashless exercise could differ from the consequences upon the exercise of a warrant described in the preceding paragraph. Non-U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of a cashless exercise of warrants.
Expiration of Warrants without Exercise
Upon the lapse or expiration of a warrant, a Non-U.S. Holder will not recognize a capital loss unless such Non-U.S. Holder is otherwise subject to U.S. federal income tax.
Certain Adjustments to the Warrants
Under Section 305 of the Code, an adjustment to the number of warrant shares that will be issued on the exercise of the warrants, or an adjustment to the exercise price of the warrants, may be treated as a constructive distribution to a Non-U.S. Holder of the warrants if, and to the extent that, such adjustment has the effect of increasing such Non-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 our stockholders). 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 holders of the warrants generally should not result in a constructive distribution. See the more detailed discussion of the rules applicable to distributions made by us under the heading “Distributions on Shares of Common Stock, Pre-Funded Warrants, Warrants and Warrant Shares” below.
Distributions on Shares of Common Stock, Pre-Funded Warrants, Warrants and Warrant Shares
We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our common stock and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our common stock, pre-funded warrants, warrants or warrant shares in the foreseeable future. If we were to pay cash dividends in the future on our common stock, pre-funded warrants, warrants or warrant shares, they would be subject to U.S. federal income tax in the manner described below.
As described above under the heading “U.S. Holders—Distributions on Shares of Common Stock, Pre-Funded Warrants, Warrants and Warrant Shares,” the taxation of a distribution received with respect to a warrant is unclear. Although the matter is not free from doubt, we intend to treat any distribution (excluding constructive distribution as discussed under the heading “Non-U.S. Holders—Certain Adjustments to the Warrants”) to a holder of warrants as a distribution with respect to our stock for U.S. federal income tax purposes, in which case, such a distribution would be treated as a distribution subject to the remainder of the discussion under this heading. However, the matter is not entirely free from doubt, and Non-U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income consequences of distributions received with respect to warrants.
Cash distributions on shares of common stock, pre-funded warrants, warrants and warrant shares generally will constitute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles as of the end of our taxable year in which the distribution occurred. Distributions in excess of current and accumulated earnings and profits will be applied against and reduce a Non-U.S. Holder’s tax basis in shares of common stock, pre-funded warrants, warrants or warrant shares, to the extent thereof, and any excess will be treated as capital gain realized on the sale or other disposition of the shares, pre-funded warrants or warrants, as the case may be, and subject to tax in the manner described under the heading “Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of Shares of Common Stock, Pre-Funded Warrants, Warrants and Warrant Shares,” below
Subject to the discussion of backup withholding and FATCA withholding below, any dividends paid to a Non-U.S. Holder with respect to shares of common stock, pre-funded warrants, warrants or warrant shares that constitute dividends under the rules described above generally will be subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a 30% rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty. However, dividends that are effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business by a Non-U.S. Holder within the U.S. and, where an income tax treaty applies, are attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment of the Non-U.S. Holder, are not subject to this withholding tax, but instead are subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis at applicable individual or corporate rates. A Non-U.S. Holder generally must deliver an IRS Form W-8ECI certifying under penalties of perjury that such dividends are effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the holder in order for effectively connected dividends to be exempt from this withholding tax. Any such effectively connected dividends received by
a foreign corporation may 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.
A Non-U.S. Holder of shares of common stock, pre-funded warrants, warrants or warrant shares who is entitled to and wishes to claim the benefits of an applicable treaty rate (and avoid backup withholding as discussed below) with respect to dividends received generally will be required to (i) complete an IRS Form W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E or other appropriate IRS Form W-8 (or an acceptable substitute form) and make certain certifications, under penalty of perjury, to establish its status as a non-U.S. person and its entitlement to treaty benefits or (ii) if the shares of common stock, pre-funded warrants, warrants or warrants shares are held through certain foreign intermediaries, satisfy the relevant certification requirements of applicable U.S. Treasury regulations. Special certification and other requirements apply to certain Non-U.S. Holders that are entities rather than individuals.
The certification requirements described above must be satisfied prior to the payment of dividends and may be required to be updated periodically. A Non-U.S. Holder eligible for a reduced rate of U.S. federal withholding tax pursuant to an income tax treaty may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by timely filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS.
Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of Shares of Common Stock, Pre-Funded Warrants, Warrants or Warrant Shares
In general, a Non-U.S. Holder of shares of common stock, pre-funded warrants, warrants or warrant shares will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax with respect to gain recognized on a sale or other disposition of such shares of common stock, pre-funded warrants, warrants or warrant shares, unless: (i) the gain is effectively connected with a trade or business of the Non-U.S. Holder in the U.S. and, where a tax treaty applies, is attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment of the Non-U.S. Holder (in which case, the special rules described below apply), (ii) in the case of a Non-U.S. Holder who is an individual, such holder is present in the U.S. for 183 or more days in the taxable year of the sale or other disposition and certain other conditions are met, in which case the gain would be subject to a flat 30% tax, or such reduced rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty, which may be offset by U.S. source capital losses, even though the individual is not considered a resident of the U.S.; or (iii) subject to certain exceptions, we are or have been a “U.S. real property holding corporation,” as such term is defined in Section 897(c) of the Code, during the shorter of the five-year period ending on the date of disposition or the holder’s holding period of our shares of common stock, pre-funded warrants, warrants or warrant shares.
We believe we currently are not, and do not anticipate becoming, a “U.S. real property holding corporation” for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Any gain described in (i) above will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the regular graduated rates. If the Non-U.S. Holder is a corporation, under certain circumstances, that portion of its earnings and profits that is effectively connected with its U.S. trade or business, subject to certain adjustments, generally would 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.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
We must report annually to the IRS and to each Non-U.S. Holder the amount of dividends paid to such holder on the shares of common stock, pre-funded warrants, warrants and warrant shares and the tax withheld (if any) with respect to such dividends, regardless of whether withholding was required. Copies of the information returns reporting such dividends and any withholding may also be made available to the tax authorities in the country in which the Non-U.S. Holder resides under the provisions of an applicable income tax treaty or information sharing agreement. In addition, dividends paid to a Non-U.S. Holder may be subject to backup withholding unless applicable certification requirements are met.
Payment of the proceeds of a sale of shares of common stock, pre-funded warrants, warrants or warrant shares within the U.S. or conducted through certain U.S. related financial intermediaries is subject to information reporting and, depending upon the circumstances, backup withholding unless the Non-U.S. Holder certifies under penalties of perjury that it is not a U.S. person (and the payor does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that the holder is a U.S. person) or the holder otherwise establishes an exemption.
Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be allowed as a refund or a credit against such holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.
Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”)
Legislation commonly referred to as the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act and associated guidance, or FATCA, generally will impose a 30% U.S. federal withholding tax on any “withholdable payment” (as defined below) paid to (i) a “foreign financial institution” (as specifically defined in the legislation), whether such foreign financial institution is the beneficial owner or an intermediary, unless such foreign financial institution agrees to verify, report and disclose its U.S. “account” holders (as specifically defined in the legislation) and meets certain other specified requirements, or (ii) a non-financial foreign entity, whether such non-financial foreign entity is the beneficial owner or an intermediary, unless such entity provides a certification that the beneficial owner of the payment does not have any substantial U.S. owners or provides the name, address and taxpayer identification number of each
such substantial U.S. owner and certain other specified requirements are met. In certain cases, the relevant foreign financial institution or non-financial foreign entity may qualify for an exemption from, or be deemed to be in compliance with, these rules. Under final regulations and other current guidance, “withholdable payments” generally include dividends on shares of common stock, pre-funded warrants, warrants and warrant shares, and (subject to the proposed Treasury regulations discussed below) the gross proceeds of a disposition of shares of common stock, pre-funded warrants, warrants, and warrant shares. Proposed Treasury regulations eliminate withholding under FATCA on payments of gross proceeds. Taxpayers may rely on these proposed Treasury regulations until final Treasury regulations are issued, but such Treasury regulations are subject to change. Investors are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the possible application of these rules to their investment in our shares of common stock, pre-funded warrants, warrants, and warrant shares.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners has agreed to act as our exclusive placement agent in connection with this offering, subject to the terms and conditions of the placement agency agreement dated February 19, 2024. The Placement Agent is not purchasing or selling any of the securities offered by this prospectus supplement, nor is it required to arrange the purchase or sale of any specific number or dollar amount of securities, but has agreed to use its reasonable best efforts to arrange for the sale of the securities offered hereby. The terms of this offering were subject to market conditions and negotiations between us, the Placement Agent and prospective investors. The factors considered in determining the price of the shares of common stock, the Pre-Funded Warrants and Warrants included the recent market price of our shares of common stock, the general condition of the securities market at the time of this offering, the history of, and the prospects, for the industry in which we compete, our past and present operations, and our prospects for future revenues.
We entered into a securities purchase agreement with an institutional investor for the purchase of our securities in this offering. The securities purchase agreement contains customary representations, warranties and covenants.
We will deliver the securities being issued to the investor in this offering upon receipt of investor funds for the purchase of the securities offered pursuant to this prospectus supplement. We expect to deliver the shares of common stock, Pre-Funded Warrants and Warrants being offered pursuant to this prospectus supplement on or about February 21, 2024.
We have agreed to indemnify the Placement Agent and the investor against specified liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and to contribute to payments the Placement Agent and/or the investors may be required to make in respect thereof.
Fees and Expenses
We have engaged A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners as our exclusive Placement Agent in connection with this offering. This offering is being conducted on a reasonable “best efforts” basis and the Placement Agent has no obligation to buy any of the securities from us or to arrange for the purchase or sale of any specific number or dollar amount of securities. We have agreed to pay the Placement Agent a fee based on the aggregate proceeds as set forth in the table below:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Per Share of Common Stock and Accompanying Warrant |
|
|
Per Pre-Funded Warrant and Accompanying Warrant |
|
|
Total |
|
Public offering price |
|
$ |
4.04 |
|
|
$ |
4.039 |
|
|
$ |
3,433,770 |
|
Placement Agent fees(1) |
|
$ |
0.26 |
|
|
$ |
0.26 |
|
|
$ |
223,210 |
|
Proceeds, before expenses, to us(2) |
|
$ |
3.78 |
|
|
$ |
3.779 |
|
|
$ |
3,210,560 |
|
|
|
(1) |
We have agreed to pay the Placement Agent a total cash fee equal to 6.5% of the aggregate gross proceeds of the sale of the shares of common stock, Pre-Funded Warrants and Warrants in this offering. |
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|
(2) |
Does not include potential proceeds from the exercise of the Pre-Funded Warrants or Warrants for cash, if any. |
We have agreed to reimburse the Placement Agent at closing for legal expenses incurred by the Placement Agent in connection with this offering in an aggregate amount not to exceed $50,000. We estimate the total expenses payable by us for this offering, excluding the Placement Agent fees and expenses, will be approximately $185,000.
The Placement Agent may be deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of Section 2(a)(11) of the Securities Act, and any commissions received by it and any profit realized on the resale of the shares sold by it while acting as principal might be deemed to be underwriting discounts or commissions under the Securities Act. As an underwriter, the Placement Agent would be required to comply with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, including, without limitation, Rule 415(a)(4) under the Securities Act and Rule 10b-5 and Regulation M under the Exchange Act. These rules and regulations may limit the timing of purchases and sales of shares by the Placement Agent acting as principal. Under these rules and regulations, the Placement Agent:
•may not engage in any stabilization activity in connection with our securities; and
•may not bid for or purchase any of our securities or attempt to induce any person to purchase any of our securities, other than as permitted under the Exchange Act, until it has completed its participation in the distribution.
Lock-Up Agreements
Our directors, executive officers and 10% stockholders have entered into lock-up agreements. Under these agreements, these individuals have agreed, subject to specified exceptions, not to sell or transfer any shares of common stock or securities convertible into, or exchangeable or exercisable for, our common stock during a period ending 90 days after the date of this prospectus supplement, without first obtaining the written consent of the Placement Agent. Specifically, these individuals have agreed, in part, not to:
•offer for sale, sell, pledge, or otherwise transfer or dispose of (or enter into any transaction that is designed to, or could reasonably be expected to, result in the transfer or disposition by any person at any time in the future of) any shares of common stock (including, without limitation, shares of common stock that may be deemed to be beneficially owned and shares of common stock that may be issued upon exercise of any options or warrants) or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for common stock;
•enter into any swap or other derivatives transaction that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic benefits or risks of ownership of shares of our common stock, whether any such transaction is to be settled by delivery of shares of our common stock, in cash or otherwise;
•make any demand for or exercise any right or cause to be filed a registration statement, including any amendments thereto, with respect to the registration of any shares of common stock or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for our common stock or any other of our securities; or
•publicly disclose the intention to do any of the foregoing.
Notwithstanding these limitations, these shares of common stock may be transferred under limited circumstances, including, without limitation, by gift, will or intestate succession.
No Sales of Similar Securities
We have agreed, subject to certain exceptions, not to issue, enter into any agreement to issue or announce the issuance or proposed issuance of, any shares of common stock (or securities convertible into or exercisable for common stock) or, subject to certain exceptions, file any registration statement, including any amendments or supplements thereto (other than the prospectus supplement, registration statement or amendment to the registration statement relating to the securities offered hereunder and a registration statement on Form S-8), until 60 days after the completion of this offering. We have also agreed not to enter into a variable rate transaction (as defined in the securities purchase agreement) for 90 days after the completion of this offering.
Discretionary Accounts
The Placement Agent does not intend to confirm sales of the securities offered hereby to any accounts over which it has discretionary authority.
Listing
Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “MMAT.”
There is no established public trading market for the Pre-Funded Warrants or Warrants and we do not expect a market to develop for the Pre-Funded Warrants or Warrants. Without an active trading market, the liquidity of the Pre-Funded Warrants and Warrants will be limited. In addition, we do not intend to list the Pre-Funded Warrants or Warrants on Nasdaq, any other national securities exchange, or any other trading system.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Equiniti Trust Company, LLC.
Other Activities and Relationships
The Placement Agent and certain of its affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, financing, and brokerage activities. The Placement Agent and certain of its affiliates have, from time to time, performed, and may in the future perform, various commercial and investment banking and financial advisory services for us and our affiliates, for which they received or will receive customary fees and expenses. The Placement Agent also
acted as the placement agent and received compensation in connection with our June 2022 offering and our December 2023 registered direct offering.
In the ordinary course of their various business activities, the Placement Agent and certain of its affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers, and such investment and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments issued by us and our affiliates. If the Placement Agent or its affiliates have a lending relationship with us, they routinely hedge their credit exposure to us consistent with their customary risk management policies. The Placement Agent and its affiliates may hedge such exposure by entering into transactions that consist of either the purchase of credit default swaps or the creation of short positions in our securities or the securities of our affiliates, including potentially the common stock offered hereby. Any such short positions could adversely affect future trading prices of the common stock offered hereby. The Placement Agent and certain of its affiliates may also communicate independent investment recommendations, market color or trading ideas and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or instruments and may at any time hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instrument.
LEGAL MATTERS
Certain legal matters in connection with the securities offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Ballard Spahr LLP. Blank Rome LLP, New York, New York, is acting as counsel to the Placement Agent in connection with certain legal matters related to this offering.
EXPERTS
The financial statements incorporated in this prospectus supplement by reference to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, as amended, have been audited by KPMG LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus do not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement and the exhibits to the registration statement or the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein. For further information with respect to us and the securities that we are offering under this prospectus supplement, we refer you to the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules filed as a part of the registration statement and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein. You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus or incorporated by reference herein or therein or in any free writing prospectus we may authorize for use in connection with this offering. We have not authorized anyone else to provide you with different information. We are not making an offer of these securities in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front page of this prospectus supplement, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus or any sale of the securities offered hereby.
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
We make available, free of charge, through our investor relations website, our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, statements of changes in beneficial ownership of securities and amendments to those reports and statements as soon as reasonably practicable after they are filed with the SEC. The address for our website is www.metamaterial.com. The contents on our website are not part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, and the reference to our website does not constitute incorporation by reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus of the information contained at that site.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus supplement the information we file with the SEC. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. Any statement contained in a document incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus supplement to the extent that a statement contained herein, or in any subsequently filed document, which also is incorporated by reference herein, modifies or supersedes such earlier statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus supplement.
We hereby incorporate by reference into this prospectus supplement the following documents (other than the portions of these documents deemed to be “furnished” or not deemed to be “filed,” including the portions of these documents that are furnished under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of a Current Report on Form 8-K, including any exhibits included with such Items):
•our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2023, June 30, 2023 and September 30, 2023, filed with the SEC on May 12, 2023, August 9, 2023 and November 13, 2023, respectively;
•our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 10, 2023, March 15, 2023, April 4, 2023, April 14, 2023, April 18, 2023, April 25, 2023, June 12, 2023, June 20, 2023, June 27, 2023, June 29, 2023, July 10, 2023, July 25, 2023, September 11, 2023 (as amended by Form 8-K/A filed on September 12, 2023), September 12, 2023, September 19, 2023, October 2, 2023, October 10, 2023, October 16, 2023, October 20, 2023, November 8, 2023, November 30, 2023, December 6, 2023, December 6, 2023, December 14, 2023, December 22, 2023, December 29, 2023, January 25, 2024, January 29, 2024, and February 13, 2024; and
•description of our common stock contained in the Registration Statement on Form 8-A, filed with the SEC on December 13, 2013, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description (including Exhibit 4.6 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K/A filed with the SEC on March 24, 2023).
All documents that we file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (other than current reports on Form 8-K, or portions thereof, furnished under Items 2.02 or 7.01 of Form 8-K) (i) after the initial filing date of the registration statement of which this prospectus supplement forms a part and prior to the effectiveness of such registration statement and (ii) after the date of this prospectus supplement and prior to the termination of this offering shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement from the date of filing of the documents, unless we specifically provide otherwise. Information that we file with the SEC will automatically update and may replace information previously filed with the SEC. To the extent that any information contained in any current report on Form 8-K or any exhibit thereto, was or is furnished to, rather than filed with the SEC, such information or exhibit is specifically not incorporated by reference.
Upon written or oral request made to us at the address or telephone number below, we will, at no cost to the requester, provide to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom this prospectus supplement is delivered, a copy of any or all of the information that has been incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement (other than an exhibit to a filing, unless that exhibit is specifically incorporated by reference into that filing), but not delivered with this prospectus supplement. You may also access this information on our website at www.metamaterial.com by viewing the “Financials & Filings” subsection of the “Investors” menu. No additional information on our website is deemed to be part of or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement. We have included our website address in this prospectus supplement solely as an inactive textual reference.
Meta Materials Inc.
60 Highfield Park Drive
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia B3A 4R9
Attn: Investor Relations
(902) 482-5729
PROSPECTUS
$250,000,000
Meta Materials Inc.
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Debt Securities
Depositary Shares
Warrants
Subscription Rights
Purchase Contracts
Units
We may issue securities from time to time in one or more offerings, in amounts, at prices and on terms determined at the time of offering. This prospectus describes the general terms of these securities and the general manner in which these securities will be offered. We will provide the specific terms of these securities in supplements to this prospectus, which will also describe the specific manner in which these securities will be offered and may also supplement, update or amend information contained in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement before you invest. The aggregate offering price of the securities we sell pursuant to this prospectus will not exceed $250,000,000.
The securities may be sold directly to you, through agents or through underwriters and dealers. If agents, underwriters or dealers are used to sell the securities, we will name them and describe their compensation in a prospectus supplement. The price to the public of those securities and the net proceeds we expect to receive from that sale will also be set forth in a prospectus supplement.
Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “MMAT.” Each prospectus supplement will indicate whether the securities offered thereby will be listed on any securities exchange.
Investing in these securities involves risks. Please carefully read the information under the headings “Risk Factors ” beginning on page S-6 of this prospectus and “Item 1A—Risk Factors” of our most recent report on Form 10-K or 10-Q (including any amendment thereto) that is incorporated by reference in this prospectus before you invest in 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 November 18, 2022.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
About this Prospectus
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may from time to time sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings for an aggregate offering price up to $250,000,000.
This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities that may be offered. Each time we sell securities, we will provide one or more prospectus supplements that will contain specific information about the terms of the offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. Before you invest in our securities, you should read both this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement together with the additional information described in the sections titled “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation by Reference.”
We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information that is different from that contained, or incorporated by reference, in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or in any related free writing prospectus. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. This prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus do not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the securities described in the applicable prospectus supplement or an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy such securities in any circumstances in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, the documents incorporated by reference and any related free writing prospectus is accurate only as of their respective dates. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed materially since those dates.
Prospectus Summary
This summary highlights selected information that is presented in greater detail elsewhere, or incorporated by reference, in this prospectus. It does not contain all of the information that may be important to you and your investment decision. Before investing in our securities, you should carefully read this entire prospectus, including the matters set forth in the section titled “Risk Factors” and the financial statements and related notes and other information that we incorporate by reference herein, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and any amendments thereto. Unless the context indicates otherwise, references in this prospectus to “Meta Materials Inc.,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer, collectively, to Meta Materials Inc., a Nevada corporation, and its subsidiaries taken as a whole.
Company Overview
We are a developer of high-performance functional materials and nanocomposites. We have generated a portfolio of intellectual property and are moving toward commercializing products at a performance and price point combination that has the potential to be disruptive in multiple market verticals. Our platform technology includes holography, lithography and medical wireless sensing. The underlying approach that powers our platform technologies comprises advanced materials, metamaterials and functional surfaces. These materials include structures that are patterned in ways that manipulate light, heat and electromagnetic waves in unusual ways. Our advanced structural design technologies and scalable manufacturing methods provide a path to broad commercial opportunities in aerospace and defense, automotive, energy, healthcare, consumer electronics and data transmission.
We have many product concepts currently in various stages of development with multiple potential customers in diverse market verticals. Our business model is to co-develop innovative products or applications with industry leaders that add value. This approach enables us to understand market dynamics and ensure the relevance and need for our products.
Corporate Information
On June 28, 2021, we (formerly known as Torchlight Energy Resources, Inc., a Nevada corporation) completed a statutory plan of arrangement, or the Arrangement, under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) pursuant to which we acquired all of the outstanding common stock of Metamaterial Inc., an Ontario corporation headquartered in Nova Scotia, Canada. Following the Arrangement, we changed our name from Torchlight Energy Resources, Inc. to Meta Materials Inc. and changed our trading symbol from “TRCH” to “MMAT.”
We are incorporated in Nevada and our principal executive offices are located at 1 Research Drive, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia B2Y 4M9. Our telephone number is (902) 482-5729 and our corporate website address is www.metamaterial.com. Our website and the information contained on, or that can be accessed through, the website will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference in, and is not considered part of, this filing.
The Securities That May Be Offered
We may offer or sell common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, debt securities, warrants, subscription rights, purchase contracts and units in one or more offerings and in any combination. The aggregate offering price of the securities we sell pursuant to this prospectus will not exceed $250,000,000. Each time securities are offered with this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will describe the specific amounts, prices and terms of the securities being offered and the net proceeds we expect to receive from that sale.
The securities may be sold to or through underwriters, dealers or agents or directly to purchasers or as otherwise set forth in the section titled “Plan of Distribution.” Each prospectus supplement will set forth the names of any underwriters, dealers, agents or other entities involved in the sale of securities described in that prospectus supplement and any applicable fee, commission or discount arrangements with them.
Common Stock
We may offer shares of our common stock, par value $0.001 per share, either alone or underlying other registered securities convertible into our common stock. Holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends declared by our board of directors out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends, subject to rights, if any, of preferred shareholders. We have not paid dividends in the past and have no current plans to pay dividends. Each holder of common stock is entitled to one vote per share. The holders of common stock have no preemptive rights.
Preferred Stock
Our board of directors has the authority, subject to limitations prescribed by Nevada law, to issue preferred stock in one or more series, to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each series, and to fix the designation, powers, preferences
and rights of the shares of each series and any of its qualifications, limitations or restrictions, in each case without further vote or action by our shareholders. Each series of preferred stock offered by us will be more fully described in the particular prospectus supplement that will accompany this prospectus, including redemption provisions, rights in the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, voting rights and rights to convert into common stock.
Depositary Shares
We may offer depositary shares evidenced by depositary receipts, with each depositary share representing a fractional interest in a share of a particular series of preferred stock issued and deposited with a depositary to be designated by us. Each series of depositary shares or depositary receipts offered by us will be more fully described in the particular prospectus supplement that will accompany this prospectus, including redemption provisions, rights in the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, voting rights and rights to convert into common stock.
Debt Securities
We may offer secured or unsecured obligations in the form of one or more series of senior or subordinated debt. The senior debt securities and the subordinated debt securities are together referred to in this prospectus as the “debt securities.” The subordinated debt securities generally will be entitled to payment only after payment of our senior debt. Senior debt generally includes all debt for money borrowed by us, except debt that is stated in the instrument governing the terms of that debt to be not senior to, or to have the same rank in right of payment as, or to be expressly junior to, the subordinated debt securities. We may offer debt securities that are convertible into shares of our common stock.
The debt securities will be issued under an indenture between us and a trustee to be identified in an accompanying prospectus supplement. We have summarized the general features of the debt securities to be governed by the indenture in this prospectus and the form of indenture has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. We encourage you to read the indenture.
Warrants
We may offer warrants for the purchase of common stock, preferred stock, debt securities or depositary shares. We may offer warrants independently or together with other securities.
Subscription Rights
We may offer subscription rights to purchase our common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, depositary shares, warrants or units consisting of some or all of these securities. These subscription rights may be offered independently or together with any other security offered hereby and may or may not be transferable by the shareholder receiving the subscription rights in such offering.
Purchase Contracts
We may offer purchase contracts, including contracts obligating holders or us to purchase from the other a specific or variable number of securities at a future date or dates.
Units
We may offer units comprised of one or more of the other classes of securities described in this prospectus in any combination. Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit.
Risk Factors
An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. 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 risk factors discussed in the section of the applicable prospectus supplement titled “Risk Factors,” together with all of the other information contained or incorporated by reference in the prospectus supplement or appearing or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. You should also consider the risks, uncertainties and assumptions discussed under “Part I—Item 1A—Risk Factors” of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and in “Part II—Item 1A—Risk Factors” in our most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed subsequent to such Form 10-K that are incorporated herein by reference, as may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by other reports we file with the SEC in the future. 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 operations.
Forward-Looking Statements
This prospectus, each prospectus supplement and the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus and each prospectus supplement contain certain statements that constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. The words “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “could,” “would,” “project,” “plan,” “potentially,” “likely,” 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 titled “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of our management that are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions. 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. 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.
In addition, statements that “we believe” and similar statements reflect our beliefs and opinions on the relevant subject. These statements are based upon information available to us as of the date of this prospectus, and although we believe such information forms a reasonable basis for such statements, such information may be limited or incomplete, and our statements should not be read to indicate that we have conducted a thorough inquiry into, or review of, all potentially available relevant information. These statements are inherently uncertain and investors are cautioned not to unduly rely upon these statements.
This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus may contain market data that we obtain from industry sources. These sources do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information. Although we believe that our industry sources are reliable, we do not independently verify the information. The market data may include projections that are based on a number of other projections. While we believe these assumptions to be reasonable and sound as of the date of this prospectus, actual results may differ from the projections.
Use of Proceeds
We will retain broad discretion over the use of the net proceeds to us from the sale of our securities under this prospectus. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, we currently expect to use the net proceeds that we receive from this offering for working capital and other general corporate purposes. We may also use a portion of the net proceeds to acquire, license or invest in complementary products, technologies or businesses; however, we currently have no agreements or commitments to complete any such transaction. The expected use of net proceeds of this offering represents our current intentions based on our present plans and business conditions. We cannot specify with certainty all of the particular uses for the net proceeds to be received upon the closing of this offering. Pending these uses, we may invest the net proceeds of this offering in short- and intermediate-term, interest-bearing obligations, investment-grade instruments, certificates of deposit or direct or guaranteed obligations of the U.S. government.
Description of Capital Stock
The description of our capital stock is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, filed with the SEC on March 2, 2022.
Description of Debt Securities
The following description, together with the additional information we include in any applicable prospectus supplement, summarizes certain general terms and provisions of the debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus. When we offer to sell a particular series of debt securities, we will describe the specific terms of the series in a supplement to this prospectus. We will also indicate in the supplement to what extent the general terms and provisions described in this prospectus apply to a particular series of debt securities.
We may offer debt securities either separately, or together with, or upon the conversion or exercise of or in exchange for, other securities described in this prospectus. Debt securities may be our senior, senior subordinated or subordinated obligations and, unless otherwise specified in a supplement to this prospectus, the debt securities will be our direct, unsecured obligations and may be issued in one or more series.
The debt securities will be issued under an indenture between us and a trustee to be identified in an accompanying prospectus supplement. We have summarized select portions of the indenture below. The summary is not complete. The form of the indenture has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part and you should read the indenture for provisions that may be important to you. In the summary below, we have included references to the section numbers of the indenture so that you can easily locate these provisions. Capitalized terms used in the summary and not defined herein have the meanings specified in the indenture.
General
The terms of each series of debt securities will be established by or pursuant to a resolution of our board of directors and set forth or determined in the manner provided in a resolution of our board of directors, in an officer’s certificate or by a supplemental indenture. The particular terms of each series of debt securities will be described in a prospectus supplement relating to such series (including any pricing supplement or term sheet).
We can issue an unlimited amount of debt securities under the indenture that may be in one or more series with the same or various maturities, at par, at a premium, or at a discount. We will set forth in a prospectus supplement (including any pricing supplement or term sheet) relating to any series of debt securities being offered the aggregate principal amount and the following terms of the debt securities, if applicable:
the title and ranking of the debt securities (including the terms of any subordination provisions);
the price or prices (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount) at which we will sell the debt securities, including the portion of the principal amount of such debt securities that is convertible into another security or the method by which any such portion will be determined;
any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities;
the date or dates on which the principal of the securities of the series is payable;
the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) per annum or the method used to determine the rate or rates (including any commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index) at which the debt securities will bear interest, the date or dates from which interest will accrue, the date or dates on which interest will commence and be payable and any regular record date for the interest payable on any interest payment date;
the right, if any, to defer payments of interest and the maximum length of such deferral period;
the place or places where principal of, and interest, if any, on the debt securities will be payable (and the method of such payment), where the securities of such series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange, and where notices and demands to us in respect of the debt securities may be delivered;
the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which we may redeem the debt securities, in whole or in part, at our option, and the manner in which any election by us to redeem the debt securities will be evidenced;
any obligation we have to redeem or purchase the debt securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a holder of debt securities and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the
terms and conditions upon which securities of the series shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;
the provisions, if any, relating to conversion or exchange of any debt securities of such series, including if applicable, the conversion or exchange price, the conversion or exchange period, provisions as to whether conversion or exchange will be mandatory, at the option of the holders thereof or at our option, the events requiring an adjustment of the conversion price or exchange price and provisions affecting conversion or exchange if such series of debt securities are redeemed;
the denominations in which the debt securities will be issued, if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof;
whether the debt securities will be issued in the form of certificated debt securities or global debt securities (including the terms pertaining to the exchange of any such securities);
the portion of principal amount of the debt securities payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity date, if other than the principal amount;
the designation of the currency, currencies or currency units in which payment of principal of, premium and interest on the debt securities will be made;
if payments of principal of, premium or interest on the debt securities will be made in one or more currencies or currency units other than that or those in which the debt securities are denominated, the manner in which the exchange rate with respect to these payments will be determined;
the manner in which the amounts of payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the debt securities will be determined, if these amounts may be determined by reference to an index based on a currency or currencies or by reference to a commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index;
any provisions relating to any security provided for the debt securities;
any addition to, deletion of or change in the Events of Default described in this prospectus or in the indenture with respect to the debt securities and any change in the acceleration provisions described in this prospectus or in the indenture with respect to the debt securities;
any addition to, deletion of or change in the covenants described in this prospectus or in the indenture with respect to the debt securities;
any depositaries, interest rate calculation agents, exchange rate calculation agents or other agents with respect to the debt securities;
if there is more than one trustee or a different trustee, the identity of the trustee and, if not the trustee, the identity of each security registrar, paying agent or authenticating agent with respect to such debt securities;
any other terms of the debt securities, which may supplement, modify or delete any provision of the indenture as it applies to that series, including any terms that may be required under applicable law or regulations or advisable in connection with the marketing of the securities; and
whether any of our direct or indirect subsidiaries will guarantee the debt securities of that series, including the terms of subordination, if any, of such guarantees.
We may offer debt securities that provide for an amount less than their stated principal amount to be due and payable upon declaration of acceleration of their maturity pursuant to the terms of the indenture. We will provide you with information on the federal income tax considerations and other special considerations applicable to any of these debt securities in the applicable prospectus supplement.
If we denominate the purchase price of any of the debt securities in a foreign currency or currencies or a foreign currency unit or units, or if the principal of and any premium and interest on any series of debt securities is payable in a foreign currency or currencies or a foreign currency unit or units, we will provide you with information on the restrictions, elections, general tax considerations, specific terms and other information with respect to that issue of debt securities and such foreign currency or currencies or foreign currency unit or units in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Transfer and Exchange
Each debt security will be represented by either one or more global securities registered in the name of a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, which we refer to as the depositary, or a nominee of the depositary (we will refer to any debt security represented by a global debt security as a “book-entry debt security”), or a certificate issued in definitive registered form (we will refer to any debt security represented by a certificated security as a “certificated debt security”) as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Except as set forth in the section titled “—Global Debt Securities and Book-Entry System,” book-entry debt securities will not be issuable in certificated form.
Certificated Debt Securities
You may transfer or exchange certificated debt securities at any office we maintain for this purpose in accordance with the terms of the indenture. No service charge will be made for any transfer or exchange of certificated debt securities, but we may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with a transfer or exchange.
You may effect the transfer of certificated debt securities and the right to receive the principal of, premium and interest on certificated debt securities only by surrendering the certificate representing those certificated debt securities and either reissuance by us or the trustee of the certificate to the new holder or the issuance by us or the trustee of a new certificate to the new holder.
Global Debt Securities and Book-Entry System
Each global debt security representing book-entry debt securities will be deposited with, or on behalf of, the depositary, and registered in the name of the depositary or a nominee of the depositary.
Covenants
We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement any restrictive covenants applicable to any issue of debt securities.
No Protection in the Event of a Change of Control
Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not contain any provisions which may afford holders of the debt securities protection in the event we have a change in control or in the event of a highly leveraged transaction (whether or not such transaction results in a change in control) which could adversely affect holders of debt securities.
Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets
We may not consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of our properties and assets to any person, which we refer to as a successor person, unless:
we are the surviving corporation or the successor person (if other than us) is a corporation organized and validly existing under the laws of any U.S. domestic jurisdiction and expressly assumes our obligations on the debt securities and under the indenture; and
immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no Default or Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing.
Notwithstanding the above, any of our subsidiaries may consolidate with, merge into or transfer all or part of its properties to us.
Events of Default
“Event of Default” means with respect to any series of debt securities, any of the following:
default in the payment of any interest upon any debt security of that series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days (unless the entire amount of the payment is deposited by us with the trustee or with a paying agent prior to the expiration of the 30-day period);
default in the payment of principal of any security of that series at its maturity;
default in the performance or breach of any other covenant or warranty by us in the indenture (other than a covenant or warranty that has been included in the indenture solely for the benefit of a series of debt securities other than that series), which default continues uncured for a period of 60 days after we receive written notice from the trustee, or we and the trustee receive written notice from the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series as provided in the indenture;
certain voluntary or involuntary events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of us; and
any other Event of Default provided with respect to debt securities of that series that is described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
No Event of Default with respect to a particular series of debt securities (except as to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization) necessarily constitutes an Event of Default with respect to any other series of debt securities. The occurrence of certain
Events of Default or an acceleration under the indenture may constitute an event of default under certain indebtedness of ours or our subsidiaries outstanding from time to time.
We will provide the trustee written notice of any Default or Event of Default within 30 days of becoming aware of the occurrence of such Default or Event of Default, which notice will describe in reasonable detail the status of such Default or Event of Default and what action we are taking or propose to take in respect thereof.
If an Event of Default with respect to debt securities of any series at the time outstanding occurs and is continuing, then the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may, by a notice in writing to us (and to the trustee if given by the holders), declare to be due and payable immediately the principal of (or, if the debt securities of that series are discount securities, that portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all debt securities of that series. In the case of an Event of Default resulting from certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, the principal (or such specified amount) of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all outstanding debt securities will become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the trustee or any holder of outstanding debt securities. At any time after a declaration of acceleration with respect to debt securities of any series has been made, but before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the trustee, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may rescind and annul the acceleration if all Events of Default, other than the non-payment of accelerated principal and interest, if any, with respect to debt securities of that series, have been cured or waived as provided in the indenture. We refer you to the prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities that are discount securities for the particular provisions relating to acceleration of a portion of the principal amount of such discount securities upon the occurrence of an Event of Default.
The indenture provides that the trustee may refuse to perform any duty or exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture unless the trustee receives indemnity satisfactory to it against any cost, liability or expense which might be incurred by it in performing such duty or exercising such right or power. Subject to certain rights of the trustee, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee with respect to the debt securities of that series.
No holder of any debt security of any series will have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to the indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any remedy under the indenture, unless:
that holder has previously given to the trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to debt securities of that series; and
the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have made written request, and offered indemnity or security satisfactory to the trustee, to the trustee to institute the proceeding as trustee, and the trustee has not received from the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series a direction inconsistent with that request and has failed to institute the proceeding within 60 days.
Notwithstanding any other provision in the indenture, the holder of any debt security will have an absolute and unconditional right to receive payment of the principal of, premium and any interest on that debt security on or after the due dates expressed in that debt security and to institute suit for the enforcement of payment.
The indenture requires us, within 120 days after the end of our fiscal year, to furnish to the trustee a statement as to compliance with the indenture. If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing with respect to the securities of any series and if it is known to a responsible officer of the trustee, the trustee shall send to each securityholder of the securities of that series notice of a Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs or, if later, after a responsible officer of the trustee has knowledge of such Default or Event of Default. The indenture provides that the trustee may withhold notice to the holders of debt securities of any series of any Default or Event of Default (except in payment on any debt securities of that series) with respect to debt securities of that series if the trustee determines in good faith that withholding notice is in the interest of the holders of those debt securities.
Modification and Waiver
We and the trustee may modify, amend or supplement the indenture or the debt securities of any series without the consent of any holder of any debt security:
to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;
to comply with covenants in the indenture described in the section titled “—Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets”;
to provide for uncertificated securities in addition to or in place of certificated securities;
to add guarantees with respect to debt securities of any series or secure debt securities of any series;
to surrender any of our rights or powers under the indenture;
to add covenants or events of default for the benefit of the holders of debt securities of any series;
to comply with the applicable procedures of the applicable depositary;
to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder of debt securities;
to provide for the issuance of and establish the form and terms and conditions of debt securities of any series as permitted by the indenture;
to effect the appointment of a successor trustee with respect to the debt securities of any series and to add to or change any of the provisions of the indenture to provide for or facilitate administration by more than one trustee; or
to comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.
We may also modify and amend the indenture with the consent of the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series affected by the modifications or amendments. We may not make any modification or amendment without the consent of the holders of each affected debt security then outstanding if that amendment will:
reduce the amount of debt securities whose holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;
reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest (including default interest) on any debt security;
reduce the principal of or premium on or change the fixed maturity of any debt security or reduce the amount of, or postpone the date fixed for, the payment of any sinking fund or analogous obligation with respect to any series of debt securities;
reduce the principal amount of discount securities payable upon acceleration of maturity;
waive a default in the payment of the principal of, premium or interest on any debt security (except a rescission of acceleration of the debt securities of any series by the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding debt securities of that series and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);
make the principal of or premium or interest on any debt security payable in currency other than that stated in the debt security;
make any change to certain provisions of the indenture relating to, among other things, the right of holders of debt securities to receive payment of the principal of, premium and interest on those debt securities and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment and to waivers or amendments; or
waive a redemption payment with respect to any debt security.
Except for certain specified provisions, the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may on behalf of the holders of all debt securities of that series waive our compliance with provisions of the indenture. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may on behalf of the holders of all the debt securities of such series waive any past default under the indenture with respect to that series and its consequences, except a default in the payment of the principal of, premium or any interest on any debt security of that series; provided, however, that the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from the acceleration.
Defeasance of Debt Securities and Certain Covenants in Certain Circumstances
Legal Defeasance
The indenture provides that, unless otherwise provided by the terms of the applicable series of debt securities, we may be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the debt securities of any series (subject to certain exceptions). We will be so discharged upon the irrevocable deposit with the trustee, in trust, of money and/or U.S. government obligations or, in the case of debt securities denominated in a single currency other than U.S. dollars, government obligations of the government that issued or caused to be issued such currency, that, through the payment of interest and principal in accordance with their terms, will provide money or U.S. government obligations in an amount sufficient in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants or investment bank to pay and discharge each installment of principal, premium and interest on and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of the debt securities of that series on the stated maturity of those payments in accordance with the terms of the indenture and those debt securities.
This discharge may occur only if, among other things, we have delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel stating that we have received from, or there has been published by, the United States Internal Revenue Service a ruling or, since the date of execution of the
indenture, there has been a change in the applicable United States federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the holders of the debt securities of that series will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to United States federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred.
Defeasance of Certain Covenants
The indenture provides that, unless otherwise provided by the terms of the applicable series of debt securities, upon compliance with certain conditions:
we may omit to comply with the covenant described in the section titled “—Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets” and certain other covenants set forth in the indenture, as well as any additional covenants which may be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement; and
any omission to comply with those covenants will not constitute a Default or an Event of Default with respect to the debt securities of that series.
We refer to this as covenant defeasance. The conditions include:
depositing with the trustee money and/or U.S. government obligations or, in the case of debt securities denominated in a single currency other than U.S. dollars, government obligations of the government that issued or caused to be issued such currency, that, through the payment of interest and principal in accordance with their terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants or investment bank to pay and discharge each installment of principal of, premium and interest on and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of the debt securities of that series on the stated maturity of those payments in accordance with the terms of the indenture and those debt securities;
such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under the indenture or any other agreement to which we are a party;
no Default or Event of Default with respect to the applicable series of debt securities shall have occurred or is continuing on the date of such deposit; and
delivering to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that we have received from, or there has been published by, the United States Internal Revenue Service a ruling or, since the date of execution of the indenture, there has been a change in the applicable United States federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the holders of the debt securities of that series will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit and related covenant defeasance and will be subject to United States federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the deposit and related covenant defeasance had not occurred.
No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees or Shareholders
None of our past, present or future directors, officers, employees or shareholders, as such, will have any liability for any of our obligations under the debt securities or the indenture or for any claim based on, or in respect or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. By accepting a debt security, each holder waives and releases all such liability. This waiver and release is part of the consideration for the issue of the debt securities. However, this waiver and release may not be effective to waive liabilities under U.S. federal securities laws, and it is the view of the SEC that such a waiver is against public policy.
Governing Law
The indenture and the debt securities, including any claim or controversy arising out of or relating to the indenture or the securities, will be governed by the laws of the State of New York.
The indenture will provide that we, the trustee and the holders of the debt securities (by their acceptance of the debt securities) irrevocably waive, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any and all right to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to the indenture, the debt securities or the transactions contemplated thereby.
The indenture will provide that any legal suit, action or proceeding arising out of or based upon the indenture or the transactions contemplated thereby may be instituted in the federal courts of the United States of America located in the City of New York or the courts of the State of New York in each case located in the City of New York, and we, the trustee and the holder of the debt securities (by their acceptance of the debt securities) irrevocably submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any such suit, action or proceeding. The indenture will further provide that service of any process, summons, notice or document by mail (to the extent allowed
under any applicable statute or rule of court) to such party’s address set forth in the indenture will be effective service of process for any suit, action or other proceeding brought in any such court. The indenture will further provide that we, the trustee and the holders of the debt securities (by their acceptance of the debt securities) irrevocably and unconditionally waive any objection to the laying of venue of any suit, action or other proceeding in the courts specified above and irrevocably and unconditionally waive and agree not to plead or claim any such suit, action or other proceeding has been brought in an inconvenient forum.
Description of Depositary Shares
General
We may offer depositary shares representing a fractional interest in a share of a particular series of preferred stock. Unless otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement, each owner of a depositary share will be entitled, in proportion to the applicable fractional interest in a share of preferred stock represented by the depositary share, to all the rights and preferences of the preferred stock represented by the depositary share. Those rights include dividend, voting, redemption, conversion and liquidation rights.
The shares of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares will be deposited with a bank or trust company selected by us to act as depositary under a deposit agreement between us, the depositary and the holders of the depositary receipts. The depositary will be the transfer agent, registrar and dividend disbursing agent for the depositary shares.
The depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued pursuant to the deposit agreement. Holders of depositary receipts agree to be bound by the deposit agreement, which requires holders to take certain actions such as filing proof of residence and paying certain charges.
The summary of terms of the depositary shares contained in this prospectus is not complete. You should refer to the form of the deposit agreement, our articles of incorporation and the articles of amendment for the applicable series of preferred stock that are, or will be, filed with the SEC.
Dividends and Other Distributions
The depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other cash distributions, if any, received in respect of the preferred stock underlying the depositary shares to the record holders of depositary shares in proportion to the numbers of depositary shares owned by those holders on the relevant record date. The relevant record date for depositary shares will be the same date as the record date for the underlying preferred stock.
If there is a distribution other than in cash, the depositary will distribute property (including securities) received by it to the record holders of depositary shares, unless the depositary determines that it is not feasible to make the distribution. If this occurs, the depositary may, with our approval, adopt another method for the distribution, including selling the property and distributing the net proceeds from the sale to the holders.
Liquidation Preference
If a series of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares has a liquidation preference, in the event of the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of us, holders of depositary shares will be entitled to receive the fraction of the liquidation preference accorded each share of the applicable series of preferred stock, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Withdrawal of Stock
Unless the related depositary shares have been previously called for redemption, upon surrender of the depositary receipts at the office of the depositary, the holder of the depositary shares will be entitled to delivery, at the office of the depositary to or upon his or her order, of the number of whole shares of the preferred stock and any money or other property represented by the depositary shares. If the depositary receipts delivered by the holder evidence a number of depositary shares in excess of the number of depositary shares representing the number of whole shares of preferred stock to be withdrawn, the depositary will deliver to the holder at the same time a new depositary receipt evidencing the excess number of depositary shares. In no event will the depositary deliver fractional shares of preferred stock upon surrender of depositary receipts. Holders of preferred stock thus withdrawn may not thereafter deposit those shares under the deposit agreement or receive depositary receipts evidencing depositary shares therefor.
Redemption of Depositary Shares
Whenever we redeem shares of preferred stock held by the depositary, the depositary will redeem as of the same redemption date the number of depositary shares representing shares of the preferred stock so redeemed, so long as we have paid in full to the depositary
the redemption price of the preferred stock to be redeemed plus an amount equal to any accumulated and unpaid dividends on the preferred stock to the date fixed for redemption. The redemption price per depositary share will be equal to the redemption price and any other amounts per share payable on the preferred stock multiplied by the fraction of a share of preferred stock represented by one depositary share. If less than all the depositary shares are to be redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected by lot or pro rata or by any other equitable method as may be determined by the depositary.
After the date fixed for redemption, depositary shares called for redemption will no longer be deemed to be outstanding and all rights of the holders of depositary shares will cease, except the right to receive the monies payable upon redemption and any money or other property to which the holders of the depositary shares were entitled upon redemption upon surrender to the depositary of the depositary receipts evidencing the depositary shares.
Voting the Preferred Stock
Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of the preferred stock are entitled to vote, the depositary will mail the information contained in the notice of meeting to the record holders of the depositary receipts relating to that preferred stock. The record date for the depositary receipts relating to the preferred stock will be the same date as the record date for the preferred stock. Each record holder of the depositary shares on the record date will be entitled to instruct the depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights pertaining to the number of shares of preferred stock represented by that holder’s depositary shares. The depositary will endeavor, insofar as practicable, to vote the number of shares of preferred stock represented by the depositary shares in accordance with those instructions, and we will agree to take all action that may be deemed necessary by the depositary in order to enable the depositary to do so. The depositary will not vote any shares of preferred stock except to the extent that it receives specific instructions from the holders of depositary shares representing that number of shares of preferred stock.
Charges of the Depositary
We will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the existence of the depositary arrangements. We will pay charges of the depositary in connection with the initial deposit of the preferred stock and any redemption of the preferred stock. Holders of depositary receipts will pay transfer, income and other taxes and governmental charges and such other charges (including those in connection with the receipt and distribution of dividends, the sale or exercise of rights, the withdrawal of the preferred stock and the transferring, splitting or grouping of depositary receipts) as are expressly provided in the deposit agreement to be for their accounts. If these charges have not been paid by the holders of depositary receipts, the depositary may refuse to transfer depositary shares, withhold dividends and distributions and sell the depositary shares evidenced by the depositary receipt.
Amendment and Termination of the Deposit Agreement
The form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares and any provision of the deposit agreement may be amended by agreement between us and the depositary. However, any amendment that materially and adversely alters the rights of the holders of depositary shares, other than fee changes, will not be effective unless the amendment has been approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding depositary shares. The deposit agreement may be terminated by the depositary or us only if:
all outstanding depositary shares have been redeemed; or
there has been a final distribution of the preferred stock in connection with our dissolution and such distribution has been made to all the holders of depositary shares.
Resignation and Removal of Depositary
The depositary may resign at any time by delivering to us notice of its election to do so, and we may remove the depositary at any time. Any resignation or removal of the depositary will take effect upon our appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment. The successor depositary must be appointed within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal and must be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the United States and having the requisite combined capital and surplus as set forth in the applicable agreement.
Notices
The depositary will forward to holders of depositary receipts all notices, reports and other communications, including proxy solicitation materials received from us, that are delivered to the depositary and that we are required to furnish to the holders of the preferred stock. In addition, the depositary will make available for inspection by holders of depositary receipts at the principal office of the depositary, and at such other places as it may from time to time deem advisable, any reports and communications we deliver to the depositary as the holder of preferred stock.
Limitation of Liability
Neither we nor the depositary will be liable if either is prevented or delayed by law or any circumstance beyond its control in performing its obligations. Our obligations and those of the depositary will be limited to performance in good faith of our and its duties thereunder. We and the depositary will not be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding in respect of any depositary shares or preferred stock unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished. We and the depositary may rely upon written advice of counsel or accountants, on information provided by persons presenting preferred stock for deposit, holders of depositary receipts or other persons believed to be competent to give such information and on documents believed to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties.
Description of Warrants
We may offer warrants to purchase debt securities, preferred stock, depositary shares or common stock. We may offer warrants separately or together with one or more additional warrants, debt securities, preferred stock, depositary shares or common stock, or any combination of those securities in the form of units, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. If we issue warrants as part of a unit, the applicable prospectus supplement will specify whether those warrants may be separated from the other securities in the unit prior to the expiration date of the warrants. The applicable prospectus supplement will also describe the following terms of any warrants:
the specific designation and aggregate number of, and the offering price at which we will issue, the warrants;
the currency or currency units in which the offering price, if any, and the exercise price are payable;
the date on which the right to exercise the warrants will begin and the date on which that right will expire or, if you may not continuously exercise the warrants throughout that period, the specific date or dates on which you may exercise the warrants;
whether the warrants are to be sold separately or with other securities as parts of units;
whether the warrants will be issued in definitive or global form or in any combination of these forms, although, in any case, the form of a warrant included in a unit will correspond to the form of the unit and of any security included in that unit;
any applicable material U.S. federal income tax consequences;
the identity of the warrant agent for the warrants and of any other depositaries, execution or paying agents, transfer agents, registrars or other agents;
the proposed listing, if any, of the warrants or any securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants on any securities exchange;
the designation and terms of any equity securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants;
the designation, aggregate principal amount, currency and terms of any debt securities that may be purchased upon exercise of the warrants;
if applicable, the designation and terms of the debt securities, preferred stock, depositary shares or common stock with which the warrants are issued and the number of warrants issued with each security;
if applicable, the date from and after which any warrants issued as part of a unit and the related debt securities, preferred stock, depositary shares or common stock will be separately transferable;
the number of shares of preferred stock, the number of depositary shares or the number of shares of common stock purchasable upon exercise of a warrant and the price at which those shares may be purchased;
if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of the warrants that may be exercised at any one time;
information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any;
the antidilution provisions, and other provisions for changes to or adjustment in the exercise price, of the warrants, if any;
any redemption or call provisions; and
any additional terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange or exercise of the warrants.
Description of Subscription Rights
We may offer subscription rights to purchase our common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, depositary shares, warrants or units consisting of some or all of these securities. These subscription rights may be offered independently or together with any other security offered hereby and may or may not be transferable by the shareholder receiving the subscription rights in such offering. In connection with any offering of subscription rights, we may enter into a standby arrangement with one or more underwriters or other purchasers pursuant to which the underwriters or other purchasers may be required to purchase any securities remaining unsubscribed for after such offering.
The prospectus supplement relating to any subscription rights we offer, if any, will, to the extent applicable, include specific terms relating to the offering, including some or all of the following:
the price, if any, for the subscription rights;
the exercise price payable for our common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, depositary shares, warrants or units consisting of some or all of these securities upon the exercise of the subscription rights;
the number of subscription rights to be issued to each shareholder;
the number and terms of our common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, depositary shares, warrants or units consisting of some or all of these securities which may be purchased per each subscription right;
the extent to which the subscription rights are transferable;
any other terms of the subscription rights, including the terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the subscription rights;
the date on which the right to exercise the subscription rights shall commence, and the date on which the subscription rights shall expire;
the extent to which the subscription rights may include an over-subscription privilege with respect to unsubscribed securities or an over-allotment privilege to the extent the securities are fully subscribed; and
if applicable, the material terms of any standby underwriting or purchase arrangement which may be entered into by us in connection with the offering of subscription rights.
The descriptions of the subscription rights in this prospectus and in any prospectus supplement are summaries of the material provisions of the applicable subscription right agreements. These descriptions do not restate those subscription right agreements in their entirety and may not contain all the information that you may find useful. We urge you to read the applicable subscription right agreements because they, and not the summaries, define your rights as holders of the subscription rights. For more information, please review the forms of the relevant subscription right agreements, which will be filed with the SEC promptly after the offering of subscription rights and will be available as described in the section titled “Where You Can Find More Information.”
Description of Purchase Contracts
The following description summarizes the general features of the purchase contracts that we may offer under this prospectus. Although the features we have summarized below will generally apply to any future purchase contracts we may offer under this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any purchase contracts that we may offer in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. The specific terms of any purchase contracts may differ from the description provided below as a result of negotiations with third parties in connection with the issuance of those purchase contracts, as well as for other reasons. Because the terms of any purchase contracts we offer under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms we describe below, you should rely solely on information in the applicable prospectus supplement if that summary is different from the summary in this prospectus.
We will incorporate by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part the form of any purchase contract that we may offer under this prospectus before the sale of the related purchase contract. We urge you to read any applicable prospectus supplement related to specific purchase contracts being offered, as well as the complete instruments that contain the terms of the securities that are subject to those purchase contracts. Certain of those instruments, or forms of those instruments, have been filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and supplements to those instruments or forms may be incorporated by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part from reports we file with the SEC.
We may offer purchase contracts, including contracts obligating holders to purchase from us, and for us to sell to holders, a specific or variable number of our securities at a future date or dates. Alternatively, the purchase contracts may obligate us to purchase from holders, and obligate holders to sell to us, a specific or varying number of our securities.
If we offer any purchase contracts, certain terms of that series of purchase contracts will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement, including, without limitation, the following:
the price of the securities or other property subject to the purchase contracts (which may be determined by reference to a specific formula described in the purchase contracts);
whether the purchase contracts are issued separately, or as a part of units each consisting of a purchase contract and one or more of our other securities, including U.S. Treasury securities, securing the holder’s obligations under the purchase contract;
any requirement for us to make periodic payments to holders or vice versa, and whether the payments are unsecured or pre-funded;
any provisions relating to any security provided for the purchase contracts;
whether the purchase contracts obligate the holder or us to purchase or sell, or both purchase and sell, the securities subject to purchase under the purchase contract, and the nature and amount of each of those securities, or the method of determining those amounts;
whether the purchase contracts are to be prepaid or not;
whether the purchase contracts are to be settled by delivery, or by reference or linkage to the value, performance or level of the securities subject to purchase under the purchase contract;
any acceleration, cancellation, termination or other provisions relating to the settlement of the purchase contracts;
a discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the purchase contracts;
whether the purchase contracts will be issued in fully registered or global form; and
any other terms of the purchase contracts and any securities subject to such purchase contracts.
Description of Units
We may offer units comprising two or more securities described in this prospectus in any combination. For example, we might issue units consisting of a combination of debt securities and warrants to purchase common stock. The following description sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the units that we may offer pursuant to this prospectus. The particular terms of the units and the extent, if any, to which the general terms and provisions may apply to the units so offered will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit also is the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. Units will be issued pursuant to the terms of a unit agreement, which may provide that the securities included in the unit may not be held or transferred separately at any time or at any time before a specified date. A copy of the forms of the unit agreement and the unit certificate relating to any particular issue of units will be filed with the SEC each time we issue units, and you should read those documents for provisions that may be important to you. For more information on how you can obtain copies of the forms of the unit agreement and the related unit certificate, see the section titled “Where You Can Find More Information.”
The prospectus supplement relating to any particular issuance of units will describe the terms of those units, including, to the extent applicable, the following:
the designation and terms of the units and the securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances those securities may be held or transferred separately;
any provision for the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units or of the securities comprising the units; and
whether the units will be issued in fully registered or global form.
Plan of Distribution
We may sell securities:
through underwriters;
through dealers;
through agents;
directly to purchasers; or
through a combination of any of these methods of sale.
In addition, we may issue the securities as a dividend or distribution or in a subscription rights offering to our existing securityholders.
We may directly solicit offers to purchase securities or agents may be designated to solicit such offers. We will, in the prospectus supplement relating to such offering, name any agent that could be viewed as an underwriter under the Securities Act and describe any commissions that we must pay. Any such agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment or, if indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, on a firm commitment basis. This prospectus may be used in connection with any offering of our securities through any of these methods or other methods described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
The distribution of the securities may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions:
at a fixed price or prices that may be changed from time to time;
at market prices prevailing at the time of sale;
at prices related to such prevailing market prices; or
at negotiated prices.
Each prospectus supplement will describe the method of distribution of the securities and any applicable restrictions.
The prospectus supplement with respect to the securities of a particular series will describe the terms of the offering of the securities, including the following:
the name of the agent or any underwriters;
the public offering or purchase price;
if applicable, the names of any selling securityholders;
any discounts and commissions to be allowed or paid to the agent or underwriters;
all other items constituting underwriting compensation;
any discounts and commissions to be allowed or paid to dealers; and
any exchanges on which the securities will be listed.
If any underwriters or agents are utilized in the sale of the securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered, we will enter into an underwriting agreement or other agreement with them at the time of sale to them, and we will set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to such offering the names of the underwriters or agents and the terms of the related agreement with them.
If a dealer is utilized in the sale of the securities in respect of which the prospectus is delivered, we will sell such securities to the dealer, as principal. The dealer may then resell such securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by such dealer at the time of resale.
If we offer securities in a subscription rights offering to our existing securityholders, we may enter into a standby underwriting agreement with dealers, acting as standby underwriters. We may pay the standby underwriters a commitment fee for the securities they commit to purchase on a standby basis. If we do not enter into a standby underwriting arrangement, we may retain a dealer-manager to manage a subscription rights offering for us.
Agents, underwriters, dealers and other persons may be entitled under agreements that they may enter into with us to indemnification by us against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
If so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will authorize underwriters or other persons acting as our agents to solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase securities from us pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on the date stated in the prospectus supplement. Each contract will be for an amount not less than, and the aggregate amount of securities sold pursuant to such contracts shall not be less nor more than, the respective amounts stated in the prospectus supplement. Institutions with whom the contracts, when authorized, may be made include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies,
pension funds, investment companies, educational and charitable institutions and other institutions, but shall in all cases be subject to our approval. Delayed delivery contracts will not be subject to any conditions except that:
the purchase by an institution of the securities covered under that contract shall not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of the jurisdiction to which that institution is subject; and
if the securities are also being sold to underwriters acting as principals for their own account, the underwriters shall have purchased such securities not sold for delayed delivery.
The underwriters and other persons acting as agents will not have any responsibility in respect of the validity or performance of delayed delivery contracts.
Certain agents, underwriters and dealers, and their associates and affiliates may be customers of, have borrowing relationships with, engage in other transactions with, and/or perform services, including investment banking services, for us or one or more of our respective affiliates in the ordinary course of business.
In order to facilitate the offering of the securities, any underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the securities or any other securities the prices of which may be used to determine payments on such securities. Specifically, any underwriters may over-allot in connection with the offering, creating a short position for their own accounts. In addition, to cover over-allotments or to stabilize the price of the securities or of any such other securities, the underwriters may bid for, and purchase, the securities or any such other securities in the open market. Finally, in any offering of the securities through a syndicate of underwriters, the underwriting syndicate may reclaim selling concessions allowed to an underwriter or a dealer for distributing the securities in the offering if the syndicate repurchases previously distributed securities in transactions to cover syndicate short positions, in stabilization transactions or otherwise. Any of these activities may stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities above independent market levels. Any such underwriters are not required to engage in these activities and may end any of these activities at any time.
Under Rule 15c6-1 of the Exchange Act, trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in two business days, unless the parties to any such trade expressly agree otherwise. The applicable prospectus supplement may provide that the original issue date for your securities may be more than two scheduled business days after the trade date for your securities. Accordingly, in such a case, if you wish to trade securities on any date prior to the third business day before the original issue date for your securities, you will be required, by virtue of the fact that your securities initially are expected to settle in more than three scheduled business days after the trade date for your securities, to make alternative settlement arrangements to prevent a failed settlement.
The securities may be new issues of securities and may have no established trading market. The securities may or may not be listed on a national securities exchange. We can make no assurance as to the liquidity of or the existence of trading markets for any of the securities.
Legal Matters
The validity of the securities offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Ballard Spahr LLP, Las Vegas, Nevada. Additional legal matters may be passed on for us, or any underwriters, dealers or agents, by counsel that we will name in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Experts
The financial statements incorporated in this prospectus by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, have been audited by KPMG LLP, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
Where You Can Find More Information
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Copies of certain information filed by us with the SEC are also available on our website at www.metamaterial.com. Information accessible on or through our website is not a part of this prospectus.
This prospectus and any prospectus supplement is part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC and do not contain all of the information in the registration statement. You should review the information and exhibits in the registration statement for
further information on us and our consolidated subsidiaries and the securities that we are offering. Forms of any indenture or other documents establishing the terms of the offered securities are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part or under cover of a Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated in this prospectus by reference. Statements in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement about these documents are summaries and each statement is qualified in all respects by reference to the document to which it refers. You should read the actual documents for a more complete description of the relevant matters.
Incorporation by Reference
The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference much of the information that we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those publicly available documents. The information that we incorporate by reference in this prospectus is considered to be part of this prospectus. Because we are incorporating by reference future filings with the SEC, this prospectus is continually updated and those future filings may modify or supersede some of the information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. This means that you must look at all of the SEC filings that we incorporate by reference to determine if any of the statements in this prospectus or in any document previously incorporated by reference have been modified or superseded. This prospectus incorporates by reference the documents listed below and any future filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (in each case, other than those documents or the portions of those documents furnished pursuant to Items 2.02 or 7.01 of any Current Report on Form 8-K and, except as may be noted in any such Form 8-K, exhibits filed on such form that are related to such information), until the offering of the securities under the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part is terminated or completed:
our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, filed with the SEC on March 2, 2022 and as amended on May 2, 2022;
our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed with the SEC on October 26, 2022;
our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2022, June 30, 2022 and September 30, 2022, filed with the SEC on May 10, 2022 (as amended on June 1, 2022), August 9, 2022 and November 9, 2022, respectively;
our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on April 6, 2022, June 17, 2022, June 27, 2022, August 18, 2022 (as amended on August 19, 2022), August 31, 2022 and November 9, 2022; and
the description of our common stock contained in the Registration Statement on Form 8-A, filed with the SEC on December 13, 2013, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description (including Exhibit 4.6 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 2, 2022).
You may request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at the following address and telephone number:
Meta Materials Inc.
1 Research Drive
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia B2Y 4M9
Attn: Investor Relations
(902) 482-5729
620,000 Shares of Common Stock
Pre-Funded Warrants to Purchase up to 230,000 Shares of Common Stock
Warrants to Purchase up to 850,000 Shares of Common Stock
A.G.P.
February 19, 2024
Exhibit 107
The prospectus to which this Exhibit 107 is attached is a final prospectus for the related offering. The maximum aggregate offering price for such offering is $3,433,770.
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