Table of Contents
Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)
Registration No. 333-240052
Prospectus
$200,000,000
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Warrants to Purchase Common Stock
Debt Securities
Units
We may offer and sell from time to time common stock, preferred stock, warrants to purchase common stock, and debt securities (including debt securities that may be convertible or exchangeable for common stock or other securities). The common stock, preferred stock, warrants to purchase common stock and debt securities may be offered separately or together, in units or multiple series, in amounts, at prices and on terms that will be set forth in one or more prospectus supplements to this prospectus.
The prospectus provides a general description of the securities that we may offer. Each time securities are offered and sold pursuant to this prospectus, a supplement to this prospectus that contains specific information about the offering will be provided. 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 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 the documents incorporated by reference, before you invest in shares of our common stock. This prospectus may not be used to sell securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.
Our common stock is listed on The NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol CPRX. On July 22, 2020, the last reported sale price on The NASDAQ Capital Market was $4.91 per share. There is no market for any preferred stock, warrants to purchase common stock, or debt securities we may sell pursuant to this prospectus.
Our business and investing in our securities involve significant risks. You should carefully read and consider the “Risk Factors” described on page 5 of this prospectus before investing.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is July 31, 2020
Table of Contents
| 1 | ||||
| 5 | ||||
| 5 | ||||
| 8 | ||||
| 8 | ||||
| 8 | ||||
| 10 | ||||
| 16 | ||||
| 18 | ||||
| 20 | ||||
| 21 | ||||
| 21 | ||||
| 21 | ||||
| 21 | ||||
| Disclosure of Commission Position On Indemnification for Securities Act Liabilities |
22 |
i
Table of Contents
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission), using the “shelf” registration process. By using a shelf registration statement, we may, from time to time, sell our securities in one or more offerings up to a total dollar amount of $200,000,000.
This prospectus only provides you with a general description of the securities we may sell in these transactions. Each time we sell any securities under this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you that may contain material information related to these offerings. This prospectus does not contain all of the information included in the Registration Statement we filed with the Commission. For further information about us or the securities offered hereby, you should carefully read this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement, any related free writing prospectus, the information and documents incorporated herein by reference and the additional information under the heading “Where You Can Find Additional Information” before making an investment decision.
You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any related prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We will not make an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information contained in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement is accurate as of the date on its respective front cover, and that any information incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date given in the document incorporated by reference, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any sale of our securities. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.
This prospectus may not be used to consummate sales of any of these securities unless it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement. To the extent there are any inconsistencies between any prospectus supplement, this prospectus and/or any documents incorporated by reference, the document with the most recent date will control.
ii
Table of Contents
This summary highlights selected information contained elsewhere in this prospectus or incorporated by reference in this prospectus; it does not contain all of the information you should consider before investing. You should carefully read this entire prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, including the risks of investing in our securities discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in our prospectus, in any applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, and under similar headings in the other documents that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus, including our financial statements and the exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.
Throughout this prospectus, the terms “we”, “us”, “our” and “company” refer to Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Our Business
Catalyst Pharmaceuticals is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing innovative therapies for people with rare debilitating, chronic neuromuscular and neurological diseases, including Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS), anti-MuSK antibody positive myasthenia gravis (MuSK-MG) and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) Type 3. Catalyst’s new drug application for Firdapse® (amifampridine) 10 mg tablets for the treatment of adults with LEMS was approved in November 2018 by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (“FDA”), and Firdapse® is now commercially available in the United States. Prior to its approval, Firdapse® for LEMS had received breakthrough therapy designation and orphan drug designation from the FDA.
Firdapse® is currently being evaluated in clinical trials for the treatment of MuSK-MG and SMA Type 3 and has received Orphan Drug Designation from the FDA for myasthenia gravis.
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business
The recent outbreak of a novel strain of coronavirus (COVID-19) has resulted in extended shutdowns of many businesses, the curtailment of travel and large gatherings, and economic and labor instability in the United States and around the world. While we are doing our best to monitor and react to the impact of the COVID-19 health crisis on our business, there can be no assurance as to the ultimate manner in which these recent events will impact our business and our results of operations.
Corporate Information
We are a Delaware corporation, and were incorporated on July 24, 2006. We are the successor by merger to Catalyst Pharmaceutical Partners, Inc., a Florida corporation, which was incorporated in January 2002. Our common stock is currently listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “CPRX.”
Our principal executive offices are located at 355 Alhambra Circle, Suite 1250, Coral Gables, Florida 33134, and our telephone number at that address is (305) 420-3200. Our website address is www.catalystpharma.com. The information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus, and you should not consider any information contained on, or that can be accessed through, our website as part of this prospectus or in deciding whether to purchase our securities.
This prospectus includes trademarks, service marks or trade names owned by us or other companies. All trademarks, service marks or trade names included in this prospectus are the property of their respective owners.
1
Table of Contents
The Securities We May Offer
We may offer shares of our common stock and preferred stock, various series of debt securities and/or warrants to purchase any of such securities, either individually or in combination, from time to time under this prospectus, together with the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, at prices and on terms to be determined by market conditions at the time of any offering. There is no limit on the aggregate amount of the securities that we may offer pursuant to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. We may also offer common stock, preferred stock and/or debt securities upon the exercise of warrants. This prospectus 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 describe the specific amounts, prices and other important terms of the securities, including, to the extent applicable:
| • | designation or classification; |
| • | aggregate principal amount or aggregate offering price; |
| • | maturity date, if applicable; |
| • | original issue discount, if any; |
| • | rates and times of payment of interest or dividends, if any; |
| • | redemption, conversion, exercise, exchange or sinking fund terms, if any; |
| • | conversion or exchange prices or rates, if any, and, if applicable, any provisions for changes to or adjustments in the conversion or exchange prices or rates and in the securities or other property receivable upon conversion or exchange; |
| • | ranking; |
| • | restrictive covenants, if any; |
| • | voting or other rights, if any; and |
| • | material or special U.S. federal income tax considerations, if any. |
The applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you may also add, update or change any of the information contained in this prospectus or in the documents we have incorporated by reference. However, no prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus will offer a security that is not registered and described in this prospectus at the time of the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
2
Table of Contents
THIS PROSPECTUS MAY NOT BE USED TO CONSUMMATE A SALE OF SECURITIES UNLESS IT IS ACCOMPANIED BY A PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT.
We may sell the securities directly to investors or to or through agents, underwriters or dealers. We and our agents or underwriters, reserve the right to accept or reject all or part of any proposed purchase of securities. If we do offer securities to or through agents or underwriters, we will include in the applicable prospectus supplement:
| • | the names of those agents or underwriters; |
| • | applicable fees, discounts and commissions to be paid to them; |
| • | details regarding any options under which underwriters may purchase additional securities from us, if any; and |
| • | the net proceeds to us. |
Common Stock. We may issue shares of our common stock from time to time. The holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders. Subject to preferences that may be applicable to any outstanding shares of preferred stock, the holders of common stock are entitled to receive ratably such dividends as may be declared by our board of directors out of legally available funds. Upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, holders of our common stock are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining after payment of liabilities and the liquidation preferences of any outstanding shares of preferred stock. Holders of common stock have no preemptive rights and no right to convert their common stock into any other securities. There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to our common stock. In this prospectus, we have summarized certain general features of the common stock under “General Description of Our Capital Stock — Common Stock.” We urge you, however, to read the applicable prospectus supplement (and any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you) related to any common stock being offered.
Preferred Stock. We may issue shares of our preferred stock from time to time, in one or more series. Our board of directors will determine the designations, voting powers, preferences and rights of the preferred stock, as well as the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, including dividend rights, conversion rights, preemptive rights, terms of redemption or repurchase, liquidation preferences, sinking fund terms and the number of shares constituting any series or the designation of any series. Convertible preferred stock will be convertible into our common stock or exchangeable for other securities. Conversion may be mandatory or at your option and would be at prescribed conversion rates.
If we sell any series of preferred stock under this prospectus, we will fix the designations, voting powers, preferences and rights of the preferred stock of each series we issue under this prospectus, as well as the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, in the certificate of designation relating to that series. We will file as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by reference from reports that we file with the Commission, the form of any certificate of designation that contains the terms of the series of preferred stock we are offering. In this prospectus, we have summarized certain general features of the preferred stock under “General Description of Our Capital Stock — Preferred Stock.” We urge you, however, to read the applicable prospectus supplement (and any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you) related to the series of preferred stock being offered, as well as the complete certificate of designation that contains the terms of the applicable series of preferred stock.
Debt Securities. We may issue debt securities from time to time, in one or more series, as either senior or subordinated debt or as senior or subordinated convertible debt. The senior debt securities will rank equally with any other unsecured and unsubordinated debt. The subordinated debt securities will be subordinate and junior in right of payment, to the extent and in the manner described in the instrument governing the debt, to all of our senior indebtedness. Convertible debt securities will be convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock or other securities. Conversion may be mandatory or at your option and would be at prescribed conversion rates.
3
Table of Contents
Any debt securities issued under this prospectus will be issued under one or more documents called indentures, which are contracts between us and a national banking association or other eligible party, as trustee. In this prospectus, we have summarized certain general features of the debt securities under “Description of Debt Securities.” We urge you, however, to read the applicable prospectus supplement (and any free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you) related to the series of debt securities being offered, as well as the complete indentures that contain the terms of the debt securities.
We have filed the form of indenture as an exhibit 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 Commission.
Warrants. We may issue warrants for the purchase of common stock, preferred stock and/or debt securities in one or more series. We may issue warrants independently or in combination with common stock, preferred stock and/or debt securities. In this prospectus, we have summarized certain general features of the warrants under “Description of Warrants.” We urge you, however, to read the applicable prospectus supplement (and any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you) related to the particular series of warrants being offered, as well as any warrant agreements and warrant certificates that contain the terms of any warrants we issue. We will file as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by reference from reports that we file with the Commission, the form of warrant and/or the warrant agreement and warrant certificate, as applicable, that contain the terms of the particular series of warrants we are offering, and any supplemental agreements, before the issuance of such warrants.
Any warrants issued under this prospectus may be evidenced by warrant certificates. Warrants also may be issued under an applicable warrant agreement that we enter into with a warrant agent. We will indicate the name and address of the warrant agent, if applicable, in the prospectus supplement relating to the particular series of warrants being offered.
Use of Proceeds
Except as described in any applicable prospectus supplement or in any free writing prospectuses we have authorized for use in connection with a specific offering, we currently intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities offered by us hereunder, if any, for future acquisitions of one or more additional products, for working capital, for capital expenditures and for other general corporate purposes. We are not currently a party to any agreements for any proposed product acquisition transaction. See “Use of Proceeds” in this prospectus.
Nasdaq Capital Market Listing
Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “CPRX.” The applicable prospectus supplement will contain information, where applicable, as to other listings, if any, on the Nasdaq Capital Market or other securities exchange of the securities covered by the applicable prospectus supplement.
4
Table of Contents
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Before deciding whether to invest in our securities, you should consider carefully the risks and uncertainties described under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, and discussed under the section titled “Risk Factors” contained in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and in our most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as well as any amendments thereto reflected in subsequent filings with the Commission, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus in their entirety, together with other information in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement, the documents incorporated by reference and any free writing prospectus that we may authorize for use in connection with this offering.
The risks described in these documents are not the only ones we face, but those that we consider to be material. There may be other unknown or unpredictable economic, business, competitive, regulatory or other factors that could have material adverse effects on our future results. Past financial performance may not be a reliable indicator of future performance, and historical trends should not be used to anticipate results or trends in future periods. If any of these risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flow 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. Please also read carefully the section below titled “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Registration Statement on Form S-3, and the documents that we have filed with the Commission that are incorporated by reference, contains “forward-looking statements”, as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These include statements regarding our expectations, beliefs, plans or objectives for future operations and anticipated results of operations. For this purpose, any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Without limiting the foregoing, “believes”, “anticipates”, “proposes”, “plans”, “expects”, “intends”, “may”, and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. The forward-looking statements made in this prospectus are based on current expectations that involve numerous risks and uncertainties.
The continued successful commercialization of Firdapse® and the development of additional indications for Firdapse® is highly uncertain. Factors that will affect our success include the uncertainty of:
| • | The impact of the recent outbreak of a novel strain of coronavirus on our business or on the economy generally; |
| • | Whether we will be able to continue to successfully market Firdapse® while maintaining full compliance with applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations; |
| • | Whether our estimates of the size of the market for Firdapse® for the treatment of Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome (“LEMS”) will turn out to be accurate; |
| • | Whether we will be able to locate LEMS patients who are undiagnosed or are misdiagnosed with other diseases; |
5
Table of Contents
| • | Whether patients will discontinue from the use of our drug at rates that are higher than historically experienced or are higher than we project; |
| • | If the average daily dose taken by patients changes over time, it could affect our results of operations; |
| • | Whether Firdapse® patients can be successfully titrated to stable therapy; |
| • | Whether we can continue to market Firdapse® on a profitable and cash flow positive basis; |
| • | Whether any guidance that we provide to the public market will turn out to be accurate; |
| • | Whether payors will continue to reimburse for our product at the price that we charge for the product; |
| • | The ability of our third-party suppliers and contract manufacturers to maintain compliance with current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP); |
| • | The ability of our distributor and the specialty pharmacies that distribute our product to maintain compliance with applicable law; |
| • | Our ability to maintain compliance with applicable rules relating to our patient assistance programs and our contributions to 501(c)(3) organizations that support LEMS patients; |
| • | The scope of our intellectual property and the outcome of any future challenges or opposition to our intellectual property, and, conversely, whether any third-party intellectual property presents unanticipated obstacles for Firdapse®; |
| • | The effect on our business and future results of operations arising from the approval by the FDA of Ruzurgi® for the treatment of pediatric LEMS patients (ages 6 to under 17); |
| • | Whether our suit against the United States FDA seeking to vacate the FDA’s approval of Ruzurgi® will be successful; |
| • | Whether we can continue to compete successfully if the approval of Ruzurgi® is not overturned and Ruzurgi® continues to be prescribed for off-label use in adult LEMS patients; |
| • | Whether, because of the lower price of Ruzurgi®, payers will require that patients try off-label Ruzurgi® first before they approve Firdapse® as a treatment for adult LEMS patients; |
| • | The impact on Firdapse® of adverse changes in potential reimbursement and coverage policies from government and private payors such as Medicare, Medicaid, insurance companies, health maintenance organizations and other plan administrators, or the impact of pricing pressures enacted by industry organization, the federal government or the government of any state, including as a result of increased scrutiny over pharmaceutical pricing or otherwise; |
| • | The impact on our business and results of operations of public statements by politicians and a vocal group of LEMS patients and doctors who object to our pricing of Firdapse®; |
| • | Changes in the healthcare industry and the effect of political pressure from President Trump, Congress and/or medical professionals seeking to reduce prescription drug costs; |
6
Table of Contents
| • | The state of the economy generally and its impact on our business; |
| • | Changes to the healthcare industry occasioned by any future repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act, in laws relating to the pricing of drug products, or changes in the healthcare industry generally; |
| • | The scope, rate of progress and expense of our clinical trials and studies, pre-clinical studies, proof-of-concept studies, and our other drug development activities, and whether our trials and studies will be successful; |
| • | Our ability to complete our trials and studies on a timely basis and within the budgets we establish for such trials and studies; |
| • | Whether the recent coronavirus outbreak will further affect the timing of our currently ongoing clinical trials; |
| • | Whether the trials that we are currently undertaking to evaluate Firdapse® for the treatment of Anti-MuSK antibody positive myasthenia gravis (MuSK-MG), and Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Type 3, or any other trials that we may undertake in the future, will be successful; |
| • | Whether if our MuSK-MG Phase 3 clinical trial is successful, the FDA will permit us to submit a supplemental new drug application (sNDA) for MuSK-MG without a second Phase 3 trial, and whether any such application will be accepted for filing (and even if accepted, whether such application will be approved); |
| • | Whether Firdapse® will ever be approved for the treatment of MuSK-MG, SMA Type 3, or any other neuromuscular disease; |
| • | Whether our NDS filing in Canada to commercialize Firdapse® in that jurisdiction will be approved and, even if approved for sale in Canada, whether we can successfully commercialize the product in Canada on a profitable basis; |
| • | The impact on sales of Firdapse® in the United States if an amifampridine product is purchased in Canada for use in the United States; |
| • | Whether we will be able to obtain approval to commercialize Firdapse® in Japan and what clinical trials will be required in Japan in order to obtain such marketing approval; |
| • | Whether we can successful develop, obtain approval of and successfully market a sustained release version of Firdapse®; |
| • | Whether our efforts to grow our business beyond Firdapse® through acquisitions of companies or in-licensing of product opportunities in the neuromuscular or neurology therapeutic areas will be successful; |
| • | Whether we will have sufficient capital to finance any such acquisitions; |
| • | Whether our version of generic vigabatrin tablets will ever be approved by the FDA; |
7
Table of Contents
| • | Even if our version of vigabatrin tablets is approved for commercialization, whether Endo Ventures/Par Pharmaceutical (our collaborator in this venture) will be successful in marketing the product; and |
| • | Whether we will earn milestone payments on the first commercial sale of vigabatrin tablets and royalties on sales of generic vigabatrin tablets. |
Our current plans and objectives are based on assumptions relating to the commercialization of Firdapse® and the development of additional indications for Firdapse®. Although we believe that our assumptions are reasonable, any of our assumptions could prove inaccurate. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking statements we have made herein, which reflect our views only as of the date of this report, you should not place undue reliance upon such statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Except as may otherwise be provided in a prospectus supplement, we will use the net proceeds from sales of securities to fund future product acquisitions, to fund non-clinical studies and clinical studies with respect to any of our product candidates, for manufacturing and marketing purposes for any product candidate which we may commercialize, and for general working capital purposes. When particular securities are offered, the prospectus supplement relating to that offering will set forth our intended use of the net proceeds received from the sale of those securities.
Pending the application of the net proceeds for these purposes, we expect to invest the proceeds in short-term, interest-bearing instruments or other investment-grade securities.
Information on the potential dilutive effects of any offering of common stock we may make under this prospectus will be set forth in the relevant prospectus supplement for such offering.
We may sell the securities from time to time pursuant to underwritten public offerings, direct sales to the public, negotiated transactions, block trades or a combination of these methods. We may sell the securities to or through underwriters or dealers, through agents, or directly to one or more purchasers. We may distribute securities from time to time in one or more transactions:
| • | at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed; |
| • | at market prices prevailing at the time of sale; |
| • | at prices related to such prevailing market prices; or |
| • | at negotiated prices. |
A prospectus supplement or supplements (and any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you) will describe the terms of the offering of the securities, including, to the extent applicable:
| • | the name or names of the underwriters, if any; |
8
Table of Contents
| • | the purchase price of the securities or other consideration therefor, and the proceeds, if any, we will receive from the sale; |
| • | any options under which underwriters may purchase additional securities from us; |
| • | any agency fees or underwriting discounts and other items constituting agents’ or underwriters’ compensation; |
| • | any public offering price; |
| • | any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and |
| • | any securities exchange or market on which the securities may be listed. |
Only underwriters named in the prospectus supplement will be underwriters of the securities offered by the prospectus supplement.
If underwriters are used in the sale, they will acquire the securities for their own account and may resell the securities from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. The obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to the conditions set forth in the applicable underwriting agreement. We may offer the securities to the public through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters or by underwriters without a syndicate. Subject to certain conditions, the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the securities offered by the prospectus supplement, other than securities covered by any option to purchase additional securities from us. Any public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may change from time to time. We may use underwriters with whom we have a material relationship. We will describe in the prospectus supplement, naming the underwriter, the nature of any such relationship.
We may sell securities directly or through agents we designate from time to time. We will name any agent involved in the offering and sale of securities and we will describe any commissions we will pay the agent in the prospectus supplement. Unless the prospectus supplement states otherwise, our agent will act on a best-efforts basis for the period of its appointment.
We may authorize agents or underwriters to solicit offers by certain types of institutional investors to purchase securities from us at the public offering price set forth in the prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. We will describe the conditions to these contracts and the commissions we must pay for solicitation of these contracts in the prospectus supplement.
We may provide agents and underwriters with indemnification against civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933 (“Securities Act”), or contribution with respect to payments that the agents or underwriters may make with respect to these liabilities. Agents and underwriters may engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us in the ordinary course of business.
All securities we may offer, other than common stock, will be new issues of securities with no established trading market. Any underwriters may make a market in these securities, but will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. We cannot guarantee the liquidity of the trading markets for any securities.
9
Table of Contents
Any underwriter may engage in over-allotment, stabilizing transactions, short-covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”). Over-allotment involves sales in excess of the offering size, which create a short position. Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum price. Syndicate-covering or other short-covering transactions involve purchases of the securities, either through exercise of the over-allotment option or in the open market after the distribution is completed, to cover short positions. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a dealer when the securities originally sold by the dealer are purchased in a stabilizing or covering transaction to cover short positions. Those activities may cause the price of the securities to be higher than it would otherwise be. If commenced, the underwriters may discontinue any of the activities at any time.
Any underwriters or agents that are qualified market makers on the Nasdaq Capital Market may engage in passive market making transactions in the common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act, during the business day prior to the pricing of the offering, before the commencement of offers or sales of the common stock. Passive market makers must comply with applicable volume and price limitations and must be identified as passive market makers. In general, a passive market maker must display its bid at a price not in excess of the highest independent bid for such security; if all independent bids are lowered below the passive market maker’s bid, however, the passive market maker’s bid must then be lowered when certain purchase limits are exceeded. Passive market making may stabilize the market price of the securities at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.
In compliance with guidelines of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or FINRA, the maximum consideration or discount to be received by any FINRA member or independent broker dealer may not exceed 8% of the aggregate amount of the securities offered pursuant to this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF OUR CAPITAL STOCK
Our authorized capital currently consists of 150,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share. As of the date of this prospectus, we had 103,427,032 shares of our common stock outstanding. There are no shares of preferred stock outstanding. As of the date of this prospectus, 1,500,000 shares of our preferred stock are reserved pursuant to our Stockholder Rights Plan. See “Provisions of the Certificate and Bylaws – Issuance of Rights”.
Common Stock
The following summary of the material features of our common stock does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by the provisions of our Certificate of Incorporation, our Bylaws and other applicable law. See “Where You Can Find Additional Information.”
Each holder of common stock is entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters presented to our stockholders, including the election of directors. In the event of our liquidation, dissolution, or winding-up, the holders of common stock are entitled to share ratably and equally in our assets, if any, that remain after paying all debts and liabilities and the liquidation preferences of any outstanding preferred stock. The common stock has no preemptive or cumulative rights and no redemption or conversion provisions.
10
Table of Contents
Holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends if, as, and when declared by our board of directors out of funds legally available therefor, subject to the dividend and liquidation rights of any preferred stock that may be issued and outstanding, all subject to any dividend restrictions in our credit facilities. No dividend or other distribution (including redemptions and repurchases of shares of capital stock) may be made, if after giving effect to such distribution, we would not be able to pay our debts as they come due in the usual course of business, or if our total assets would be less than the sum of our total liabilities plus the amount that would be needed at the time of a liquidation to satisfy the preferential rights of any holders of preferred stock.
Preferred Stock
Our Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, authorizes our board of directors to establish one or more series of preferred stock. Unless required by law or by any stock exchange on which our common stock is listed, the authorized shares of preferred stock will be available for issuance at the discretion of our board of directors without further action by our stockholders. Our board of directors is able to determine, with respect to any series of preferred stock, the terms and rights of that series, including:
| • | the designation of the series; |
| • | the number of shares of the series; |
| • | whether dividends, if any, will be cumulative or non-cumulative and the dividend rate, if any, of the series; |
| • | the dates at which dividends, if any, will be payable; |
| • | the redemption rights and price or prices, if any, for shares of the series; |
| • | the terms and amounts of any sinking fund provided for the purchase or redemption of shares of the series; |
| • | the amounts payable on shares of the series in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the affairs of our company; |
| • | whether the shares of the series will be convertible into shares of any other class or series, or any other security, of our company or any other entity, and, if so, the specification of the other class or series or other security, the conversion price or prices or rate or rates and provisions for any adjustments to such prices or rates, the date or dates as of which the shares will be convertible, and all other terms and conditions upon which the conversion may be made; |
| • | the ranking of such series with respect to dividends and amounts payable on our liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, which may include provisions that such series will rank senior to our common stock with respect to dividends and those distributions; |
| • | restrictions on the issuance of shares of the same series or any other class or series; or |
| • | voting rights, if any, of the holders of the series. |
The issuance of preferred stock could adversely affect, among other things, the voting power of holders of common stock and the likelihood that stockholders will receive dividend payments and payments upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up. The issuance of preferred stock could also have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of us.
11
Table of Contents
A prospectus supplement relating to any series of preferred stock being offered will include specific terms related to the offering. They will include, where applicable:
| • | the title and stated value of the series of preferred stock and the number of shares constituting that series; |
| • | the number of shares of the series of preferred stock offered, the liquidation preference per share and the offering price of the shares of preferred stock; |
| • | the dividend rate(s), period(s) and/or payment date(s) or the method(s) of calculation for those values relating to the shares of preferred stock of the series; |
| • | the date from which dividends on shares of preferred stock of the series shall cumulate, if applicable; |
| • | our right, if any, to defer payment of dividends and the maximum length of any such deferral period; |
| • | the procedures for any auction and remarketing, if any, for shares of preferred stock of the series; |
| • | the provision for redemption or repurchase, if applicable, of shares of preferred stock of the series; |
| • | any listing of the series of shares of preferred stock on any securities exchange; |
| • | the terms and conditions, if applicable, upon which shares of preferred stock of the series will be convertible into shares of preferred stock of another series or common stock, including the conversion price, or manner of calculating the conversion price; |
| • | whether the preferred stock will be exchangeable into debt securities, and, if applicable, the exchange period, the exchange price, or how it will be calculated, and under what circumstances it may be adjusted; |
| • | voting rights, if any, of the preferred stock; |
| • | restrictions on transfer, sale or other assignment, if any; |
| • | whether interests in shares of preferred stock of the series will be represented by global securities; |
| • | any other specific terms, preferences, rights, limitations or restrictions of the series of shares of preferred stock; |
| • | a discussion of any material United States federal income tax consequences of owning or disposing of the shares of preferred stock of the series; |
| • | the relative ranking and preferences of shares of preferred stock of the series as to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs; and |
| • | any limitations on issuance of any series of shares of preferred stock ranking senior to or on a parity with the series of shares of preferred stock as to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs. |
If we issue shares of preferred stock under this prospectus, the shares will be fully paid and nonassessable and will not have, or be subject to, any preemptive or similar rights.
12
Table of Contents
Provisions of the Certificate and Bylaws
A number of provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws concern matters of corporate governance and the rights of stockholders. Certain of these provisions, as well as the ability of our board of directors to issue shares of preferred stock and to set the voting rights, preferences and other terms thereof, may be deemed to have an anti-takeover effect and may discourage takeover attempts not first approved by the board of directors (including takeovers which certain stockholders may deem to be in their best interests). To the extent takeover attempts are discouraged, temporary fluctuations in the market price of the common stock, which may result from actual or rumored takeover attempts, may be inhibited. These provisions, together with the ability of the board to issue preferred stock without further stockholder action, also could delay or frustrate the removal of incumbent directors or the assumption of control by stockholders, even if such removal or assumption would be beneficial to our stockholders. These provisions also could discourage or make more difficult a merger, tender offer or proxy contests, even if they could be favorable to the interests of stockholders, and could potentially depress the market price of the common stock. The board of directors believes that these provisions are appropriate to protect our interest and the interests of our stockholders.
Issuance of Rights. On September 20, 2011, the Board of Directors approved the adoption of a stockholder rights plan, which was amended on September 19, 2016 and August 28, 2019. Further, at the 2017 Annual meeting of Stockholders, the Company’s stockholders approved the rights plan.
The rights plan was implemented through our entry into a rights agreement with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as rights agent, and the declaration of a non-taxable dividend distribution of one preferred stock purchase right (each, a Right) for each outstanding share of our common stock. The dividend was paid on October 7, 2011 to holders of record as of that date. Each right is attached to and trades with the associated share of common stock. The rights will become exercisable only if a person acquires beneficial ownership of 17.5% or more of our common stock (or, in the case of a person who beneficially owned 17.5% or more of our common stock on the date the rights plan was adopted, such person acquires beneficial ownership of any additional shares of our common stock) or after the date of the Rights Agreement, commences a tender offer that, if consummated, would result in beneficial ownership by a person of 17.5% or more of our common stock. The rights will expire on September 20, 2022, unless the rights are earlier redeemed or exchanged.
Meetings of Stockholders. The bylaws provide that a special meeting of stockholders may be called only by the board of directors unless otherwise required by law. The bylaws provide that only those matters set forth in the notice of the special meeting may be considered or acted upon at that special meeting, unless otherwise provided by law. In addition, the bylaws set forth certain advance notice and informational requirements and time limitations on any director nomination or any new business which a stockholder wishes to propose for consideration at an annual meeting of stockholders.
No Stockholder Action by Written Consent. The certificate provides that any action required or permitted to be taken by our stockholders at an annual or special meeting of stockholders must be effected at a duly called meeting and may not be taken or effected by a written consent of stockholders in lieu thereof.
Amendment of the Certificate. The certificate provides that an amendment thereof must first be approved by a majority of the board of directors and (with certain exceptions) thereafter approved by the holders of a majority of the total votes eligible to be cast by holders of voting stock with respect to such amendment or repeal; provided, however, that the affirmative vote of 80% of the total votes eligible to be cast by holders of voting stock, voting together as a single class, is required to amend provisions relating to the establishment of the board of directors and amendments to the certificate.
13
Table of Contents
Amendments of Bylaws. The certificate provides that the board of directors or the stockholders may amend or repeal the bylaws. Such action by the board of directors requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office. Such action by the stockholders requires the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the total votes eligible to be cast by holders of voting stock with respect to such amendment or repeal at an annual meeting of stockholders or a special meeting called for such purposes, unless the board of directors recommends that the stockholders approve such amendment or repeal at such meeting, in which case such amendment or repeal shall only require the affirmative vote of a majority of the total votes eligible to be cast by holders of voting stock with respect to such amendment or repeal.
Certain Anti-Takeover Matters
We are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or DGCL, regulating corporate takeovers. In general, these provisions prohibit a Delaware corporation from engaging in any business combination with any interested stockholders for a period of three years following the date that the stockholder became an interested stockholder, unless:
| • | either the business combination or the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder is approved by our board of directors before the date the interested stockholder attained that status; |
| • | upon consummation of the transaction that 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 voting stock outstanding (but not the outstanding voting stock owned by the interested stockholder) those shares owned (i) by persons who are directors and also officers and (ii) employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or |
| • | on or after that date, the business combination is approved by our board of directors and authorized at a meeting of stockholders, and not by written consent, by at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder. |
Section 203 defines “business combination” to include the following:
| • | any merger or consolidation involving the corporation and the interested stockholder; |
| • | any sale, transfer, pledge or other disposition of 10% or more of the assets of the corporation involving the interested stockholder; |
| • | subject to certain exceptions, any transaction that results in the issuance or transfer by the corporation of any stock of the corporation to the interested stockholder; |
| • | 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; or |
| • | 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. |
14
Table of Contents
In general, Section 203 of the DGCL 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 any of these entities or persons.
A Delaware corporation may opt out of this provision either with an express provision in its original certificate of incorporation or in an amendment to its certificate of incorporation or bylaws approved by its stockholders. However, we have not opted out of this provision. The statute could prohibit or delay mergers or other takeover or change in control attempts and, accordingly, may discourage attempts to acquire us.
Limitation of Liability and Indemnification Matters
Our certificate of incorporation limits the liability for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty by members of our Board of Directors, except for liability that cannot be eliminated under Delaware law. Under Delaware law, our directors have a fiduciary duty to us which is not eliminated by this provision in our certificate of incorporation. In addition, each of our directors is subject to liability under Delaware law for breach of their duty of loyalty for acts or omissions which are found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or knowing violations of law for actions leading to improper personal benefit to the director and for payments of dividends or approval of stock repurchases or redemptions that are prohibited by Delaware law. This provision does not affect our directors’ responsibilities under any other laws, such as federal securities laws.
Delaware law provides that the directors of a company will not be personally liable for monetary damages for breach of their fiduciary duty as directors, except for liability for any of the following:
| • | any breach of a director’s duty of loyalty to us or our stockholders; |
| • | acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; |
| • | unlawful payment of dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or redemptions; or |
| • | any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. |
Delaware law provides that the indemnification permitted thereunder shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which our directors and officers may be entitled to under our bylaws, any agreement, a vote of stockholders or otherwise. Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws eliminate the personal liability of directors to the maximum extent permitted by Delaware law. In addition, our certificate of incorporation and bylaws provide that we may fully indemnify any person who is or was a party to or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit of proceeding (whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative) by reason of the fact that such person is or was one of our directors, officers, employees or other agents, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding.
Listing
Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market and trades under the symbol “CPRX”.
15
Table of Contents
Transfer Agent and Registrar
Our transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company. They are located at One State Street Plaza, 30th Floor, New York, New York 10004. They can be reached via telephone at (212) 509-4000.
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
The following description, together with the additional information we may include in any applicable prospectus supplement and in any related free writing prospectuses, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus. While the terms summarized below will apply generally to any debt securities that we may offer, we will describe the particular terms of any debt securities in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms of any debt securities offered under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below.
When describing any debt securities, references to “issuer” refers to Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
We have filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, of which this prospectus is a part, the form of indenture pursuant to which the debt securities will be issued and will file as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by reference from reports that we file with the SEC, the form of debt security that describes the terms of the particular debt securities we are offering before the issuance of the related debt securities. We may issue debt securities from time to time in one or more distinct series. The debt securities may be senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities. Senior debt securities may be issued under a senior indenture and subordinated debt securities may be issued under a subordinated indenture. If we issue debt securities pursuant to an indenture, we will specify the trustee under such indenture in the applicable prospectus supplement. We will include in a supplement to this prospectus the specific terms of debt securities being offered, including the terms, if any, on which debt securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for common stock or other debt securities. The statements and descriptions in this prospectus or in any prospectus supplement regarding provisions of debt securities and any indentures are summaries of those provisions, do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the debt securities and the indentures (including any amendments or supplements we may enter into from time to time which are permitted under the debt securities or any indenture).
Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement, the debt securities will be our direct unsecured obligations. Any debt securities designated as senior will rank equally with any of our other senior and unsubordinated debt. Any debt securities designated as subordinated will be subordinate and junior in right of payment to any senior indebtedness. There may be subordinated debt securities that are senior or junior to other series of subordinated debt securities.
The payment obligations of the issuer under any series of debt securities may be guaranteed by one or more of our direct or indirect subsidiaries (if in the future we have any subsidiaries). If a series of debt securities is so guaranteed, the guarantors will execute the applicable indenture, a supplemental indenture or a notation of guarantee as further evidence of their guarantee. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any guarantee.
The obligations of each guarantor under its guarantee may be limited to the maximum amount that will not result in such guarantee obligations constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under federal or state law, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities of that subsidiary and any collections from or payments made by or on behalf of any other guarantor in respect to its obligations under its guarantee.
16
Table of Contents
The applicable prospectus supplement will set forth the terms of the debt securities or any series thereof, including, if applicable:
| • | the title of the debt securities and whether the debt securities will be senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities; |
| • | any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities; |
| • | the date or dates on which the principal amount of the debt securities will mature; |
| • | if the debt securities bear interest, the rate or rates at which the debt securities bear interest, or the method for determining the interest rate, and the date or dates from which interest will accrue; |
| • | if the debt securities bear interest, the dates on which interest will be payable, or the method for determining such dates, and the regular record dates for interest payments; |
| • | any optional redemption provisions, which would allow us to redeem the debt securities in whole or in part; |
| • | any sinking fund or other provisions that would obligate us to redeem, repay or purchase the debt securities; |
| • | the denominations in which any registered securities will be issuable, if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof; |
| • | if other than the entire principal amount, the portion of the principal amount of debt securities which will be payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity of the debt securities; |
| • | the events of default and covenants relevant to the debt securities, including, the inapplicability of any event of default or covenant set forth in the indenture relating to the debt securities, or the applicability of any other events of defaults or covenants in addition to the events of default or covenants set forth in the indenture relating to the debt securities; |
| • | the name and location of the corporate trust office of the applicable trustee under the indenture for such debt securities; |
| • | if the debt securities are to be payable, at our election or the election of a holder of the debt securities, in a currency other than that in which the debt securities are denominated or stated to be payable, the terms and conditions upon which that election may be made, and the time and manner of determining the exchange rate between the currency in which the debt securities are denominated or stated to be payable and the currency in which the debt securities are to be so payable; |
| • | if the debt securities are issuable as indexed securities, the manner in which the amount of payments of principal, any premium and interest will be determined; |
| • | if the debt securities do not bear interest, the dates on which we will furnish to the applicable trustee the names and addresses of the holders of the debt securities; |
| • | any provisions for the satisfaction and discharge or defeasance or covenant defeasance of the indenture under which the debt securities are issued; |
17
Table of Contents
| • | the date as of which any bearer securities and any global security will be dated if other than the date of original issuance of the first debt security of a particular series to be issued; |
| • | whether and under what circumstances we will pay additional amounts to non–United States holders in respect of any tax assessment or government charge; |
| • | whether the debt securities will be issued in whole or in part in the form of a global security or securities and, in that case, any depositary and global exchange agent for the global security or securities, whether the global form shall be permanent or temporary; |
| • | if debt securities are to be issuable initially in the form of a temporary global security, the circumstances under which the temporary global security can be exchanged for definitive debt securities and whether the definitive debt securities will be registered securities and provisions relating to the payment of interest in respect of any portion of a global security payable in respect of an interest payment date prior to the exchange date; |
| • | the extent and manner to which payment on or in respect of debt securities will be subordinated to the prior payment of our other liabilities and obligations; |
| • | whether payment of any amount due under the debt securities will be guaranteed by one or more guarantors; |
| • | whether the debt securities will be secured or unsecured; |
| • | whether the debt securities will be convertible and the terms of any conversion provisions; |
| • | the forms of the debt securities; |
| • | a discussion of any material United States federal income tax consequences of owning and disposing of the debt securities; and |
| • | any other terms of the debt securities, which terms shall not be inconsistent with the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. |
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that provides that we may issue debt securities from time to time in one or more series under one or more indentures, in each case with the same or various maturities, at par or at a discount. Unless indicated in a prospectus supplement, we may issue additional debt securities of a particular series without the consent of the holders of the debt securities of such series outstanding at the time of the issuance. Any such additional debt securities, together with all other outstanding debt securities of that series, will constitute a single series of debt securities under the applicable indenture.
We intend to disclose any restrictive covenants for any issuance or series of debt securities in the applicable prospectus supplement.
We may issue warrants for the purchase of common stock in one or more series. We may issue warrants independently or together with common stock, preferred stock, or debt securities, and the warrants may be attached to or separate from these securities. While the terms summarized below will apply generally to any warrants that we may offer, we will describe the particular terms of any series of warrants in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms of any warrants offered under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below.
18
Table of Contents
We will file as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by reference from reports that we file with the Commission, the form of warrant agreement that describes the terms of the particular series of warrants we are offering before the issuance of the related series of 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 and warrant certificate applicable to the particular series of warrants that we may offer under this prospectus. We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplements related to the particular series of warrants that we may offer under this prospectus, as well as any related free writing prospectuses, and the complete warrant agreements and warrant certificates that contain the terms of the warrants.
General
We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms of the series of warrants being issued, including:
| • | the offering price and aggregate number of warrants offered; |
| • | if applicable, the designation and terms of the securities with which the warrants are issued and the number of warrants issued with each security or each principal amount of such security; |
| • | if applicable, the date on and after which the warrants and the related securities will be separately transferable; |
| • | the number of shares of common stock exercisable upon the exercise of one warrant and the price at which these shares may be purchased upon such exercise; |
| • | the effect of any merger, consolidation, sale or other disposition of our business on the warrant agreements and the warrants; |
| • | the terms of any rights to redeem or call the warrants; |
| • | any provisions for changes to or adjustments in the exercise price or number of securities issuable upon exercise of the warrants; |
| • | the dates on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence and expire; |
| • | the manner in which the warrant agreements and warrants may be modified; |
| • | a discussion of any material or special United States income tax consequences of holding or exercising the warrants; |
| • | the terms of the securities issuable upon exercise of the warrants; and |
| • | any other specific terms, preferences, rights, limitations or restrictions on the warrants. |
Before exercising their warrants, holders of warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities upon such exercise, including the right to receive dividends, if any, or payments upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up or to exercise voting rights, if any.
19
Table of Contents
Exercise of Warrants
Each warrant will entitle the holder to purchase the securities that we specify in the applicable prospectus supplement at the exercise price that we describe in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the warrants may exercise the warrants at any time up to the specified time on the expiration date that we set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will become void.
Holders of the warrants may exercise the warrants by delivering the warrant certificate representing the warrants to be exercised together with specified information, and paying the required amount to the warrant agent in immediately available funds, as provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. We will set forth on the reverse side of the warrant certificate and in the applicable prospectus supplement the information that the holder of the warrant will be required to deliver to the warrant agent.
Upon receipt of the required payment and the warrant certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will issue and deliver the securities purchasable upon such exercise. If fewer than all of the warrants represented by the warrant certificate are exercised, then we will issue a new warrant certificate for the remaining amount of warrants. If we so indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the warrants may surrender securities as all or part of the exercise price for warrants.
Governing Law
Unless we provide otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the warrants and warrant agreements will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
Enforceability of Rights by Holders of Warrants
Each warrant agent will act solely as our agent under the applicable warrant agreement and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust with any holder of any warrant. A single bank or trust company may act as warrant agent for more than one issue of warrants. A warrant agent will have no duty or responsibility in case of any default by us under the applicable warrant agreement or warrant, including any duty or responsibility to initiate any proceedings at law or otherwise, or to make any demand upon us. Any holder of a warrant may, without the consent of the related warrant agent or the holder of any other warrant, enforce by appropriate legal action its right to exercise, and receive the securities purchasable upon exercise of, its warrants.
We may issue, in one or more series, units consisting of common stock and/or warrants for the purchase of common stock in any combination. Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. The units may be issued under unit agreements to be entered into between us and a unit agent, as detailed in the prospectus supplement relating to the units being offered. The prospectus supplement will describe:
| • | the designation and terms of the units and the securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances the securities comprising the units may be held or transferred separately; |
20
Table of Contents
| • | a description of the terms of any unit agreement governing the units; |
| • | a description of the provisions for the payment, settlement, transfer and exchange of the units; and |
| • | whether the units, if issued as a separate security, will be issued in fully registered or global form. |
While the terms summarized above will apply generally to any units that we may offer, we will describe the particular terms of any series of units in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms of any units offered under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described above. We will file as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part or will incorporate by reference from reports that we file with the Commission, any form of unit agreement, including any related agreements or certificates, that describes the terms of the particular series of units we are offering before the issuance of the related series of units. The material provisions of the units and any unit agreements are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the unit agreement and related agreements and certificates applicable to the particular series of units that we may offer under this prospectus. We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplements related to the particular series of units that we may offer under this prospectus, as well as any related free writing prospectuses, and the complete unit agreements and related agreements and certificates that contain the terms of the units.
Akerman LLP, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, has rendered an opinion with respect to the validity of the securities covered by this prospectus. 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 audited financial statements and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting incorporated by reference in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement have been so incorporated by reference in reliance upon the reports of Grant Thornton LLP, independent registered public accountants, upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This prospectus is part of the registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the Commission under the Securities Act and does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement. Whenever a reference is made in this prospectus to any of our contracts, agreements or other documents, the reference may not be complete and you should refer to the exhibits that are part of the registration statement or the exhibits to the reports or other document incorporated into this prospectus for a copy of such contract agreement or other document. Because we are subject to the information and reporting requirements under the Exchange Act, we file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other information with the Commission. Our filings with the Commission are available to the public over the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
INCORPORATION OF INFORMATION BY REFERENCE
The Commission allows us to “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus the information we have filed with the Commission. The information we incorporate by reference into this prospectus is an important part of this prospectus. Any statement in a document we incorporate by reference into this prospectus will be considered to be modified or superseded to the extent a statement contained in this prospectus or any other subsequently filed document that is incorporated by reference into this prospectus modifies or supersedes that statement. The modified or superseded statement will not be considered to be a part of this prospectus, except as modified or superseded.
21
Table of Contents
We incorporate by reference into this prospectus the information contained in the documents below, which is considered to be a part of this prospectus:
| • | our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, filed with the Commission on March 16, 2020, as amended by the Form 10-K/A that we filed on April 29, 2020; |
| • | our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, filed with the Commission on May 11, 2020; |
| • | our Current Reports on Form 8-K (or amendments thereto) filed with the Commission on January 6, 2020, February 5, 2020, March 17, 2020, April 8, 2020, May 11, 2020, May 13, 2020 and June 26, 2020; |
| • | our definitive Schedule 14A filed with the Commission on July 7, 2020 relating to our 2020 annual meeting of stockholders; |
| • | our description of our common stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A, filed with the Commission on September 29, 2006, along with Amendment No. 1 thereto, filed with the Commission on October 18, 2006; and |
| • | all documents subsequently filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, from the date of filing of such documents. |
You may obtain a copy of any of these documents at no cost by requesting them from us or by writing or calling: Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 355 Alhambra Circle, Suite 1250, Coral Gables, Florida, 33134, Attn: Investor Relations, or by calling (305) 420-3200. Copies of each of these filings are also available for no cost on our website, www.catalystpharma.com, or on the Commission’s web site, www.sec.gov.
DISCLOSURE OF COMMISSION POSITION ON INDEMNIFICATION
FOR SECURITIES ACT LIABILITIES
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the registrant has been informed that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
22