The information in this prospectus supplement is not complete and may be changed. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are not an offer to sell these securities and we are not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration No. 333-225896
Subject to Completion
Preliminary Prospectus Supplement dated November 26, 2018
P R O S P E C T U S S U P P L E M E N T
(To Prospectus dated July 5, 2018)
$50,000,000
Rocket Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Common Stock
We are offering $50,000,000 of shares of our common stock.
Our shares trade on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol RCKT. On November 23, 2018, the last sale price of the shares as reported on the Nasdaq Global Market was $15.08 per share.
We are an emerging growth company as that term is used in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, and, as such, we have elected to take advantage of reduced reporting requirements for this prospectus supplement and may elect to comply with certain reduced public company reporting requirements for future filings.
Investing in the common stock involves risks that are described in the Risk Factors section beginning on page S-9 of this prospectus supplement and page 2 of the accompanying prospectus, and in the other documents that are incorporated by reference herein. You should read the entire prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including any information incorporated by reference herein, carefully before you make your investment decision.
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Proceeds, before expenses, to us |
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(1) | We refer you to Underwriting for additional information regarding underwriting compensation. |
The underwriters may also exercise their option to purchase up to an additional $7,500,000 of shares of our common stock from us, at the public offering price, less the underwriting discount, for 30 days after the date of this prospectus supplement.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The shares will be ready for delivery on or about , 2018.
Joint Book-Running Managers
BofA Merrill Lynch
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Cowen
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Evercore ISI
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Lead Manager
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Co-Manager
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Oppenheimer & Co.
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Ladenburg Thalmann
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The date of this prospectus supplement is , 2018.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
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PROSPECTUS
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You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including any information incorporated by reference, and in any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering. We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized anyone to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, or in any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering, is accurate as of any date other than the date of those respective documents, or that information contained in any document incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than the date of the document incorporated by reference. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates. We are not, and the underwriters are not, making offers to sell these securities in any jurisdiction in which an offer or solicitation is not authorized or permitted or in which the person making such offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation. You should read this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, including any information incorporated by reference, and any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering, in their entirety before making an investment decision. You should also read and consider the information in the documents to which we have referred you in the sections entitled Where You Can Find Additional Information and Information Incorporated by Reference.
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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
This document is part of the registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, using a shelf registration process, and consists of two parts. The first part is this 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, gives more general information, some of which may not apply to this offering. Generally, when we refer to the prospectus, we are referring to both parts combined. This prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectus we authorize for use in connection with this offering may add to, update or change information in the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus.
If information in this prospectus supplement is inconsistent with the accompanying prospectus or with any document incorporated by reference herein or therein that was filed with the SEC before the date of this prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information contained in this prospectus supplement; provided that if any statement in one of these documents is inconsistent with a statement in another document having a later date, the statement in the document having the later date modifies or supersedes the earlier statement. This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference into each and any free writing prospectus we authorize for use in connection with this offering include important information about us, the shares and other information you should consider before purchasing the shares. See Where You Can Find Additional Information and Information Incorporated by Reference in this prospectus supplement.
We further note that the representations, warranties and covenants made by us in any agreement that is filed as an exhibit to any document that is incorporated by reference herein were made solely for the benefit of the parties to such agreement, including, in some cases, for the purpose of allocating risk among the parties to such agreements, and should not be deemed to be a representation, warranty or covenant to you. Moreover, such representations, warranties and 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.
We have not and the underwriters have not authorized anyone to provide you with any information other than the information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein, and any free writing prospectus we have authorized for use in connection with this offering. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurances as to the reliability of, any information that is in addition to or different from that contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. We are not offering to sell these shares in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is accurate as of any date other than as of the date of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, as the case may be, or in the case of the documents incorporated by reference, the date of such documents, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus or any sale of our shares. Our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.
All references in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus to Rocket, the Company, we, us, or our mean Rocket Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation, formerly known as Inotek Pharmaceuticals Corporation, and its subsidiaries, unless we state otherwise or the context otherwise requires.
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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents we have filed with the SEC that are incorporated herein and therein by reference contain 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. Any statements about our expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not historical facts and may be forward-looking. These statements are often, but are not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as anticipate, believe, contemplate, continue, could, estimate, expect, intend, may, plan, potential, predict, project, seek, should, target, will, would, or the negative of these words or other comparable terminology. Accordingly, these statements involve estimates, assumptions and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in them. Any forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the factors discussed throughout this prospectus, and in particular those factors referenced in the section Risk Factors.
This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated herein and therein by reference, including the sections entitled Prospectus Supplement Summary and Risk Factors, contain forward-looking statements that are based on our managements belief and assumptions and on information currently available to our management. These statements relate to future events or our future financial performance, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about:
• | the possibility that the businesses of Inotek Pharmaceuticals Corporation and Rocket Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. may not be integrated successfully or such integration may take longer to accomplish than expected; |
• | federal, state, and non-U.S. regulatory requirements, including regulation of our current or any other future product candidates by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or the FDA; |
• | the timing of and our ability to submit regulatory filings with the FDA and to obtain and maintain FDA or other regulatory authority approval of, or other action with respect to, our product candidates; |
• | our competitors’ activities, including decisions as to the timing of competing product launches, generic entrants, pricing and discounting; |
• | whether safety and efficacy results of our clinical trials and other required tests for approval of our product candidates provide data to warrant progression of clinical trials, potential regulatory approval or further development of any of our product candidates; |
• | our ability to develop, acquire and advance product candidates into, and successfully complete, clinical studies, and our ability to apply for and obtain regulatory approval for such product candidates, within currently anticipated timeframes, or at all; |
• | our ability to establish key collaborations and vendor relationships for our product candidates and any other future product candidates; |
• | our ability to successfully develop and commercialize any technology that we may in-license or products we may acquire; |
• | unanticipated delays due to manufacturing difficulties, supply constraints or changes in the regulatory environment; |
• | our ability to successfully operate in non-U.S. jurisdictions in which we currently, or in the future, do business, including compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and laws; |
• | uncertainties associated with obtaining and enforcing patents to protect our product candidates, and our ability to successfully defend ourselves against unforeseen third-party infringement claims; |
• | anticipated trends and challenges in our business and the markets in which we operate; |
• | our estimates regarding our capital requirements and projected future cash runway; and |
• | our ability to obtain additional financing and raise capital as necessary to fund operations or pursue business opportunities. |
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These forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees of future performance due to a variety of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: the possibility that we may experience slower than expected clinical site initiation or slower than expected identification and enrollment of evaluable patients; the potential for delays or problems in analyzing data or the need for additional analysis, data or patients; the potential that future preclinical and clinical results may not support further development of our product candidates; the potential for unexpected adverse events in the conduct of one of our clinical trials to impact our ability to continue the clinical trial or further development of a product candidate; the risk that we may encounter other unexpected hurdles or issues in the development and manufacture of our product candidates that may impact our cost, timing or progress, as well as those risks more fully discussed in the Risk Factors section in this prospectus supplement, the section of the accompanying prospectus entitled Risk Factors and the risk factors and cautionary statements described in other documents that we file from time to time with the SEC, specifically under Item 1A: Risk Factors and elsewhere in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2017, and any of our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K.
Given these uncertainties, readers should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which the statements were made and are not guarantees of future performance. Except as may be required by applicable law, we do not undertake to update any forward-looking statements after the date of this prospectus or the respective dates of documents incorporated by reference herein or therein that include forward-looking statements.
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This summary highlights certain information about this offering and selected information contained elsewhere in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. This summary is not complete and does not contain all of the information that you should consider before deciding whether to invest in shares of our common stock. For a more complete understanding of our Company and this offering, we encourage you to read and consider carefully the more detailed information in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including the information incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, and the information referred to under the heading Risk Factors in this prospectus supplement on page S-9 and on page 2 of the accompanying prospectus, and those identified in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.
Our Company
We are a clinical-stage, multi-platform biotechnology company focused on the development of first or best-in-class gene therapies, with direct on-target mechanism of action and clear clinical endpoints, for rare and devastating pediatric diseases. We have lentiviral vector, or LVV, programs currently undergoing clinical testing for Fanconi Anemia, or FA, a genetic defect in the bone marrow that reduces production of blood cells or promotes the production of faulty blood cells, and three additional LVV programs targeting other rare genetic diseases. In addition, we have an adeno-associated virus, or AAV, program for Danon disease for which an investigational new drug, or IND, filing is planned, which will permit the commencement of human clinical studies thereafter. We have global commercialization and development rights to all of our product candidates under royalty-bearing license agreements, with the exception of the CRISPR/Cas9 development program (described below) for which we currently only have development rights.
Our two leading LVV and AAV technology platforms are each being designed in collaboration with leading academic and industry partners. Through our gene therapy platforms, we aim to restore normal cellular function by modifying the defective genes that cause each of the targeted disorders.
Gene Therapy Overview
Genes are composed of sequences of deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA, which code for proteins that perform a broad range of physiologic functions in all living organisms. Although genes are passed on from generation to generation, genetic changes, also known as mutations, can occur in this process. These changes can result in the lack of production of proteins or the production of altered proteins with reduced or abnormal function, which can in turn result in disease.
Gene therapy is a therapeutic approach in which an isolated gene sequence or segment of DNA is administered to a patient, most commonly for the purpose of treating a genetic disease that is caused by genetic mutations. Currently available therapies for many genetic diseases focus on administration of large proteins or enzymes and typically address only the symptoms of the disease. Gene therapy aims to address the disease-causing effects of absent or dysfunctional genes by delivering functional copies of the gene sequence directly into the patients cells, offering the potential for curing the genetic disease, rather than simply addressing symptoms.
We are using modified non-pathogenic viruses for the development of our gene therapy treatments. Viruses are particularly well suited as delivery vehicles because they are adept at penetrating cells and delivering genetic material inside a cell. In creating our viral delivery vehicles, the viral (pathogenic) genes are removed and are replaced with a functional form of the missing or mutant gene that is the cause of the patients genetic disease. The functional form of a missing or mutant gene is called a therapeutic gene, or the transgene. The process of inserting the transgene is called transduction. Once a virus is modified by replacement of the viral genes with a transgene, the modified virus is called a viral vector. The viral vector delivers the transgene into the targeted tissue or organ (such as the cells inside a patients bone marrow). We have two types of viral vectors in development, LVV and AAV. We believe that our LVV and AAV-based programs have the potential to offer a significant therapeutic benefit to patients that is durable (long-lasting).
The gene therapies can be delivered either (1) ex vivo (outside the body), in which case the patients cells are extracted and the vector is delivered to these cells in a controlled, safe laboratory setting, with the modified
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cells then being reinserted into the patient, or (2) in vivo (inside the body), in which the vector is injected directly into the patient, either intravenously (IV) or directly into a specific tissue at a targeted site, with the aim of the vector delivering the transgene to the targeted cells.
We believe that scientific advances, clinical progress, and the greater regulatory acceptance of gene therapy have created a promising environment to advance gene therapy products as these products are being designed to restore cell function and improve clinical outcomes, which in many cases include prevention of death at an early age. The recent approval by the FDA of Novartiss treatment for pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia, Gilead Sciences treatment for relapsed or refractory large B-Cell lymphoma, and Spark Therapeutics treatment for biallelic RPE65 mutation-associated retinal dystrophy, indicate that there is a regulatory pathway forward for cell and gene therapy products.
Pipeline Overview
The chart below shows the current phases of development of our programs and product candidates:
LVV Programs. Our LVV-based programs utilize third-generation, self-inactivating LVVs to target selected rare diseases. Currently, we are developing LVV programs to treat FA, Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency, or LAD-I, Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency, or PKD, and Infantile Malignant Osteopetrosis, or IMO. Brief descriptions of these conditions and our programs for each are set forth below.
Fanconi Anemia
Our LVV-based programs utilize third-generation, self-inactivating lentiviral vectors to correct defects in patients hematopoietic stem cells, or HSCs, which are the cells found in bone marrow that are capable of generating blood cells over a patients lifetime. Defects in the genetic coding of HSCs can result in severe, and potentially life-threatening anemia, which is when a patients blood lacks enough properly functioning red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout the body. Stem cell defects can also result in severe and potentially life-threatening decreases in white blood cells resulting in susceptibility to infections, and in platelets responsible for blood clotting, which may result in severe and potentially life-threatening bleeding episodes. Patients with FA have a genetic defect in the FANC-A gene that prevents the normal repair of genes and chromosomes within blood cells in the bone marrow, which frequently results in the development of AML (acute myeloid leukemia, a type of blood cancer), as well as bone marrow failure and congenital defects. The average lifespan of an FA patient is estimated to be 30 to 40 years. The prevalence of FA in the U.S. and the European Union is estimated to be about 2,000. Given the ability to treat patients without conditioning, the FA market could at least double.
We currently have one LVV-based program targeting FA, RP-L102. RP-L102 is our lead lentiviral vector based program that we in-licensed from Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas, or CIEMAT, which is a leading research institute in Madrid, Spain. RP-L102 is currently being studied in a Phase 1/2 clinical trial treating FA patients with a modified process under an Investigational Medicinal Product Dossier, or IMPD, sponsored by CIEMAT. We are entitled to the data from this clinical study and have the commercial rights to the drug being studied under this IMPD.
At the American Society of Cell and Gene Therapy Annual Meeting in May 2018, updated data from the ongoing Phase 1/2 clinical trial of RP-L102 was presented, which included data from four patients that have been
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followed for 12-24 months and a fifth patient, treated with transduction-enhanced RP-L102, that was followed for two months. All patients demonstrated continued improvement in engraftment following administration of RP-L102 with sustained phenotypic reversals and earlier evidence of gene correction seen in higher-dosed patients. The progressive increases of corrected versus non-corrected peripheral blood leukocytes indicate the potential of RP-L102 to restore the functionality of bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells. The one patient that received transduction enhanced RP-L102 showed the highest transduction efficiency seen to date in all five patients treated, with a preliminary drug product vector copy number (VCN) of ~2.5 – 3, and a cell dose considered below the ideal target level of at least 500,000K CD34+/kg. We plan to engage with regulatory authorities to progress RP-L102 towards a potential global registrational study in 2019.
Additional FA data was presented at the 2018 Annual Congress of European Society of Gene and Cell Therapy, or ESGCT. At ESGCT, we presented clinical data from patients that have been followed for more than 12 months from the ongoing Phase 1/2 clinical trial of RP-L102 for FA under the first generation un-optimized process. The results continue to demonstrate improvement in engraftment with increased resistance to mitomycin-C and chromosomal stability of T-lymphocytes in the presence of diepoxybutane, two key diagnostic measures of functional and phenotypic correction of bone marrow cells. Data also showed evidence of stabilization of bone marrow failure in all four patients and progressive increases of corrected versus non-corrected peripheral blood leukocytes.
In June 2018, we were notified that the European Medicines Agency, or EMA, classified RP-L102 as an Advanced Therapy Medicinal Product, or ATMP. The ATMP classification recognizes and defines medicines for human use that are considered gene-, tissue- or cell-based therapies. The key benefit of ATMP classification is the early involvement and guidance from the EMAs Committee of Advanced Therapies, which is the regulatory reviewing body for gene therapies in the European Union.
In July 2018, we were notified that we received Rare Pediatric Disease designation from the FDA for RP-L102 for the treatment of FA Type A. The FDA defines a rare pediatric disease as a serious and life-threatening disease that affects less than 200,000 people in the U.S. that are aged between birth to 18 years. The Rare Pediatric Disease designation program allows for a sponsor who receives an approval for a product to potentially qualify for a voucher that can be redeemed to receive a priority review of a subsequent marketing application for a different product.
In August 2018, with our consent, the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, or Hutch, withdrew the IND for RP-L101, a program that we in-licensed from Hutch. This further supports the Companys dedication to pursuing a global registrational study of RP-L102 with CIEMAT.
We submitted an IND to initiate clinical studies of RP-L102 in the U.S. in September 2018 and were notified by the FDA of its clearance in October 2018. The U.S. clinical trials are expected to begin in the first quarter of 2019 at Stanford University.
In November 2018, we were notified that the FDA granted Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy, or RMAT, and Fast Track designations to RP-L102. RMAT designation was granted based on the positive efficacy and safety results from the ongoing Phase 1/2 clinical trial of RP-L102 being conducted in Europe.
Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency-I
LAD-I is a genetic disorder resulting from mutations in the ITGB2 gene, which causes the immune system to malfunction, resulting in a form of immunodeficiency. Immunodeficiency is a condition in which the immune system is unable to protect the body effectively from foreign invaders such as viruses, bacteria and fungi. Starting from birth, people with LAD-I frequently develop serious bacterial and fungal infections. Life expectancy in individuals with LAD-I is often severely shortened. Due to repeat infections, affected individuals may not survive past infancy.
We currently have one LVV-based program targeting LAD-I, RP-L201. RP-L201 is a preclinical program that we in-licensed from CIEMAT. This program is currently being developed through an ongoing collaboration with CIEMAT.
Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency
PKD is a genetic disorder resulting from mutations in the PKLR gene, which results in a lack of the enzyme pyruvate kinase, which is used by red blood cells. Without this enzyme, red blood cells break down too easily,
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resulting in a low level of these cells, which in turn causes a form of anemia that can range in severity from mild (asymptomatic) to severe (resulting in childhood mortality or the requirement for frequent, lifelong blood transfusions). The pediatric population is the most commonly and severely affected subgroup of patients with PKD, and pediatric patients often undergo splenectomy (removal of the spleen) and experience jaundice and chronic iron overload.
We currently have one LVV-based program targeting PKD, RP-L301. RP-L301 is a preclinical program that we in-licensed from CIEMAT. This program is currently being developed through an ongoing collaboration with CIEMAT. New market research indicates the application of gene therapy to broader populations could increase the market opportunity from approximately 250 to 500.
Infantile Malignant Osteopetrosis
IMO is a genetic disorder resulting from mutations in the TCIRG1 gene, and is characterized by increased bone density and bone mass secondary to impaired bone resorption. Osteopetrosis is a disorder of bone development in which the bones become thickened. Normally, small areas of bone are constantly being broken down by special cells called osteoclasts, then made again by cells called osteoblasts. In osteopetrosis, the cells that break down bone (osteoclasts) do not work properly, which leads to the bones becoming thicker and not as healthy. Untreated IMO patients may suffer from a compression of the bone-marrow space, which results in bone marrow failure, anemia and increased infection risk due to the lack of production of white blood cells. Untreated IMO patients may also suffer from a compression of cranial nerves, which transmit signals between vital organs and the brain, resulting in blindness, hearing loss and other neurologic deficits.
We currently have one LVV-based program targeting IMO, RP-L401. RP-L401 is a preclinical program that we in-licensed from Lund University, Sweden.
AAV Program. Currently, we are developing our AAV program to treat Danon disease.
Danon disease
RP-A501 is in preclinical development as an in vivo therapy for Danon disease, which is estimated to have a prevalence of 15,000 to 30,000 patients in the U.S. and the European Union, however new market research is being performed and the prevalence of patients may be updated in the future. Danon disease is caused by mutations in the gene encoding lysosome-associated membrane protein 2 (LAMP-2), a mediator of autophagy. This mutation results in the accumulation of autophagic vacuoles, predominantly in cardiac and skeletal muscle. Male patients often require heart transplantation and typically die in their teens or twenties from progressive heart failure. Along with severe cardiomyopathy, other Danon disease symptoms can include skeletal muscle weakness, liver disease, and intellectual impairment. There are no specific therapies available for the treatment of Danon disease.
Preliminary preclinical studies have indicated that clinically feasible AAV doses can restore functional levels of protein in knockout mouse models, and that gene/protein restoration is associated with marked histologic and hemodynamic improvement in the organs in which the disorder causes extensive morbidity and mortality.
We are currently developing RP-A501, which is an AAV-based program for Danon disease. This program is currently in preclinical development, with IND-enabling studies ongoing.
CRISPR/Cas9-based program
In addition to our LVV and AAV programs, we also have a program evaluating CRISPR/Cas9-based gene editing for FA. This program is currently in the discovery phase. CRISPR/Cas9-based gene editing is a different method of correcting the defective genes in a patient, where the editing is very specific and targeted to a particular gene sequence. CRISPR/Cas9 stands for Clustered, Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats, or CRISPR, Associated protein-9. The CRISPR/Cas9 technology can be used to make cuts in DNA at specific sites of targeted genes, making it potentially more precise in delivering gene therapies than traditional vector-based delivery approaches. CRISPR/Cas9 can also be adapted to regulate the activity of an existing gene without modifying the actual DNA sequence, which is referred to as gene regulation.
Strategy
We seek to bring hope and relief to patients with devastating, undertreated, rare pediatric diseases through the development and commercialization of potentially curative first-in-class gene therapies. To achieve these
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objectives, we intend to develop into a fully-integrated biotechnology company. In the near- and medium-term, we intend to develop our first-in-class product candidates, which target devastating diseases with substantial unmet need. In the medium- and long-term, we expect to develop proprietary in-house analytics and manufacturing capabilities, commence registration trials for our currently planned programs and submit our first biologics license applications, or BLAs, and establish our gene therapy platform and expand our pipeline to target additional indications that we believe to be potentially compatible with our gene therapy technologies. In addition, during that time, we believe that our currently planned programs will become eligible for priority review vouchers from the FDA that provide for expedited review. We have assembled a leadership and research team with expertise in cell and gene therapy, rare disease drug development and commercialization.
We believe that our competitive advantage lies in our disease-based selection approach, a rigorous process with defined criteria to identify target diseases. We believe that this approach to asset development differentiates us as a gene therapy company and potentially provides us with a first-mover advantage.
Reverse Merger
On September 12, 2017, Inotek Pharmaceuticals Corporation, or Inotek, entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization with Rocket Pharmaceuticals, Ltd., a privately held Cayman limited company, or Private Rocket, and Rome Merger Sub, a wholly owned subsidiary of Inotek, or the Merger Subsidiary, pursuant to which the Merger Subsidiary would be merged with and into Private Rocket, or the Reverse Merger, with Private Rocket continuing after the Reverse Merger as the surviving company and a wholly owned subsidiary of Inotek.
On January 4, 2018, in connection with the closing of the Reverse Merger, Inotek effected a reverse stock split at a ratio of one-for-four, or the Reverse Stock Split, and at the effective time of the Reverse Merger, Inotek issued 26,272,107 shares of Inoteks common stock to the former shareholders of Private Rocket in exchange for all of the issued and outstanding shares of Private Rocket. In connection with the Reverse Merger, Inotek changed its name to Rocket Pharmaceuticals, Inc. The shares being offered through this prospectus supplement give effect to the Reverse Stock Split.
As a result of the Reverse Stock Split, the initial conversion rate of the combined Companys approximately $52.0 million aggregate principal amount outstanding of 5.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2021 was automatically adjusted from approximately 125 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of such notes to approximately 31 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of the notes.
Recent Developments
On November 19, 2018, we, through our wholly-owned subsidiary Private Rocket, entered into a License Agreement with REGENXBIO Inc., or RGNX, pursuant to which we obtained an exclusive license for all U.S. patents and patent applications related to RGNXs NAV AAV-9 vector for the treatment of Danon disease in humans by in vivo gene therapy using AAV9 to deliver any known LAMP2 transgene isoforms and all possible combinations of LAMP2 transgene isoforms, or the Field, as well as an exclusive option to license, or the Option Right, all U.S. patents and patent applications for two additional NAV AAV vectors in the Field, or the Licensed Products.
Under the terms of the License Agreement, we are obligated to use commercially reasonable efforts to develop, commercialize, market, promote and sell the Licensed Products. Unless the License Agreement is terminated earlier as provided below, the license from RGNX expires on a country-by-country, Licensed Product-by-Licensed Product basis until the later of the expiration date of the last to expire of the last valid claim of the applicable licensed patent or ten years after the first commercial sale of a Licensed Product in such country. The License Agreement provides that RGNX may terminate the agreement upon a material breach by the Company if we do not cure such breach within a specified notice period, if we commence a challenge against RGNX or certain of its licensors to declare or render invalid or unenforceable the licensed patents or upon our bankruptcy or insolvency. We may terminate the agreement in its entirety or terminate one or more of the licensed vectors at any time upon six months notice. Our Option Right expires four years from the date of the License Agreement.
In consideration for the rights granted to us under the License Agreement, we will make an upfront payment to RGNX of $7 million. A fee of $2 million per additional vector will be due if we exercise our Option Right.
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The License Agreement provides for royalties payable to RGNX in the high-single digits to low-teens on net sales levels of Licensed Products during the royalty term. If successful, we will be required to make milestone payments to RGNX of up to $13 million for each Licensed Product upon the achievement of specified clinical development and regulatory milestones in the U.S. and European Union. In addition, we shall pay RGNX 20% of the payment fees received from a priority review voucher issued in connection with or otherwise related to a Licensed Product. These royalty obligations are subject to specified reductions if additional licenses from third parties are required. We must also pay RGNX a portion of all non-royalty sublicense income (if any) received from sublicensees.
On November 26, 2018, we announced our AAV-based RP-A501 program for the treatment of Danon disease, along with animal study data providing preclinical proof-of-concept for the RP-A501 program. RP-A501 is in development under a collaboration led by Dr. Eric Adler, Director of Cardiac Transplant and Mechanical Circulatory Support at UC San Diego Health and Professor of Medicine at University of California San Diego School of Medicine.
Preclinical efficacy studies were performed in LAMP-2 knockout mice. Four doses of vector were tested for optimal transduction of the heart, skeletal muscle, and liver. Toxicology studies were conducted in wild-type mice and non-human primates. The results from these studies are summarized as follows:
• | Increased survival rates were observed at higher doses of RP-A501 along with dose-dependent improvements and restoration of cardiac function. |
• | RP-A501 elicited phenotypic reversals at a structural and molecular level in cardiac, liver, and skeletal muscle tissue. |
• | There were no treatment-related adverse events or deaths associated with RP-A501. All doses were observed to be well-tolerated in Good Laboratory Practice biodistribution and toxicology studies in both wildtype mice and additional studies in non-human primates. |
Based on the pre-clinical safety and efficacy data observed in mice and non-human primate studies, we intend to initiate a Phase 1 dose-escalation study of RP-A501 in patients with Danon disease in early 2019.
Concurrent Private Placement
One or more entities affiliated with RTW Investments, LP, or, collectively, RTW, an affiliate of Roderick Wong, the Chairman of our Board of Directors, have indicated an interest in purchasing unregistered shares of our common stock at a price equal to the public offering price in a private placement, or the Private Placement. Because this indication of interest is not a binding agreement or commitment to purchase, RTW could determine not to purchase any amount of shares of our common stock in the contemplated Private Placement.
In addition, RTW has agreed to a 90-day lock-up agreement with the underwriters pursuant to which both its pre-offering shares of our common stock and the shares of our common stock it purchases in the Private Placement, if any, will be locked up for a period of 90 days, subject to certain exceptions. See Underwriting—No Sales of Similar Securities.
Corporate Information
We were incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware under the name Inotek Pharmaceuticals Corporation and we changed our name to Rocket Pharmaceuticals, Inc. on January 4, 2018. We have executive offices located at The Empire State Building, 350 Fifth Avenue, Suite 7530, New York, NY 10118, and our telephone number is 646-440-9100. Our internet address is http://www.rocketpharma.com. We use our website as means of disclosing material non-public information and for complying with our disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. We make available on our website, free of charge, our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC. Our SEC reports can be accessed through the Investors section of our website. Further, a copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K is located at the SECs Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room can be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding our filings at http://www.sec.gov. The information found on our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus.
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THE OFFERING
The number of shares of common stock shown above to be outstanding after this offering and the Private Placement is based on 39,835,500 shares outstanding as of September 30, 2018 and excludes:
• | 8,475,802 shares of our common stock subject to options outstanding as of September 30, 2018, having a weighted average exercise price of $4.15 per share; |
• | 153,126 shares of our common stock subject to restricted stock units outstanding as of September 30, 2018; |
• | 68,256 shares of our common stock that have been reserved for issuance in connection with future grants under our 2014 Stock Option and Incentive Plan as of September 30, 2018; |
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• | 14,102 shares of our common stock that have been reserved for issuance upon exercise of outstanding warrants as of September 30, 2018, having a weighted average exercise price of $24.82 per share; and |
• | 1,620,948 shares of our common stock issuable upon the conversion of principal due under outstanding 5.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2021, of which $52.0 million of aggregate principal was outstanding as of September 30, 2018. |
Except as otherwise noted, all information in this prospectus supplement assumes or gives effect to:
• | the issuance of shares of our common stock in the Private Placement concurrently with the consummation of this offering; and |
• | no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares. |
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An investment in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. Before deciding whether to invest in our common stock, you should consider carefully the risks described below and discussed under the sections captioned Risk Factors contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety, and which may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by other reports we file the SEC in the future, together with other information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, and in any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering. There may be other unknown or unpredictable economic, business, competitive, regulatory or other factors that could have material adverse effects on our future results. If any of these risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition, results of operations or business prospects could be seriously harmed. This could cause the trading price of our common stock to decline, resulting in a loss of all or part of your investment.
Risks Related to this Offering
If you purchase shares in this offering, you will suffer immediate and substantial dilution.
If you purchase shares of our common stock in this offering, you will incur immediate and substantial dilution in the as adjusted net tangible book value of your stock because the price that you pay will be substantially greater than the net tangible book value per share of the shares you acquire. To the extent we raise additional capital by issuing equity securities, our stockholders will experience substantial additional dilution. For a further description of the dilution that you will experience immediately after this offering, see the section of this prospectus supplement titled Dilution.
We have broad discretion in the use of the net proceeds from this offering and may not use them effectively.
Our management will have broad discretion in the application of the net proceeds from this offering and could spend the proceeds in ways that do not improve our business, financial condition or results of operations or enhance the value of our common stock. The net proceeds from this offering are intended to be used to fund the continued development of our pipeline of gene therapies for rare diseases, enhancements to in-house manufacturing, and general corporate purposes. We may also use a portion of the net proceeds to in-license, acquire or invest in complementary businesses or products. However, we currently have no agreements or commitments to complete any such transaction.
The failure by our management to apply these funds effectively could result in financial losses that could harm our business, cause the price of our common stock to decline and delay the development of our product candidates. Pending their use, we may invest the net proceeds from this offering in a manner that does not produce income or that loses value.
Because we do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on shares of our common stock in the foreseeable future, capital appreciation, if any, will be your sole source of gain.
We have never declared or paid cash dividends on shares of our common stock. We anticipate that we will retain our earnings, if any, for future growth and therefore do not anticipate paying cash dividends in the future. As a result, only appreciation of the price of our shares of common stock will provide a return to shareholders.
Sales of a significant number of shares of our common stock in the public markets, or the perception that such sales could occur, could depress the market price of our common stock.
Sales of a substantial number of our shares in the public markets could depress the market price of our common stock and impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of additional equity securities. We, our directors and our executive officers and certain of our stockholders have agreed not to sell, dispose of or hedge any shares or securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of common stock during the period from the date of this prospectus supplement continuing through and including the date 90 days after the date of this prospectus supplement, subject to certain exceptions. The underwriters may, in their discretion, release the restrictions on any such shares at any time without notice. We cannot predict the effect that future sales of our common stock would have on the market price of our common stock.
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We estimate that the net proceeds from the sale of the shares of common stock that we are selling in this offering will be approximately $ million, or approximately $ million if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase up to additional shares of common stock, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. We estimate that the net proceeds from the sale of the shares of common stock that we are selling in the Private Placement will be approximately $ million. The underwriting discount will only be deducted from the gross proceeds from the shares of common stock actually sold to the public in this offering, and no underwriting discount will be deducted from the proceeds from the sale of shares of common stock to RTW in the Private Placement.
We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering and the Private Placement to fund the continued development of our pipeline of gene therapies for rare diseases, enhancements to in-house manufacturing, and general corporate purposes. We may also use a portion of the net proceeds to in-license, acquire or invest in complementary businesses or products. However, we currently have no agreements or commitments to complete any such transaction.
This expected use of our net proceeds from this offering and the Private Placement represents our intentions based upon our current plans and business conditions, which could change in the future as our plans and business conditions evolve. The amounts and timing of our actual expenditures may vary significantly depending on numerous factors, including the progress of our drug candidate development, the status of and results from clinical trials, as well as any collaborations that we may enter into with third parties for our drug candidates, and any unforeseen cash needs. Due to the uncertainties inherent in the clinical development and regulatory approval process, it is difficult to estimate with certainty the exact amounts of the net proceeds from this offering and the Private Placement that may be used for the above purposes. As such, our management will retain discretion over the use of the net proceeds from this offering and the Private Placement and investors will be relying on the judgment of our management regarding the application of the proceeds from this offering and the Private Placement.
Based on our planned use of the net proceeds from this offering, the Private Placement and our existing cash, cash equivalents and investments, we expect that such funds will be sufficient to enable us to fund our operations into the second half of 2020. We have based this estimate on assumptions that may prove to be incorrect, and we could use our available capital resources sooner than we currently expect.
Pending the application of the net proceeds as set forth above, we intend to invest the net proceeds in short-term, interest-bearing, investment-grade securities.
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We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our capital stock. We currently intend to retain all available funds and any future earnings, if any, to fund the development and expansion of our business and we do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Any future determination to pay cash dividends will be made at the discretion of our board of directors. In addition, the terms of our outstanding indebtedness restrict our ability to pay cash dividends, and any future indebtedness that we may incur could preclude us from paying cash dividends. Investors should not purchase our common stock with the expectation of receiving cash dividends.
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If you invest in our common stock 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 and the as-adjusted net tangible book value per share of our common stock immediately after this offering and the Private Placement. We calculate net tangible book value per share by dividing the net tangible book value (our tangible assets less our total liabilities) by the number of outstanding shares of our common stock.
The historical net tangible book value of our common stock as of September 30, 2018 was $112.8 million, or $2.83 per share, based on 39,835,500 shares of common stock outstanding as of September 30, 2018.
After giving further effect to our sale of $50,000,000 of shares of our common stock in this offering at the public offering price of $ per share, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses, and of shares in the Private Placement at the public offering price of $ per share, our as-adjusted net tangible book value as of September 30, 2018 would have been $ , or $ per share. This represents an immediate increase in net tangible book value of $ per share to existing stockholders and an immediate dilution in net tangible book value of $ per share to purchasers of common stock in this offering, as illustrated in the following table:
Public offering price per share |
$ | |||||
Historical net tangible book value per share as of September 30, 2018 |
$ | 2.83 | ||||
Increase in as-adjusted net tangible book value per share attributable to this offering and the Private Placement |
$ | |||||
As-adjusted net tangible book value per share after this offering and the Private Placement |
$ | |||||
Dilution per share to new investors in this offering |
$ |
If the underwriters exercise their option to purchase $7,500,000 of additional shares in full at the public offering price of $ per share, and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, the as-adjusted net tangible book value would be $ per share, representing an immediate increase in net tangible book value of $ per share to existing stockholders and an immediate dilution in as-adjusted net tangible book value of $ per share to new investors purchasing shares of our common stock in this offering.
The foregoing calculations exclude the following shares as of September 30, 2018:
• | 8,475,802 shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of stock options outstanding as of September 30, 2018, having a weighted average exercise price of $4.15 per share; |
• | 153,126 shares of our common stock subject to restricted stock units outstanding as of September 30, 2018; |
• | 68,256 shares of our common stock that have been reserved for issuance in connection with future grants under our 2014 Stock Option and Incentive Plan as of September 30, 2018; |
• | 14,102 shares of our common stock that have been reserved for issuance upon exercise of outstanding warrants as of September 30, 2018, having a weighted average exercise price of $24.82 per share; and |
• | 1,620,948 shares of our common stock issuable upon the conversion of outstanding principal due under outstanding 5.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2021, of which $52.0 million of aggregate principal was outstanding as of September 30, 2018. |
If the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares, the number of shares of common stock held by existing stockholders will be reduced to % of the total number of shares of common stock to be outstanding after this offering and the Private Placement.
To the extent that outstanding options are exercised, you will experience further dilution. In addition, we may choose to raise additional capital due to market conditions or strategic considerations even if we believe we have sufficient funds for our current or future operating plans. To the extent that additional capital is raised through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, the issuance of these securities may result in further dilution to our stockholders.
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Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Cowen and Company, LLC and Evercore Group L.L.C. are acting as representatives of each of the underwriters named below. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in an underwriting agreement among us and the underwriters, we have agreed to sell to the underwriters, and each of the underwriters has agreed, severally and not jointly, to purchase from us, the number of shares of common stock set forth opposite its name below.
Underwriter |
Number of Shares |
||
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated |
|||
Cowen and Company, LLC |
|||
Evercore Group L.L.C. |
|||
Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. |
|||
Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc. |
|||
Total |
Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the underwriting agreement, the underwriters have agreed, severally and not jointly, to purchase all of the shares sold under the underwriting agreement if any of these shares are purchased. If an underwriter defaults, the underwriting agreement provides that the purchase commitments of the nondefaulting underwriters may be increased or the underwriting agreement may be terminated.
We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make in respect of those liabilities.
The underwriters are offering the shares, subject to prior sale, when, as and if issued to and accepted by them, subject to approval of legal matters by their counsel, including the validity of the shares, and other conditions contained in the underwriting agreement, such as the receipt by the underwriters of officers certificates and legal opinions. The underwriters reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or modify offers to the public and to reject orders in whole or in part.
Commissions and Discounts
The representatives have advised us that the underwriters propose initially to offer the shares to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement and to dealers at that price less a concession not in excess of $ per share. After the initial offering, the public offering price, concession or any other term of the offering may be changed.
The following table shows the public offering price, underwriting discount and proceeds before expenses to us. The information assumes either no exercise or full exercise by the underwriters of their option to purchase additional shares.
Per Share |
Without Option |
With Option |
|||||||
Public offering price |
$ | $ | $ | ||||||
Underwriting discount |
$ | $ | $ | ||||||
Proceeds, before expenses, to us |
$ | $ | $ |
The expenses of the offering, not including the underwriting discount, are estimated at $ and are payable by us. We have also agreed to reimburse the underwriters for their expenses relating to clearance of this offering with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority in an amount up to $15,000.
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Option to Purchase Additional Shares
We have granted an option to the underwriters, exercisable for 30 days after the date of this prospectus, to purchase up to additional shares at the public offering price, less the underwriting discount. If the underwriters exercise this option, each will be obligated, subject to conditions contained in the underwriting agreement, to purchase a number of additional shares proportionate to that underwriters initial amount reflected in the above table.
No Sales of Similar Securities
Except for the Private Placement disclosed herein, we, our executive officers and directors and RTW have agreed not to sell or transfer any common stock or securities convertible into, exchangeable for, exercisable for, or repayable with common stock, for 90 days after the date of this prospectus supplement without first obtaining the written consent of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Cowen and Company, LLC and Evercore Group L.L.C. Specifically, we and these other persons have agreed, with certain limited exceptions, not to directly or indirectly
• | offer, pledge, sell or contract to sell any common stock, |
• | sell any option or contract to purchase any common stock, |
• | purchase any option or contract to sell any common stock, |
• | grant any option, right or warrant for the sale of any common stock, |
• | lend or otherwise dispose of or transfer any common stock, |
• | publicly disclose the intention to make any offer, sale, pledge, grant, transfer or disposition of common stock, |
• | enter into any swap, short sale, hedge or other agreement that transfers, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of any common stock regardless of whether any such swap, short sale, hedge or transaction is to be settled by delivery of shares of common stock or other securities, in cash or otherwise, or |
• | make any demand for or exercise any right with respect to the registration of any shares of common stock or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for common stock. |
This lock-up provision applies to common stock and to securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for or repayable with common stock (including without limitation, common stock or such other securities which may be deemed to be beneficially owned by the person executing the agreement in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC and securities of the Company which may be issued upon the exercise of a stock option or warrant or settlement of a restricted stock unit) that are owned now or acquired later by the person executing the agreement.
Nasdaq Global Market Listing
The shares are listed on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol RCKT.
Price Stabilization, Short Positions
Until the distribution of the shares is completed, SEC rules may limit underwriters from bidding for and purchasing our common stock. However, the underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize the price of the common stock, such as bids or purchases to peg, fix or maintain that price.
In connection with the offering, the underwriters may purchase and sell our common stock in the open market. These transactions may include short sales, purchases on the open market to cover positions created by short sales and stabilizing transactions. Short sales involve the sale by the underwriters of a greater number of shares than they are required to purchase in the offering. Covered short sales are sales made in an amount not greater than the underwriters option to purchase additional shares described above. The underwriters may close out any covered short position by either exercising their option to purchase additional shares or purchasing shares in the open market. In determining the source of shares to close out the covered short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of shares available for purchase in the open market as compared to
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the price at which they may purchase shares through the option granted to them. Naked short sales are sales in excess of such option. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing shares in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of our common stock in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of various bids for or purchases of shares of common stock made by the underwriters in the open market prior to the completion of the offering.
Similar to other purchase transactions, the underwriters purchases to cover the syndicate short sales may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our common stock or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of our common stock. As a result, the price of our common stock may be higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the open market. The underwriters may conduct these transactions on the Nasdaq Global Market, in the over-the-counter market or otherwise.
Neither we nor any of the underwriters make any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of our common stock. In addition, neither we nor any of the underwriters make any representation that the underwriters will engage in these transactions or that these transactions, once commenced, will not be discontinued without notice.
Passive Market Making
In connection with this offering, the underwriters may also engage in passive market making transactions in our common stock on the Nasdaq Global Market in accordance with Rule 103 of Regulation M under the Exchange Act during a period before the commencement of offers or sales of shares of our common stock in this offering and extending through the completion of distribution. A passive market maker must display its bid at a price not in excess of the highest independent bid of that security. However, if all independent bids are lowered below the passive market makers bid, that bid must then be lowered when specified purchase limits are exceeded. Passive market making may cause the price of our common stock to be higher than the price that otherwise would exist in the open market in the absence of those transactions. The underwriters are not required to engage in passive market making and, if commenced, may end passive market making activities at any time.
Electronic Distribution
In connection with the offering, certain of the underwriters may distribute this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus by electronic means, such as e-mail.
Other Relationships
Some of the underwriters and their affiliates have engaged in, and may in the future engage in, investment banking and other commercial dealings in the ordinary course of business with us or our affiliates. They have received, or may in the future receive, customary fees and commissions for these transactions.
In addition, in the ordinary course of their business activities, the underwriters and their 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. Such investments and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of ours or our affiliates. The underwriters and their affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or financial instruments and may hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.
Notice to Prospective Investors in the European Economic Area
In relation to each member state of the European Economic Area, no offer of shares of common stock which are the subject of the offering has been, or will be made to the public in that Member State, other than under the following exemptions under the Prospectus Directive:
(a) | to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined in the Prospectus Directive; |
(b) | to fewer than 150 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Directive), subject to obtaining the prior consent of the representatives for any such offer; or |
(c) | in any other circumstances falling within Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive, |
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provided that no such offer of shares of common stock referred to in (a) to (c) above shall result in a requirement for the Company or any underwriter to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive, or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 16 of the Prospectus Directive.
Each person located in a Member State to whom any offer of shares of common stock is made or who receives any communication in respect of any offer of shares of common stock , or who initially acquires any shares of common stock will be deemed to have represented, warranted, acknowledged and agreed to and with each underwriter and the Company that (1) it is a qualified investor within the meaning of the law in that Member State implementing Article 2(1)(e) of the Prospectus Directive; and (2) in the case of any shares of common stock acquired by it as a financial intermediary as that term is used in Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive, the shares of common stock acquired by it in the offer have not been acquired on behalf of, nor have they been acquired with a view to their offer or resale to, persons in any Member State other than qualified investors, as that term is defined in the Prospectus Directive, or in circumstances in which the prior consent of the representatives has been given to the offer or resale; or where shares of common stock have been acquired by it on behalf of persons in any Member State other than qualified investors, the offer of those shares of common stock to it is not treated under the Prospectus Directive as having been made to such persons.
The Company, the underwriters and their respective affiliates will rely upon the truth and accuracy of the foregoing representations, acknowledgments and agreements.
This prospectus has been prepared on the basis that any offer of shares in any Member State will be made pursuant to an exemption under the Prospectus Directive from the requirement to publish a prospectus for offers of shares. Accordingly any person making or intending to make an offer in that Member State of shares which are the subject of the offering contemplated in this prospectus may only do so in circumstances in which no obligation arises for the Company or any of the underwriters to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive in relation to such offer. Neither the Company nor the underwriters have authorized, nor do they authorize, the making of any offer of shares in circumstances in which an obligation arises for the Company or the underwriters to publish a prospectus for such offer.
For the purposes of this provision, the expression an offer of shares of common stock to the public in relation to any shares of common stock in any Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the shares of common stock to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe the shares of common stock, as the same may be varied in that Member State by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that Member State, the expression Prospectus Directive means Directive 2003/71/EC (as amended) and includes any relevant implementing measure in each Member State.
The above selling restriction is in addition to any other selling restrictions set out below.
Notice to Prospective Investors in the United Kingdom
In addition, in the United Kingdom, this document is being distributed only to, and is directed only at, and any offer subsequently made may only be directed at persons who are qualified investors (as defined in the Prospectus Directive) (i) who have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within Article 19 (5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended, or the Order, and/or (ii) who are high net worth companies (or persons to whom it may otherwise be lawfully communicated) falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as relevant persons). This document must not be acted on or relied on in the United Kingdom by persons who are not relevant persons. In the United Kingdom, any investment or investment activity to which this document relates is only available to, and will be engaged in with, relevant persons.
Notice to Prospective Investors in Switzerland
The shares may not be publicly offered in Switzerland and will not be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange, or SIX, or on any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. This document has been prepared without regard to the disclosure standards for issuance prospectuses under art. 652a or art. 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations or the disclosure standards for listing prospectuses under art. 27 ff. of the SIX Listing Rules or the listing rules of any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. Neither this document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the shares or the offering may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland.
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Neither this document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the offering, us or the shares have been or will be filed with or approved by any Swiss regulatory authority. In particular, this document will not be filed with, and the offer of shares will not be supervised by, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority, or FINMA, and the offer of shares has not been and will not be authorized under the Swiss Federal Act on Collective Investment Schemes, or CISA. The investor protection afforded to acquirers of interests in collective investment schemes under the CISA does not extend to acquirers of shares.
Notice to Prospective Investors in the Dubai International Financial Centre
This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relate to an Exempt Offer in accordance with the Offered Securities Rules of the Dubai Financial Services Authority, or DFSA. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are intended for distribution only to persons of a type specified in the Offered Securities Rules of the DFSA. They must not be delivered to, or relied on by, any other person. The DFSA has no responsibility for reviewing or verifying any documents in connection with Exempt Offers. The DFSA has not approved this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus nor taken steps to verify the information set forth herein and therein and has no responsibility for this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. The shares to which this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relate may be illiquid and/or subject to restrictions on their resale. Prospective purchasers of the shares offered should conduct their own due diligence on the shares. If you do not understand the contents of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus you should consult an authorized financial advisor.
Notice to Prospective Investors in Australia
No placement document, prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document has been lodged with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, or ASIC, in relation to the offering. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus do not constitute a prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document under the Corporations Act 2001, or the Corporations Act, and do not purport to include the information required for a prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document under the Corporations Act.
Any offer in Australia of the shares may only be made to persons, or the Exempt Investors, who are sophisticated investors (within the meaning of section 708(8) of the Corporations Act), professional investors (within the meaning of section 708(11) of the Corporations Act) or otherwise pursuant to one or more exemptions contained in section 708 of the Corporations Act so that it is lawful to offer the shares without disclosure to investors under Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act.
The shares applied for by Exempt Investors in Australia must not be offered for sale in Australia in the period of 12 months after the date of allotment under the offering, except in circumstances where disclosure to investors under Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act would not be required pursuant to an exemption under section 708 of the Corporations Act or otherwise or where the offer is pursuant to a disclosure document which complies with Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act. Any person acquiring shares must observe such Australian on-sale restrictions.
This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus contain general information only and do not take account of the investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs of any particular person. They do not contain any securities recommendations or financial product advice. Before making an investment decision, investors need to consider whether the information in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is appropriate to their needs, objectives and circumstances, and, if necessary, seek expert advice on those matters.
Notice to Prospective Investors in Hong Kong
The shares have not been offered or sold and will not be offered or sold in Hong Kong, by means of any document, other than (a) to professional investors as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571) of Hong Kong and any rules made under that Ordinance; or (b) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a prospectus as defined in the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32) of Hong Kong or which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of that Ordinance. No advertisement, invitation or document relating to the shares has been or may be issued or has been or may be in the possession of any person for the purposes of issue, whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere, which is directed at, or the contents of
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which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public of Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the securities laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to shares which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to professional investors as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance and any rules made under that Ordinance.
Notice to Prospective Investors in Israel
In the State of Israel this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus shall not be regarded as an offer to the public to purchase shares of common stock under the Israeli Securities Law, 5728-1968, which requires a prospectus to be published and authorized by the Israel Securities Authority, if it complies with certain provisions of Section 15 of the Israeli Securities Law, 5728-1968, including, inter alia, if: (i) the offer is made, distributed or directed to not more than 35 investors, subject to certain conditions, or the Addressed Investors; or (ii) the offer is made, distributed or directed to certain qualified investors defined in the First Addendum of the Israeli Securities Law, 5728-1968, subject to certain conditions, or the Qualified Investors. The Qualified Investors shall not be taken into account in the count of the Addressed Investors and may be offered to purchase securities in addition to the 35 Addressed Investors. The Company has not and will not take any action that would require it to publish a prospectus in accordance with and subject to the Israeli Securities Law, 5728-1968. The Company and the underwriters have not and will not distribute this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus or make, distribute or direct an offer to subscribe for our common stock to any person within the State of Israel, other than to Qualified Investors and up to 35 Addressed Investors.
Qualified Investors may have to submit written evidence that they meet the definitions set out in of the First Addendum to the Israeli Securities Law, 5728-1968. In particular, we may request, as a condition to be offered common stock, that Qualified Investors will each represent, warrant and certify to us and/or to anyone acting on our behalf: (i) that it is an investor falling within one of the categories listed in the First Addendum to the Israeli Securities Law, 5728-1968; (ii) which of the categories listed in the First Addendum to the Israeli Securities Law, 5728-1968 regarding Qualified Investors is applicable to it; (iii) that it will abide by all provisions set forth in the Israeli Securities Law, 5728-1968 and the regulations promulgated thereunder in connection with the offer to be issued common stock; (iv) that the shares of common stock that it will be issued are, subject to exemptions available under the Israeli Securities Law, 5728-1968: (a) for its own account; (b) for investment purposes only; and (c) not issued with a view to resale within the State of Israel, other than in accordance with the provisions of the Israeli Securities Law, 5728-1968; and (v) that it is willing to provide further evidence of its Qualified Investor status. Addressed Investors may have to submit written evidence in respect of their identity and may have to sign and submit a declaration containing, inter alia, the Addressed Investors name, address and passport number or Israeli identification number.
Notice to Prospective Investors in Japan
The shares have not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan (Law No. 25 of 1948, as amended) and, accordingly, will not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in Japan, or for the benefit of any Japanese Person or to others for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to any Japanese Person, except in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines promulgated by relevant Japanese governmental or regulatory authorities in effect at the relevant time. For the purposes of this paragraph, Japanese Person shall mean any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan.
Notice to Prospective Investors in Singapore
This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus have not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of shares may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the shares be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore, or the SFA, (ii) to a relevant person pursuant to Section 275(1), or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275, of the SFA, or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA.
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Where the shares are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 of the SFA by a relevant person which is:
(a) | a corporation (which is not an accredited investor (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA)) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor; or |
(b) | a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary of the trust is an individual who is an accredited investor, |
securities (as defined in Section 239(1) of the SFA) of that corporation or the beneficiaries rights and interest (howsoever described) in that trust shall not be transferred within six months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the shares pursuant to an offer made under Section 275 of the SFA except:
(a) | to an institutional investor or to a relevant person defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA, or to any person arising from an offer referred to in Section 275(1A) or Section 276(4)(i)(B) of the SFA; |
(b) | where no consideration is or will be given for the transfer; |
(c) | where the transfer is by operation of law; |
(d) | as specified in Section 276(7) of the SFA; or |
(e) | as specified in Regulation 32 of the Securities and Futures (Offers of Investments) (Shares and Debentures) Regulations 2005 of Singapore. |
Notice to Prospective Investors in Canada
The shares may be sold only to purchasers purchasing, or deemed to be purchasing, as principal that are accredited investors, as defined in National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions or subsection 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario), and are permitted clients, as defined in National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations. Any resale of the shares must be made in accordance with an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the prospectus requirements of applicable securities laws.
Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus (including any amendment thereto) contain a misrepresentation, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchasers province or territory. The purchaser should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchasers province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal advisor.
Pursuant to section 3A.3 (or, in the case of securities issued or guaranteed by the government of a non-Canadian jurisdiction, section 3A.4) of National Instrument 33-105 Underwriting Conflicts (NI 33-105), the underwriters are not required to comply with the disclosure requirements of NI 33-105 regarding underwriter conflicts of interest in connection with this offering.
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Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, San Francisco, California, will pass upon the validity of the shares of common stock offered hereby. Certain legal matters will be passed upon for the underwriters by Latham & Watkins LLP, New York, New York.
Inotek Pharmaceuticals Corporation
The consolidated financial statements of Inotek Pharmaceuticals Corporation as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 and for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2017 incorporated in this prospectus by reference from the Rocket Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (formerly known as Inotek Pharmaceuticals Corporation) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 have been audited by RSM US LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report thereon, incorporated herein by reference, and have been incorporated in this prospectus and registration statement in reliance upon such report and upon the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
Rocket Pharmaceuticals, Ltd.
The balance sheets of Rocket Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders equity, and cash flows for each of the years then ended have been audited by EisnerAmper LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which is incorporated herein by reference from Rocket Pharmaceuticals, Inc.s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 7, 2018. Such financial statements have been incorporated herein by reference in reliance on the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
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INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows the Company to incorporate by reference the information that is filed by the Company with the SEC, which means that the Company can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The documents incorporated by reference are:
• | the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, which was filed with the SEC on March 7, 2018; |
• | the information specifically incorporated by reference in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 from the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, relating to the Company’s 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on April 30, 2018; |
• | the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2018, June 30, 2018 and September 30, 2018, which were filed with the SEC on May 11, 2018, August 14, 2018 and November 9, 2018, respectively; |
• | the Company’s Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 5, 2018, January 25, 2018, March 7, 2018 (the audited financial statements of Rocket Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. on exhibit 99.2 only), March 21, 2018, April 4, 2018, June 25, 2018, and November 26, 2018; and |
• | the description of the Company’s common stock contained in its registration statement on Form 8-A, which was filed with the SEC on February 2, 2015, and amended on January 11, 2018, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description. |
All documents we file with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, except as to any portion of any report or documents that is not deemed filed under such provisions, on or after the date of this prospectus supplement until the earlier of the date on which all of the securities registered hereunder have been sold or the registration statement of which this prospectus supplement is a part has been withdrawn, shall be deemed incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and to be a part of this prospectus supplement from the date of filing of those documents.
Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein or into the accompanying prospectus shall be deemed to be modified or superseded, for purposes of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, to the extent that a statement contained in or omitted from this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, or in any other subsequently filed document that also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein or into the accompanying prospectus, modifies or supersedes such 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 and the accompanying prospectus. Nothing in this prospectus supplement shall be deemed to incorporate information furnished but not filed with the SEC pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K.
Upon written or oral request, we will provide, without charge, to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a copy of this prospectus supplement is delivered, upon such persons written or oral request, a copy of any and all of the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, other than exhibits to such documents, unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference into the information that this prospectus supplement incorporates. Requests should be directed to the Secretary at Rocket Pharmaceuticals, Inc., The Empire State Building, 350 Fifth Avenue Suite 7530, New York, New York 10118, telephone number (646) 440-9100. You may also find these documents in the Investor Relations section of our website, http://www.rocketpharma.com/investors-media/. The information on our website is not incorporated into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. We have authorized no one to provide you with any information that differs from that contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.
Accordingly, you should not rely on any information that is not contained in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date of the front cover of this prospectus supplement.
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WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act, and in accordance therewith, files annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document filed by the Company at the SECs Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the Public Reference Room. The Companys filings with the SEC are also available to the public at the SECs Internet website at http://www.sec.gov. Statements contained in this prospectus supplement as to the contents of any contract or other document are not necessarily complete, and in each instance we refer you to the copy of the contract or document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, each such statement being qualified in all respects by such reference.
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PROSPECTUS
Rocket Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$300,000,000
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Debt Securities
Warrants
Units
From time to time, we may offer, issue and sell up to $300,000,000 of any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. We may also offer securities as may be issuable upon conversion, redemption, repurchase, exchange or exercise of any securities registered hereunder, including any applicable antidilution provisions.
This prospectus provides a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we offer securities, we will provide specific terms of the securities offered in a supplement to this prospectus. We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you in connection with these offerings. The prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should carefully read this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, as well as any documents incorporated by reference, before you invest in any of the securities being offered.
This prospectus may not be used to sell our securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement. The prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus may also add to, update, supplement or clarify information contained in this prospectus.
Our common stock is traded on The NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol RCKT. The last reported sales price of our common stock on The NASDAQ Global Market on June 22, 2018 was $20.42 per share.
We may offer and sell our securities to or through one or more agents, underwriters, dealers or other third parties or directly to one or more purchasers on a continuous or delayed basis. If agents, underwriters or dealers are used to sell our securities, we will name them and describe their compensation in a prospectus supplement. The price to the public of our securities and the net proceeds we expect to receive from the sale of such securities will also be set forth in a prospectus supplement.
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should review carefully the risks and uncertainties referenced under the heading Risk Factors on page 2 of this prospectus as well as those contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, and in the other documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus or the applicable prospectus supplement.
NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR DETERMINED IF THIS PROSPECTUS IS TRUTHFUL OR COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
The date of this prospectus is July 5, 2018.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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We are responsible for the information contained and incorporated by reference in this prospectus, in any accompanying prospectus supplement, and in any related free writing prospectus we prepare or authorize. We have not authorized anyone to give you any other information, and we take no responsibility for any other information that others may give you. If you are in a jurisdiction where offers to sell, or solicitations of offers to purchase, the securities offered by this documentation are unlawful, or if you are a person to whom it is unlawful to direct these types of activities, then the offer presented in this document does not extend to you. The information contained in this document speaks only as of the date of this document, unless the information specifically indicates that another date applies. Neither the delivery of this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement, nor any sale of securities made under these documents, will, under any circumstances, create any implication that there has been no change in our affairs since the date of this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectus we may provide you in connection with an offering or that the information contained or incorporated by reference is correct as of any time subsequent to the date of such information. You should assume that the information in this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement, as well as the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement, is accurate only as of the date of the documents containing the information, unless the information specifically indicates that another date applies. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.
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This prospectus provides you with a general description of our securities being offered. You should read this prospectus together with the additional information described under the heading Where You Can Find Additional Information and Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference.
Under this shelf registration, we may offer shares of our common stock and preferred stock, various series of warrants to purchase common stock or preferred stock, debt securities or any combination thereof, from time to time in one or more offerings. This prospectus only provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we offer a type or series of securities under this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain more specific information about the specific terms of the offering. We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you that may contain material information relating to these offerings. This prospectus may not be used to sell our securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement. Each such prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus or in documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus. We urge you to carefully read this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, together with the information incorporated herein by reference as described under the headings Where You Can Find Additional Information and Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference before you invest in our securities.
We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information in addition to or different from that contained in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurances as to the reliability of, any information not contained in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you. This prospectus is an offer to sell only the securities offered hereby, but only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so. You should assume that the information in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus is accurate only as of the date on the front of the document and that any information incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus, or any sale of a security.
This prospectus contains summaries of certain provisions contained in some of the documents described herein, but reference is made to the actual documents for complete information. All of the summaries are qualified in their entirety by the actual documents. Copies of some of the documents referred to herein have been filed, will be filed or will be incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and you may obtain copies of those documents as described below under the heading Where You Can Find Additional Information.
Unless otherwise mentioned or unless the context requires otherwise, throughout this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, the words Rocket, we, us, our, the company or similar references refer to Rocket Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and its subsidiaries; and the term securities refers collectively to our common stock, preferred stock, warrants to purchase common stock or preferred stock, debt securities, or any combination of the foregoing securities.
We own various U.S. federal trademark registrations and applications and unregistered trademarks, including our corporate logo. This prospectus and the information incorporated herein by reference contains references to trademarks, service marks and trade names owned by us or other companies. Solely for convenience, trademarks, service marks and trade names referred to in this prospectus and the information incorporated herein, including logos, artwork, and other visual displays, may appear without the ‘ or TM symbols, but such references are not intended to indicate, in any way, that we will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our rights or the rights of the applicable licensor to these trademarks, service marks and trade names. We do not intend our use or display of other companies trade names, service marks or trademarks to imply a relationship with, or endorsement or sponsorship of us by, any other companies. All trademarks, service marks and trade names included or incorporated by reference into this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus are the property of their respective owners.
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Rocket Pharmaceuticals, Inc., together with its subsidiaries (collectively, Rocket), is a multi-platform biotechnology company focused on the development of first-in-class gene therapies for rare and devastating pediatric diseases. Rocket has two lentiviral vector (LVV) programs currently undergoing clinical testing targeting Fanconi Anemia, a genetic defect in the bone marrow that reduces production of blood cells or promotes the production of faulty blood cells, and three additional LVV programs targeting other rare genetic diseases. In addition, Rocket has an adeno-associated viral vector (AAV) program for which it expects to file an investigational new drug application in the next 12 months, which will permit the commencement of human clinical studies thereafter. Rocket has full global commercialization and development rights to all of its product candidates under royalty-bearing license agreements, with the exception of the CRISPR/Cas9 development program for which Rocket currently has only development rights.
Rockets two leading LVV and AAV technology platforms are each being designed in collaboration with leading academic and industry partners. Through its gene therapy platforms, Rocket aims to restore normal cellular function by modifying the defective genes that cause each of the targeted disorders.
We were incorporated in Delaware in 1999 as Inotek Pharmaceuticals Corporation. On January 4, 2018, Rome Merger Sub, a wholly owned subsidiary of Inotek Pharmaceuticals Corporation, completed its merger with and into Rocket Pharmaceuticals, Ltd., with Rocket Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. surviving as a wholly owned subsidiary of Inotek Pharmaceuticals Corporation. This transaction is referred to as the Reverse Merger. The Reverse Merger was effected pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization, dated as of September 12, 2017, by and among Inotek Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Rocket Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. and Rome Merger Sub. Immediately following the Reverse Merger, the combined company changed its name from Inotek Pharmaceuticals Corporation to Rocket Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Our principal executive offices are located at The Empire State Building, 350 Fifth Ave, Suite 7530, New York, NY 10118 and our telephone number is (646) 440-9100. Our internet address is www.rocketpharma.com. The information on, or that can be accessed through, our website does not constitute part of this prospectus, and you should not rely on any such information in making the decision whether to purchase our common stock. Our common stock trades on The NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol RCKT.
We are an emerging growth company, as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or the JOBS Act. We will continue to remain an emerging growth company until the earliest of the following: December 31, 2020; the last day of the fiscal year in which our total annual gross revenue is equal to or more than $1.07 billion; the date on which we have issued more than $1 billion in nonconvertible debt during the previous three years; or the date on which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer under the rules of the SEC. References herein to emerging growth company shall have the meaning associated with it in the JOBS Act.
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, as well as other information we include or incorporate by reference into this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, before making an investment decision. Our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected by the materialization of any of these risks. The trading price of our securities could decline due to the materialization of any of these risks, and you may lose all or part of your investment. This prospectus and the documents incorporated herein by reference also contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including the risks described under the headings Risk Factors in the documents incorporated herein by reference, including in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, in any applicable prospectus supplement and any risk factors set forth in our other filings with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, including our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and our Current Reports on Form 8-K, before making an investment decision.
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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus, including the documents that we incorporate by reference, contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Any statements about our expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not historical facts and may be forward-looking. These statements are often, but are not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as anticipate, believe, contemplate, continue, could, estimate, expect, intend, may, plan, potential, predict, project, seek, should, target, will, would, or the negative of these words or other comparable terminology. Accordingly, these statements involve estimates, assumptions and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in them. Any forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the factors discussed throughout this prospectus, and in particular those factors referenced in the section Risk Factors.
This prospectus, including the sections entitled About this Prospectus and Risk Factors, contains forward-looking statements that are based on our managements belief and assumptions and on information currently available to our management. These statements relate to future events or our future financial performance, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about:
• | the possibility that the businesses of Inotek Pharmaceuticals Corporation and Rocket Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. may not be integrated successfully or such integration may take longer to accomplish than expected; |
• | federal, state, and non-U.S. regulatory requirements, including regulation of our current or any other future product candidates by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA); |
• | the timing of and our ability to submit regulatory filings with the FDA and to obtain and maintain FDA or other regulatory authority approval of, or other action with respect to, our product candidates; |
• | our competitors’ activities, including decisions as to the timing of competing product launches, generic entrants, pricing and discounting; |
• | whether safety and efficacy results of our clinical trials and other required tests for approval of our product candidates provide data to warrant progression of clinical trials, potential regulatory approval or further development of any of our product candidates; |
• | our ability to develop, acquire and advance product candidates into, and successfully complete, clinical studies, and our ability to apply for and obtain regulatory approval for such product candidates, within currently anticipated timeframes, or at all; |
• | our ability to establish key collaborations and vendor relationships for our product candidates and any other future product candidates; |
• | our ability to successfully develop and commercialize any technology that we may in-license or products we may acquire; |
• | unanticipated delays due to manufacturing difficulties, supply constraints or changes in the regulatory environment; |
• | our ability to successfully operate in non-U.S. jurisdictions in which we currently, or in the future, do business, including compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and laws; |
• | uncertainties associated with obtaining and enforcing patents to protect our product candidates, and our ability to successfully defend ourselves against unforeseen third-party infringement claims; |
• | anticipated trends and challenges in our business and the markets in which we operate; |
• | our estimates regarding our capital requirements; and |
• | our ability to obtain additional financing and raise capital as necessary to fund operations or pursue business opportunities. |
3
These forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees of future performance due to a variety of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: the possibility that we may experience slower than expected clinical site initiation or slower than expected identification and enrollment of evaluable patients; the potential for delays or problems in analyzing data or the need for additional analysis, data or patients; the potential that future pre-clinical and clinical results may not support further development of our product candidates; the potential for unexpected adverse events in the conduct of one of our clinical trials to impact our ability to continue the clinical trial or further development of a product candidate; the risk that we may encounter other unexpected hurdles or issues in the development and manufacture of our product candidates that may impact our cost, timing or progress, as well as those risks more fully discussed in the Risk Factors section in this prospectus, the section of any accompanying prospectus supplement entitled Risk Factors and the risk factors and cautionary statements described in other documents that we file from time to time with the SEC, specifically under Item 1A: Risk Factors and elsewhere in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2017, and our Current Reports on Form 8-K.
Given these uncertainties, readers should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which the statements were made and are not guarantees of future performance. Except as may be required by applicable law, we do not undertake to update any forward-looking statements after the date of this prospectus or the respective dates of documents incorporated by reference herein or therein that include forward-looking statements.
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
Our ratio of earnings to fixed charges for recently completed fiscal years and any required interim periods will be specified in a prospectus supplement or in a document that we file with the SEC and incorporated by reference in the future.
We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
DESCRIPTION OF OUR CAPITAL STOCK
General
The following description of certain terms of our capital stock does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, our certificate of incorporation, our by-laws, and the applicable provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or the DGCL. For more information on how you can obtain our certificate of incorporation and by-laws, see Where You Can Find Additional Information.
Common Stock
Under our certificate of incorporation, we are authorized to issue up to 120,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share. The holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders. The holders of our common stock do not have any cumulative voting rights. Holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends, if any, as and when may be declared from time to time by our Board of Directors out of funds legally available for that purpose, subject to any preferential dividend rights of any outstanding preferred stock. Our common stock has no preemptive rights, conversion rights or other subscription rights or redemption or sinking fund provisions. The prospectus supplement relating to any common stock being offered will include specific terms relating to the offering. As of June 22, 2018, there were 39,506,527 shares of common stock issued and outstanding.
Upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs, the holders of common stock will be entitled to participate equally and ratably, in proportion to the number of shares held, in our net assets available for distribution to holders of common stock. The shares to be issued by us in this offering will be, when issued and paid for, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
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The prospectus supplement relating to any common stock being offered will include specific terms relating to the offering.
Stock Exchange Listing
Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Market. The trading symbol for our common stock is RCKT.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company. The transfer agent and registrars address is 17 Battery Place, New York, NY 10004.
Preferred Stock
Our Board of Directors currently has the authority, without further action by our stockholders, to issue up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.001 par value per share, in one or more series and to fix the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions thereof. These rights, preferences and privileges could include dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption, liquidation preferences, sinking fund terms and the number of shares constituting, or the designation of, such series, any or all of which may be greater than the rights of common stock. As of June 22, 2018, no shares of preferred stock were issued and outstanding.
The issuance of our preferred stock could adversely affect the voting power of holders of common stock and the likelihood that such holders will receive dividend payments and payments upon our liquidation. In addition, the issuance of preferred stock could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of our company or other corporate action. No shares of preferred stock are currently outstanding.
We will incorporate by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement, which includes this prospectus, the form of any certificate of designation that describes the terms of the series of preferred stock we are offering. This description and the applicable prospectus supplement will include:
• | the title and stated value; |
• | the number of shares authorized; |
• | the liquidation preference per share; |
• | the purchase price; |
• | the dividend rate, period and payment date, and method of calculation for dividends; |
• | whether dividends will be cumulative or non-cumulative and, if cumulative, the date from which dividends will accumulate; |
• | the procedures for any auction and remarketing, if any; |
• | the provisions for a sinking fund, if any; |
• | the provisions for redemption or repurchase, if applicable, and any restrictions on our ability to exercise those redemption and repurchase rights; |
• | any listing of the preferred stock on any securities exchange or market; |
• | whether the preferred stock will be convertible into our common stock, and, if applicable, the conversion price, or how it will be calculated, and the conversion period; |
• | whether the preferred stock will be exchangeable into debt securities, and, if applicable, the exchange price, or how it will be calculated, and the exchange period; |
• | voting rights, if any, of the preferred stock; |
• | preemptive rights, if any; |
• | restrictions on transfer, sale or other assignment, if any; |
• | a discussion of any material United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the preferred stock; |
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• | the relative ranking and preferences of the preferred stock as to dividend rights and rights if we liquidate, dissolve or wind up our affairs; |
• | any limitations on issuance of any class or series of preferred stock ranking senior to or on a parity with the series of preferred stock as to dividend rights and rights if we liquidate, dissolve or wind up our affairs; and |
• | any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of, or restrictions on, the preferred stock. |
When we issue shares of preferred stock under this prospectus, the shares will fully be paid and nonassessable and will not have, or be subject to, any preemptive or similar rights.
DESCRIPTION OF OUR DEBT SECURITIES
We will issue any senior debt securities under the senior indenture that we will enter into with the trustee named in the senior indenture. We will issue any subordinated debt securities under the subordinated indenture that we will enter into with the trustee named in the subordinated indenture. We have filed forms of these documents as exhibits to the registration statement, of which this prospectus is a part, and supplemental indentures and forms of debt securities containing the terms of the debt securities being offered will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part or will be incorporated by reference from reports that we file with the SEC.
The indentures will be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, or the Trust Indenture Act. We use the term trustee to refer to either the trustee under the senior indenture or the trustee under the subordinated indenture, as applicable.
The following summaries of material provisions of the senior debt securities, the subordinated debt securities and the indentures are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the indenture applicable to a particular series of debt securities. We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus and any related free writing prospectuses related to the debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus, as well as the complete applicable indenture that contains the terms of the debt securities. Except as we may otherwise indicate, the terms of the senior indenture and the subordinated indenture are identical.
General
We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus the terms of the series of debt securities being offered, including:
• | the title; |
• | the principal amount being offered, and if a series, the total amount authorized and the total amount outstanding; |
• | any limit on the amount that may be issued; |
• | whether or not we will issue the series of debt securities in global form, and, if so, the terms and who the depository will be; |
• | the maturity date; |
• | whether and under what circumstances, if any, we will pay additional amounts on any debt securities held by a person who is not a United States person for tax purposes, and whether we can redeem the debt securities if we have to pay such additional amounts; |
• | the annual interest rate, which may be fixed or variable, or the method for determining the rate and the date interest will begin to accrue, the dates interest will be payable and the regular record dates for interest payment dates or the method for determining such dates; |
• | whether or not the debt securities will be secured or unsecured, and the terms of any secured debt; |
• | the terms of the subordination of any series of subordinated debt; |
• | the place where payments will be payable; |
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• | restrictions on transfer, sale or other assignment, if any; |
• | our right, if any, to defer payment of interest and the maximum length of any such deferral period; |
• | the date, if any, after which, the conditions upon which, and the price at which, we may, at our option, redeem the series of debt securities pursuant to any optional or provisional redemption provisions and the terms of those redemption provisions; |
• | the date, if any, on which, and the price at which we are obligated, pursuant to any mandatory sinking fund or analogous fund provisions or otherwise, to redeem, or at the holder’s option, to purchase, the series of debt securities and the currency or currency unit in which the debt securities are payable; |
• | whether the indenture will restrict our ability or the ability of our subsidiaries to: |
• | incur additional indebtedness; |
• | issue additional securities; |
• | create liens; |
• | pay dividends or make distributions in respect of our capital stock or the capital stock of our subsidiaries; |
• | redeem capital stock; |
• | place restrictions on our subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends, make distributions or transfer assets; |
• | make investments or other restricted payments; |
• | sell or otherwise dispose of assets; |
• | enter into sale-leaseback transactions; |
• | engage in transactions with stockholders or affiliates; |
• | issue or sell stock of our subsidiaries; or |
• | effect a consolidation or merger; |
• | whether the indenture will require us to maintain any interest coverage, fixed charge, cash flow-based, asset-based or other financial ratios; |
• | a discussion of certain material or special United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the debt securities; |
• | information describing any book-entry features; |
• | provisions for a sinking fund purchase or other analogous fund, if any; |
• | the applicability of the provisions in the indenture on discharge; |
• | whether the debt securities are to be offered at a price such that they will be deemed to be offered at an original issue discount as defined in paragraph (a) of Section 1273 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended; |
• | the denominations in which we will issue the series of debt securities, if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof; |
• | the currency of payment of debt securities if other than U.S. dollars and the manner of determining the equivalent amount in U.S. dollars; and |
• | any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of, or restrictions on, the debt securities, including any additional events of default or covenants provided with respect to the debt securities, and any terms that may be required by us or advisable under applicable laws or regulations or advisable in connection with the marketing of the debt securities. |
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Conversion or Exchange Rights
We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus the terms on which a series of debt securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock, our preferred stock or other securities (including securities of a third-party). We will include provisions as to whether conversion or exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our option. We may include provisions pursuant to which the number of shares of our common stock, our preferred stock or other securities (including securities of a third-party) that the holders of the series of debt securities receive would be subject to adjustment.
Consolidation, Merger or Sale
Unless we provide otherwise in the prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus applicable to a particular series of debt securities, the indentures will not contain any covenant that restricts our ability to merge or consolidate, or sell, convey, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets. However, any successor to or acquirer of such assets must assume all of our obligations under the indentures or the debt securities, as appropriate. If the debt securities are convertible into or exchangeable for other securities of ours or securities of other entities, the person with whom we consolidate or merge or to whom we sell all of our property must make provisions for the conversion of the debt securities into securities that the holders of the debt securities would have received if they had converted the debt securities before the consolidation, merger or sale.
Events of Default Under the Indenture
Unless we provide otherwise in the prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus applicable to a particular series of debt securities, the following are events of default under the indentures with respect to any series of debt securities that we may issue:
• | if we fail to pay interest when due and payable and our failure continues for 90 days and the time for payment has not been extended; |
• | if we fail to pay the principal, premium or sinking fund payment, if any, when due and payable at maturity, upon redemption or repurchase or otherwise, and the time for payment has not been extended; |
• | if we fail to observe or perform any other covenant contained in the debt securities or the indentures, other than a covenant specifically relating to another series of debt securities, and our failure continues for 90 days after we receive notice from the trustee or holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the applicable series; and |
• | if specified events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occur. |
We will describe in each applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus any additional events of default relating to the relevant series of debt securities.
If an event of default with respect to debt securities of any series occurs and is continuing, other than an event of default specified in the last bullet point above, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series, by notice to us in writing, and to the trustee if notice is given by such holders, may declare the unpaid principal, premium, if any, and accrued interest, if any, due and payable immediately. If an event of default specified in the last bullet point above occurs with respect to us, the unpaid principal, premium, if any, and accrued interest, if any, of each issue of debt securities then outstanding shall be due and payable without any notice or other action on the part of the trustee or any holder.
The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of an affected series may waive any default or event of default with respect to the series and its consequences, except defaults or events of default regarding payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, unless we have cured the default or event of default in accordance with the indenture. Any waiver shall cure the default or event of default.
Subject to the terms of the indentures, if an event of default under an indenture shall occur and be continuing, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under such indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders of the applicable series of debt securities, unless such holders have offered the trustee reasonable indemnity or security satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense. The
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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, provided that:
• | the direction so given by the holder is not in conflict with any law or the applicable indenture; and |
• | subject to its duties under the Trust Indenture Act, the trustee need not take any action that might involve it in personal liability or might be unduly prejudicial to the holders not involved in the proceeding. |
A holder of the debt securities of any series will have the right to institute a proceeding under the indentures or to appoint a receiver or trustee, or to seek other remedies if:
• | the holder has given written notice to the trustee of a continuing event of default with respect to that series; |
• | the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have made written request, and such holders have offered reasonable indemnity to the trustee or security satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense or to be incurred in compliance with instituting the proceeding as trustee; and |
• | the trustee does not institute the proceeding, and does not receive from the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series other conflicting directions within 90 days after the notice, request and offer. |
These limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by a holder of debt securities if we default in the payment of the principal, premium, if any, or interest on, the debt securities, or other defaults that may be specified in the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus.
We will periodically file statements with the trustee regarding our compliance with specified covenants in the indentures.
Modification of Indenture; Waiver
Subject to the terms of the indenture for any series of debt securities that we may issue, we and the trustee may change an indenture without the consent of any holders with respect to the following specific matters:
• | to fix any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in the indenture; |
• | to comply with the provisions described above under Description of Our Debt Securities’ Consolidation, Merger or Sale; |
• | to comply with any requirements of the SEC in connection with the qualification of any indenture under the Trust Indenture Act; |
• | to add to, delete from or revise the conditions, limitations, and restrictions on the authorized amount, terms, or purposes of issue, authentication and delivery of debt securities, as set forth in the indenture; |
• | to provide for the issuance of and establish the form and terms and conditions of the debt securities of any series as provided under Description of Our Debt Securities’ General, to establish the form of any certifications required to be furnished pursuant to the terms of the indenture or any series of debt securities, or to add to the rights of the holders of any series of debt securities; |
• | to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor trustee; |
• | to provide for uncertificated debt securities and to make all appropriate changes for such purpose; |
• | to add to our covenants such new covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions for the benefit of the holders, to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and the continuance, of a default in any such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions an event of default or to surrender any right or power conferred to us in the indenture; or |
• | to change anything that does not materially adversely affect the interests of any holder of debt securities of any series. |
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In addition, under the indentures, the rights of holders of a series of debt securities may be changed by us and the trustee with the written consent of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series that is affected. However, subject to the terms of the indenture for any series of debt securities that we may issue or as otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus applicable to a particular series of debt securities, we and the trustee may make the following changes only with the consent of each holder of any outstanding debt securities affected:
• | extending the stated maturity of the series of debt securities; |
• | reducing the principal amount, reducing the rate of or extending the time of payment of interest, or reducing any premium payable upon the redemption or repurchase of any debt securities; or |
• | reducing the percentage of debt securities, the holders of which are required to consent to any amendment, supplement, modification or waiver. |
Discharge
Each indenture provides that, subject to the terms of the indenture and any limitation otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus applicable to a particular series of debt securities, we can elect to be discharged from our obligations with respect to one or more series of debt securities, except for specified obligations, including obligations to:
• | register the transfer or exchange of debt securities of the series; |
• | replace stolen, lost or mutilated debt securities of the series; |
• | maintain paying agencies; |
• | hold monies for payment in trust; |
• | recover excess money held by the trustee; |
• | compensate and indemnify the trustee; and |
• | appoint any successor trustee. |
In order to exercise our rights to be discharged, we must deposit with the trustee money or government obligations sufficient to pay all the principal of, any premium and interest on, the debt securities of the series on the dates payments are due.
Form, Exchange and Transfer
We will issue the debt securities of each series only in fully registered form without coupons and, unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof. The indentures provide that we may issue debt securities of a series in temporary or permanent global form and as book-entry securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company or another depository named by us and identified in a prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus with respect to that series.
At the option of the holder, subject to the terms of the indentures and the limitations applicable to global securities described in the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, the holder of the debt securities of any series can exchange the debt securities for other debt securities of the same series, in any authorized denomination and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount.
Subject to the terms of the indentures and the limitations applicable to global securities set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, holders of the debt securities may present the debt securities for exchange or for registration of transfer, duly endorsed or with the form of transfer endorsed thereon duly executed if so required by us or the security registrar, at the office of the security registrar or at the office of any transfer agent designated by us for this purpose. Unless otherwise provided in the debt securities that the holder presents for transfer or exchange, we will make no service charge for any registration of transfer or exchange, but we may require payment of any taxes or other governmental charges.
We will name in the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus the security registrar, and any transfer agent in addition to the security registrar, that we initially designate for any debt securities. We may
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at any time designate additional transfer agents or rescind the designation of any transfer agent or approve a change in the office through which any transfer agent acts, except that we will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of each series. If we elect to redeem the debt securities of any series, we will not be required to:
• | issue, register the transfer of, or exchange any debt securities of that series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of mailing of a notice of redemption of any debt securities that may be selected for redemption and ending at the close of business on the day of the mailing; or |
• | register the transfer of or exchange any debt securities so selected for redemption, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any debt securities we are redeeming in part. |
Information Concerning the Trustee
The trustee, other than during the occurrence and continuance of an event of default under an indenture, undertakes to perform only those duties as are specifically set forth in the applicable indenture. Upon an event of default under an indenture, the trustee must use the same degree of care as a prudent person would exercise or use in the conduct of his or her own affairs.
Subject to this provision, the trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the powers given it by the indentures at the request of any holder of debt securities unless it is offered reasonable security and indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities that it might incur.
Payment and Paying Agents
Unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, we will make payment of the interest on any debt securities on any interest payment date to the person in whose name the debt securities, or one or more predecessor securities, are registered at the close of business on the regular record date for the interest.
We will pay principal of and any premium and interest on the debt securities of a particular series at the office of the paying agents designated by us, except that unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, we will make interest payments by check that we will mail to the holder or by wire transfer to certain holders. Unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, we will designate the corporate trust office of the trustee as our sole paying agent for payments with respect to debt securities of each series. We will name in the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus any other paying agents that we initially designate for the debt securities of a particular series. We will maintain a paying agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of a particular series.
All money we pay to a paying agent or the trustee for the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any debt securities that remains unclaimed at the end of two years after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable will be repaid to us, and the holder of the debt security thereafter may look only to us for payment thereof.
Governing Law
The indentures and the debt securities will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, except to the extent that the Trust Indenture Act is applicable.
Ranking of Debt Securities
The subordinated debt securities will be subordinate and junior in priority of payment to certain of our other indebtedness to the extent described in a prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus. The subordinated indenture does not limit the amount of subordinated debt securities that we may issue. It also does not limit us from issuing any other secured or unsecured debt.
The senior debt securities will rank equally in right of payment to all our other senior unsecured debt. The senior indenture does not limit the amount of senior debt securities that we may issue. It also does not limit us from issuing any other secured or unsecured debt.
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We will issue the warrants under a warrant agreement which we will enter into with a warrant agent to be selected by us. Forms of these warrant agreements and forms of the warrant certificates representing the warrants, and the complete warrant agreements and forms of warrant certificates containing the terms of the warrants being offered, will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part or will be incorporated by reference from reports that we file with the SEC. We use the term warrant agreement to refer to any of these warrant agreements. We use the term warrant agent to refer to the warrant agent under any of these warrant agreements. The warrant agent will act solely as an agent of ours in connection with the warrants and will not act as an agent for the holders or beneficial owners of the warrants.
The following summaries of material provisions of the warrants and the warrant agreements are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the warrant agreement applicable to a particular series of warrants. We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplements or free writing prospectus related to the warrants that we sell under this prospectus, as well as the complete warrant agreements that contain the terms of the warrants.
General
We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus the terms relating to a series of warrants. If warrants for the purchase of debt securities are offered, the prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus will describe the following terms, to the extent applicable:
• | the offering price and the aggregate number of warrants offered; |
• | the currencies in which the warrants are being offered; |
• | the designation, aggregate principal amount, currencies, denominations and terms of the series of debt securities that can be purchased if a holder exercises a warrant; |
• | the designation and terms of any series of debt securities with which the warrants are being offered and the number of warrants offered with each such debt security; |
• | the date on and after which the holder of the warrants can transfer them separately from the related series of debt securities; |
• | the principal amount of the series of debt securities that can be purchased if a holder exercises a warrant and the price at which and currencies in which such principal amount may be purchased upon exercise; |
• | the terms of any rights to redeem or call the warrants; |
• | the date on which the right to exercise the warrants begins and the date on which such right expires; |
• | federal income tax consequences of holding or exercising the warrants; and |
• | any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of, or restrictions on, the warrants. |
Warrants for the purchase of debt securities will be in registered form only.
If warrants for the purchase of common stock or preferred stock are offered, the prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus will describe the following terms, to the extent applicable:
• | the offering price and the aggregate number of warrants offered; |
• | the total number of shares that can be purchased if a holder of the warrants exercises them and, in the case of warrants for preferred stock, the designation, total number and terms of the series of preferred stock that can be purchased upon exercise; |
• | the designation and terms of any series of preferred stock with which the warrants are being offered and the number of warrants being offered with each share of common stock or preferred stock; |
• | the date on and after which the holder of the warrants can transfer them separately from the related common stock or series of preferred stock; |
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• | the number of shares of common stock or preferred stock that can be purchased if a holder exercises the warrant and the price at which such common stock or preferred stock may be purchased upon exercise, including, if applicable, any provisions for changes to or adjustments in the exercise price and in the securities or other property receivable upon exercise; |
• | the terms of any rights to redeem or call, or accelerate the expiration of, the warrants; |
• | the date on which the right to exercise the warrants begins and the date on which that right expires; |
• | federal income tax consequences of holding or exercising the warrants; and |
• | any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of, or restrictions on, the warrants. |
Warrants for the purchase of common stock or preferred stock will be in registered form only.
Exercise of Warrants
Each holder of a warrant is entitled to purchase the principal amount of debt securities or number of shares of common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, at the exercise price described in the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus. After the close of business on the day when the right to exercise terminates (or a later date if we extend the time for exercise), unexercised warrants will become void.
A holder of warrants may exercise them by following the general procedure outlined below:
• | delivering to the warrant agent the payment required by the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus to purchase the underlying security; |
• | properly completing and signing the reverse side of the warrant certificate representing the warrants; and |
• | delivering the warrant certificate representing the warrants to the warrant agent within five business days of the warrant agent receiving payment of the exercise price. |
If you comply with the procedures described above, your warrants will be considered to have been exercised when the warrant agent receives payment of the exercise price, subject to the transfer books for the securities issuable upon exercise of the warrant not being closed on such date. After you have completed those procedures and subject to the foregoing, we will, as soon as practicable, issue and deliver to you the debt securities, common stock or preferred stock that you purchased upon exercise. If you exercise fewer than all of the warrants represented by a warrant certificate, a new warrant certificate will be issued to you for the unexercised amount of warrants. Holders of warrants will be required to pay any tax or governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with transferring the underlying securities in connection with the exercise of the warrants.
Amendments and Supplements to the Warrant Agreements
We may amend or supplement a warrant agreement without the consent of the holders of the applicable warrants to cure ambiguities in the warrant agreement, to cure or correct a defective provision in the warrant agreement, or to provide for other matters under the warrant agreement that we and the warrant agent deem necessary or desirable, so long as, in each case, such amendments or supplements do not materially adversely affect the interests of the holders of the warrants.
Warrant Adjustments
Unless the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus states otherwise, the exercise price of, and the number of securities covered by, a common stock warrant or preferred stock warrant will be adjusted proportionately if we subdivide or combine our common stock or preferred stock, as applicable. In addition, unless the prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus states otherwise, if we, without receiving payment:
• | issue capital stock or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for common stock or preferred stock, or any rights to subscribe for, purchase or otherwise acquire any of the foregoing, as a dividend or distribution to holders of our common stock or preferred stock; |
• | pay any cash to holders of our common stock or preferred stock other than a cash dividend paid out of our current or retained earnings or other than in accordance with the terms of the preferred stock; |
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• | issue any evidence of our indebtedness or rights to subscribe for or purchase our indebtedness to holders of our common stock or preferred stock; or |
• | issue common stock or preferred stock or additional stock or other securities or property to holders of our common stock or preferred stock by way of spinoff, split-up, reclassification, combination of shares or similar corporate rearrangement, |
then the holders of common stock warrants and preferred stock warrants, as applicable, will be entitled to receive upon exercise of the warrants, in addition to the securities otherwise receivable upon exercise of the warrants and without paying any additional consideration, the amount of stock and other securities and property such holders would have been entitled to receive had they held the common stock or preferred stock, as applicable, issuable under the warrants on the dates on which holders of those securities received or became entitled to receive such additional stock and other securities and property.
Except as stated above or as otherwise set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, the exercise price and number of securities covered by a common stock warrant and preferred stock warrant, and the amounts of other securities or property to be received, if any, upon exercise of those warrants, will not be adjusted or provided for if we issue those securities or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for those securities, or securities carrying the right to purchase those securities or securities convertible into or exchangeable for those securities.
Holders of common stock warrants and preferred stock warrants may have additional rights under the following circumstances:
• | certain reclassifications, capital reorganizations or changes of the common stock or preferred stock, as applicable; |
• | certain share exchanges, mergers, or similar transactions involving us and which result in changes of the common stock or preferred stock, as applicable; or |
• | certain sales or dispositions to another entity of all or substantially all of our property and assets. |
If one of the above transactions occurs and holders of our common stock or preferred stock are entitled to receive stock, securities or other property with respect to or in exchange for their securities, the holders of the common stock warrants and preferred stock warrants then outstanding, as applicable, will be entitled to receive upon exercise of their warrants the kind and amount of shares of stock and other securities or property that they would have received upon the applicable transaction if they had exercised their warrants immediately before the transaction.
As specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may issue units consisting of one or more shares of common stock, shares of preferred stock, debt securities, warrants or any combination of such securities.
The applicable prospectus supplement will specify the following terms of any units in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered:
• | the terms of the units and of any of the shares of common stock, shares of preferred stock, debt securities, or warrants comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances the securities comprising the units may be traded separately; |
• | a description of the terms of any unit agreement governing the units; |
• | if appropriate, a discussion of material U.S. federal income tax considerations; and |
• | a description of the provisions for the payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units. |
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DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF DELAWARE LAW AND OUR CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION AND BY-LAWS
We are organized as a Delaware corporation. The following is a summary of our certificate of incorporation and by-laws and certain provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or the DGCL. Because it is a summary, it does not contain all the information that may be important to you. If you want more information, you should read our entire certificate of incorporation and by-laws, copies of which are filed with the SEC as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. See Where You Can Find Additional Information, or refer to the provisions of Delaware law.
Classification of Directors
Our certificate of incorporation provides for the division of our Board of Directors into three classes serving staggered three-year terms, with one class being elected each year. Our certificate of incorporation also provides that directors may be removed only for cause and then only by the affirmative vote of the holders of 75% of the shares then entitled to vote at an election of directors. Furthermore, any vacancy on our Board of Directors, however occurring, including a vacancy resulting from an increase in the size of our Board of Directors, may only be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of our directors then in office even if less than a quorum. The classification of directors, together with the limitations on removal of directors and treatment of vacancies, has the effect of making it more difficult for stockholders to change the composition of our Board of Directors.
Special Meetings
Our certificate of incorporation and by-laws provide that a majority of the members of our Board of Directors then in office may call special meetings of stockholders and only those matters set forth in the notice of the special meeting may be considered or acted upon at a special meeting of stockholders. Our by-laws limit the business that may be conducted at an annual meeting of stockholders to those matters properly brought before the meeting. Our bylaws also establish the right for stockholders who collectively own at least 20 percent of the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company to call a special meeting of the stockholders, subject to the procedural and other requirements set forth in the bylaws, and to require that a timely notice also include a representation that a proposing stockholder (or a qualified representative of the stockholder) intends to appear at the stockholder meeting to make any director nomination or propose any such other business to be presented at the special meeting.
Indemnification
Our certificate of incorporation and our by-laws, as amended, provide that we shall indemnify our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by law. In addition, we have previously entered into and intend to enter into new agreements to indemnify our directors and executive officers. These agreements will, among other things, indemnify these individuals for certain expenses (including attorneys fees), judgments, fines and settlement amounts reasonably incurred by such person in any action or proceeding, including any action by or in our right, on account of any services undertaken by such person on behalf of us or that persons status as a member of our Board of Directors.
Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law
We are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the DGCL. In general, Section 203 prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a business combination with an interested stockholder for a three-year period following the time that this stockholder becomes an interested stockholder, unless the business combination is approved in a prescribed manner. Under Section 203, a business combination between a corporation and an interested stockholder is prohibited unless it satisfies one of the following conditions:
• | before the stockholder became interested, our Board of Directors approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder; |
• | upon consummation of the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the |
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• | voting stock outstanding, shares owned by persons who are directors and also officers, and employee stock plans, in some instances, but not the outstanding voting stock owned by the interested stockholder; or |
• | at or after the time the stockholder became interested, the business combination was approved by our Board of Directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of the stockholders by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock which is not owned by the interested stockholder. |
Section 203 defines a business combination to include:
• | any merger or consolidation involving the corporation and the interested stockholder; |
• | any sale, transfer, lease, pledge or other disposition involving the interested stockholder of 10% or more of the assets of the corporation; |
• | subject to exceptions, any transaction that results in the issuance or transfer by the corporation of any stock of the corporation to the interested stockholder; |
• | subject to exceptions, any transaction involving the corporation that has the effect of increasing the proportionate share of the stock of any class or series of the corporation beneficially owned by the interested stockholder; and |
• | the receipt by the interested stockholder of the benefit of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits provided by or through the corporation. |
In general, Section 203 defines an interested stockholder as any entity or person beneficially owning 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation and any entity or person affiliated with or controlling or controlled by the entity or person.
We may sell our securities from time to time in one or more transactions. We may sell our securities to or through agents, underwriters, dealers, remarketing firms or other third parties or directly to one or more purchasers or through a combination of any of these methods. In some cases, we or dealers acting with us or on behalf of us may also purchase our securities and reoffer them to the public. We may also offer and sell, or agree to deliver, our securities pursuant to, or in connection with, any option agreement or other contractual arrangement.
Agents whom we designate may solicit offers to purchase our securities.
• | We will name any agent involved in offering or selling our securities, and disclose any commissions that we will pay to the agent, in the applicable prospectus supplement. |
• | Unless we indicate otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, agents will act on a best efforts basis for the period of their appointment. |
• | Agents may be deemed to be underwriters under the Securities Act, of any of our securities that they offer or sell. |
We may use an underwriter or underwriters in the offer or sale of our securities.
• | If we use an underwriter or underwriters, we will execute an underwriting agreement with the underwriter or underwriters at the time that we reach an agreement for the sale of our securities. |
• | We will include the names of the specific managing underwriter or underwriters, as well as the names of any other underwriters, and the terms of the transactions, including the compensation the underwriters and dealers will receive, in the applicable prospectus supplement. |
• | The underwriters will use the applicable prospectus supplement, together with the prospectus, to sell our securities. |
We may use a dealer to sell our securities.
• | If we use a dealer, we will sell our securities to the dealer, as principal. |
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• | The dealer will then sell our securities to the public at varying prices that the dealer will determine at the time it sells our securities. |
• | We will include the name of the dealer and the terms of the transactions with the dealer in the applicable prospectus supplement. |
We may solicit directly offers to purchase our securities, and we may directly sell our securities to institutional or other investors. We will describe the terms of direct sales in the applicable prospectus supplement.
We may engage in at-the-market offerings into an existing trading market in accordance with Rule 415(a)(4) of the Securities Act.
We may indemnify agents, underwriters and dealers against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. Agents, underwriters and dealers, or their affiliates, may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us or our respective affiliates, in the ordinary course of business.
We may authorize agents and underwriters to solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase our securities at the public offering price under delayed delivery contracts.
• | If we use delayed delivery contracts, we will disclose that we are using them in the prospectus supplement and will tell you when we will demand payment and when delivery of our securities will be made under the delayed delivery contracts. |
• | These delayed delivery contracts will be subject only to the conditions that we describe in the prospectus supplement. |
• | We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the commission that underwriters and agents soliciting purchases of our securities under delayed delivery contracts will be entitled to receive. |
Unless otherwise specified in connection with a particular underwritten offering of our securities, the underwriters will not be obligated to purchase offered securities unless specified conditions are satisfied, and if the underwriters do purchase any offered securities, they will purchase all offered securities.
In connection with underwritten offerings of the offered securities and in accordance with applicable law and industry practice, the underwriters in certain circumstances are permitted to engage in certain transactions that stabilize the price of our securities. Such transactions consist of bids or purchases for the purpose of pegging, fixing or maintaining the price of our securities. If the underwriters create a short position in our securities in connection with the offering (i.e., if they sell more securities than are set forth on the cover page of the applicable prospectus supplement), the underwriters may reduce that short position by purchasing our securities in the open market or as otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. The underwriters may also impose a penalty bid, whereby selling concessions allowed to dealers participating in the offering may be reclaimed if the securities sold by them are repurchased in connection with stabilization transactions. In general, purchases of a security for the purpose of stabilization or to reduce a short position could cause the price of the security to be higher than it might be in the absence of such purchases. The imposition of a penalty bid might also have an effect on the price of our securities to the extent that it were to discourage resales of our securities. The underwriters are not required to engage in these activities and may end any of these activities at any time.
We may effect sales of securities in connection with forward sale, option or other types of agreements with third parties. Any distribution of securities pursuant to any forward sale agreement may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions that may take place through a stock exchange, including block trades or ordinary brokers transactions, or through broker-dealers acting either as principal or agent, or through privately-negotiated transactions, or through an underwritten public offering, or through a combination of any such methods of sale, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, prices relating to such prevailing market prices or at negotiated or fixed prices.
The specific terms of the lock-up provisions, if any, in respect of any given offering will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
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The validity of the securities being offered by this prospectus will be passed upon by Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, LLP, San Francisco, California. Additional legal matters may be passed upon for us or any underwriters, dealers or agents, by counsel that we will name in the applicable prospectus supplement.
The consolidated financial statements of Inotek Pharmaceuticals Corporation as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 and for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2017 incorporated in this prospectus by reference from the Rocket Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (formerly known as Inotek Pharmaceuticals Corporation) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 have been audited by RSM US LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report thereon, incorporated herein by reference, and have been incorporated in this prospectus and registration statement in reliance upon such report and upon the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
The balance sheets of Rocket Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders equity, and cash flows for each of the years then ended have been audited by EisnerAmper LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which is incorporated herein by reference from Rocket Pharmaceuticals, Inc.s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 7, 2018. Such financial statements have been incorporated herein by reference in reliance on the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we have filed with the SEC. Certain information in the registration statement has been omitted from this prospectus in accordance with the rules of the SEC. We are subject to the information requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, and, in accordance therewith, file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document we file at the SECs Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C., 20549. You may call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the Public Reference Room. These documents also may be accessed through the SECs Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval system, or EDGAR, via electronic means, including the SECs home page on the Internet (www.sec.gov).
We have the authority to designate and issue more than one class or series of stock having various preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption. We will furnish a full statement of the relative rights and preferences of each class or series of our stock which has been so designated and any restrictions on the ownership or transfer of our stock to any stockholder upon request and without charge. Written requests for such copies should be directed to the Secretary at Rocket Pharmaceuticals, Inc., The Empire State Building, 350 Fifth Ave, Suite 7530, New York, NY 10118, telephone number (646) 440-9100. You may also find these documents in the Investor Relations section of our website, www.rocketpharma.com/investors-media/. Information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus, and you should not consider any information on, or that can be accessed from, our website as part of this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement.
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INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference the information and reports we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to these documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus, and information that we file after the date hereof with the SEC will automatically update and supersede the information already incorporated by reference. We are incorporating by reference the documents listed below, which we have already filed with the SEC, and any future filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, except as to any portion of any future report or document that is not deemed filed under such provisions, after the date of this prospectus and prior to the termination of this offering:
• | Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, as filed with the SEC on March 7, 2018; |
• | Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, filed on May 11, 2018. |
• | Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 5, 2018, January 25, 2018, March 7, 2018, March 21, 2018, April 4, 2018, May 18, 2018 and June 25, 2018 (in each case, except for information contained therein which is furnished rather than filed); and |
• | The description of our common stock contained in our registration statement on Form 8-A, which was filed with the SEC on February 2, 2015, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description. |
Upon request, we will provide, without charge, to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a copy of this prospectus is delivered a copy of the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus. You may request a copy of these filings, and any exhibits we have specifically incorporated by reference as an exhibit in this prospectus, at no cost by writing or telephoning us at the following:
Rocket Pharmaceuticals, Inc., The Empire State Building, 350 Fifth Ave, Suite 7530, New York, NY 10118, telephone number (646) 440-9100.
You may also access these documents, free of charge on the SECs website at www.sec.gov or on our website at www.rocketpharma.com/investors-media/. Information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus, and you should not consider any information on, or that can be accessed from, our website as part of this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement.
This prospectus is part of a registration statement we filed with the SEC. We have incorporated exhibits into this registration statement. You should read the exhibits carefully for provisions that may be important to you.
We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information other than what is incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement. We are not making an offer of these securities in any state where such offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or in the documents incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of this prospectus or those documents.
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$50,000,000
Rocket Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Common Stock
P R O S P E C T U S S U P P L E M E N T
Joint Book-Running Managers
BofA Merrill Lynch
|
Cowen
|
Evercore ISI
|
Lead Manager
Oppenheimer & Co.
Co-Manager
Ladenburg Thalmann
, 2018