FWP

Issuer Free Writing Prospectus

Filed Pursuant to Rule 433

Dated August 17, 2022

Relating to Preliminary Prospectus Dated August 16, 2022

Registration Statement No. 333-263574

 

LOGO

$25,000,000

Shares of common stock

Pre-funded warrants to purchase shares of common stock

Warrants to purchase shares of common stock

This free writing prospectus relates only to the offering described below and should be read together with the preliminary prospectus supplement dated August 16, 2022 (the “Preliminary Prospectus Supplement”), including the documents incorporated by reference therein and the accompanying base prospectus. This free writing prospectus supplements the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement primarily to reflect the addition of (i) accompanying common warrants and (ii) certain pre-funded warrants, in lieu of common stock to certain investors, to the securities being offered by Unity Biotechnology, Inc. The shares of common stock (or pre-funded warrants) and the accompanying common warrants can only be purchased together in this offering but will be issued separately and will be immediately separable upon issuance. Except as otherwise indicated, all information in this free writing prospectus and the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement assumes no exercise of outstanding options and no exercise of the pre-funded warrants or warrants sold in this offering. References to the “warrants” means the pre-funded warrants and the common warrants.

This free writing prospectus is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement. Financial information and other information presented in the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement or incorporated by reference therein is deemed to have changed to the extent affected by the changes described herein. This free writing prospectus should be read together with the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement, including the documents incorporated by reference therein, and the accompanying prospectus before making a decision in connection with an investment in the securities. Capitalized terms used in this free writing prospectus but not defined have the meanings given to them in the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement.

 

Issuer:    Unity Biotechnology, Inc.
Common stock offered by us:                         shares of our common stock.
Pre-funded warrants offered by us:    We are also offering, in lieu of common stock to certain investors that so choose, pre-funded warrants to purchase          shares of our common stock. The purchase price of each pre-funded warrant equals the price per share at which the shares of our common stock are being sold to the public in this offering, minus $0.0001, which is the exercise price of each pre-funded warrant per share. Each pre-funded warrant will be exercisable at any time after the date of issuance of such pre-funded warrant, subject to an ownership limitation. This free writing prospectus and the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement also relate to the offering of the shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of the pre-funded warrants. See “Description of Securities We Are Offering.”


Common warrants offered by us:    Common warrants to purchase an aggregate of                      shares of our common stock. Each share of our common stock (or pre-funded warrant) is being sold together with a common warrant to purchase one share of our common stock. Each common warrant has an exercise price of $                     per share, is immediately exercisable and will expire five years from the date of issuance. The shares of common stock (or pre-funded warrant) and the accompanying common warrants can only be purchased together in this offering but will be issued separately and will be immediately separable upon issuance. This free writing prospectus and the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement also relate to the offering of the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the common warrants. See “Description of Securities We Are Offering.”
Dilution:    After giving effect to the issuance and sale by us of                      shares of our common stock (or pre-funded warrants in lieu thereof) and accompanying common warrants to purchase shares of common stock in this offering by us at a combined public offering price of $                      per share (or pre-funded warrant in lieu thereof) and accompanying common warrant, and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, our as adjusted net tangible book value as of June 30, 2022 would have been $                      million, or $                      per share of our common stock. This represents an immediate increase in net tangible book value of $                      per share to our existing stockholders and an immediate dilution in net tangible book value of $                      per share to new investors in this offering.

Nasdaq Global Select Market

listing:

   Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “UBX.” We do not intend to list the pre-funded warrants or the warrants on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, any other nationally recognized securities exchange or any other nationally recognized trading system.

 

 

Risk Factors

There is no public market for the warrants being offered in this offering.

There is no established public trading market for the warrants being offered in this offering, and we do not expect a market to develop. In addition, we do not intend to apply to list these warrants on any securities exchange or nationally recognized trading system, including the Nasdaq Global Select Market. Without an active market, the liquidity of these warrants will be limited.

The common warrants being offered may not have value.

The common warrants being offered by us in this offering have an exercise price of $         per share of common stock, subject to certain adjustments, and expire five years from the date of issuance, after which date any unexercised common warrants will expire and have no further value. In the event that the market price of our common stock does not exceed the exercise price of the common warrants during the period when they are exercisable, the common warrants may not have any value.

We may not receive any additional funds upon the exercise of the warrants being offered.

In certain limited circumstances, each warrant may be exercised by way of a cashless exercise, meaning that the holder may not pay a cash purchase price upon exercise, but instead would receive upon such exercise the net number of shares of our common stock determined according to the formula set forth in the warrant. Accordingly, we may not receive any additional funds upon the cashless exercise of the warrants or if the warrants altogether are not exercised at all. In addition, the pre-funded warrants have an exercise price of $0.0001 per share of common stock, and as a result we will not receive significant additional funds upon their exercise even if not a cashless exercise.


Holders of warrants purchased in this offering will have no rights as common stockholders until such holders exercise their warrants and acquire our common stock.

Until holders of the warrants acquire shares of our common stock upon exercise of such warrants, the holders will have no rights with respect to the shares of our common stock underlying such warrants, such as voting rights or the rights to receive dividends. Upon exercise of the warrants, the holders will be entitled to exercise the rights of a common stockholder only as to matters for which the record date occurs after the exercise.

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

Holders of the warrants will not be entitled to exercise any portion of any warrant which, upon giving effect to such exercise, would cause the aggregate number of shares of our common stock beneficially owned by the holder (together with its affiliates) to exceed a specified percentage 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. As a result, you may not be able to exercise your warrants for shares of our common stock at a time when it would be financially beneficial for you to do so. In such circumstance you could seek to sell your warrants to realize value, but you may be unable to do so in the absence of an established trading market for the warrants.

You may experience immediate and substantial dilution in the net tangible book value per share of the common stock you purchase.

The effective public offering price per share of common stock in this offering may exceed the net tangible book value per share of our common stock outstanding prior to this offering, in which case you may incur an immediate and substantial dilution in the net tangible book value of the shares of common stock you purchase in this offering or the shares of common stock underlying the warrants you purchase in this offering. After giving effect to the sale by us of shares of our common stock (or pre-funded warrants in lieu thereof) and common warrants to purchase shares of our common stock at the combined public offering price of $                    per share of common stock (or pre-funded warrant in lieu thereof) and the accompanying common warrant, and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, you will experience immediate dilution of $                    per share, representing the difference between the effective public offering price per share and our as adjusted net tangible book value per share as of June 30, 2022 after giving effect to this offering. The exercise of warrants, including the pre-funded warrants and common warrants issued in this offering, the exercise of outstanding stock options and the vesting of other stock awards may result in further dilution of your investment. See “Dilution” for a more detailed discussion of the dilution you will incur if you purchase common stock in this offering.

 

 

Use of Proceeds

We estimate that we will receive net proceeds from our issuance and sale of shares of our common stock and warrants in this offering of approximately $                     million, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. These estimates exclude the proceeds, if any, from the exercise of the warrants sold in this offering.

We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering, if any, to fund ongoing clinical development of UBX1325, including the BEHOLD and ENVISION studies, and other general corporate purposes, including working capital, operating expenses and capital.

We expect our cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities as of June 30, 2022, together with the our recent sales proceeds from our “at the market” offering facility with Cowen and the net proceeds from this offering, will fund our current operating plans through the fourth quarter of 2023 including funding UBX1325 development through the ongoing Phase 2 studies and long-term extension follow up.

The amounts and timing of our actual expenditures will depend on numerous factors, including the factors described under “Risk Factors” in the prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference herein, as well as the amount of cash used in our operations. We may find it necessary or advisable to use the net proceeds for other purposes, and we will have broad discretion in the application of the net proceeds. Pending the uses described above, we plan to invest the net proceeds from 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.

 

 

 


Dilution

If you invest in our common stock and warrants in this offering, your ownership interest will be diluted to the extent of the difference between the public offering price per share of our common stock (or pre-funded warrant in lieu thereof) and accompanying common warrants and the net tangible book value per share of our common stock immediately after this offering. The net tangible book value of our common stock as of June 30, 2022 was approximately $39.9 million, or approximately $0.57 per share of common stock, based upon 69,584,933 shares outstanding. Net tangible book value per share is equal to our total tangible assets, less our total liabilities, divided by the total number of shares of common stock outstanding as of June 30, 2022.

Net tangible book value dilution per share to investors participating in this offering represents the difference between the amount per share paid by purchasers of shares of common stock in this offering and the as adjusted net tangible book value per share of common stock immediately after completion of this offering. After giving effect to the issuance and sale by us of shares of our common stock (or pre-funded warrants in lieu thereof) and accompanying common warrants to purchase shares of common stock in this offering by us at a combined public offering price of $              per share (or pre-funded warrant in lieu thereof) and accompanying common warrant, and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, our as adjusted net tangible book value as of June 30, 2022 would have been $                      million, or $              per share of our common stock. This represents an immediate increase in net tangible book value of $              per share to our existing stockholders and an immediate dilution in net tangible book value of $              per share to new investors in this offering.

The following table illustrates this calculation on a per share basis:

 

Combined public offering price per share (or pre-funded warrants in lieu thereof) and accompanying common warrant in this offering

      $    

Net tangible book value per share as of June 30, 2022

   $ 0.57     

Increase in net tangible book value per share attributable new investors purchasing in this offering

   $       
  

 

 

    

As adjusted net tangible book value per share after giving effect to this offering

      $            
     

 

 

 

Dilution in net tangible book value per share to new investors in this offering

      $    
     

 

 

 

The discussion and table above assume no exercise of the warrants sold in this offering.

The number of shares of common stock to be outstanding immediately after this offering is based on 69,584,933 shares of our common stock outstanding as of June 30, 2022 and excludes the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants being offered by us in this offering and, in each case as of June 30, 2022 (unless otherwise indicated):

 

   

9,502,919 shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of stock options to purchase common stock that were outstanding as of June 30, 2022, with a weighted average exercise price of $4.86 per share;

 

   

55,900 shares of our common stock that we may be obligated to issue under our license agreements;

 

   

3,462,065 shares of common stock reserved for issuance pursuant to future awards under our 2018 Equity Incentive Award Plan, as well as any automatic increases in the number of shares of our common stock reserved for future issuance under this plan;

 

   

564,064 shares of common stock reserved for issuance pursuant to future awards under our 2020 Employment Inducement Incentive Award Plan, as amended;

1,925,936 shares of common stock reserved for issuance pursuant to future awards under our Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as well as any automatic increases in the number of shares of our common stock reserved for future issuance under this plan;


   

$20.8 million of shares of our common stock remaining available for sale by us as of June 30, 2022 under our Equity Purchase Agreement with Lincoln Park; and

 

   

$50.0 million of shares of our common stock remaining available for sale by us as of June 30, 2022 under our “at the market” offering facility with Cowen, of which 6,334,642 shares of our common stock (or $8.9 million in gross proceeds) were sold subsequent to June 30, 2022.

 

 

Description of Securities We Are Offering

Common Stock

We are offering shares of our common stock in this offering. See “Description of Capital Stock” in our prospectus for more information regarding our shares of common stock.

Pre-funded Warrants

The following is a summary of the material attributes and characteristics of the pre-funded warrants. The form of pre-funded warrants will be provided to the pre-funded warrant purchasers in this offering and will be filed as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K in connection with this offering and incorporated by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus supplement forms a part. The following summary is subject in all respects to the provisions contained in the pre-funded warrants.

Pre-funded warrants will be issued in certificated form only.

Duration and Exercise Price

Each pre-funded warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase shares of our common stock at an exercise price equal to $0.0001 per share. Each pre-funded warrant will be exercisable at any time beginning on the date of issuance. The number of shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of each pre-funded warrant is subject to adjustment in the event of stock dividends, stock splits, reorganizations or similar events affecting our common stock and the exercise price.

Exercisability

The holder of the pre-funded warrant may exercise the pre-funded warrant by delivering an exercise notice, completed and duly signed, and payment in cash of the exercise price for the number of shares of our common stock for which the pre-funded warrant is being exercised. The holder of the pre-funded warrant may also satisfy its obligation to pay the exercise price through a “cashless exercise,” in which the holder receives the net value of the pre-funded warrant in shares of common stock determined according to the formula set forth in the pre-funded warrant.

Upon a holder’s exercise of the pre-funded warrant, we will issue the shares of common stock to which the holder is entitled pursuant to such exercise within three trading days after the exercise date.

A holder of the pre-funded warrant will not be entitled to exercise any portion of such pre-funded warrant that, upon giving effect to such exercise, would cause the aggregate number of shares of our common stock beneficially owned by such holder (together with its affiliates and any other persons whose beneficial ownership of common stock would be aggregated with the holder for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) to exceed 4.99% (or 9.99% at the election of the holder) of the total number of then issued and outstanding shares of common stock, as such percentage ownership is determined in accordance with the terms of the pre-funded warrant and subject to such holder’s rights under the pre-funded warrant to increase or decrease such percentage to any other percentage not in excess of 9.99% upon at least 61 days’ prior notice from such holder to us.


Fundamental Transaction

In the event of a fundamental transaction, as described in the pre-funded warrants and generally including any reorganization, recapitalization or reclassification of our common stock, the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of our properties or assets, our consolidation or merger with or into another person, the acquisition of 50% or more of our outstanding common stock, or any person or group becoming the beneficial owner of 50% or more of the voting power represented by our outstanding common stock, the holders of the pre-funded warrants will be entitled to receive, upon exercise of the pre-funded warrants, the kind and amount of securities, cash or other property that such holders would have received had they exercised the pre-funded warrants immediately prior to such fundamental transaction, without regard to any limitations on exercise contained in the pre-funded warrants.

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 and payment of funds sufficient to pay any transfer taxes (if applicable).

Exchange Listing

There is no trading market available for the pre-funded warrants on any securities exchange or nationally recognized trading system. We do not intend to list the pre-funded warrants on the Nasdaq Global Select Market or any securities exchange or nationally recognized trading system.

Right as a Shareholder

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

Warrant Agent

We will initially serve as the warrant agent under the pre-funded warrants.

Common Warrants

The following summary of certain terms and provisions of the common warrants that are being offered hereby is not complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the provisions of the common warrant, the form of which will be filed as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K in connection with this offering and incorporated by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus supplement forms a part. Prospective investors should carefully review the terms and provisions of the form of common warrant for a complete description of the terms and conditions of the common warrants.

Duration and Exercise Price

Each common warrant offered hereby has an initial exercise price per share equal to $    . The common warrants are immediately exercisable and will expire five years from the date of issuance. The exercise price and number of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise is subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of stock dividends, stock splits, reorganizations or similar events affecting our common stock and the exercise price.

Exercisability

The common warrants will be exercisable, at the option of each holder, in whole or in part, by delivering to us a duly executed exercise notice accompanied by payment in full for the number of shares of our common stock purchased upon such exercise (except in the case of a cashless exercise as discussed below). No fractional shares of common stock will be issued in connection with the exercise of a common warrant. In lieu of fractional shares, we will either pay the holder an amount in cash equal to the fractional amount multiplied by the exercise price or round up to the next whole share.

A holder of a common warrant will not be entitled to exercise any portion of such common warrant that, upon giving effect to such exercise, would cause the aggregate number of shares of our common stock beneficially owned by such holder (together with its affiliates and any other persons whose beneficial ownership of common stock would be aggregated with the holder for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) to exceed 4.99% (or 9.99% at the election of the holder) of the total number of then issued and outstanding shares of common stock, as such percentage ownership is determined in accordance with the terms of the common warrant and subject to such holder’s rights under the common warrant to increase or decrease such percentage to any other percentage not in excess of 9.99% upon at least 61 days’ prior notice from such holder to us.


Cashless Exercise

If, at the time a holder exercises its common warrants, a registration statement registering the issuance of the shares of common stock underlying the common warrants under the Securities Act is not then effective or available, 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 common warrants.

Fundamental Transaction

In the event of a fundamental transaction, as described in the common warrants and generally including any reorganization, recapitalization or reclassification of our common stock, the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of our properties or assets, our consolidation or merger with or into another person, the acquisition of 50% or more of our outstanding common stock, or any person or group becoming the beneficial owner of 50% or more of the voting power represented by our outstanding common stock, the holders of the common warrants will be entitled to receive, upon exercise of the common warrants, the kind and amount of securities, cash or other property that such holders would have received had they exercised the common warrants immediately prior to such fundamental transaction, without regard to any limitations on exercise contained in the common warrants. In the event of a fundamental transaction, the holders of the common warrants shall be entitled to receive from the company or any successor entity, as of the date of consummation of the 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 common warrants, that is being offered and paid to the holders of common stock of the company in connection with the fundamental transaction, whether that consideration be in the form of cash, stock, or any combination thereof, or whether the holders of common stock are given the choice to receive from among alternative forms of consideration in connection with the fundamental transaction, as described in the common warrants.

Transferability

Subject to applicable laws, a common warrant may be transferred at the option of the holder upon surrender of the warrant to us together with the appropriate instruments of transfer and payment of funds sufficient to pay any transfer taxes (if applicable).

Exchange Listing

There is no trading market available for the common warrants on any securities exchange or nationally recognized trading system. We do not intend to list the common warrants on the Nasdaq Global Select Market or any securities exchange or nationally recognized trading system.

Right as a Shareholder

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

Warrant Agent

Computershare Trust Company, N.A. will initially serve as the warrant agent under the common warrants. Pursuant to a warrant agency agreement between us and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as warrant agent, the common warrants will be issued in book-entry form and shall initially be represented only by one or more global warrants deposited with the warrant agent, as custodian on behalf of The Depository Trust Company, or DTC, and registered in the name of Cede & Co., a nominee of DTC, or as otherwise directed by DTC.

 

 


Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences

The following discussion is a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the shares of common stock and pre-funded warrants and accompanying common warrants or components thereof, which we refer to collectively as the Securities, issued pursuant to this offering, but does not purport to be a complete analysis of all potential tax effects. The effects of other U.S. federal tax laws, such as estate and gift tax laws, and any applicable state, local or foreign tax laws are not discussed. This discussion is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, judicial decisions, and published rulings and administrative pronouncements of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, in effect as of the date of this offering. These authorities may change or be subject to differing interpretations. Any such change or differing interpretation may be applied retroactively in a manner that could adversely affect a holder of the Securities. We have not sought and will not seek any rulings from the IRS regarding the matters discussed below. There can be no assurance the IRS or a court will not take a contrary position regarding the tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the Securities.

This discussion is limited to holders that hold the Securities as a “capital asset” within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (generally, property held for investment). This discussion does not address all U.S. federal income tax consequences relevant to a holder’s particular circumstances, including the impact of the alternative minimum tax or the unearned income Medicare contribution tax. In addition, it does not address consequences relevant to holders subject to particular rules, including, without limitation:

 

   

U.S. expatriates and certain former citizens or long-term residents of the United States;

 

   

persons holding the Securities as part of a hedge, straddle or other risk reduction strategy or as part of a conversion transaction or other integrated investment;

 

   

banks, insurance companies, and other financial institutions;

 

   

brokers, dealers or traders in securities;

 

   

“controlled foreign corporations,” “passive foreign investment companies,” and corporations that accumulate earnings to avoid U.S. federal income tax;

 

   

partnerships or other entities or arrangements treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes (and investors therein);

 

   

tax-exempt organizations or governmental organizations;

 

   

persons deemed to sell the Securities under the constructive sale provisions of the Code;

 

   

persons for whom our stock and pre-funded warrants constitutes “qualified small business stock” within the meaning of Section 1202 of the Code;

 

   

persons who hold or receive the Securities pursuant to the exercise of any employee stock option or otherwise as compensation;

 

   

persons subject to special tax accounting rules as a result of any item of gross income with respect to the stock being taken into account in an “applicable financial statement” (as defined in the Code);

 

   

“qualified foreign pension funds” as defined in Section 897(l)(2) of the Code and entities all of the interests of which are held by qualified foreign pension funds; and

 

   

tax-qualified retirement plans.

If a partnership (or other entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds the Securities, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will depend on the status of the partner, the activities of the partnership and certain determinations made at the partner level.


Accordingly, partnerships holding the Securities and the partners in such partnerships should consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences to them.

THIS DISCUSSION IS FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT INTENDED AS LEGAL OR TAX ADVICE. INVESTORS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO THE APPLICATION OF THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX LAWS TO THEIR PARTICULAR SITUATIONS AS WELL AS ANY TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF THE SECURITIES ARISING UNDER THE U.S. FEDERAL ESTATE OR GIFT TAX LAWS OR UNDER THE LAWS OF ANY STATE, LOCAL OR NON-U.S. TAXING JURISDICTION OR UNDER ANY APPLICABLE INCOME TAX TREATY.

Allocation of Purchase Price

Each share of common stock or pre-funded warrant, as applicable, and accompanying common warrant will be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as an investment unit consisting of one share of our common stock or pre-funded warrant, as applicable, and a common warrant to purchase a share of our common stock. In determining their tax basis for the common stock or pre-funded warrant and accompanying common warrant constituting a unit, holders of Securities should allocate their purchase price for the unit between the common stock or pre-funded warrant, as applicable, and the common warrant on the basis of their relative fair market values at the time of issuance. The Company does not intend to advise holders of the Securities with respect to this determination, and holders of the Securities are advised to consult their tax and financial advisors with respect to the relative fair market values of the common stock or pre-funded warrant, as applicable, and the common warrant for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Treatment of Pre-funded Warrants

Although not free from doubt, a pre-funded warrant should be treated as a share of our common stock for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and a holder of pre-funded warrants should generally be taxed in the same manner as a holder of common stock, as described below. Accordingly, no gain or loss should be recognized (other than with respect to cash, if any, paid in lieu of a fractional share) upon the exercise of a pre-funded warrant (except in the case of a cashless exercise, the treatment of which for U.S. federal income tax purposes is not clear) and, upon exercise, the holding period of a pre-funded warrant should carry over to the share of common stock received. Similarly, the tax basis of the pre-funded warrant should carry over to the share of common stock received upon exercise, increased by the exercise price of $0.0001. The discussion below assumes the characterization described above is respected for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the risks associated with the acquisition of pre-funded warrants pursuant to this offering (including alternative characterizations).

Tax Considerations Applicable to U.S. Holders

Definition of a U.S. Holder

For purposes of this discussion, a “U.S. holder” is any beneficial owner of the Securities that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is or is treated as any of the following:

 

   

an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;

 

   

a corporation created or organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, or the District of Columbia;

 

   

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

 

   

a trust that (1) is subject to the primary supervision of a U.S. court and the control of one or more United States persons (within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code), or (2) has made a valid election under applicable Treasury Regulations to continue to be treated as a United States person for U.S. federal income tax purposes.


Distributions

We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our common stock or pre-funded warrants in the foreseeable future. However, if we do make distributions on our common stock or pre-funded warrants, such distributions of cash or property on our common stock or pre-funded warrants generally will constitute dividends to the extent paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Dividends received by a corporate U.S. holder may be eligible for a dividends received deduction, subject to applicable limitations. Dividends received by certain non-corporate U.S. holders, including individuals, are generally taxed at the lower applicable capital gains rate provided certain holding period and other requirements are satisfied. Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits will constitute a return of capital and first be applied against and reduce a U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in its common stock or pre-funded warrants, but not below zero. Any excess will be treated as capital gain and will be treated as described below in the section relating to the sale or disposition of our common stock or pre-funded warrants, as applicable.

Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Stock or Pre-funded Warrants

Upon the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of the common stock or pre-funded warrants, a U.S. holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference between (i) the amount of cash and the fair market value of any property received upon the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition and (ii) such U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in the common stock or pre-funded warrant. Such capital gain or loss will be long- term capital gain or loss if the U.S. holder’s holding period in such common stock or pre-funded warrant is more than one year at the time of the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition. Long-term capital gains recognized by certain non-corporate U.S. holders, including individuals, generally will be subject to reduced rates of U.S. federal income tax. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to certain limitations.

Sale or Other Disposition, Exercise or Expiration of Common Warrants

Upon the sale or other disposition of a common warrant (other than by exercise), a U.S. holder will generally recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized on the sale or other disposition and the U.S. holder’s tax basis in the common warrant. This capital gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. holder’s holding period in such common warrant is more than one year at the time of the sale or other disposition. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to certain limitations.

In general, a U.S. holder will not be required to recognize income, gain or loss upon exercise of a common warrant for its exercise price (except to the extent the U.S. holder receives a cash payment for a such fractional share that would otherwise have been issuable upon exercise of the common warrant, which will be treated as a sale as described above under “- Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Stock or Pre-funded Warrants”). A U.S. holder’s tax basis in a share of common stock received upon exercise of common warrants will be equal to the sum of (i) the U.S. holder’s tax basis in the common warrants exchanged therefor and (ii) the exercise price of such common warrants. A U.S. holder’s holding period in the shares of common stock received upon exercise will commence on the day after such U.S. holder exercises the common warrants. Although there is no direct legal authority as to the U.S. federal income tax treatment of an exercise of a common warrant on a cashless basis, we intend to take the position that such exercise will not be taxable, either because the exercise is not a gain realization event or because it qualifies as a tax-free recapitalization. In the former case, the holding period of the shares of common stock received upon exercise of common warrants should commence on the day after the common warrants are exercised. In the latter case, the holding period of the shares of common stock received upon exercise of common warrants would include the holding period of the exercised common warrants. However, our position is not binding on the IRS, and the IRS may treat a cashless exercise of a common warrant as a taxable exchange. U.S. holders are urged to consult their tax advisors as to the consequences of an exercise of a common warrant on a cashless basis, including with respect to their holding period and tax basis in the common stock received.

If a common warrant expires without being exercised, a U.S. holder will recognize a capital loss in an amount equal to such holder’s tax basis in the common warrant. Such loss will be long-term capital loss if, at the time of


the expiration, the U.S. holder’s holding period in such common warrant is more than one year. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to certain limitations.

Constructive Dividends on Common Warrants or Pre-funded Warrants

We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. However, if at any time during the period in which a U.S. holder holds common warrants, we were to pay a taxable dividend to our stockholders and, in accordance with the anti-dilution provisions of the common warrants, the exercise price of the common warrants were decreased, that decrease would be deemed to be the payment of a taxable dividend to a U.S. holder of the common warrants to the extent of our earnings and profits, notwithstanding the fact that such holder will not receive a cash payment. If the exercise price is adjusted in certain other circumstances or other adjustments are made (or in certain circumstances, there is a failure to make adjustments), such adjustments may also result in the deemed payment of a taxable dividend to a U.S. holder. In addition, a holder of a pre-funded warrant may, in some circumstances, be deemed to have received a distribution subject to U.S. federal income tax as a result of an adjustment or the non-occurrence of an adjustment to the exercise price or number of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the pre-funded warrant. U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the proper treatment of any adjustments to the common warrants and pre-funded warrants.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

A U.S. holder may be subject to information reporting and backup withholding when such holder receives payments on the Securities (including constructive dividends) or receives proceeds from the sale or other taxable disposition of the Securities. Certain U.S. holders are exempt from backup withholding, including corporations. A U.S. holder will be subject to backup withholding if such holder is not otherwise exempt and such holder:

 

   

fails to furnish the holder’s taxpayer identification number, which for an individual is ordinarily his or her social security number;

 

   

furnishes an incorrect taxpayer identification number;

 

   

is notified by the IRS that the holder previously failed to properly report payments of interest or dividends; or fails to certify under penalties of perjury that the holder has furnished a correct taxpayer identification number and that the IRS has not notified the holder that the holder is subject to backup withholding.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be allowed as a refund or a credit against a U.S. holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS. U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding their qualification for an exemption from backup withholding and the procedures for obtaining such an exemption.

Tax Considerations Applicable to Non-U.S. Holders

For purposes of this discussion, a “non-U.S. holder” is a beneficial owner of the Securities that is neither a U.S. holder nor an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Distributions

We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our common stock or pre-funded warrants in the foreseeable future. However, if we do make distributions on our common stock or pre-funded warrants, such distributions of cash or property on our common stock or pre-funded warrants will generally constitute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent paid from our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. Amounts not treated as dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes will constitute a return of capital and first be applied against and reduce a non-U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in its


common stock or pre-funded warrants, but not below zero. Any excess will be treated as capital gain and will be treated as described below in the section relating to the sale or disposition of our common stock, pre-funded warrants or common warrants. Because we may not know the extent to which a distribution is a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes at the time it is made, for purposes of the withholding rules discussed below we or the applicable withholding agent may treat the entire distribution as a dividend.

Dividends paid to a non-U.S. holder of our common stock or pre-funded warrants that are not effectively connected with the non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States will be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax at a rate of 30% of the gross amount of the dividends (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty).

Non-U.S. holders will be entitled to a reduction in or an exemption from withholding on dividends as a result of either (a) an applicable income tax treaty or (b) the non-U.S. holder holding our common stock or pre-funded warrants in connection with the conduct of a trade or business within the United States and dividends being effectively connected with that trade or business. To claim such a reduction in or exemption from withholding, the non-U.S. holder must provide the applicable withholding agent with a properly executed (a) IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E (or other applicable documentation) claiming an exemption from or reduction of the withholding tax under the benefit of an income tax treaty between the United States and the country in which the non-U.S. holder resides or is established, or (b) IRS Form W-8ECI stating that the dividends are not subject to withholding tax because they are effectively connected with the conduct by the non-U.S. holder of a trade or business within the United States, as may be applicable. These certifications must be provided to the applicable withholding agent prior to the payment of dividends and must be updated periodically. Non-U.S. holders that do not timely provide the applicable withholding agent with the required certification, but that qualify for a reduced rate under an applicable income tax treaty, may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by timely filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS.

If dividends paid to a non-U.S. holder are effectively connected with the non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, the non-U.S. holder maintains a permanent establishment in the United States to which such dividends are attributable), then, although exempt from U.S. federal withholding tax (provided the non-U.S. holder provides appropriate certification, as described above), the non-U.S. holder will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on such dividends on a net income basis at the regular rates. In addition, a non-U.S. holder that is a corporation may be subject to a branch profits tax at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty) on its effectively connected earnings and profits for the taxable year that are attributable to such dividends, as adjusted for certain items. Non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding their entitlement to benefits under any applicable income tax treaty.

Exercise of Common Warrants or Pre-funded Warrants

A non-U.S. holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the exercise of common warrants or pre-funded warrants into shares of common stock. However, if a cashless exercise of common warrants or pre-funded warrants results in a taxable exchange, as described in “- Treatment of Pre-funded Warrants” and “- Tax Considerations Applicable to U.S. Holders - Sale or Other Disposition, Exercise or Expiration of Common Warrants,” the rules described below under “- Sale or Other Disposition of Common Stock, Pre-funded Warrants or Common Warrants” would apply.


Sale or Other Disposition of Common Stock, Pre-funded Warrants or Common Warrants

Subject to the discussions below on backup withholding and foreign accounts, a non-U.S. holder will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any gain realized upon the sale or other disposition of our common stock, pre-funded warrants or common warrants unless:

 

   

the gain is effectively connected with the non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, the non-U.S. holder maintains a permanent establishment in the United States to which such gain is attributable);

 

   

the non-U.S. holder is a nonresident alien individual present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year of the disposition and certain other requirements are met; or

 

   

our common stock, pre-funded warrants, or common warrants constitute U.S. real property interests, or USRPIs, by reason of our status as a U.S. real property holding corporation, or USRPHC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Gain described in the first bullet point above will generally be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis at the regular rates. A non-U.S. holder that is a foreign corporation also may be subject to a branch profits tax at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty) on such effectively connected gain, as adjusted for certain items.

A non-U.S. holder described in the second bullet point above will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty) on any gain derived from the disposition, which may be offset by certain U.S.-source capital losses of the non-U.S. holder (even though the individual is not considered a resident of the United States) provided the non-U.S. holder has timely filed U.S. federal income tax returns with respect to such losses.

With respect to the third bullet point above, we believe we are not currently and do not anticipate becoming a USRPHC. Because the determination of whether we are a USRPHC depends on the fair market value of our USRPIs relative to the fair market value of our other business assets and our non-U.S. real property interests, however, there can be no assurance we are not a USRPHC or will not become one in the future.

Non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding potentially applicable income tax treaties that may provide for different rules.

Constructive Dividends on Common Warrants or Pre-funded Warrants

We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our capital stock in the foreseeable future. However, if at any time during the period in which a non-U.S. holder holds common warrants we were to pay a taxable dividend to our stockholders and, in accordance with the anti-dilution provisions of the common warrants, the exercise price of the common warrants were decreased, that decrease would be deemed to be the payment of a taxable dividend to a non-U.S. holder to the extent of our earnings and profits, notwithstanding the fact that such holder will not receive a cash payment. If the exercise price is adjusted in certain other circumstances (or in certain circumstances, there is a failure to make adjustments), such adjustments may also result in the deemed payment of a taxable dividend to a non-U.S. holder. A holder of pre-funded warrants can similarly be treated as receiving deemed payment of a taxable dividend under certain circumstances. Any resulting withholding tax attributable to deemed dividends may be collected from other amounts payable or distributable to the non-U.S. holder. Non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the proper treatment of any adjustments to the common warrants and pre-funded warrants.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

A non-U.S. holder will not be subject to backup withholding with respect to distributions on our common stock or pre-funded warrants we make to the non-U.S. holder (including constructive dividends with respect to common warrants and pre-funded warrants), provided the applicable withholding agent does not have actual knowledge or reason to know such holder is a United States person and the holder certifies its non-U.S. status,


such as by providing a valid IRS Form W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E or W-8ECI, or other applicable certification. However, information returns generally will be filed with the IRS in connection with any distributions (including deemed distributions) made on our common stock, pre-funded warrants and common warrants to the non-U.S. holder, regardless of whether any tax was actually withheld. Copies of these information returns may also be made available under the provisions of a specific treaty or agreement to the tax authorities of the country in which the non-U.S. holder resides or is established.

Information reporting and backup withholding may apply to the proceeds of a sale or other taxable disposition of our common stock, pre-funded warrants or common warrants within the United States, and information reporting may (although backup withholding generally will not) apply to the proceeds of a sale or other taxable disposition of our common stock, pre-funded warrants or common warrants outside the United States conducted through certain U.S.-related financial intermediaries, in each case, unless the beneficial owner certifies under penalty of perjury that it is a non-U.S. holder on IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, or other applicable form (and the payor does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that the beneficial owner is a U.S. person) or such owner otherwise establishes an exemption. Proceeds of a disposition of our common stock, pre-funded warrants or common warrants conducted through a non-U.S. office of a non-U.S. broker generally will not be subject to backup withholding or information reporting.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be allowed as a refund or a credit against a non-U.S. holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

Additional Withholding Tax on Payments Made to Foreign Accounts

Withholding taxes may be imposed under the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, or FATCA, on certain types of payments made to non-U.S. financial institutions and certain other non-U.S. entities. Specifically, a 30% withholding tax may be imposed on dividends (including deemed dividends) paid on our common stock, pre-funded warrants or common warrants, or (subject to the proposed Treasury Regulations discussed below) gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of our common stock, pre-funded warrants or common warrants paid to a “foreign financial institution” or a “non-financial foreign entity” (each as defined in the Code), unless (1) the foreign financial institution undertakes certain diligence and reporting obligations, (2) the non-financial foreign entity either certifies it does not have any “substantial United States owners” (as defined in the Code) or furnishes identifying information regarding each substantial United States owner, or (3) the foreign financial institution or non-financial foreign entity otherwise qualifies for an exemption from these rules. If the payee is a foreign financial institution and is subject to the diligence and reporting requirements in (1) above, it must enter into an agreement with the U.S. Department of the Treasury requiring, among other things, that it undertake to identify accounts held by certain “specified United States persons” or “United States-owned foreign entities” (each as defined in the Code), annually report certain information about such accounts, and withhold 30% on certain payments to non-compliant foreign financial institutions and certain other account holders. Foreign financial institutions located in jurisdictions that have an intergovernmental agreement with the United States governing FATCA may be subject to different rules.

Under the applicable Treasury Regulations and administrative guidance, withholding under FATCA generally applies to payments of dividends (including deemed dividends). Because we may not know the extent to which a distribution is a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes at the time it is made, for purposes of these withholding rules we or the applicable withholding agent may treat the entire distribution as a dividend. While withholding under FATCA would have applied also to payments of gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of our common stock, pre-funded common warrants or warrants on or after January 1, 2019, proposed Treasury Regulations eliminate FATCA withholding on payments of gross proceeds entirely. Taxpayers generally may rely on these proposed Treasury Regulations until final Treasury Regulations are issued.

Prospective investors should consult their tax advisors regarding the potential application of these withholding provisions.

 

 


Underwriting

The underwriters will purchase the pre-funded warrants and warrants pursuant to the underwriting agreement described in the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement on terms generally consistent with those applicable to the shares of common stock being sold in the offering. The per share underwriting discounts and commissions for the pre-funded warrants and warrants will be equal to the per share underwriting discounts and commissions on the shares of our common stock sold in the offering.

General

Additional conforming changes are hereby made to the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement to reflect the changes described in this free writing prospectus. All terms of the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement applicable to our common stock will be applicable to the shares underlying the pre-funded warrants and the warrants upon issuance.

 

 

The Issuer has filed a registration statement (including a preliminary prospectus supplement dated August 16, 2022 and the accompanying base prospectus) with SEC, for the offering to which this communication relates. Before you invest, you should read the preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus and other documents the Issuer has filed with the SEC for more complete information about the Issuer and the offering. You may get these documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, copies may be obtained from: SVB Securities LLC, Attention: Syndicate Department, 53 State Street, 40th Floor, Boston, MA 02109, by telephone at (800) 808-7525, ext. 6105, or by email at syndicate@svbsecurities.com; Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., Attention: Capital Markets, 499 Park Avenue, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10022, by email at prospectus@cantor.com; or Mizuho Securities USA LLC, Attention: Equity Capital Markets, 1271 Avenue of the Americas, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10020, by email at US-ECM@us.mizuho-sc.com, or by telephone at (212) 205-7600.