The information in this preliminary prospectus supplement is not complete and may be changed. A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and is effective. This preliminary 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 jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration No. 333-279857
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JULY 11, 2024
PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(to Prospectus dated June 12, 2024)
Shares
Common Stock
We are offering shares of our common stock, par value $0.01 per share.
Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market, or “Nasdaq,” under the symbol “ASPI.” On July 10, 2024, the last reported sale price of shares of our common stock on Nasdaq was $3.54 per share.
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-6 of this prospectus supplement and in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus to read about factors you should consider before buying shares of our common stock.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
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(1) We refer you to “Underwriting” beginning on page S-17 of this prospectus supplement for additional information regarding underwriter compensation.
The underwriter also has the option to purchase up to an additional shares of our common stock on the same terms and conditions set forth above for 30 days after the date of this prospectus supplement.
Certain of our officers have indicated an interest in purchasing shares of our common stock in this offering at the public offering price. However, because indications of interest are not binding agreements or commitments to purchase, the underwriter could determine to sell more, less or no shares to any of these potential investors and any of these potential investors could determine to purchase more, less or no shares in this offering. The underwriting discount for any shares sold to these potential investors in the offering will be the same as the underwriting discount for the shares sold to the public.
The underwriter expects to deliver the shares to purchasers on or about July , 2024.
Canaccord Genuity
July , 2024
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relate to the offering of our common stock. Before buying any shares of our common stock that we are offering, we urge you to carefully read this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering, and the information incorporated by reference as described under the headings “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference” in this prospectus supplement. These documents contain important information that you should consider when making your investment decision.
This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are part of a “shelf” registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-279857) that was declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the “SEC,” on June 12, 2024. This document is comprised of two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes the specific terms of this offering and also adds to, and updates information contained in, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. The second part, the accompanying prospectus, provides more general information, some of which may not apply to this offering. Generally, when we refer to this prospectus, we are referring to the combined document consisting of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. In this prospectus supplement, as permitted by law, we “incorporate by reference” information from other documents that we file with the SEC. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and should be read with the same care. When we make future filings with the SEC to update the information contained in documents that have been incorporated by reference, the information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement is considered to be automatically updated and superseded. In other words, in case of a conflict or inconsistency between information contained in this prospectus supplement and information in the accompanying prospectus or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information contained in the document that was filed later.
We have not, and the underwriter has not, authorized anyone to provide any information other than that contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or in any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering. We and the underwriter take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. We and the underwriters are not making an offer to sell or soliciting an offer to buy our securities in any jurisdiction in which an offer or solicitation is not authorized or in which the person making that offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so or to anyone to whom it is unlawful to make an offer or solicitation. Persons outside the United States who come into possession of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus must inform themselves about, and observe any restrictions relating to, the offering of common stock and the distribution of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus outside the United States.
You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, and in any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering, is accurate only as of the date of those respective documents. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.
Unless the context otherwise indicates, references in this prospectus to “we,” “our” and “us” refer to ASP Isotopes Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its consolidated subsidiaries taken as a whole.
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This summary highlights selected information contained elsewhere in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. This summary does not contain all of the information you should consider before investing in our common stock. You should read carefully this entire prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any free writing prospectus, as well as the information incorporated by reference, before deciding whether to invest in shares of our common stock. You should pay special attention to the “Risk Factors” section beginning on page S-6 of this prospectus supplement and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as revised or supplemented by our subsequent SEC filings, incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, along with our consolidated financial statements and notes to those consolidated financial statements and the other information incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, before making an investment decision.
Overview
We are a development stage advanced materials company dedicated to the development of technology and processes that, if successful, will allow for the enrichment of natural isotopes into higher concentration products, which could be used in several industries. Our proprietary technology, the Aerodynamic Separation Process (“ASP technology”), originally developed by Klydon Proprietary Ltd (“Klydon”), is designed to enable the production of isotopes used in several industries. Our initial focus is on the production and commercialization of enriched Carbon-14 (“C-14”), Molybdenum-100 (“Mo-100”) and Silicon-28 (“Si-28”). We have commissioned an isotope enrichment plant for the enrichment of C-14 located in Pretoria, South Africa, which will be ready for production upon the final installation of essential components, and we expect to start commercial supply of C-14 during second half of 2024. We anticipate completion and commissioning of a multi-isotope enrichment plant in Pretoria, South Africa during second half 2024, and we expect to start initial commercial supply of Si-28 during second half 2024. In addition, we have started planning additional isotope enrichment plants. We believe the C-14 we may produce using the ASP technology could be used in the development of new pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. We believe the Mo-100 we may produce using the ASP technology could have significant potential advantages for use in the preparation of nuclear imaging agents by radiopharmacies and others in the medical industry. We believe the Si-28 we may produce using the ASP technology may be used to create advanced semiconductors and in quantum computing. In addition, we are considering the future development of the ASP technology for the separation of Zinc-68, Xenon-129/136 for potential use in the healthcare end market, Germanium 70/72/74 for possible use in the semiconductor end market, and Chlorine -37 for potential use in the nuclear energy end market.
We are also developing quantum enrichment technology to produce enriched Ytterbium-176 (“Yb-176”), Nickel-64, Lithium 6, Lithium7 and Uranium-235 (“U-235”). Quantum enrichment is an advanced isotope enrichment technique that is currently in development that uses lasers. We believe that the U-235 we may produce using quantum enrichment technology may be commercialized as a nuclear fuel component for use in the new generation of high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU)-fueled small modular reactors that are now under development for commercial and government uses. Our first quantum enrichment facility is expected to complete construction and commissioning during fourth quarter 2024 with first commercial production of Yb-176 also expected during fourth quarter 2024.
The aerodynamic separation technique has its origins in the South African uranium enrichment program in the 1980s, and the ASP technology has been developed during the last 18 years by the scientists at Klydon. In Klydon’s testing, the ASP technology has demonstrated efficacy and commercial scalability in enriching oxygen-18 and silicon-28.
ASP Isotopes Inc. was incorporated in Delaware in September 2021 to acquire assets and license intellectual property rights related to the production of Mo-100 using the ASP technology. In January 2022, we also licensed intellectual property rights associated with the production of U-235 using the ASP technology. In July 2022, we licensed intellectual property rights related to the production of all isotopes using the ASP technology. In April 2023, we acquired certain intellectual property assets of Klydon. |
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| Our Subsidiaries
We operate principally through our subsidiaries: ASP Isotopes Guernsey Limited (the holding company of ASP Isotopes ehf, ASP Isotopes South Africa (Pty) Limited, Enlightened Isotopes (Pty) Ltd and ASP Isotopes UK Limited), which will be focused on the development and commercialization of high-value, low-volume isotopes for highly specialized end markets (such as C-14, Mo-100, and Si-28). ASP Isotopes UK Ltd is the owner of our technology.
In September 2023, we formed a new subsidiary, Quantum Leap Energy LLC, or “QLE,” which also has subsidiaries in the United Kingdom (Quantum Leap Energy Limited) and South Africa (Quantum Leap Energy (Pty) Limited), to focus on the development and commercialization of advanced nuclear fuels such as HALEU and Lithium-6.
In addition, in the fourth quarter of 2023, we entered into a strategic relationship with Pet Labs Pharmaceuticals (Pty) Limited (PET Labs) by acquiring a 51% ownership stake in PET Labs. We anticipate this transaction will allow us to enter the downstream medical isotope production and distribution market.
Our corporate structure and ownership of our subsidiaries is set forth in the chart below:
Beginning in 2024, primarily as a result of the increased business activities of QLE, we have two operating segments: (i) nuclear fuels, and (ii) specialist isotopes and related services.
Although no assurance can be given, we plan to spin-out QLE, as a separate public company and list the shares of QLE on a U.S. national exchange and distribute a portion of QLE’s common equity to ASPI’s stockholders as of a to-be-determined future record date, in each case subject to obtaining applicable approvals and consents and complying with applicable rules and regulations and public market trading and listing requirements. The regulatory landscape and supply chain for nuclear fuel production differs significantly from that of medical isotopes, hence we and QLE have different business models and we believe that both companies would benefit if QLE is independently managed and financed. |
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| In connection with the anticipated spin-out, in February 2024, we entered into a number of agreements with QLE, including a License Agreement, pursuant to which QLE has licensed from us the rights to technologies and methods used to separate Uranium 235 and Lithium 6 (including but not limited to the quantum enrichment and ASP technologies) in exchange for a perpetual royalty in the amount of 10% of all future QLE revenues, and an EPC Services Framework Agreement, pursuant to which we will provide services for the engineering, procurement and construction of one or more turnkey Uranium-235 and Lithium-6 enrichment facilities in locations to be identified by QLE and owned or leased by QLE, and commissioning, start-up and test services for each such facility, subject to the receipt of all applicable regulatory approvals, permits, licenses, authorizations, registrations, certificates, consents, orders, variances and similar rights. In addition, in February 2024, we assigned to QLE certain existing memoranda of understanding with U.S.-based small modular reactor companies for the use of Quantum Enrichment for the production of High-Assay Low Enriched Uranium (HALEU). The MOUs provide for substantial financial support for the development of HALEU production facilities that should be capable of supplying metric ton quantities of HALEU by 2027.
Liquidity and Going Concern Uncertainty
We have experienced net losses and negative cash flows from operating activities since our inception. We incurred net losses of approximately $6.9 million and $3.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and approximately $16.3 million and $4.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. We expect that our cash of approximately $23.9 million as of March 31, 2024, along with gross proceeds of approximately $5.5 million received in April 2024 through the issuance of common stock upon the exercise of warrants and gross proceeds of approximately $5.4 million received in June 2024 from the issuance of convertible notes by QLE, will not be sufficient to fund our operating expenses and capital requirements for more than 12 months. These conditions raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. Additional funding will be necessary to complete construction of the first enrichment facility and begin operations, and although we have plans to seek additional funding, including, but not limited to, offering securities described in this prospectus supplement, there is no assurance that we will be able to raise capital through additional equity or debt offerings, or collaborative development agreements, to fund our operations. Such funding may not be available on a timely basis on terms acceptable to us, or at all. There can be no assurance that we will achieve or sustain positive cash flows from operations or profitability. If we are unable to raise additional capital when required or on acceptable terms, we may be required to further scale back or discontinue our operations, reorganize, merge with another entity, or cease operations.
Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company and Smaller Reporting Company
We qualify as an “emerging growth company” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or the “JOBS Act.” An emerging growth company may take advantage of relief from certain reporting requirements and other burdens that are otherwise applicable generally to public companies. These provisions include: | ||
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| In addition, under the JOBS Act, emerging growth companies can delay adopting new or revised accounting standards until such time as those standards apply to private companies. We have elected to avail ourselves of this exemption from new or revised accounting standards, and, therefore, we will not be subject to the same new or revised accounting standards as other public companies that are not emerging growth companies or that have opted out of using such extended transition period, which may make comparison of our financial statements with those of other public companies more difficult. We may take advantage of these reporting exemptions until we no longer qualify as an emerging growth company, or, with respect to adoption of certain new or revised accounting standards, until we irrevocably elect to opt out of using the extended transition period. | ||
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| We will remain an emerging growth company until the earliest of (i) the last day of the fiscal year in which we have total annual gross revenues of $1.235 billion or more; (ii) December 31, 2027, the last day of our fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the date of the completion of our initial public offering; (iii) the date on which we have issued more than $1 billion in nonconvertible debt during the previous three years; and (iv) the date on which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer under the rules of the SEC.
We may choose to take advantage of some but not all of these reduced reporting obligations.
We are also a “smaller reporting company” as defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the “Exchange Act.” We may continue to be a smaller reporting company even after we are no longer an emerging growth company. We may take advantage of certain of the scaled disclosures available to smaller reporting companies until the fiscal year following the determination that our voting and non-voting common stock held by non-affiliates is $250 million or more measured on the last business day of our second fiscal quarter, or our annual revenues are less than $100 million during the most recently completed fiscal year and our voting and non-voting common stock held by non-affiliates is $700 million or more measured on the last business day of our second fiscal quarter.
Summary Risks Factors
The following is a summary of the principal risks that could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. Such risks are discussed more fully in the sections of this prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement captioned “Risk Factors” and include, but are not limited to, the following risks: | ||
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| · | We have incurred significant net losses since inception, and we expect to continue to incur significant net losses for the foreseeable future. |
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| · | Our independent registered public accounting firm’s report contains an explanatory paragraph that expresses substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a “going concern.” |
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| · | Our business is tied directly to the nuclear medicine industry and depends on our ability to successfully introduce our Mo-100 and other medical isotopes to changing technology and a changing medical practice landscape. |
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| · | Our business is dependent on our ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of acquisitions, including our acquisition of assets of Molybdos (Pty) Limited in the “business rescue” auction, the assets and intellectual property we acquired from Klydon Proprietary Ltd, and our investment in PET Labs Pharmaceuticals. |
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| · | We currently have no sales attributable to isotopes, but we expect to be heavily dependent on a few large customers to generate a majority of our revenues from sales of our future isotopes. Our operating results could be adversely affected by a reduction in business with our future significant customers. |
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| · | We are still conducting research and development efforts for isotopes such as Mo-100, Zinc-68, Silicon-28, Xenon-129/136, Germanium-70/72/74 and Chlorine-37 using the ASP technology. If we are unable to advance our future isotopes in development, obtain applicable regulatory approval and ultimately commercialize our future isotopes, or experience significant delays in doing so, our business will be materially harmed. |
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| · | We are awaiting the approvals necessary to conduct early research and development efforts for isotopes such as Uranium-235 utilizing the Quantum Enrichment process. The necessary approvals may take a significant amount of time and may never fail to materialize. As a result, we will not be able to enter into the nuclear energy space utilizing our technology. |
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| · | Obtaining and maintaining our patent protection depends on compliance with various procedures, document submissions, fee payments and other requirements imposed by governmental patent agencies, and our patent protection could be reduced or eliminated for non-compliance with these requirements. |
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| · | Since our listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market in November 2022, there has been only a limited prior public market for our common stock, the stock price of our common stock may be volatile or may decline regardless of our operating performance and you may not be able to resell your shares quickly or at the market price if trading in shares of our common stock is not active. |
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| · | If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud. As a result, stockholders could lose confidence in our financial and other public reporting, which would harm our business and the trading price of our common stock. |
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| Corporate Information
ASP Isotopes Inc. was incorporated as a Delaware corporation in September 2021. Our principal executive offices are located at 1101 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 300, Washington, D.C. 20004, and our telephone number is (202) 756-2245. Our website address is www.aspisotopes.com. Information contained on, or that can be accessed through, our website is not part of and is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement, and you should not consider information on our website to be part of this prospectus supplement. We have included our website address in this prospectus supplement solely as an inactive textual reference. | ||
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| Common stock offered by us | shares (or shares if the underwriter exercises its option to purchase additional shares in full).
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| Option to purchase additional shares of common stock | We have granted the underwriter an option for a period of 30 days from the date of this prospectus supplement to purchase up to additional shares of common stock.
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| Common stock to be outstanding immediately following this offering | shares (or shares if the underwriter exercises its option to purchase additional shares in full).
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| Use of proceeds | We estimate that the net proceeds from this offering, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, will be approximately $ million (or $ million if the underwriter exercises its option to purchase additional shares in full).
We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering for general corporate purposes, including working capital, operating expenses, and capital expenditures, including for the purpose of accelerating the construction of enrichment facilities in South Africa and Iceland. We will also use a portion of the net proceeds from this offering to invest in QLE’s business, although we have no present commitments or agreements to do so. See the “Use of Proceeds” section in this prospectus supplement for a more complete description of the intended use of proceeds from this offering.
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| Risk Factors | Before deciding to invest in shares of our common stock, you should read carefully the risks set forth under the caption “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-6 of this prospectus supplement and the risks described in sections of the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement captioned “Risk Factors.”
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| Certain of our officers have indicated an interest in purchasing shares of our common stock in this offering at the public offering price. However, because indications of interest are not binding agreements or commitments to purchase, the underwriter could determine to sell more, less or no shares to any of these potential investors and any of these potential investors could determine to purchase more, less or no shares in this offering. The underwriting discount for any shares sold to these potential investors in the offering will be the same as the underwriting discount for the shares sold to the public.
The number of shares of our common stock to be outstanding immediately after this offering is based on 52,132,833 shares outstanding as of June 30, 2024 and excludes the following: | |||
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| · | 2,731,000 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options to purchase shares of our common stock outstanding as of June 30, 2024, at a weighted-average exercise price of $1.90 per share; | |
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| · | 1,446,519 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants to purchase shares of our common stock outstanding as of June 30, 2024, at a weighted-average exercise price of $3.61 per share; | |
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| · | 2,309,770 shares of our common stock reserved for issuance under our 2022 Equity Incentive Plan, or 2022 Plan, (and any future automatic increase in shares reserved for issuance thereunder) as of June 30, 2024; and | |
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| · | 2,500,000 shares of our common stock reserved for issuance under our 2024 Inducement Equity Incentive Plan, or 2024 Plan, as of June 30, 2024. | |
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| · | no repurchase of shares of our common stock subsequent to June 30, 2024; and | |
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| · | no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares of common stock. | |
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Investing in shares of our common stock involves a high degree of risk. Before you decide to invest in shares of our common stock, you should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as revised or supplemented by our subsequent SEC filings, incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, together with all other information contained, or incorporated by reference, in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. If any of these risks occur, our business, prospects, operating results and financial condition could suffer materially. In such event, the trading price of our common stock could decline and you might lose all or part of your investment.
Risks Related to our Common Stock, this Offering and Other Matters
The trading price of our common stock has been, and is likely to continue to be, highly volatile and could be subject to wide fluctuations in response to various factors, some of which are beyond our control.
The stock market in general and the market for our common stock have experienced extreme volatility that has often been unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. For example, since our initial public offering in November 2022 and until the last reported sale price of shares of our common stock on July 10, 2024, the market price of our common stock has ranged from a high of $5.43 to a low of $0.32. As a result of this volatility, you may not be able to sell your common stock at or above the public offering price and you may lose some or all of your investment.
If securities analysts do not publish research or reports about our business or if they publish negative evaluations of our stock, the price of our stock could decline.
The trading market for our common stock will rely, in part, on the research and reports that industry or financial analysts publish about us or our business. There can be no assurance that existing analysts will continue to cover us or that new analysts will begin to cover us. There is also no assurance that any covering analyst will provide favorable coverage. A lack of research coverage or adverse coverage may negatively impact the market price of our common stock. In addition, if one or more of the analysts covering our business downgrade their evaluations of our stock or the stock of other companies in our industry, the price of our stock could decline.
If you purchase shares of common stock in this offering, you will suffer immediate dilution of your investment.
The price of our common stock to be sold in this offering is substantially higher than the as adjusted net tangible book value per share of our common stock. Therefore, if you purchase shares of our common stock in this offering, you will pay a price per share that substantially exceeds our as adjusted net tangible book value per share after this offering. Based on the public offering price of $ per share, you will experience immediate dilution of $ per share, representing the difference between our as adjusted net tangible book value per share after giving effect to this offering and the public offering price. To the extent outstanding options or warrants are exercised or restricted stock awards vest, you may incur further dilution. For additional information on the dilution that you will experience immediately after this offering, see the section titled “Dilution.”
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You may experience future dilution as a result of future equity or debt offerings or other issuances of our shares of common stock.
In order to raise additional capital, we may in the future offer additional shares of our common stock or other securities, including securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of our common stock, at prices that may not be the same as the price per share in this offering. We may sell shares or other securities in any other offering at a price that is less than the price per share paid by investors in this offering, and investors purchasing shares or other securities in the future could have rights superior to those of existing stockholders. Sales of additional amounts of shares of our common stock or other securities convertible into shares of common stock, could significantly dilute our stockholders.
We have broad discretion in the use of the net proceeds from this offering and may invest or spend the proceeds in ways with which you do not agree and in ways that may not yield a return on your investment.
Although we currently intend to use the net proceeds from this offering in the manner described in the section titled “Use of Proceeds” in this prospectus supplement, 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 results of operations or enhance the value of our common stock. You will not have the opportunity to influence our decisions on how to use the net proceeds from this offering. The failure by our management to apply these funds effectively could result in financial losses that could harm our business and cause the price of our common stock to decline. 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 our capital 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 our capital stock. We currently intend to retain all of our future earnings, if any, to finance the growth and development of our business. As a result, capital appreciation, if any, of our common stock will be your sole source of gain for the foreseeable future, and investors seeking cash dividends should not purchase shares of our common stock.
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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus 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 Exchange Act, that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including statements regarding our strategy, future operations, future financial position, future revenue, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management and expected market growth are forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “target,” “would” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words.
These forward-looking statements in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus include, among other things, statements about:
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| · | our ability to continue as a going concern and obtain funding that will be necessary to complete the construction of our first enrichment facility and begin operations; |
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| · | our ability to achieve or sustain positive cash flows from operations or profitability; |
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| · | our ability to complete the construction of, commission and successfully operate isotope enrichment plants in a cost-effective manner; |
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| · | our ability to meet, and to continue to meet, applicable regulatory requirements for the use of the isotopes we may produce using the ASP technology or the Quantum Enrichment process; |
|
| · | our ability to obtain regulatory approvals for the production and distribution of isotopes; |
|
| · | our ability to comply on an ongoing basis with the numerous regulatory requirements applicable to the ASP technology, the Quantum Enrichment process and our enrichment facilities in South Africa; |
|
| · | the introduction, market acceptance and success of Mo-100 that we may produce using ASP technology as an alternative and potentially more convenient production route for Tc-99m; |
|
| · | the success or profitability of our future offtake arrangements with respect to various isotopes that we may produce using ASP technology or the Quantum Enrichment process; |
|
| · | a failure of demand for various isotopes that we may produce using ASP technology or the Quantum Enrichment process; |
|
| · | our future capital requirements and sources and uses of cash; |
|
| · | our ability to obtain funding for our operations and future growth; |
|
| · | the extensive costs, time and uncertainty associated with new technology development; |
|
| · | our ability to implement and maintain effective internal controls; |
|
| · | developments and projections relating to our competitors and industry; |
|
| · | the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of acquisitions, including our acquisition of assets of Molybdos (Pty) Limited in the “business rescue” auction, the assets and intellectual property we acquired from Klydon Proprietary Ltd, and our investment in PET Labs Pharmaceuticals; |
|
| · | problems with the performance of the ASP technology or the Quantum Enrichment process in the enrichment of isotopes; |
|
| · | our dependence on a limited number of third-party suppliers for certain components; |
|
| · | our inability to adapt to changing technology and diagnostic landscape, such as the emergence of new diagnostic scanners or tracers; |
|
| · | our expected dependence on a limited number of key customers for isotopes that we may produce using ASP technology or the Quantum Enrichment process; |
|
| · | our inability to protect our intellectual property and the risk of claims that we have infringed on the intellectual property of others; |
|
| · | our inability to compete effectively; |
|
| · | risks associated with the current economic environment; |
|
| · | risks associated with our international operations; |
|
| · | our credit counterparty risks; |
| S-8 |
| Table of Contents |
|
| · | geopolitical risk and changes in applicable laws or regulations; |
|
| · | our inability to adequately protect our technology infrastructure; |
|
| · | our inability to hire or retain skilled employees and the loss of any of our key personnel; |
|
| · | operational risk; |
|
| · | costs and other risks associated with becoming a reporting company and becoming subject to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act; and |
|
| · | our expectations related to the use of proceeds from this offering. |
We may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in our forward-looking statements, and you should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Actual results or events could differ materially from the plans, intentions and expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements we make. We have included important factors in the cautionary statements in this prospectus supplement, particularly in the “Risk Factors” section, and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as revised or supplemented by our subsequent SEC filings, incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements that we make.
You should read this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus include statistical and other industry and market data that we obtained from industry publications and research, surveys and studies conducted by third parties. All of the market data used in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus involves a number of assumptions and limitations, and you are cautioned not to give undue weight to such data. In addition, projections, assumptions and estimates of our future performance and the future performance of the markets in which we operate are necessarily subject to a high degree of uncertainty and risk.
| S-9 |
| Table of Contents |
We estimate that the net proceeds from our issuance and sale of shares of our common stock in this offering will be approximately $ million, or approximately $ million if the underwriter exercises its option to purchase additional shares in full, in each case after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.
We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering for general corporate purposes, including working capital, operating expenses, and capital expenditures, including for the purpose of accelerating the construction of enrichment facilities in South Africa and Iceland. We will also use a portion of the net proceeds from this offering to invest in QLE’s business, although we have no present commitments or agreements to do so.
As of March 31, 2024, we had cash of $23.9 million and we received gross proceeds of approximately $5.5 million received in April 2024 through the issuance of common stock upon the exercise of warrants and gross proceeds of approximately $5.4 million in June 2024 from the issuance of convertible notes by QLE. We believe that the net proceeds from this offering, together with our existing cash, will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash needs for at least the next 12 months. However, we may seek to raise additional funds through equity or debt financing arrangements. Our future capital requirements and the availability of and accessibility to additional funds will depend on many factors, including those described in the section of this prospectus supplement captioned “Risk Factors” and incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.
As of the date of this prospectus supplement, we cannot specify with certainty all of the particular uses for the net proceeds to us from this offering. As a result, our management will have broad discretion regarding the timing and application of the net proceeds from this offering. Pending our use of the net proceeds from this offering as described above, we plan to invest the net proceeds of this offering in short-term, interest-bearing, investment-grade instruments, certificates of deposit or direct or guaranteed obligations of the U.S. government.
| S-10 |
| Table of Contents |
We have never declared or paid cash dividends on our common stock. We currently intend to retain all available funds and any future earnings to fund the development and expansion of our business, and we do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Any future determinations to pay cash dividends will be made at the discretion of our board of directors, subject to applicable laws, and will depend on a number of factors, including our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements, contractual restrictions, general business conditions, and any other factors that our board may deem relevant.
| S-11 |
| Table of Contents |
If you invest in our common stock in this offering, your ownership interest will be diluted immediately to the extent of the difference between the public offering price per share you will pay in this offering and the as adjusted net tangible book value per share of our common stock after this offering.
Our historical net tangible book value as of March 31, 2024 was $7.4 million, or $0.15 per share of common stock outstanding as of March 31, 2024. Our historical net tangible book value is the amount of our total tangible assets less our total liabilities and noncontrolling interests. Historical net tangible book value per share represents our historical net tangible book value divided by the number of shares of our common stock outstanding as of March 31, 2024.
After giving effect to the issuance and sale of shares of common stock in this offering at the public offering price of $ per share, and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, our as adjusted net tangible book value as of March 31, 2024 would have been $ million, or $ per share. This represents an immediate increase of $ in as adjusted net tangible book value per share to existing stockholders and immediate dilution of $ in as adjusted net tangible book value per share to investors purchasing shares of our common stock in this offering. Dilution per share to investors purchasing shares of our common stock in this offering is determined by subtracting as adjusted net tangible book value per share after this offering from the public offering price per share paid by investors purchasing shares of our common stock in this offering. The following table illustrates this dilution to the investors purchasing shares of our common stock in this offering without giving effect to any exercise by the underwriter of its option to purchase additional shares.
| Public offering price per share |
|
|
|
| $ |
| ||
| Historical net tangible book value per share as of March 31, 2024 |
| $ | 0.15 |
|
|
|
|
|
| In Increase in as adjusted net tangible book value per share attributable to investors purchasing shares of our common stock in this offering |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| As adjusted net tangible book value per share after giving effect to this offering |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Di Dilution per share to investors purchasing shares of our common stock in this offering |
|
|
|
|
| $ | 0 |
|
If the underwriter exercises its option to purchase up to additional shares in full, the as adjusted net tangible book value will increase to $ per share, representing an immediate increase to existing stockholders of $ per share and immediate dilution of $ per share to investors purchasing shares of our common stock in this offering.
The table above is based on 48,598,276 shares of common stock outstanding as of March 31, 2024 and excludes:
|
| · | 2,731,000 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options to purchase shares of our common stock outstanding as of March 31, 2024, at a weighted-average exercise price of $1.90 per share; |
|
| · | 3,386,076 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants to purchase shares of our common stock outstanding as of March 31, 2024, at a weighted-average exercise price of $1.76 per share; |
|
| · | 3,259,770 shares of our common stock reserved for issuance under our 2022 Plan (and any future automatic increase in shares reserved for issuance thereunder) as of March 31, 2024; and |
|
| · | 2,500,000 shares of our common stock reserved for issuance under our 2024 Plan, which was adopted on June 10, 2024. |
To the extent that options or warrants are exercised, new options, warrants or restricted stock awards are issued, or we issue additional shares of common stock upon the foregoing events or for any other reason in the future, there will be further dilution to investors participating in this offering.
| S-12 |
| Table of Contents |
MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME AND ESTATE TAX CONSIDERATIONS FOR NON-U.S. HOLDERS OF OUR COMMON STOCK
The following is a discussion of material U.S. federal income and estate tax considerations relating to ownership and disposition of our common stock by a non-U.S. holder. For purposes of this discussion, the term “non-U.S. holder” means a beneficial owner (other than a partnership or other pass-through entity) of our common stock that is not, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
|
| · | an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States; |
|
| · | a corporation, or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia; |
|
| · | an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or |
|
| · | a trust, if a U.S. court is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more U.S. persons have authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or if the trust has a valid election in effect to be treated as a U.S. person under applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations. |
This discussion is based on current provisions of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, which we refer to as the Code, existing and proposed U.S. Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, current administrative rulings, and judicial decisions, as in effect as of the date of this prospectus supplement and all of which are subject to change or to differing interpretation, possibly with retroactive effect. Any change or differing interpretation could alter the tax consequences to non-U.S. holders described in this prospectus supplement. In addition, there can be no assurance that the Internal Revenue Service, which we refer to as the IRS, will not challenge one or more of the tax consequences described in this prospectus supplement.
This discussion addresses only non-U.S. holders that hold shares of our common stock as a capital asset (generally, property held for investment). This discussion does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income and estate taxation that may be relevant to a particular non-U.S. holder in light of that non-U.S. holder’s individual circumstances nor does it address the alternative minimum tax, the Medicare tax on net investment income or any aspects of U.S. state, local, or non-U.S. taxes. This discussion also does not consider any specific facts or circumstances that may apply to a non-U.S. holder and does not address the special tax rules applicable to particular non-U.S. holders, such as:
|
| · | insurance companies; |
|
| · | tax-exempt organizations; |
|
| · | financial institutions; |
|
| · | brokers or dealers in securities; |
|
| · | pension plans; |
|
| · | controlled foreign corporations; |
|
| · | passive foreign investment companies; |
|
| · | owners that hold our common stock as part of a straddle, hedge, conversion transaction, synthetic security, or other integrated investment; and |
|
| · | certain U.S. expatriates. |
In addition, this discussion does not address the tax treatment of partnerships or persons who hold their common stock through partnerships or other entities that are pass-through entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes. A partner in a partnership or other pass-through entity that will hold our common stock should consult his, her, or its own tax advisor regarding the tax consequences of the purchase, ownership, and disposition of our common stock through a partnership or other pass-through entity, as applicable.
| S-13 |
| Table of Contents |
Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal, state, local, and non-U.S. income and other tax considerations of acquiring, holding, and disposing of our common stock.
Dividends
If we pay distributions on our common stock, those distributions generally will constitute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent paid from our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. If a distribution exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits, the excess will be treated as a tax-free return of the non-U.S. holder’s investment, up to such holder’s tax basis in common stock. Any remaining excess will be treated as capital gain, subject to the tax treatment described below under the heading “- Gain on Disposition of Common Stock.”
Dividends paid to a non-U.S. holder generally will be subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a 30% rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty between the United States and such holder’s country of residence. A non-U.S. holder of our common stock who claims the benefit of an applicable income tax treaty between the United States and such holder’s country of residence generally will be required to provide a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E (or successor form) and satisfy applicable certification and other requirements. A non-U.S. holder that is eligible for a reduced rate of U.S. withholding tax under an income tax treaty may obtain a refund or credit of any excess amounts withheld by timely filing an appropriate claim with the IRS.
Dividends that are treated as effectively connected with a trade or business conducted by a non-U.S. holder within the United States and, if an applicable income tax treaty so provides, that are attributable to a permanent establishment or a fixed base maintained by the non-U.S. holder within the United States are generally exempt from the 30% withholding tax if the non-U.S. holder satisfies applicable certification and disclosure requirements. However, such U.S. effectively connected income is taxed on a net income basis at the same U.S. federal income tax rates applicable to United States persons (as defined in the Code). Any U.S. effectively connected income received by a non-U.S. holder that is a corporation may also, under certain circumstances, be subject to an additional “branch profits tax” at a 30% rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty between the United States and such holder’s country of residence.
Non-U.S. holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding their entitlement to benefits under an applicable income tax treaty.
Gain on Disposition of Common Stock
A non-U.S. holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on gain recognized on a disposition of our common stock unless:
|
| · | the gain is effectively connected with the non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States and, if an applicable income tax treaty so provides, the gain is attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base maintained by the non-U.S. holder in the United States; in these cases, the non-U.S. holder will be taxed on a net income basis at the same U.S. federal income tax rates applicable to United States persons (as defined in the Code), and if the non-U.S. holder is a foreign corporation, an additional branch profits tax at a 30% rate, or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty, may also apply; |
|
|
|
|
|
| · | the non-U.S. holder is a nonresident alien present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of the disposition and certain other requirements are met, in which case the non-U.S. holder will be subject to a 30% tax (or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty) on the net gain derived from the disposition, which may be offset by U.S.-source capital losses of the non-U.S. holder, if any; or |
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|
|
|
|
| · | we are, or have been at any time during the five-year period preceding such disposition (or the non-U.S. holder’s holding period, if shorter), a “U.S. real property holding corporation,” unless our common stock is regularly traded on an established securities market and the non-U.S. holder held no more than 5% of our outstanding common stock, directly or indirectly, during the shorter of the five year period ending on the date of the disposition or the period that the non-U.S. holder held our common stock. If we are determined to be a U.S. real property holding corporation and the foregoing does not apply, then the non-U.S. holder generally will be taxed on its net gain derived from the disposition at the U.S. federal income tax rates applicable to United States persons (as defined in the Code). Generally, a corporation is a “U.S. real property holding corporation” if the fair market value of its “U.S. real property interests” equals or exceeds 50% of the sum of the fair market value of its worldwide real property interests plus its other assets used or held for use in a trade or business. Although there can be no assurance, we believe that we are not currently, and we do not anticipate becoming, a “U.S. real property holding corporation” for U.S. federal income tax purposes. No assurance can be provided that our common stock will be regularly traded on an established securities market for purposes of the rule described above. |
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| S-14 |
| Table of Contents |
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
We must report annually to the IRS and to each non-U.S. holder the gross amount of the distributions on our common stock paid to such holder and the tax withheld, if any, with respect to such distributions. Non-U.S. holders may have to comply with specific certification procedures to establish that the holder is not a U.S. person (as defined in the Code) in order to avoid backup withholding at the applicable rate (currently 24%) with respect to dividends on our common stock. Generally, a non-U.S. holder will comply with such procedures if it provides a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E (or other applicable Form W-8) or otherwise meets documentary evidence requirements for establishing that it is a non-U.S. holder, or otherwise establishes an exemption. Dividends paid to non-U.S. holders subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax, as described above under the heading “- Dividends,” will generally be exempt from U.S. backup withholding.
Information reporting and backup withholding generally will apply to the proceeds of a disposition of our common stock by a non-U.S. holder effected by or through the U.S. office of any broker, U.S. or foreign, unless the holder certifies its status as a non-U.S. holder and satisfies certain other requirements, or otherwise establishes an exemption. Generally, information reporting and backup withholding will not apply to a payment of disposition proceeds to a non-U.S. holder where the transaction is effected outside the United States through a non-U.S. office of a broker. However, for information reporting purposes, dispositions effected through a non-U.S. office of a broker with substantial U.S. ownership or operations generally will be treated in a manner similar to dispositions effected through a U.S. office of a broker. Non-U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the application of the information reporting and backup withholding rules to them.
Copies of information returns may be made available to the tax authorities of the country in which the non-U.S. holder resides or is incorporated under the provisions of a specific treaty or agreement.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules from a payment to a non-U.S. holder can be refunded or credited against the non-U.S. holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, provided that an appropriate claim is timely filed with the IRS.
FATCA
Provisions of the Code commonly referred to as the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, or FATCA, generally impose a 30% withholding tax on dividends on, and gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of, our common stock if paid to a foreign entity unless (i) if the foreign entity is a “foreign financial institution,” the foreign entity undertakes certain due diligence, reporting, withholding, and certification obligations, (ii) if the foreign entity is not a “foreign financial institution,” the foreign entity identifies certain of its U.S. investors, or (iii) the foreign entity is otherwise excepted under FATCA.
Withholding under FATCA generally applies to payments of dividends on our common stock. While withholding under FATCA would also apply to payments of gross proceeds from a sale or other disposition of our common stock, under proposed U.S. Treasury Regulations withholding on payments of gross proceeds is not required. Although such regulations are not final, applicable withholding agents may rely on the proposed regulations until final regulations are issued.
| S-15 |
| Table of Contents |
If withholding under FATCA is required on any payment related to our common stock, investors not otherwise subject to withholding (or that otherwise would be entitled to a reduced rate of withholding) on such payment may be required to seek a refund or credit from the IRS. An intergovernmental agreement between the United States and an applicable foreign country may modify the requirements described in this section. Non-U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the possible implications of FATCA on their investment in our common stock and the entities through which they hold our common stock.
Federal Estate Tax
Our common stock owned or treated as owned by an individual who is a non-U.S. holder (as specially defined for U.S. federal estate tax purposes) at the time of death will be included in the individual’s gross estate for U.S. federal estate tax purposes and, therefore, may be subject to U.S. federal estate tax, unless an applicable estate tax or other treaty provides otherwise.
The preceding discussion of material U.S. federal tax considerations is for prospective investors’ information only. It is not tax advice. Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisors regarding the particular U.S. federal, state, local, and non-U.S. tax consequences of purchasing, holding, and disposing of our common stock, including the consequences of any proposed changes in applicable laws.
| S-16 |
| Table of Contents |
Under the terms and subject to the conditions in an underwriting agreement dated the date of this prospectus supplement, the underwriter named below has agreed to purchase, and we have agreed to sell to the underwriter, the number of shares indicated below:
| Name |
| Number of Shares |
| |
| Canaccord Genuity LLC |
|
|
| |
| Total: |
|
|
| |
The underwriter is obligated to take and pay for all of the shares of common stock offered by this prospectus supplement if any such shares are taken. However, the underwriter is not required to take or pay for the shares covered by the underwriter’s option to purchase additional shares described below.
The underwriter initially proposes to offer part of the shares of common stock directly to the public at the offering price listed on the cover page of this prospectus supplement and part to certain dealers at a price that represents a concession not in excess of $ per share under the public offering price. After the initial offering of the shares of common stock, the offering price and other selling terms may from time to time be varied by the underwriter.
We have granted to the underwriter an option, exercisable for 30 days from the date of this prospectus supplement, to purchase up to additional shares of common stock at the public offering price listed on the cover page of this prospectus supplement, less underwriting discounts and commissions.
The following table shows the per share and total public offering price, underwriting discounts and commissions, and proceeds before expenses to us. These amounts are shown assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriter’s option to purchase up to an additional shares of common stock.
|
|
|
|
| Total |
| |||||||
|
|
| Per Share |
|
|
No Exercise |
|
|
Full Exercise |
| |||
| Public offering price |
| $ |
|
| $ |
|
| $ |
| |||
| Underwriting discounts and commissions to be paid by us |
| $ |
|
| $ |
|
| $ |
| |||
| Proceeds, before expenses, to us |
| $ |
|
| $ |
|
| $ |
| |||
The estimated offering expenses payable by us, exclusive of the underwriting discounts and commissions, are approximately $ . We have agreed to reimburse the underwriter for certain expenses, including any relating to Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. matters and the qualification of the shares issued in this offering under state securities laws, in an amount up to $100,000 in the aggregate.
We have agreed to pay a financial advisory fee to Ocean Wall Limited, or “Ocean Wall,” upon the completion of this offering. The financial advisory fee payable to Ocean Wall will reduce the commission payable to the underwriter. Ocean Wall is acting as our independent financial advisor in connection with this offering, and it is not acting as an underwriter. In addition, Ocean Wall will not underwrite or purchase any of the offered securities. Ocean Wall is not a U.S.-registered broker-dealer, and therefore it is providing its financial advisory services in accordance with the applicable U.S. securities laws and regulations, including Exchange Act Rule 15a-6.
| S-17 |
| Table of Contents |
Our common stock is listed on Nasdaq under the trading symbol “ASPI.”
We and all of our directors and executive officers (the “lock-up parties”) have agreed that, subject to certain exceptions, without the prior written consent of the underwriter, we and they will not, and will not publicly disclose an intention to, as applicable, during the period ending 90 days after the date of this prospectus supplement (the “restricted period”):
|
| · | offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of common stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of common stock (the “restricted securities”); |
|
| · | file any registration statement with the SEC relating to the offering of any restricted shares; or |
|
| · | enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the restricted shares whether any such transaction described above is to be settled by delivery of common stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise. |
The restrictions described in the immediately preceding paragraph do not apply to such transfers or dispositions by a lock-up party:
|
| · | as a bona fide gift; |
|
| · | to any trust for the direct or indirect benefit of the lock-up party or the lock-up party’s family member in a transaction not involving the disposition for value; |
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| · | by will, other testamentary document or intestate succession to the legal representative, heir, beneficiary, or the lock-up party’s family member; |
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|
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| provided that in the case of any such transfer, except as required by the SEC rules and regulations, no filing by any party (donor, donee, transferor or transferee) under the Exchange Act or other public announcement shall be required or shall be made voluntarily in connection with such transfer or distribution during the restricted period; | |
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|
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| · | to a charity or educational institution; |
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| · | upon the vesting of restricted stock awards or stock units or upon the exercise of stock options issued under any of our equity incentive plans or an employment arrangement described, or incorporated by reference, in this prospectus supplement or accompanying prospectus or upon a vesting event of the our securities or upon the exercise of options to purchase our securities, in each case on a “cashless” or “net exercise” basis or to cover tax obligations of the lock-up party in connection with such vesting or exercise, provided that, except as required by the SEC rules and regulations, no filing under Section 13 or Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act or other public announcement shall be required or shall be voluntarily made; |
|
| · | pursuant to agreements described, or incorporated by reference, in this prospectus supplement or accompanying prospectus, under which we have the option to repurchase such securities or a right of first refusal with respect to the transfer of such securities, provided that if the lock-up party is required to file a report under Section 13 or Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act reporting a reduction in beneficial ownership of common stock during the restricted period, the lock-up party shall include a statement in such schedule or report describing the purpose of the transaction; |
| S-18 |
| Table of Contents |
|
| · | the establishment of a trading plan pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act for the transfer of common stock, provided that (i) such plan does not provide for the transfer of common stock during the restricted period and (ii) to the extent a public announcement or filing under the Exchange Act, if any, is required of or voluntarily made by or on behalf of the lock-up party or us regarding the establishment of such plan, such public announcement or filing shall include a statement to the effect that no transfer of common stock may be made under such plan during the restricted period; |
|
| · | by operation of law, such as pursuant to a qualified domestic order or in connection with a divorce settlement, provided that any filing under Section 13 or Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act that is required to be made during the restricted period as a result of such transfer shall include a statement that such transfer has occurred by operation of law; |
|
| · | pursuant to a bona fide third party tender offer, merger, consolidation or other similar transaction made to all holders of common stock involving a change of control of us after the closing of this offering and approved by our board of directors; provided that in the event that the tender offer, merger, consolidation or other such transaction is not completed, shares of common stock owned by the lock-up party shall remain subject to the lock-up restrictions described in this prospectus supplement during the restricted period; and |
|
| · | with the prior written consent of the underwriter. |
In addition, the restrictions set forth above do not apply in certain circumstances, including:
|
| · | the issuance of shares contemplated by the underwriting agreement, in each case that are described in the registration statement of which this prospectus supplement is a part; |
|
| · | the issuance of shares of our capital stock pursuant to employee benefit plans, qualified stock option plans or other employee compensation plans existing on the date of this prospectus supplement or pursuant to currently outstanding options, warrants or rights not issued under one of those plans; |
|
| · | the grant of equity awards pursuant to equity plans existing on the date of this prospectus supplement; the issuance of (or the entry into an agreement with respect to the issuance of) shares of our capital stock or other securities in connection with any acquisition or joint venture transaction by us or any of our subsidiaries and/or a merger of a direct subsidiary with and into us; and |
|
| · | the filing of any registration statement on Form S-8. |
The underwriter in its sole discretion, may release shares of common stock and other securities subject to the lock-up agreements described above in whole or in part at any time.
In order to facilitate the offering of common stock, the underwriter may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of common stock. Specifically, the underwriter may sell more shares than it is obligated to purchase under the underwriting agreement, creating a short position. A short sale is covered if the short position is no greater than the number of shares available for purchase by the underwriter under the option. The underwriter can close out a covered short sale by exercising the option or purchasing shares in the open market. In determining the source of shares to close out a covered short sale, the underwriter will consider, among other things, the open market price of shares compared to the price available under the option. The underwriter may also sell shares in excess of the option, creating a naked short position. The underwriter 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 underwriter is concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of common stock in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in this offering. As an additional means of facilitating this offering, the underwriter may bid for, and purchase, shares of common stock in the open market to stabilize the price of common stock. These activities may raise or maintain the market price of common stock above independent market levels or prevent or retard a decline in the market price of common stock. The underwriter is not required to engage in these activities and may end any of these activities at any time.
We and the underwriter have agreed to indemnify each other against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
A prospectus supplement in electronic format may be made available on websites maintained by one or more underwriters, or selling group members, if any, participating in this offering.
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Selling Restrictions
European Economic Area
In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area and the United Kingdom (each, a “Relevant State”), no securities have been offered or will be offered pursuant to the offering to the public in that Relevant State prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the securities which has been approved by the competent authority in that Relevant State or, where appropriate, approved in another Relevant State and notified to the competent authority in that Relevant State, all in accordance with the Prospectus Regulation, except that offers of securities may be made to the public in that Relevant State at any time under the following exemptions under the Prospectus Regulation:
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provided that no such offer of shares shall require us or any of our representatives to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Regulation or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 23 of the Prospectus Regulation.
For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer to the public” in relation to any shares in any Relevant State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and any shares to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase any shares, and the expression “Prospectus Regulation” means Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 (as amended).
United Kingdom
Each underwriter has represented and agreed that:
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The validity of the shares of our common stock offered hereby is being passed upon for us by Blank Rome LLP. Goodwin Procter LLP is acting as counsel for the underwriter in connection with this offering.
The consolidated balance sheets of ASP Isotopes Inc. and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss, changes in 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 by reference, which report includes an explanatory paragraph about the existence of substantial doubt concerning the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Such financial statements have been incorporated by reference in reliance on the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Copies of certain information filed by us with the SEC are also available on our website at www.aspisotopes.com. The SEC’s website and our website are not a part of this prospectus supplement and are not incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement.
This prospectus supplement is part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC. The registration statement contains more information than this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus regarding us and the securities, including certain exhibits and schedules. You can obtain a copy of the registration statement from the SEC’s website and our website.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus much of the information we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those publicly available documents. The information that we incorporate by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is considered to be part of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Because we are incorporating by reference future filings with the SEC, this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are continually updated and those future filings may modify or supersede some of the information included or incorporated in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. This means that you must review all of the SEC filings that we incorporate by reference to determine if any of the statements in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or in any document previously incorporated by reference have been modified or superseded.
This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus incorporate by reference the documents listed below (in each case, other than those documents or the portions of those documents that are furnished to the SEC and are not deemed to be filed with the SEC), until the offering of the securities under the registration statement is terminated or completed:
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| · | Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on April 10, 2024, and as amended by Forms 10-K/A filed with the SEC on April 29, 2024 and July 1, 2024; |
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| · | Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, filed with the SEC on May 15, 2024; |
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| · | Our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on January 18, 2024, February 29, 2024, April 9, 2024, June 6, 2024 and June 13, 2024; and |
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We also incorporate by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus additional documents that we may file with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the completion or termination of the offering, but excluding any information deemed furnished and not filed with the SEC. Any statements contained in a previously filed document incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, or in a subsequently filed document also incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, modifies or supersedes that statement.
We will provide to each person to whom this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is delivered, upon written or oral request, at no cost to the requester, a copy of any and all of the information that is incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Requests for such documents should be directed to:
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ASP Isotopes Inc.
1101 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 300
Washington, D.C. 20004
(202) 756-2245
Attention: Corporate Secretary
You may also access the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, free of charge, on the SEC’s website at www.secg.gov or on our website at www.aspisotopes.com. Information contained on, or that can be accessed through, the SEC’s website or our website is not part of and is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement, and you should not consider information on the SEC’s website or our website to be part of this prospectus supplement.
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Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
File No. 333-279857
PROSPECTUS
$50,000,000
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Debt Securities
Warrants
Units
We may from time to time offer and sell any securities described in this prospectus, either individually or in combination with other securities, in one or more offerings of up to $50.0 million in aggregate initial offering price.
This prospectus provides a general description of the securities we may offer. We will provide the specific terms of the securities offered in one or more supplements to this prospectus. The prospectus supplements will also describe the specific manner in which these securities will be offered. 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. Please read carefully this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement, any related free writing prospectus, and the documents incorporated by reference before you invest in any of our securities. This prospectus may not be used to offer or sell any securities unless accompanied by the applicable prospectus supplement.
Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market (“Nasdaq”) under the symbol “ASPI.” On May 30, 2024, the last reported sale price of our common stock was $5.43 per share. The applicable prospectus supplement will contain information, where applicable, as to any other listing on Nasdaq or any securities market or other exchange of the securities, if any, covered by the prospectus supplement.
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors” on page 7 of this prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus, as updated by the applicable prospectus supplement, any related free writing prospectus and other future filings we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus, for a discussion of the factors we urge you to consider carefully before deciding to purchase our securities.
We may sell these securities directly to investors, through agents designated from time to time or to or through underwriters or dealers. For additional information on the methods of sale, please see the section titled “Plan of Distribution” in this prospectus. If any underwriters are involved in the sale of any securities with respect to which this prospectus is being delivered, the names of such underwriters and any applicable commissions or discounts will be set forth in a prospectus supplement. The price to the public of such securities and the net proceeds we expect to receive from such sale will also be set forth in a 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 June 12, 2024
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This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the “SEC,” under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the “Securities Act,” using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may, from time to time, offer and sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus, in one or more offerings, for an aggregate initial offering price of up to $50.0 million.
THIS PROSPECTUS MAY NOT BE USED TO OFFER AND SELL SECURITIES UNLESS IT IS ACCOMPANIED BY A PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT.
This prospectus provides a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities under this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you that may contain material information relating to a particular offering. The prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus or in any documents that we have incorporated by reference into this prospectus. To the extent there is a conflict between any statement contained in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement, any related free writing prospectus or any document incorporated by reference into this prospectus, the statement in the document having the later date modifies or supersedes the earlier statement.
The information appearing in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus is accurate only as of their respective dates, and any information we have 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 the time of any sale of a security. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed materially since those dates.
You may rely only on the information contained in, or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, or the information contained in any free writing prospectus we have authorized for use in connection with a specific offering. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different or additional information.
This prospectus, any prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the securities described in this prospectus or an applicable prospectus supplement or an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy such securities in any circumstances or in any jurisdictions where it is unlawful to do so.
As permitted by SEC rules and regulations, the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part includes additional information not contained in this prospectus. This prospectus also contains summaries of certain provisions of the documents described herein, but all summaries are qualified in their entirety by reference to the actual documents. You may read the registration statement and the other reports we file with the SEC, and you may obtain copies of the actual documents summarized herein (if and when filed with the SEC), at the SEC’s website or at its offices described in the section of this prospectus titled “Where You Can Find More Information.”
The representations, warranties and covenants made by us in any agreement that is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part or any document that is incorporated by reference into this prospectus were made solely for the benefit of the parties to such agreement, including, in some cases, for the purpose of allocating risk among the parties to such agreements, and should not be deemed to be a representation, warranty or covenant to you. Moreover, such representations, warranties or covenants were accurate only as of the date when made. Accordingly, such representations, warranties and covenants should not be relied on as accurately representing the current state of our affairs.
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This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this prospectus or incorporated by reference into this prospectus. This summary may not contain all the information that you should consider before investing in our securities. Before making an investment decision, please carefully read this entire prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus, especially the “Risk Factors” section of this prospectus and our financial statements and the related notes incorporated by reference into this prospectus. See “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.” In this prospectus, unless the context otherwise requires, the terms “ASP Isotopes,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to ASP Isotopes Inc. together with its consolidated subsidiaries.
Overview
We are a development stage advanced materials company dedicated to the development of technology and processes that, if successful, will allow for the enrichment of natural isotopes into higher concentration products, which could be used in several industries. Our proprietary technology, the Aerodynamic Separation Process (“ASP technology”), originally developed by Klydon Proprietary Ltd (“Klydon”), is designed to enable the production of isotopes used in several industries. Our initial focus is on the production and commercialization of enriched Carbon-14 (“C-14”), Molybdenum-100 (“Mo-100”) and Silicon-28 (“Si-28”). We have commissioned an isotope enrichment plant for the enrichment of C-14 located in Pretoria, South Africa, which will be ready for production upon the final installation of essential components. We anticipate completion and commissioning of a multi-isotope enrichment plant in Pretoria, South Africa in mid-2024. In addition, we have started planning additional isotope enrichment plants. We believe the C-14 we may produce using the ASP technology could be used in the development of new pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. We believe the Mo-100 we may produce using the ASP technology could have significant potential advantages for use in the preparation of nuclear imaging agents by radiopharmacies and others in the medical industry. We believe the Si-28 we may produce using the ASP technology may be used to create advanced semiconductors and in quantum computing. In addition, we are considering the future development of the ASP technology for the separation of Zinc-68, Xenon-129/136 for potential use in the healthcare end market, Germanium 70/72/74 for possible use in the semiconductor end market, and Chlorine -37 for potential use in the nuclear energy end market.
We are also developing quantum enrichment technology to produce enriched Ytterbium-176, Nickel-64, Lithium 6, Lithium7 and Uranium-235 (“U-235”). Quantum enrichment is an advanced isotope enrichment technique that is currently in development that uses lasers. We believe that the U-235 we may produce using quantum enrichment technology may be commercialized as a nuclear fuel component for use in the new generation of high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU)-fueled small modular reactors that are now under development for commercial and government uses.
The aerodynamic separation technique has its origins in the South African uranium enrichment program in the 1980s, and the ASP technology has been developed during the last 18 years by the scientists at Klydon. In Klydon’s testing, the ASP technology has demonstrated efficacy and commercial scalability in enriching oxygen-18 and silicon-28.
ASP Isotopes Inc. was incorporated in Delaware in September 2021 to acquire assets and license intellectual property rights related to the production of Mo-100 using the ASP technology. In January 2022, we also licensed intellectual property rights associated with the production of U-235 using the ASP technology. In July 2022, we licensed intellectual property rights related to the production of all isotopes using the ASP technology. In April 2023, we acquired certain intellectual property assets of Klydon.
We operate principally through subsidiaries: ASP Isotopes Guernsey Limited (the holding company of ASP Isotopes efh, ASP Isotopes South Africa (Proprietary) Limited, Enlightened Isotopes (Pty) Ltd and ASP Isotopes (UK) Limited), which will be focused on the development and commercialization of high-value, low-volume isotopes for highly specialized end markets (such as C-14, Mo-100, and Si-28). In September 2023, we formed a new subsidiary, Quantum Leap Energy LLC, which also has a subsidiary in the United Kingdom (Quantum Leap Energy Ltd), to focus on the development and commercialization of advanced nuclear fuels such as HALEU and Lithium-6. ASP Isotopes UK Ltd is the owner of our technology. In addition, in the fourth quarter of 2023, we entered into a strategic relationship with Pet Labs Pharmaceuticals Proprietary Limited (PET Labs) by acquiring a 51% ownership stake in PET Labs. We anticipate this transaction will allow us to enter the downstream medical isotope production and distribution market. |
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| Our corporate structure and ownership of our subsidiaries is set forth in the chart below:
Liquidity and Going Concern Uncertainty
We have experienced net losses and negative cash flows from operating activities since our inception. We incurred net losses of approximately $6.9 million and $3.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and approximately $16.3 million and $4.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. We expect that our cash of approximately $23.9 million as of March 31, 2024, along with gross proceeds of approximately $5.5 million received in April 2024 through the issuance of common stock upon the exercise of warrants will not be sufficient to fund our operating expenses and capital requirements for more than 12 months. These conditions raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. Additional funding will be necessary to complete construction of the first enrichment facility and begin operations, and although we have plans to seek additional funding, including, but not limited to, offering securities described in this prospectus, there is no assurance that we will be able to raise capital through additional equity or debt offerings, or collaborative development agreements, to fund our operations. Such funding may not be available on a timely basis on terms acceptable to us, or at all. There can be no assurance that we will achieve or sustain positive cash flows from operations or profitability. If we are unable to raise additional capital when required or on acceptable terms, we may be required to further scale back or discontinue our operations, reorganize, merge with another entity, or cease operations. |
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| Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company and Smaller Reporting Company
We qualify as an “emerging growth company” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or the JOBS Act. An emerging growth company may take advantage of relief from certain reporting requirements and other burdens that are otherwise applicable generally to public companies. These provisions include:
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In addition, under the JOBS Act, emerging growth companies can delay adopting new or revised accounting standards until such time as those standards apply to private companies. We have elected to avail ourselves of this exemption from new or revised accounting standards, and, therefore, we will not be subject to the same new or revised accounting standards as other public companies that are not emerging growth companies or that have opted out of using such extended transition period, which may make comparison of our financial statements with those of other public companies more difficult. We may take advantage of these reporting exemptions until we no longer qualify as an emerging growth company, or, with respect to adoption of certain new or revised accounting standards, until we irrevocably elect to opt out of using the extended transition period.
We will remain an emerging growth company until the earliest of (i) the last day of the fiscal year in which we have total annual gross revenues of $1.235 billion or more; (ii) the last day of our fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the date of the completion of our initial public offering; (iii) the date on which we have issued more than $1 billion in nonconvertible debt during the previous three years; and (iv) the date on which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer under the rules of the SEC.
We may choose to take advantage of some but not all of these reduced reporting obligations.
We are also a “smaller reporting company” as defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the “Exchange Act.” We may continue to be a smaller reporting company even after we are no longer an emerging growth company. We may take advantage of certain of the scaled disclosures available to smaller reporting companies until the fiscal year following the determination that our voting and non-voting common stock held by non-affiliates is $250 million or more measured on the last business day of our second fiscal quarter, or our annual revenues are less than $100 million during the most recently completed fiscal year and our voting and non-voting common stock held by non-affiliates is $700 million or more measured on the last business day of our second fiscal quarter.
Corporate Information
ASP Isotopes Inc. was incorporated as a Delaware corporation in September 2021. Our principal executive offices are located at 1101 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 300, Washington, D.C. 20004, and our telephone number is (202) 756-2245. Our website address is www.aspisotopes.com. Information contained on, or that can be accessed through, our website is not part of and is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus, and you should not consider information on our website to be part of this prospectus.
Risks Factors
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors” on page 7 of this prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus, as updated by the applicable prospectus supplement, any related free writing prospectus and other future filings we make with the SEC that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus, for a discussion of the factors we urge you to consider carefully before deciding to purchase our securities. | ||
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| Securities We May Offer
Under this prospectus, we may, from time to time in one or more offerings, offer and sell up to $50.0 million in the aggregate of common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants to purchase common stock, preferred stock or debt securities, or any combination of the foregoing, either individually or in units. The prices and terms of our offer and sale of such securities will be determined by market conditions at the time of offering. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we offer securities under this prospectus, we will provide offerees with a prospectus supplement that will describe the specific amounts, prices and other important terms of the securities being offered, including, to the extent applicable:
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The prospectus supplement and any related 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 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 forms a part.
The following is a general summary of the securities we may offer with this prospectus. For more specific information regarding any offering of securities, please read the prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you in connection with a particular offering, together with any exhibits that may be filed setting forth the terms of the securities.
Common Stock
We may offer shares of our common stock, $0.01 par value per share, or “common stock.” Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, or “Certificate of Incorporation,” authorizes the issuance of up to 500,000,000 shares of common stock. As of May 30, 2024, a total of 51,762,833 shares of common stock were issued and outstanding and 1,225,000 shares of common stock were reserved for issuance upon exercise of outstanding warrants. The holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters to be voted upon by the stockholders. Our stockholders do not have cumulative voting rights. The holders of our common stock are entitled to receive ratably those dividends, if any, that may be declared from time to time by our board of directors out of funds legally available, subject to preferences that may be applicable to preferred stock, if any, then outstanding. In the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our company, the holders of common stock will be entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining after payment of liabilities, subject to prior distribution rights of preferred stock, if any, then outstanding. Our common stock has no preemptive or conversion rights or other subscription rights or redemption or sinking fund provisions.
Preferred Stock
We may offer shares of our preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, or “preferred stock.” Our Certificate of Incorporation authorizes the issuance of up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock. As of May 30, 2024, no shares of preferred stock were issued and outstanding. Our Certificate of Incorporation authorizes our board of directors to establish one or more series of preferred stock. Unless otherwise required by law or any stock exchange, the authorized shares of preferred stock will be available for issuance without further action by the holders of our common stock. Our board of directors will be able to determine, with respect to any series of preferred stock, the powers (including voting powers), preferences and relative, participating, optional, conversion or other special rights, and the qualifications, limitations, or restrictions thereof. There are no shares of preferred stock presently outstanding and we have no present plan, arrangement, or commitment to issue any preferred stock. | ||
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| Debt Securities
We may offer general debt obligations, which may be secured or unsecured, senior or subordinated and convertible into common stock or other securities. In this prospectus, we refer to debt securities having any or all of these features as the “debt securities.” We may issue debt securities under an indenture to be entered between us and a trustee. 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 forms a part, and supplemental indentures and forms of debt securities containing the terms of the debt securities being offered will be incorporated by reference into this registration statement, of which this prospectus forms a part, from reports that we file with the SEC. Our board of directors will determine the terms of each series of debt securities we may offer.
Warrants
We may offer warrants for the purchase of common stock, preferred stock or debt securities. We may issue warrants by themselves or as units in combination with shares of common stock or preferred stock or with debt securities, and warrants may be attached to or separate from any offered securities. Our board of directors will determine the terms of the warrants, including the class and number of underlying shares, the purchase price and any other rights and privileges, which will be set forth in the form of warrant or the warrant agreement and warrant certificate.
Units
We may offer units comprised of any combination of our common stock, preferred stock, debt securities or warrants to purchase any of these securities, in one or more series. We may evidence each series of units by unit certificates that we will issue under a separate agreement. We may enter into unit agreements with a unit agent, which will be a bank or trust company that we select. We will indicate the name and address of any unit agent in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of units. |
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Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. The prospectus supplement applicable to each offering of our securities will contain a discussion of the risks applicable to an investment in ASP Isotopes Inc. Prior to making a decision about investing in our securities, you should carefully consider the specific factors discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in the applicable prospectus supplement, together with all of the other information contained or incorporated by reference in the prospectus supplement or appearing or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. You should also consider the risks, uncertainties and assumptions discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” included in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K, as may be updated by our subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q or our current reports on Form 8-K that we have filed with the SEC, all of which are incorporated herein by reference, and which may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by reports we file with the SEC in the future. The risks and uncertainties we have described are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also affect our operations. The occurrence of any of these risks might cause you to lose all or part of your investment in the offered securities.
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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus, including documents incorporated by reference herein, contains, and any prospectus supplement may contain, forward-looking statements. These statements are based on management’s beliefs, expectations and assumptions about future events, conditions and results, and on information currently available to management. All statements contained in this prospectus, including documents incorporated by reference herein, and any prospectus supplement, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements regarding our ability to complete the construction of, commission and successfully operate isotope enrichment plants in a cost-effective manner; our ability to meet applicable regulatory requirements for the use of the isotopes we may produce using the ASP technology or the quantum enrichment process; our ability to obtain regulatory approvals for the production and distribution of isotopes; our ability to meet our capital requirements and obtain funding for our operations and future growth; and statements regarding our business strategies, use of capital, results of operations and financial position, and plans and objectives for future operations. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the words “may,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “project,” “potential,” “continue,” “ongoing,” or the negative of these terms, and similar expressions intended to identify statements about the future, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. Discussions containing these forward-looking statements may be found, among other places, in the sections entitled “Business,” “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” incorporated by reference from our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as well as any amendments thereto, filed with the SEC.
Because forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. The events and circumstances reflected in our forward-looking statements may not be achieved or occur and actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements.
This prospectus, including documents incorporated by reference herein, also contains estimates and other statistical data made by independent parties and by us relating to market size and growth and other data about our industry. This data involves a number of assumptions and limitations, and you are cautioned not to give undue weight to such estimates. In addition, projections, assumptions and estimates of our future performance and the future performance of the markets in which we operate are necessarily subject to a high degree of uncertainty and risk.
Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements publicly, or to revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or developments occurring after the date of this prospectus, even if new information becomes available in the future. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.
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We will retain broad discretion over the use of the net proceeds from the sale of our securities offered hereby. Except as described in any prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you, we currently intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of our securities offered hereby for working capital and general corporate purposes, which may include capital expenditures, debt repayment, research and development, sales and marketing and general and administrative expenses. We may also use a portion of the net proceeds to acquire or invest in businesses, products and technologies that are complementary to our own, although we have no current plans, commitments or agreements with respect to any such acquisitions or investments as of the date of this prospectus. Pending the application of the net proceeds, we may invest the net proceeds in short-term, investment grade, interest-bearing securities, certificates of deposit or direct or guaranteed obligations of the U.S. government.
We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus our intended use for the net proceeds received from the sale of any securities sold pursuant to the prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus.
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The following description of our capital stock is a summary and does not purport to be complete. It is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, our Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws, or “Bylaws. This description also summarizes applicable provisions of Delaware law. Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws are filed as exhibits to the registration statement, of which this prospectus forms a part. We encourage you to read our Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws and the applicable provisions of Delaware law for additional information.
General
As of the date of this prospectus, our Certificate of Incorporation authorizes us to issue 500,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share, and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, of which all shares of preferred stock are undesignated. As of May 30, 2024, 51,762,833 shares of common stock were issued and outstanding, and no shares of preferred stock were issued and outstanding.
Common Stock
The holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters to be voted upon by the stockholders. The holders of our common stock are entitled to receive ratably those dividends, if any, that may be declared from time to time by our board of directors out of funds legally available, subject to preferences that may be applicable to preferred stock, if any, then outstanding. In the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our company, the holders of common stock will be entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining after payment of liabilities, subject to prior distribution rights of preferred stock, if any, then outstanding. Our common stock has no preemptive or conversion rights or other subscription rights or redemption or sinking fund provisions.
Our common stock is traded on Nasdaq under the symbol “ASPI.”
The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Equiniti Trust Company, LLC (formerly, American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC). The transfer agent’s address is 6201 15th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11219.
Preferred Stock
Our Certificate of Incorporation authorizes our board of directors to establish one or more series of preferred stock. Unless otherwise required by law or any stock exchange, the authorized shares of preferred stock will be available for issuance without further action by the holders of our common stock. Our board of directors will be able to determine, with respect to any series of preferred stock, the powers (including voting powers), preferences and relative, participating, optional, conversion or other special rights, and the qualifications, limitations, or restrictions thereof. No shares of preferred stock have been issued or are outstanding as of the date of the filing of this registration statement. If we sell any series of preferred stock under this prospectus, we will file a certificate of designation relating to that series, which will be incorporated by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. The prospectus supplement will describe:
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| · | the title and stated value; |
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| · | the number of shares we are offering; |
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| · | the liquidation preference per share; |
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| · | the purchase price per share; |
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| · | the dividend rate per share, dividend period and payment dates and method of calculation for dividends; |
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| · | whether dividends will be cumulative or non-cumulative and, if cumulative, the date from which dividends will accumulate; |
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| · | our right, if any, to defer payment of dividends and the maximum length of any such deferral period; |
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| · | the procedures for any auction and remarketing, if any; |
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| · | the provisions for a sinking fund, if any; |
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| · | the provisions for redemption or repurchase, if applicable, and any restrictions on our ability to exercise those redemption and repurchase rights; |
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| · | any listing of the preferred stock on any securities exchange or market; |
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| · | whether the preferred stock will be convertible into our common stock or other securities of ours, including warrants, and, if applicable, the conversion period, the conversion price, or how it will be calculated, and under what circumstances it may be adjusted; |
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| · | 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; |
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| · | voting rights, if any, of the preferred stock; |
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| · | preemption rights, if any; |
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| · | restrictions on transfer, sale or other assignment, if any; |
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| · | a discussion of any material or special 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; |
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| · | any limitations on issuances of any class or series of preferred stock ranking senior to or on a parity with the series of preferred stock being issued as to dividend rights and rights if we liquidate, dissolve or wind up our affairs; and |
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| · | any other specific terms, rights, preferences, privileges, qualifications or restrictions of the preferred stock. |
Anti-Takeover Matters in our Governing Documents and Under Delaware Law
Our Certificate of Incorporation and our Bylaws contain, and the DGCL contains, provisions that are intended to enhance the likelihood of continuity and stability in the composition of our board of directors. These provisions are intended to avoid costly takeover battles, reduce our vulnerability to a hostile or abusive change of control, and enhance the ability of our board of directors to maximize stockholder value in connection with any unsolicited offer to acquire us. However, these provisions may have an antitakeover effect and may delay, deter, or prevent a merger or acquisition by means of a tender offer, a proxy contest, or other takeover attempt that a stockholder might consider in its best interest, including those attempts that might result in a premium over the prevailing market price for the shares of common stock held by stockholders.
Authorized But Unissued Capital Stock
The authorized but unissued shares of common stock and preferred stock are available for future issuance without stockholder approval, subject to any limitations imposed by the listing standards of Nasdaq. These additional shares may be used for a variety of corporate finance transactions, acquisitions and employee benefit plans. The existence of authorized but unissued and unreserved common stock and preferred stock could make more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of us by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger, or otherwise.
Classified Board of Directors
Our Certificate of Incorporation provides that our board of directors be divided into three classes, with the classes as nearly equal in number as possible and each class serving three-year staggered terms. Directors may only be removed from our board of directors for cause by the affirmative vote of at least 662∕3% of the voting power of all of our then-outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class. In addition, our Certificate of Incorporation provides that, subject to the rights granted to one or more series of preferred stock then outstanding, any newly created directorship on the board of directors that results from an increase in the number of directors and any vacancies on our board of directors will be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors, even if less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director. A director chosen to fill a position resulting from an increase in the number of directors will hold office until the next election of the director’s class and until the director’s successor is duly elected and qualified, or until the director’s earlier death, resignation or removal. These provisions may have the effect of deferring, delaying, or discouraging hostile takeovers, changes in control of us or changes in our management.
Delaware Anti-Takeover Law
We are subject to Section 203 of the DGCL, which is an anti-takeover law. In general, Section 203 prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a business combination with an interested stockholder for a period of three years following the date that the person became an interested stockholder, unless the business combination or the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder is approved in a prescribed manner. Generally, a business combination includes a merger, asset or stock sale, or another transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. Generally, an interested stockholder is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns 15% or more of the corporation’s outstanding voting stock or is the corporation’s affiliate or associate and was the owner of 15% or more of the corporation’s outstanding voting stock at any time within the three-year period immediately before the date of determination. The existence of this provision may have an anti-takeover effect with respect to transactions that are not approved in advance by our board, including discouraging attempts that might result in a premium over the market price for the shares of common stock held by stockholders.
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No Cumulative Voting
Under Delaware law, the right to vote cumulatively does not exist unless the certificate of incorporation specifically authorizes cumulative voting. Our Certificate of Incorporation does not authorize cumulative voting. Therefore, stockholders holding a majority of the shares of our stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors are able to elect all of our directors.
Special Stockholder Meetings
Our Certificate of Incorporation provides that special meetings of our stockholders may be called at any time only by or at the direction of the board of directors, the chair of the board of directors or our Chief Executive Officer. Our Bylaws prohibit the conduct of any business at a special meeting other than as specified in the notice for such meeting. These provisions may have the effect of deferring, delaying, or discouraging hostile takeovers or changes in control or management.
Director Nominations and Stockholder Proposals
Our Bylaws establish advance notice procedures with respect to stockholder proposals and the nomination of candidates for election as directors, other than nominations made by or at the direction of the board of directors or a committee of the board of directors. In order for any matter to be “properly brought” before a meeting, a stockholder will have to comply with advance notice requirements and provide us with certain information. Generally, to be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be received at our principal executive offices not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders. Our Bylaws also specify requirements as to the form and content of a stockholder’s notice. Our Bylaws allow the chair of a meeting of the stockholders to adopt rules and regulations for the conduct of that meeting that may have the effect of precluding the conduct of certain business at that meeting if the rules and regulations are not followed. These provisions may also defer, delay, or discourage a potential acquirer from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect the acquirer’s own slate of directors or otherwise attempting to influence or obtain control.
Stockholder Action by Written Consent
Pursuant to Section 228 of the DGCL, any action required to be taken at any annual or special meeting of the stockholders may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice, and without a vote if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, is or are signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares of our stock entitled to vote thereon were present and voted, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Our Certificate of Incorporation precludes stockholder action by written consent.
Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws
The DGCL provides generally that the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares entitled to vote on any matter is required to amend a corporation’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws, unless a corporation’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws, as the case may be, requires a greater percentage. Our Bylaws may be amended or repealed by a majority vote of our board of directors or by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 662∕3% of the votes which all our stockholders would be entitled to cast in any annual election of directors. In addition, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 662∕3% of the votes which all our stockholders would be entitled to cast in any election of directors will be required to amend or repeal or to adopt any provisions inconsistent with any of the provisions of our Certificate of Incorporation described above.
The foregoing provisions of our Certificate of Incorporation and our Bylaws could discourage potential acquisition proposals and could delay or prevent a change in control. These provisions are intended to enhance the likelihood of continuity and stability in the composition of our board of directors and in the policies formulated by our board of directors and to discourage certain types of transactions that may involve an actual or threatened change of control. These provisions are designed to reduce our vulnerability to an unsolicited acquisition proposal. The provisions also are intended to discourage certain tactics that may be used in proxy fights. However, such provisions could have the effect of discouraging others from making tender offers for our shares and, as a consequence, they also may inhibit fluctuations in the market price of our shares of common stock that could result from actual or rumored takeover attempts. Such provisions also may have the effect of preventing changes in our management or delaying or preventing a transaction that might benefit you or other minority stockholders.
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Exclusive Forum
Our Certificate of Incorporation provides that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware be the sole and exclusive forum for: (1) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of our company, (2) any action asserting a claim of breach of fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer, agent, or other employee or stockholder of our company to us or our stockholders, (3) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL, our Certificate of Incorporation or our Bylaws or as to which the DGCL confers jurisdiction on the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, or (4) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine, in each case subject to such Court of Chancery having personal jurisdiction over the indispensable parties named as defendants therein. It will further provide that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the federal district courts of the United States of America shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for the resolutions of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act. The exclusive forum clauses described above shall not apply to suits brought to enforce a duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction. Although we believe these provisions benefit us by providing increased consistency in the application of applicable law in the types of lawsuits to which they apply, the provisions may have the effect of discouraging lawsuits against our directors and officers. The enforceability of similar choice of forum provisions in other companies’ certificates of incorporation has been challenged in legal proceedings and there is uncertainty as to whether a court would enforce such provisions. In addition, investors cannot waive compliance with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. It is possible that, in connection with any applicable action brought against us, a court could find the choice of forum provisions contained in our Certificate of Incorporation to be inapplicable or unenforceable in such action. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of our capital stock shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the forum provisions in our Certificate of Incorporation.
Limitations of Liability and Indemnification
The DGCL authorizes corporations to limit or eliminate the personal liability of directors to corporations and their stockholders for monetary damages for breaches of directors’ fiduciary duties, subject to certain exceptions. Our Certificate of Incorporation includes a provision that eliminates the personal liability of directors for monetary damages to the corporation or its stockholders for any breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except to the extent such exemption from liability or limitation thereof is not permitted under the DGCL. The effect of these provisions is to eliminate the rights of us and our stockholders, through stockholders’ derivative suits on our behalf, to recover monetary damages from a director for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, including breaches resulting from grossly negligent behavior. However, exculpation does not apply to any breaches of the director’s duty of loyalty, any acts or omissions not in good faith or that involve intentional misconduct or knowing violation of law, any authorization of dividends or stock redemptions or repurchases paid or made in violation of the DGCL, or for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.
Our Bylaws generally provide that we must indemnify and advance expenses to our directors and officers to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL. We also are expressly authorized to carry directors’ and officers’ liability insurance providing indemnification for our directors, officers and certain employees for some liabilities. We believe these indemnification and advancement provisions and insurance are useful to attract and retain qualified directors and executive officers.
The limitation of liability, indemnification and advancement provisions in our Certificate of Incorporation and our Bylaws may discourage stockholders from bringing a lawsuit against directors for breach of their fiduciary duty. These provisions also may have the effect of reducing the likelihood of derivative litigation against directors and officers, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise benefit us and our stockholders. In addition, your investment may be adversely affected to the extent we pay the costs of settlement and damage awards against directors and officers pursuant to these indemnification provisions.
There is currently no pending material litigation or proceeding involving any of our directors, officers or employees for which indemnification is sought.
We have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and executive officers, under which we have agreed to indemnify our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by law, including indemnification against expenses and liabilities incurred in legal proceedings to which the director or officer was, or is threatened to be made, a party by reason of the fact that such director or officer is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of our company, provided that such director or officer acted in good faith and in a manner that the director or officer reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interest of our company. The indemnification agreements also set forth certain procedures, presumptions and remedies that will apply in the event of a claim for indemnification thereunder.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors or executive officers, we have been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy and is therefore unenforceable.
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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
The following description summarizes the material terms and provisions of the debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus. 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. While the terms we have summarized below will apply generally to any debt securities we may offer under this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus will describe the specific terms of any debt securities offered through that prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus. The terms of any debt securities we offer under a prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus may differ from the terms we describe below. Unless the context requires otherwise, whenever we refer to the “indentures,” we also are referring to any supplemental indentures that specify the terms of a particular series of 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 forms 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 forms 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 (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 summary of material provisions of the senior debt securities, the subordinated debt securities and the indentures is 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 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 as applicable:
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| · | the title; |
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| · | the principal amount being offered, and if a series, the total amount authorized and the total amount outstanding; |
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| · | any limit on the amount that may be issued; |
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| · | 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; |
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| · | the maturity date; |
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| · | 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; |
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| · | 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; |
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| · | whether or not the debt securities will be secured or unsecured, and the terms of any secured debt; |
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| · | the terms of the subordination of any series of subordinated debt; |
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| · | the place where payments will be payable; |
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| · | restrictions on transfer, sale or other assignment, if any; |
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| · | our right, if any, to defer payment of interest and the maximum length of any such deferral period; |
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| · | 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; |
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| · | 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; |
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| · | whether the indenture will restrict our ability or the ability of our subsidiaries to: |
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| · | incur additional indebtedness; |
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| · | issue additional securities; |
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| · | create liens; |
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| · | pay dividends or make distributions in respect of our capital stock or the capital stock of our subsidiaries; |
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| · | redeem capital stock; |
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| · | place restrictions on our subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends, make distributions or transfer assets; |
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| · | make investments or other restricted payments; |
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| · | sell or otherwise dispose of assets; |
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| · | enter into sale-leaseback transactions; |
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| · | engage in transactions with stockholders or affiliates; |
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| · | issue or sell stock of our subsidiaries; |
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| · | effect a consolidation or merger; |
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| · | whether the indenture will require us to maintain any interest coverage, fixed charge, cash flow-based, asset-based or other financial ratios; |
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| · | a discussion of material or special United States (“U.S.”) federal income tax considerations applicable to the debt securities; |
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| · | information describing any book-entry features; |
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| · | provisions for a sinking fund purchase or other analogous fund, if any; |
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| · | the applicability of the provisions in the indenture on discharge; |
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| · | 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; |
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| · | the denominations in which we will issue the series of debt securities, if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof; |
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| · | 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 |
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| · | 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. |
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 and must be a corporation organized and validly existing under the laws of any U.S. domestic jurisdiction. 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.
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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:
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| · | if we fail to pay interest when due and payable and our failure continues for 30 days and the time for payment has not been extended; |
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| · | 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; |
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| · | 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 60 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 |
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| · | 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, 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 due and payable immediately.
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. Subject to the terms of the indentures, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee, with respect to the debt securities of that series, provided that:
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| · | the direction so given by the holder is not in conflict with any law or the applicable indenture; and |
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| · | 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. |
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| Subject to the terms of the indentures, 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: | ||
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| · | the holder has given written notice to the trustee of a continuing event of default with respect to that series; |
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| · | the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have made written request to the trustee to institute proceedings, 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 |
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| · | 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 60 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 expect to periodically file statements with the trustee regarding our compliance with specified covenants in the indentures.
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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 enter into one or more supplemental indentures, without the consent of any holders, with respect to the following specific matters:
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| · | to evidence the succession of another person to our company and the assumption by any such successor of our covenants; |
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| · | to add our covenants or to surrender any right or power therein conferred upon us; |
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| · | to add any additional events of default; |
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| · | to add to or change any of the provisions of the indenture to provide that bearer securities may be registrable as to principal, to change or eliminate any restrictions on the payment of principal of or premium or make-whole amount, if any, or interest on bearer securities, to permit bearer securities to be issued in exchange for registered securities, to permit bearer securities to be issued in exchange for bearer securities of other authorized denominations or to permit or facilitate the issuance of securities in uncertificated form, provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the holders of securities of any series or any related coupons in any material respect; |
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| · | to change or eliminate any of the provisions of the indenture, provided that any such change or elimination shall become effective only when there is no securities outstanding of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture which is entitled to the benefit of such provision; |
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| · | to secure the securities; |
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| · | to establish the form or terms of securities of any series and any related coupons as permitted or contemplated in the indentures; |
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| · | to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee with respect to the securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of the indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts by more than one trustee; |
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| · | to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision, or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under the indenture which shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of the indentures, provided such provisions shall not adversely affect the interests of the holders of securities of any series or any related coupons in any material respect; |
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| · | to supplement any of the provisions of the indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance and discharge of any series of securities per the indentures; provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the holders of securities of such series and any related coupons or any other series of securities in any material respect; |
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| · | to make provisions with respect to holders' rights of conversion with respect to any series of securities |
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:
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| · | extending the stated maturity of the series of debt securities; |
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| · | 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 |
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| · | 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.
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. This discharge may occur only if, among other things, we have delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel stating that all conditions precedent provided for in the indenture relating to the discharge have been complied with.
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Form, Exchange and Transfer
We plan to 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. 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 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:
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| · | 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 |
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| · | 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.
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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
We expect the indentures and the debt securities to 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 any of 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.
Existing Long-Term Debt
On March 7, 2024, Quantum Leap Energy LLC, or “QLE,” our wholly owned subsidiary, issued convertible notes payable, or “Convertible Notes,” in the aggregate principal amount of $21,063,748 and received aggregate gross proceeds of $20,550,000. The Convertible Notes are payable on demand on March 7, 2029 and bear an annual interest rate of 6% for the first year and 8% thereafter. Upon a qualified financing event, the Convertible Notes convert into the shares to be issued in that qualified financing event at a price per share equal to 80% of the share price issued subject to a valuation cap. Upon a qualified transaction, the noteholders may elect to receive either 1.5x the principal and accrued interest balance in cash or convert into common shares. The Convertible Notes are general unsecured obligations of QLE. We are not a guarantor of the Convertible Notes. The Convertible Notes are subordinate in right of payment to all current and future indebtedness of QLE for borrowed money to banks, commercial finance lenders or other institutions regularly engaged in the business of lending money (whether or not such indebtedness is secured).
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The following description summarizes the material terms and provisions of the warrants that we may offer under this prospectus. 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 or free writing prospectus, which may specify different or additional terms. Specific warrant agreements and warrant certificates related to warrants offered under this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus will contain additional important terms and provisions and will be incorporated by reference into the registration statement, of which this prospectus forms a part, from reports that we file with the SEC.
General
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 together with common stock, preferred stock and/or debt securities, and the warrants may be attached to or separate from these securities. We plan to evidence each series of warrants by warrant certificates that we will issue under a separate warrant agreement. We will enter into the warrant agreement with a warrant agent. We will indicate the name and address of the warrant agent in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of warrants.
We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms of the series of warrants, including as applicable:
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| · | the offering price, currency, and aggregate number of warrants offered; |
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| · | the designation and terms of the securities with which the warrants are issued and the number of warrants issued with each such security or each principal amount of such security; |
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| · | the date on and after which the warrants and the related securities will be separately transferable; |
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| · | in the case of warrants to purchase debt securities, the principal amount of debt securities purchasable upon exercise of one warrant and the price at, and currency in which, this principal amount of debt securities may be purchased upon such exercise; |
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| · | in the case of warrants to purchase common stock or preferred stock, the number of shares of common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, purchasable upon the exercise of one warrant and the price at which these shares may be purchased upon such exercise; |
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| · | the effect of any merger, consolidation, sale or other disposition of our business on the warrant agreement and the warrants; |
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| · | 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 periods during which, and places at which, the warrants are exercisable; |
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| · | the manner of exercise; |
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| · | the dates on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence and expire; |
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| · | the manner in which the warrant agreement and warrants may be modified; |
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| · | the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of holding or exercising the warrants; |
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| · | the terms of the securities issuable upon exercise of the warrants; and |
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| · | any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of or restrictions on the warrants. |
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The following description summarizes the material terms and provisions of the units that we may offer under this prospectus. We may issue units comprised of shares of common stock, shares of preferred stock, debt securities and warrants in any combination. We may issue units in such amounts and in as many distinct series as we deem appropriate under one or more unit agreements to be entered into between us and a bank or other financial institution, as a unit agent. The specific terms of any series of units offered will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, and such terms may differ from the general description presented below. If we issue units, forms of unit agreements and unit certificates relating to such units will be incorporated by reference into this registration statement, of which this prospectus forms a part, from reports that we file with the SEC.
General
Each unit that we may issue 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 unit agreement, under which a unit is issued may provide that the securities included in the unit may not be held or transferred separately, at any time or at any time before a specified date.
The applicable prospectus supplement may describe:
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| · | the designation and terms of the units and of the securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances those securities may be held or transferred separately; |
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| · | the identity of any unit agent for the units, if applicable, and of any other depositaries, execution or paying agents, transfer agents, registrars or other agents; |
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| · | any additional terms of the governing unit agreement, as applicable; |
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| · | the price or prices at which such units will be issued; |
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| · | the material U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to the units; |
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| · | any provisions for the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units or of the securities comprising the units; and |
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| · | any other terms of the units and of the securities comprising the units. |
The provisions described in this section, as well as those described under “Description of Capital Stock,” “Description of Debt Securities” and “Description of Warrants” will apply to the securities included in each unit, to the extent relevant and as may be updated in any prospectus supplements.
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We may sell these securities directly to one or more investors. We may also sell these securities through agents designated from time to time or to or through underwriters or dealers. We may sell these securities through “at the market” offerings, within the meaning of Rule 415(a)(4) of the Securities Act, to or through a market maker or into an existing trading market, on an exchange or otherwise. The applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus will describe the terms of the offering of the securities, including, to the extent applicable:
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| · | the name or names of any agents, underwriters or dealers; |
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| · | the purchase price of the securities being offered and the net proceeds we will receive from the sale; |
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| · | any over-allotment options under which underwriters may purchase additional securities from us; |
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| · | any agency fees or underwriting discounts and other items constituting agents’ or underwriters’ compensation; |
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| · | any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and |
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| · | any securities exchanges or markets on which such securities may be listed. |
We may distribute the securities from time to time in one or more transactions at:
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| · | a fixed price or prices, which may be changed from time to time; |
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| · | market prices prevailing at the time of sale; |
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| · | prices related to such prevailing market prices; or |
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| · | negotiated prices. |
Agents and Underwriters
We may designate agents who agree to use their reasonable efforts to solicit purchases of our securities for the period of their appointment or to sell our securities on a continuing basis. We will name any agent involved in the offering and sale of securities and we will describe any fees or commissions we will pay the agent in the applicable prospectus supplement.
If we use underwriters for a sale of securities, the underwriters will acquire the securities for their own account. The underwriters may resell the securities in one or more transactions, including negotiated 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. Subject to certain conditions, the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the securities of the series offered if they purchase any of the securities of that series. We may change from time to time any public offering price and any discounts or concessions the underwriters allow or reallow or pay to dealers. We may use underwriters with whom we have a material relationship. We will name any underwriter involved in the offering and sale of securities, describe any discount or other compensation and describe the nature of any material relationship in any applicable prospectus supplement. Only underwriters we name in the prospectus supplement will be underwriters of the securities offered by that prospectus supplement.
Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of the securities may be underwriters as defined in the Securities Act, and any discounts or commissions they receive from us and any profit on their resale of the securities may be treated as underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. We will identify in the applicable prospectus supplement any underwriters, dealers or agents and will describe their compensation.
We may have agreements with the underwriters, dealers and agents to indemnify them against specified civil liabilities related to offerings under this prospectus, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or contribution with respect to payments that the agents or underwriters may make with respect to these liabilities. Underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of their businesses.
Trading Markets and Listing of Securities
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, each class or series of securities will be a new issue with no established trading market, other than our common stock, which is currently listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market. We may elect to list or qualify for trading any other class or series of securities on any securities exchange or other market, but we are not obligated to do so. It is possible that one or more underwriters may make a market in a class or series of securities, but the underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. We cannot give any assurance as to the liquidity of the trading market for any of the securities.
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At-the-Market Offerings
To the extent that we make sales through one or more underwriters or agents in at-the-market offerings, we will do so pursuant to the terms of a sales agency financing agreement or other at-the-market offering arrangement between us and the underwriters or agents. If we engage in at-the-market sales pursuant to any such agreement, we will issue and sell our securities through one or more underwriters or agents, which may act on an agency basis or a principal basis. During the term of any such agreement, we may sell securities on a daily basis in exchange transactions or otherwise as we agree with the underwriters or agents. Any such agreement will provide that any securities sold will be sold at prices related to the then prevailing market prices for our securities. Therefore, exact figures regarding proceeds that will be raised or commissions to be paid cannot be determined at this time. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, we may agree to sell, and the relevant underwriters or agents may agree to solicit offers to purchase blocks of our common stock or other securities. The terms of any such agreement will be set forth in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Stabilization Activities
Any underwriter may engage in overallotment, stabilizing transactions, short covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act. Overallotment 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. Short covering transactions involve purchases of the securities 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 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 these activities at any time.
Passive Market Making
Any underwriter who is a qualified market maker on the Nasdaq Stock Market may engage in passive market making transactions in securities listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market in accordance with Rule 103 of Regulation M, during the business day prior to the pricing of the offering, before the commencement of offers or sales of the securities. A passive market maker must comply with applicable volume and price limitations and must be identified as a passive market maker. 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.
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Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the validity of any common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants or units offered under this prospectus and any supplement hereto will be passed upon for us by Blank Rome LLP, Dallas, Texas.
The consolidated balance sheets of ASP Isotopes Inc. and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss, changes in 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 by reference, which report includes an explanatory paragraph about the existence of substantial doubt concerning the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Such financial statements have been incorporated by reference in reliance on the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
SEC rules permit us to incorporate information by reference into this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, except for information superseded by information contained in this prospectus or the applicable prospectus supplement itself or in any subsequently filed incorporated document. This prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement incorporate by reference the documents set forth below that we have previously filed with the SEC (other than information in such documents that is deemed to be furnished and not filed). These documents contain important information about us and our business and financial condition.
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| · | Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on April 10, 2024, and as amended by that Form 10-K/A filed with the SEC on April 29, 2024; |
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| · | Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, filed with the SEC on May 15, 2024; |
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| · | Our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on January 18, 2024, February 29, 2024, April 9, 2024, and June 6, 2024; and |
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| · | The description of the Company’s common stock contained in Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on April 10, 2024, including any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description. |
All documents that we file (other than information in such documents that is deemed to be furnished and not filed), pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, after the date of the initial filing of the registration statement, of which this prospectus forms a part, and prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus and will automatically update and supersede the information in this prospectus, and any previously filed documents. All documents that we file ((other than information in such documents that is deemed to be furnished and not filed) pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act on or after the date of this prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering of any of the securities covered under this prospectus shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus and will automatically update and supersede the information in this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and any previously filed documents.
Any statement contained herein or in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus or the applicable prospectus supplement shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus and such applicable prospectus supplement to the extent that a statement contained in such applicable prospectus supplement, or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus and such applicable prospectus supplement, modifies or supersedes such earlier statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus or such applicable prospectus supplement.
Documents incorporated by reference are available from us without charge, excluding all exhibits.
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Prospective investors may obtain documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement at no cost by requesting them in writing or by telephone from us at our executive offices at:
ASP Isotopes Inc.
1101 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 300
Washington, D.C. 20004
(202) 756-2245
Attention: Corporate Secretary
You may also access these documents, free of charge, on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or on our website at www.aspisotopes.com. Information contained on, or that can be accessed through, the SEC’s website or our website is not part of and is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus, and you should not consider information on our website to be part of this prospectus.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
As permitted by SEC rules, this prospectus omits certain information that is included in the registration statement, of which this prospectus forms a part, and its exhibits. Since this prospectus may not contain all of the information that you may find important, we urge you to review the full text of these documents. If we have filed a contract, agreement or other document as an exhibit to the registration statement, of which this prospectus forms a part, please read the exhibit for a more complete understanding of the document or matter involved. Each statement in this prospectus, including statements incorporated by reference as discussed above, regarding a contract, agreement or other document is qualified in its entirety by reference to the actual document.
We are subject to the information reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and, in accordance with these requirements, we file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements, information statements, and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any materials we file with the SEC at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or on our website at www.aspisotopes.com. Information contained on, or that can be accessed through, the SEC’s website or our website is not part of and is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus, and you should not consider information on our website to be part of this prospectus.
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Shares
Common Stock
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| PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
July , 2024 |
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Canaccord Genuity
