ABOUT
THIS PROSPECTUS
This
prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, using a
“shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration statement, we may sell from time to time in one or more offerings
up to a total dollar amount of $100,000,000 of common stock and preferred stock, depositary shares representing preferred stock and various
series of debt securities, rights, warrants to purchase any of such securities, and/or units, either individually or in combination
with other securities as described in this prospectus. Each time we sell any type or series of securities under this prospectus, we will
provide a prospectus supplement that will contain more 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 these offerings. We may also
add, update or change in a prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus any of the information contained in this prospectus or in
documents we have incorporated by reference into this prospectus. This prospectus, together with any applicable prospectus supplement
or free writing prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus, include all material information relating
to this offering. You should carefully read both this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing
prospectus together with the additional information described under “Where You Can Find More Information” before buying securities
in this offering.
You
should rely only on the information contained in, or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus and the applicable prospectus
supplement, along with the information contained in any free writing prospectuses we have authorized for use in connection with
a specific offering. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different or additional information. We are not making
an offer to sell or seeking an offer to buy securities under this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement or free writing
prospectus in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. The information contained in this prospectus, any applicable
prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein are accurate only
as of their respective dates, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any sale of a security.
The
information appearing in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus is accurate only
as of the date on the front of the document 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, the applicable prospectus supplement or
any related free writing prospectus, or any sale of a security. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects
may have changed since those dates.
This
prospectus contains summaries of certain provisions contained in some of the documents described herein, but reference is made to the
actual documents for complete information. All of the summaries are qualified in their entirety by the actual documents. Copies of some
of the documents referred to herein have been filed, will be filed or will be incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration
statement of which this prospectus is a part, and you may obtain copies of those documents as described below under the section entitled
“Where You Can Find More Information.”
We
may sell securities through underwriters or dealers, through agents, directly to purchasers or through any combination of these methods.
We and our agents reserve the sole right to accept or reject in whole or in part any proposed purchase of securities. The prospectus
supplement, which we will prepare and file with the SEC each time we offer securities, will set forth the names of any underwriters,
agents or others involved in the sale of securities, and any applicable fee, commission or discount arrangements with them. See “Plan
of Distribution.”
In
this prospectus, unless otherwise indicated, “our company,” “Protagenic,” “we,” “us”
or “our” refer to Protagenic Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its consolidated subsidiaries.
PROSPECTUS
SUMMARY
This
prospectus summary highlights certain information about our company and other information contained elsewhere in this prospectus or in
documents incorporated by reference. This summary does not contain all of the information that you should consider before making an investment
decision. You should carefully read the entire prospectus, any prospectus supplement, including the section entitled “Risk Factors”
and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus, before making an investment decision.
The
Offering
This
prospectus is part of a Registration Statement that we filed with the SEC utilizing a shelf registration process. Under this shelf registration
process, we may sell any combination of:
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common
stock;
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preferred
stock;
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debt
securities, in one or more series;
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right
to purchase common stock of other securities; and/or
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warrant
to purchase common stock of other securities; and/or
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in
one or more offerings up to a total dollar amount of $100,000,000. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities
we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the
terms of that specific offering and include a discussion of any risk factors or other special considerations that apply to those securities.
The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read both this prospectus
and any prospectus supplement together with the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”
Our
Company
Overview
We
are a biopharmaceutical corporation specializing in the discovery and development of therapeutics to treat stress-related neuropsychiatric
and mood disorders utilizing synthetic forms of endogenous brain signaling peptides that can dampen overactive stress responses.
The
mechanism by which we will target these stress-related disorders is based on over 15 years of work elucidating the role of Teneurin Carboxy-terminal
Associated Peptide (“TCAP”), which has been found to have a central role in maintaining healthy brain signaling. TCAP is
an endogenous counterbalance to the negative effects of stress and its criticality is underscored by a high degree of evolutionarily
preservation. TCAP signaling counteracts the effects of Corticotropin Releasing Factor on the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal axis, thus
reducing the stress hormone cortisol. We intend to bring novel forms of TCAP into human clinical development as a treatment for stress-related
neuropsychiatric disorders. Our lead compound – PT00114 – is a 41-residue peptide synthetic form of TCAP that can be administered
subcutaneously, sublingually, or intra-nasally. In addition, we have a portfolio of earlier stage neuropeptides targeting the TCAP pathway
that are in preclinical evaluation.
Our
strategy is to develop TCAP neuropeptide-based drug candidates, beginning with PT00114, in stress-related indications, including, but
not limited to: treatment resistant depression (“TRD”), which is a subgroup of major depressive disorder (“MDD”);
addiction, recidivism, or substance use disorder (“SUD”); anxiety, including generalized anxiety disorder (“GAD”),
and post-traumatic stress disorder (“PTSD”).
Risk
Factors Summary
Below
is a summary of material factors that make an investment in our securities speculative or risky. Importantly, this summary does not address
all of the risks and uncertainties that we face. Additional discussion of the risks and uncertainties summarized in this risk factor
summary, as well as other risks and uncertainties that we face, can be found under “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of our
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020. The below summary is qualified in its entirety by that more complete
discussion of such risks and uncertainties. You should consider carefully the risks and uncertainties described under “Risk Factors”
in Part I, Item 1A of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K as part of your evaluation of the risks associated with an investment
in our securities.
Risks
Related to Our Financial Condition and Capital Requirements
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The Company’s financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, and do not include adjustments that might be necessary
if the Company is unable to continue as a going concern.
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If we continue to incur operating losses and fail to obtain the capital necessary to fund our operations, we will be unable to advance
our development programs, complete our clinical trials, or bring products to market, or may be forced to reduce or cease operations entirely.
In addition, any capital obtained by us may be obtained on terms that are unfavorable to us, our investors, or both.
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Unstable market and economic conditions may have serious adverse consequences on our ability to raise funds, which may cause us to cease
or delay our operations.
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Covid-19 could adversely impact our business, including our clinical trials, and financial condition.
Risks
Related to Clinical Development and Regulatory Approval
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Our results to date provide no basis for predicting whether any of our product candidates will be safe or effective, or receive regulatory
approval.
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We may not be able to initiate and complete preclinical studies and clinical trials for our product candidates which could adversely
affect our business.
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If we experience delays or difficulties in the enrollment of subjects to our clinical trials, our receipt of necessary regulatory approvals
could be delayed or prevented, which could materially affect our financial condition.
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If the market opportunities for our current and potential future drug candidates are smaller than we believe they are, our ability to
generate product revenues will be adversely affected and our business may suffer.
Risks
Related to Our Reliance on Third Parties
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We have no experience in sales, marketing and distribution and may have to enter into agreements with third parties to perform these
functions, which could prevent us from successfully commercializing our product candidates.
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Data provided by collaborators and other parties upon which we rely have not been independently verified and could turn out to be inaccurate,
misleading, or incomplete.
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We rely on third parties to conduct our non-clinical studies and our clinical trials. If these third parties do not successfully carry
out their contractual duties or meet expected deadlines, we may be unable to obtain regulatory approval for or commercialize our current
product candidates or any future products, on a timely basis or at all, and our financial condition will be adversely affected.
Risks
Related to Commercialization of Our Product Candidates
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We have no experience as a company in commercializing any product. If we fail to obtain commercial expertise, upon product approval by
regulatory agencies, our product launch and revenues could be delayed.
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We may not be able to gain market acceptance of our product candidates, which would prevent us from becoming profitable.
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We may not be able to manufacture our product candidates in clinical or commercial quantities, which would prevent us from commercializing
our product candidates.
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Disputes under key agreements or conflicts of interest with our scientific advisors or clinical investigators could delay or prevent
development or commercialization of our product candidates.
Risks
Related to Our Intellectual Property
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We may not be able to maintain our exclusive worldwide license to use and develop PT00114 which could materially affect our business
plan.
Risks
Related to Our Business Operations and Industry
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If we are not able to retain our current senior management team and our scientific advisors or continue to attract and retain qualified
scientific, technical and business personnel, our business will suffer.
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We may encounter difficulties in managing our growth, which could adversely affect our operations.
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Healthcare reform measures could adversely affect our business.
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Our business and operations are vulnerable to computer system failures, cyber-attacks or deficiencies in our cyber-security, which could
increase our expenses, divert the attention of our management and key personnel away from our business operations and adversely affect
our results of operations.
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Failure to comply with health and data protection laws and regulations could lead to government enforcement actions (which could include
civil or criminal penalties), private litigation or adverse publicity and could negatively affect our operating results and business.
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If we, our CROs or our IT vendors experience security or data privacy breaches or other unauthorized or improper access to, use of, or
destruction of personal data, we may face costs, significant liabilities, harm to our brand and business disruption.
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If we do not comply with laws regulating the protection of the environment and health and human safety, our business could be adversely
affected.
Risks
Associated to our Common Stock
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Our common stock is a “Penny Stock” subject to specific rules governing its sale to investors that could impact its liquidity.
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There is no recent trading activity in our common stock and there is no assurance that an active market will develop in the future.
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Our ability to list on Nasdaq will require raising significant capital; failure to qualify to trade on Nasdaq will make it more difficult
to raise capital.
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The market price of our common stock may be volatile, which could lead to losses by investors and costly securities litigation.
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If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal controls, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results or detect
fraud. Consequently, investors could lose confidence in our financial reporting and this may decrease the trading price of our stock.
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Investors may experience dilution of their ownership interests because of the future issuance of additional shares of our common stock.
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Our common stock is controlled by insiders.
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We do not intend to pay dividends for the foreseeable future and may never pay dividends.
Our
certificate of incorporation allows for our board to create new series of preferred stock without further approval by our stockholders,
which could adversely affect the rights of the holders of our common stock.
Corporate
Information
We
are a Delaware corporation with one subsidiary, Protagenic Therapeutics Canada (2006) Inc., a corporation formed in 2006 under the laws
of the Province of Ontario, Canada. Our principal offices are located at 149 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10010. Our telephone number
is (212) 994-8200. The inclusion of our website address does not include or incorporate by reference into this prospectus supplement
or the accompanying prospectus any information on, or accessible through, our website. Our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports
on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K, together with amendments to these reports, are available on the “Investor Relations”
section of our website, free of charge, as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with, or furnished
to, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).
The
Securities We May Offer
We
may offer shares of our common stock and preferred stock, depositary shares representing a fractional interest in a share of preferred
stock, various series of debt securities, rights, warrants to purchase any of such securities, and/or units either individually
or in combination with other securities, with a total value of up to $100,000,000 from time to time under this prospectus, together with
the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, at prices and on terms to be determined at the time of
any offering. We may also offer common stock, preferred stock and/or debt securities upon the exercise of the rights or warrants.
This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we offer a type or series of securities
under this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will describe the specific amounts, prices and other important terms
of the securities, including.
RISK
FACTORS
Investing
in our securities involves risk. The prospectus supplement applicable to a particular offering of securities will contain a discussion
of the risks applicable to an investment in Protagenic and to the particular types of securities that we are offering under that prospectus
supplement. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider the risks described under “Risk Factors”
in the applicable prospectus supplement and the risks described in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 2020, as amended from time to time, which is incorporated herein by reference, or any updates in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q,
together with all of the other information appearing in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus and any applicable prospectus
supplement, in light of your particular investment objectives and financial circumstances. Our business, financial condition or results
of operations could be materially adversely affected by any of these risks. The trading price of our securities could decline due to
any of these risks, and you may lose all or part of your investment.
SPECIAL
NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This
prospectus contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
or Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or Exchange Act. Forward-looking statements reflect the current
view about future events. When used in this prospectus, the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,”
“expect,” “future,” “intend,” “plan,” or the negative of these terms and similar expressions,
as they relate to us or our management, identify forward-looking statements. Such statements, include, but are not limited to, statements
contained in this prospectus relating to our business strategy, our future operating results and liquidity and capital resources outlook.
Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and assumptions regarding our business, the economy and other future
conditions. Because forward–looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes
in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Our actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking
statements. They are neither statements of historical fact nor guarantees of assurance of future performance. We caution you therefore
against relying on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from
those in the forward-looking statements include, without limitation, the results of clinical trials and the regulatory approval process;
our ability to raise capital to fund continuing operations; market acceptance of any products that may be approved for commercialization;
our ability to protect our intellectual property rights; the impact of any infringement actions or other litigation brought against us;
competition from other providers and products; our ability to develop and commercialize new and improved products and services; changes
in government regulation; our ability to complete capital raising transactions; and other factors (including the risks contained in the
section entitled “Risk Factors” of the applicable prospectus supplement) relating to our industry, our operations and results
of operations. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should the underlying assumptions prove incorrect,
actual results may differ significantly from those anticipated, believed, estimated, expected, intended or planned.
Factors
or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of
them. We cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Except as required by applicable law, including
the securities laws of the United States, we do not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements to conform these statements
to actual results.
DIVIDEND
POLICY
We
have never paid any cash dividends on our common stock. We anticipate that we will retain funds and future earnings to support operations
and to finance the growth and development of our business. Therefore, we do not expect to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future
following this offering, if at all. Any future determination to pay dividends will be at the discretion of our board of directors and
will depend on our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements and other factors that our board of directors deems
relevant. In addition, the terms of any future debt or credit financings may preclude us from paying dividends.
USE
OF PROCEEDS
Except
as otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities covered
by this prospectus for general corporate purposes, which may include, but is not limited to, working capital, capital expenditures,
research and development clinical trial expenditures, acquisitions of additional companies or technologies and investments. We may temporarily
invest the net proceeds in investment-grade, interest-bearing securities until they are used for their stated purpose. We have not determined
the amount of net proceeds to be used specifically for such purposes. As a result, management will retain broad discretion over the allocation
of net proceeds.
DESCRIPTION
OF CAPITAL STOCK
The
following is a description of our Common Stock, $0.0001 par value (the “Common Stock”) and Preferred Stock, $0.000001
par value (the “Preferred Stock”). The Common Stock is the only security of the Company registered pursuant to Section
12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).
General.
We are authorized to issue is 120,000,000 shares of all classes of capital stock, of which 100,000,000 shares are Common Stock,
$0.001 par value per share, and 20,000,000 shares are Preferred Stock, $0.000001 par value per share. Our capital is stated in
U.S. dollars. As of May 14, 2021, we had 14,643,780 outstanding shares of Common Stock.
Common
Stock
Voting.
The holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters on which the holders are entitled
to vote (or consent pursuant to written consent).
Dividends.
The holders of our common stock are entitled to receive, ratably, dividends only if, when and as declared by our board of directors out
of funds legally available therefor and after provision is made for each class of capital stock having preference over the common stock.
We have never declared or paid dividends. We do not intend to pay cash dividends on our common stock for the foreseeable future, but
currently intend to retain any future earnings to fund the development and growth of our business. The payment of dividends if any, on
our common stock will rest solely within the discretion of our board of directors and will depend, among other things, upon our earnings,
capital requirements, financial condition, and other relevant factors.
Liquidation
Rights. In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, the holders of our common stock are entitled to share, ratably,
in all assets remaining available for distribution after payment of all liabilities and after provision is made for each class of capital
stock having preference over the common stock.
Conversion
Rights. The holders of our common stock have no conversion rights.
Preemptive
and Similar Rights. The holders of our common stock have no preemptive or similar rights.
Redemption/Put
Rights. There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the common stock. All of the outstanding shares of our
common stock are fully-paid and non-assessable.
Anti-Takeover
Effect of Delaware Law, Certain Charter and Bylaw Provisions
In
addition to the provisions included in our Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, we
are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, 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 after the date of the transaction in which the person became
an interested stockholder, unless the business combination is approved in the following prescribed manner:
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prior
to the time of the transaction, the board of directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction
which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;
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upon
completion of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the stockholder owned at least
85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining
the number of shares outstanding (1) shares owned by persons who are directors and also officers and (2) shares owned by employee
stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan
will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; and
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on
or subsequent to the time of the transaction, the business combination is approved by the board and authorized at an annual or special
meeting of stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding voting stock
which is not owned by the interested stockholder.
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Generally,
for purposes of Section 203, a “business combination” includes a merger, asset or stock sale, or other transaction resulting
in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. An “interested stockholder” is a person who, together with affiliates
and associates, owns or, within three years prior to the determination of interested stockholder status, owned 15% or more of a corporation’s
outstanding voting securities.
Transfer
Agent and Registrar
American
Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC is the transfer agent and registrar for our common stock.
Preferred
Stock
Under
the terms of our Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, our board of directors have the authority, without further
action by our stockholders, to issue up to 20,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock in one or more series, to establish from time
to time the number of shares to be included in each such series, to fix the rights, preferences and privileges of the shares of
each wholly unissued series and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereon, and to increase or decrease the number
of shares of any such series, but not below the number of shares of such series then outstanding. The powers, preferences and
relative, participating, optional and other special rights of each series of Preferred Stock, and the qualifications, limitations
or restrictions thereof, if any, may differ from those of any and all other series at any time outstanding.
Our
board of directors may authorize the issuance of Preferred Stock with voting or conversion rights that could adversely affect
the voting power or other rights of the holders of our Common Stock. The purpose of authorizing our board of directors to issue
Preferred Stock and determine its rights and preferences is to eliminate delays associated with a stockholder vote on specific
issuances. The issuance of Preferred Stock, while providing flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions and other corporate
purposes, could, among other things, have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of us and may adversely
affect the market price of our Common Stock and the voting and other rights of the holders of our Common Stock. It is not possible
to state the actual effect of the issuance of any shares of Preferred Stock on the rights of holders of Common Stock until the
board of directors determines the specific rights attached to that Preferred Stock.
DESCRIPTION
OF DEPOSITARY SHARES
We
may offer depositary shares, which will be evidenced by depositary receipts, representing fractional interests in shares of preferred
stock of any series. In connection with the issuance of any depositary shares, we will enter into a deposit agreement with a bank or
trust company, as depositary, which will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement. The following briefly summarizes the material
provisions of the deposit agreement and of the depositary shares and depositary receipts, other than pricing and related terms disclosed
for a particular issuance in an accompanying prospectus supplement. This description is not complete and is subject to, and qualified
in its entirety by reference to, all provisions of the deposit agreement, depositary shares and depositary receipts. You should read
the particular terms of any depositary shares and any depositary receipts that we offer and any deposit agreement relating to a particular
series of preferred stock described in more detail in a prospectus supplement. The prospectus supplement will also state whether any
of the generalized provisions summarized below do not apply to the depositary shares or depositary receipts being offered.
General
We
may, at our option, elect to offer fractional shares of preferred stock, rather than full shares of preferred stock. In such event, we
will issue receipts for depositary shares, each of which will represent a fraction of a share of a particular series of preferred stock.
For a description of our preferred stock, see “Description of Capital Stock–Preferred Stock.”
The
shares of any series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares will be deposited under a deposit agreement between us and the
depositary we select. Each owner of a depositary share will be entitled to all the rights and preferences of the underlying preferred
stock, including any dividend, voting, redemption, conversion and liquidation rights described in the particular prospectus supplement,
in proportion to the applicable fraction of a share of preferred stock represented by such depositary share.
The
depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued pursuant to the deposit agreement. Depositary receipts will be distributed
to those persons purchasing the fractional shares of preferred stock in accordance with the terms of the applicable prospectus supplement.
Dividends
and Other Distributions
The
preferred stock depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other cash distributions, if any, received in respect of the deposited
preferred stock to the record holders of depositary shares relating to the preferred stock in proportion to the number of depositary
shares owned by such holders on the relevant record date.
In
the case of a distribution other than in cash, the preferred stock depositary will distribute any property received by it other than
cash to the record holders of depositary shares entitled to receive it in proportion to the number of depositary shares owned by such
holder. If the preferred stock depositary determines that it is not feasible to make such a distribution, it may, with our approval,
sell the property and distribute the net proceeds from the sale to the holders of the depositary shares.
The
amounts distributed in any such distribution, whether in cash or otherwise, will be reduced by any amount required to be withheld by
us or the preferred stock depositary on account of taxes.
Withdrawal
of Preferred Stock
Unless
otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement and unless the related depositary shares have been called for redemption,
when a holder surrenders depositary receipts at the office of the preferred stock depositary maintained for that purpose, and pays any
necessary taxes, charges or other fees, the holder will be entitled to receive the number of whole shares of the related series of preferred
stock, and any money or other property, if any, represented by the holder’s depositary shares. Once a holder exchanges depositary
shares for whole shares of preferred stock, that holder generally cannot “re-deposit” these shares of preferred stock with
the preferred stock depositary, or exchange them for depositary shares. If a holder delivers depositary receipts that represent a number
of depositary shares other than a whole number of shares of preferred stock for redemption or exchange, the preferred stock depositary
will issue a new depositary receipt to the holder that evidences the remainder of depositary shares at the same time that the preferred
stock is withdrawn.
Redemption,
Conversion and Exchange of Preferred Stock
If
a series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares is to be redeemed, the depositary shares will be redeemed from the proceeds
received by the preferred stock depositary resulting from the redemption, in whole or in part, of that series of preferred stock. The
depositary shares will be redeemed by the preferred stock depositary at a price per depositary share equal to the applicable fraction
of the redemption price per share payable in respect of the shares of preferred stock redeemed.
Whenever
we redeem shares of preferred stock held by the preferred stock depositary, the preferred stock depositary will redeem, as of the same
date, the number of depositary shares representing shares of preferred stock redeemed. If fewer than all the depositary shares are to
be redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected by the preferred stock depositary by lot or ratably or by any other
equitable method, in each case as we may determine.
If
a series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares is to be converted or exchanged, the holder of depositary receipts representing
the shares of preferred stock being converted or exchanged will have the right or obligation to convert or exchange the depositary shares
evidenced by the depositary receipts.
After
the redemption, conversion or exchange date, the depositary shares called for redemption, conversion or exchange will no longer be outstanding.
When the depositary shares are no longer outstanding, all rights of the holders will end, except the right to receive money, securities
or other property payable upon redemption, conversion or exchange.
Voting
Deposited Preferred Stock
Upon
receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of any series of deposited preferred stock are entitled to vote, the preferred
stock depositary will mail the information contained in the notice of meeting to the record holders of the depositary receipts evidencing
the depositary shares relating to that series of preferred stock. Each record holder of the depositary receipts on the record date will
be entitled to instruct the preferred stock depositary to vote the amount of the preferred stock represented by the holder’s depositary
shares. The preferred stock depositary will try, if practical, to vote the amount of such series of preferred stock represented by such
depositary shares in accordance with such instructions.
We
will agree to take all reasonable actions that the preferred stock depositary determines are necessary to enable the preferred stock
depositary to vote as instructed. The preferred stock depositary will abstain from voting shares of any series of preferred stock held
by it for which it does not receive specific instructions from the holders of depositary shares representing those preferred shares.
Amendment
and Termination of the Deposit Agreement
The
form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares and any provision of the deposit agreement may at any time be amended by
agreement between us and the preferred stock depositary. However, any amendment that materially and adversely alters any existing right
of the holders of depositary receipts will not be effective unless the amendment has been approved by the holders of depositary receipts
representing at least a majority of the depositary shares then outstanding. Additionally, in the case of amendments relating to or affecting
rights to receive dividends or distributions or voting or redemption rights, approval is also required by the holders of depositary receipts
representing not less than a specified percentage or all of the depositary shares of such series or class then outstanding, as provided
in the applicable prospectus supplement. Every holder of an outstanding depositary receipt at the time any such amendment becomes effective
will be deemed, by continuing to hold the depositary receipt, to consent and agree to the amendment and to be bound by the deposit agreement,
as amended.
We
may direct the preferred stock depositary to terminate the deposit agreement at any time by mailing notice of termination to the record
holders of the depositary receipts then outstanding at least 30 days prior to the date fixed for termination. Upon termination, the preferred
stock depositary will deliver to each holder of depositary receipts, upon surrender of those receipts, such number of whole shares of
the series of preferred stock represented by the depositary shares together with cash in lieu of any fractional shares, to the extent
we have deposited cash for payment in lieu of fractional shares with the preferred stock depositary. In addition, the deposit agreement
will automatically terminate if:
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all
of the outstanding shares of the preferred stock deposited with the preferred stock depositary have been withdrawn, redeemed, converted
or exchanged; or
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there
has been a final distribution in respect of the deposited preferred stock in connection with our liquidation, dissolution or winding
up and the distribution has been made to the holders of the related depositary shares evidenced by depositary receipts.
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Charges
of Preferred Stock Depositary; Taxes and Other Governmental Charges
We
will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the existence of the depositary arrangements. We also
will pay charges of the preferred stock depositary in connection with the initial deposit of preferred stock and any redemption of preferred
stock. Holders of depositary receipts will pay other transfer and other taxes and governmental charges and such other charges, including
a fee for the withdrawal of shares of preferred stock upon surrender of depositary receipts, as are expressly provided in the deposit
agreement to be for their accounts.
Prospective
purchasers of depositary shares should be aware that special tax, accounting and other issues may be applicable to instruments such as
depositary shares.
Resignation
and Removal of Depositary
The
preferred stock depositary may resign at any time by delivering to us notice of its intent to do so, and we may at any time remove the
preferred stock depositary, any such resignation or removal to take effect upon the appointment of a successor preferred stock depositary
meeting the requirements specified in the deposit agreement and its acceptance of such appointment.
Miscellaneous
The
preferred stock depositary will forward all reports and communications from us which are delivered to the preferred stock depositary
and which we are required to furnish to the holders of the deposited preferred stock.
Neither
we nor the preferred stock depositary will be liable if we are or the preferred stock depositary is prevented or delayed by law or any
circumstances beyond our or its control in performing our or its obligations under the deposit agreement. Our obligations and the obligations
of the preferred stock depositary under the deposit agreement will be limited to performance in good faith of the duties under the deposit
agreement, and we and the preferred stock depositary will not be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding in respect of
any depositary shares, depositary receipts or shares of preferred stock unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished. We and the preferred
stock depositary may rely upon written advice of counsel or accountants, or upon information provided by holders of depositary receipts
or other persons believed to be competent and on documents believed to be genuine.
DESCRIPTION
OF DEBT SECURITIES
We
may issue debt securities from time to time, in one or more series, as either senior or subordinated debt or as senior or subordinated
convertible debt. While the terms we have summarized below will apply generally to any debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus,
we will describe the particular terms of any debt securities that we may offer in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement.
The terms of any debt securities offered under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below. Unless the context
requires otherwise, whenever we refer to the indenture, we also are referring to any supplemental indentures that specify the terms of
a particular series of debt securities.
We
will issue the debt securities under the indenture that we will enter into with the trustee named in the indenture. The indenture will
be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”). We have filed the form of indenture
as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this prospectus is a part, and supplemental indentures and forms of debt securities
containing the terms of the debt securities being offered will be filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement of which this prospectus
is a part or will be incorporated by reference from reports that we file with the SEC.
The
following summary of material provisions of the debt securities and the indenture is subject to, and qualified in its 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
supplements and any related free writing prospectuses related to the debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus, as well
as the complete indenture that contains the terms of the debt securities.
General
The
indenture does not limit the amount of debt securities that we may issue. It provides that we may issue debt securities up to the principal
amount that we may authorize and may be in any currency or currency unit that we may designate. Except for the limitations on consolidation,
merger and sale of all or substantially all of our assets contained in the indenture, the terms of the indenture do not contain any covenants
or other provisions designed to give holders of any debt securities protection against changes in our operations, financial condition
or transactions involving us.
We
may issue the debt securities issued under the indenture as “discount securities,” which means they may be sold at a discount
below their stated principal amount. These debt securities, as well as other debt securities that are not issued at a discount, may be
issued with OID for U.S. federal income tax purposes because of interest payment and other characteristics or terms of the debt securities.
Material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to debt securities issued with OID will be described in more detail in any
applicable prospectus supplement.
We
will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms of the series of debt securities being offered, including:
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the
title of the series of debt securities;
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any
limit upon the aggregate principal amount that may be issued;
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the
maturity date or dates;
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the
form of the debt securities of the series;
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the
applicability of any guarantees;
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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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whether
the debt securities rank as senior debt, senior subordinated debt, subordinated debt or any combination thereof, and the terms of
any subordination;
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if
the price (expressed as a percentage of the aggregate principal amount thereof) at which such debt securities will be issued is a
price other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount thereof payable upon declaration of acceleration
of the maturity thereof, or if applicable, the portion of the principal amount of such debt securities that is convertible into another
security or the method by which any such portion shall be determined;
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the
interest rate or rates, 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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our
right, if any, to defer payment of interest and the maximum length of any such deferral period;
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if
applicable, the date or dates after which, or the period or periods during which, and the price or prices 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 or dates, if any, on which, and the price or prices 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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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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any
and all terms, if applicable, relating to any auction or remarketing of the debt securities of that series and any security for our
obligations with respect to such debt securities and any other terms which may be advisable in connection with the marketing of debt
securities of that series;
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whether
the debt securities of the series shall be issued in whole or in part in the form of a global security or securities; the terms and
conditions, if any, upon which such global security or securities may be exchanged in whole or in part for other individual securities;
and the depositary for such global security or securities;
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if
applicable, the provisions relating to conversion or exchange of any debt securities of the series and the terms and conditions upon
which such debt securities will be so convertible or exchangeable, including the conversion or exchange price, as applicable, or
how it will be calculated and may be adjusted, any mandatory or optional (at our option or the holders’ option) conversion
or exchange features, the applicable conversion or exchange period and the manner of settlement for any conversion or exchange;
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if
other than the full principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of debt securities of the series which shall be
payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof;
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additions
to or changes in the covenants applicable to the particular debt securities being issued, including, among others, the consolidation,
merger or sale covenant;
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additions
to or changes in the events of default with respect to the securities and any change in the right of the trustee or the holders to
declare the principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, with respect to such securities to be due and payable;
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additions
to or changes in or deletions of the provisions relating to covenant defeasance and legal defeasance;
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additions
to or changes in the provisions relating to satisfaction and discharge of the indenture;
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additions
to or changes in the provisions relating to the modification of the indenture both with and without the consent of holders of debt
securities issued under the indenture;
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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;
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whether
interest will be payable in cash or additional debt securities at our or the holders’ option and the terms and conditions upon
which the election may be made;
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the
terms and conditions, if any, upon which we will pay amounts in addition to the stated interest, premium, if any, and principal amounts
of the debt securities of the series to any holder that is not a “United States person” for federal tax purposes;
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any
restrictions on transfer, sale or assignment of the debt securities of the series; and
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any
other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of, or restrictions on, the debt securities, any other additions or changes
in the provisions of the indenture, and any terms that may be required by us or advisable under applicable laws or regulations.
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Conversion
or Exchange Rights
We
will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms on which a series of debt securities may be convertible into or exchangeable
for our common stock or our other securities. We will include provisions as to settlement upon conversion or exchange and 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 or our other securities 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 applicable to a particular series of debt securities, the indenture will not contain
any covenant that restricts our ability to merge or consolidate, or sell, convey, transfer or otherwise dispose of our assets as an entirety
or substantially as an entirety. However, any successor to or acquirer of such assets (other than a subsidiary of ours) must assume all
of our obligations under the indenture or the debt securities, as appropriate.
Events
of Default Under the Indenture
Unless
we provide otherwise in the prospectus supplement applicable to a particular series of debt securities, the following are events of default
under the indenture with respect to any series of debt securities that we may issue:
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if
we fail to pay any installment of interest on any series of debt securities, as and when the same shall become due and payable, and
such default continues for a period of 90 days; provided, however, that a valid extension of an interest payment period by us in
accordance with the terms of any indenture supplemental thereto shall not constitute a default in the payment of interest for this
purpose;
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if
we fail to pay the principal of, or premium, if any, on any series of debt securities as and when the same shall become due and payable
whether at maturity, upon redemption, by declaration or otherwise, or in any payment required by any sinking or analogous fund established
with respect to such series; provided, however, that a valid extension of the maturity of such debt securities in accordance with
the terms of any indenture supplemental thereto shall not constitute a default in the payment of principal or premium, if any;
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if
we fail to observe or perform any other covenant or agreement contained in the debt securities or the indenture, other than a covenant
specifically relating to another series of debt securities, and our failure continues for 90 days after we receive written notice
of such failure, requiring the same to be remedied and stating that such is a notice of default thereunder, 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.
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If
an event of default with respect to debt securities of any series occurs and is continuing, other than an event of default specified
in the last bullet point above, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities
of that series, by notice to us in writing, and to the trustee if notice is given by such holders, may declare the unpaid principal of,
premium, if any, and accrued interest, if any, due and payable immediately. If an event of default specified in the last bullet point
above occurs with respect to us, the principal amount of and accrued interest, if any, of each issue of debt securities then outstanding
shall be due and payable without any notice or other action on the part of the trustee or any holder.
The
holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of an affected series may waive any default or event of
default with respect to the series and its consequences, except defaults or events of default regarding payment of principal, premium,
if any, or interest, unless we have cured the default or event of default in accordance with the indenture. Any waiver shall cure the
default or event of default.
Subject
to the terms of the indenture, 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. 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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A
holder of the debt securities of any series will have the right to institute a proceeding under the indenture or to appoint a receiver
or trustee, or to seek other remedies only 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;
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such
holders have offered to the trustee indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred by the
trustee in compliance with the request; 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 90 days after the notice, request and offer.
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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.
We
will periodically file statements with the trustee regarding our compliance with specified covenants in the indenture.
Modification
of Indenture; Waiver
We
and the trustee may change an indenture without the consent of any holders with respect to specific matters:
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to
cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in the indenture or in the debt securities of any series;
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to
comply with the provisions described above under “Description of Debt Securities-Consolidation, Merger or Sale;”
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to
provide for uncertificated debt securities in addition to or in place of certificated debt securities;
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to
add to our covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions such new covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions for the benefit
of the holders of all or any series of debt securities, to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and the continuance, of a default
in any such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions an event of default or to surrender any right or power conferred
upon us in the indenture;
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to
add to, delete from or revise the conditions, limitations, and restrictions on the authorized amount, terms, or purposes of issue,
authentication and delivery of debt securities, as set forth in the indenture;
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to
make any change that does not adversely affect the interests of any holder of debt securities of any series in any material respect;
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to
provide for the issuance of and establish the form and terms and conditions of the debt securities of any series as provided above
under “Description of Debt Securities-General” to establish the form of any certifications required to be furnished pursuant
to the terms of the indenture or any series of debt securities, or to add to the rights of the holders of any series of debt securities;
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to
evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment under any indenture by a successor trustee; or
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to
comply with any requirements of the SEC in connection with the qualification of any indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.
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In
addition, under the indenture, 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, unless we provide otherwise in the prospectus supplement 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 fixed maturity of any debt securities of any series;
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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 of any series 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.
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Discharge
Each
indenture provides that we can elect to be discharged from our obligations with respect to one or more series of debt securities, except
for specified obligations, including obligations to:
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provide
for payment;
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register
the transfer or exchange of debt securities of the series;
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replace
stolen, lost or mutilated debt securities of the series;
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pay
principal of and premium and interest on any debt securities of the series;
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maintain
paying agencies;
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hold
monies for payment in trust;
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recover
excess money held by the trustee;
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compensate
and indemnify the trustee; and
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appoint
any successor trustee.
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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, if any, and interest on, the debt securities of the series on the dates payments are due.
Form,
Exchange and Transfer
We
will issue the debt securities of each series only in fully registered form without coupons and, unless we provide otherwise in the applicable
prospectus supplement, in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof. The indenture provides that we may issue debt securities
of a series in temporary or permanent global form and as book-entry securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository
Trust Company (“DTC”), or another depositary named by us and identified in the applicable prospectus supplement with respect
to that series. To the extent the debt securities of a series are issued in global form and as book-entry, a description of terms relating
to any book-entry securities will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
At
the option of the holder, subject to the terms of the indenture and the limitations applicable to global securities described in the
applicable prospectus supplement, 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 indenture and the limitations applicable to global securities set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement,
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 impose 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 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.
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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 indenture 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, 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, 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,
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 any other paying agents that we initially designate for the debt securities
of a particular series. We will maintain a paying agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of a particular series.
All
money we pay to a paying agent or the trustee for the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any debt securities that
remains unclaimed at the end of two years after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable will be repaid to us,
and the holder of the debt security thereafter may look only to us for payment thereof.
Governing
Law
The
indenture and the debt securities will be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York, except
to the extent that the Trust Indenture Act is applicable.
DESCRIPTION
OF RIGHTS
The
complete terms of the rights will be contained in the rights agreements we enter into with rights agents. These documents will be included
or incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. You should read the rights
agreements and any related documents. You also should read the prospectus supplement, which will contain additional information and which
may update or change some of the information below.
This
section describes the general terms of the rights to purchase common stock or other securities that we may offer to stockholders using
this prospectus. Further terms of the rights will be stated in the applicable prospectus supplement (or applicable free writing prospectus).
The following description and any description of the rights in a prospectus supplement (or applicable free writing prospectus) may not
be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the terms of any agreement relating to the rights.
Rights
may be issued independently or together with any other security and may or may not be transferable. As part of any rights offering, we
may enter into a standby underwriting or other arrangement under which the underwriters or any other person would purchase any securities
that are not purchased in such rights offering. If we issue rights, each series of rights will be issued under a separate rights agreement
to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as rights agent, that will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Further terms of the rights will be stated in the applicable prospectus supplement. The rights agent will act solely as our agent and
will not assume any obligation to any holders of rights certificates or beneficial owners of rights. The rights agreements and rights
certificates will be filed with the SEC as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part or as an exhibit
to a filing incorporated by reference in the registration statement. See “Where You Can Find Additional Information” for
information on how to obtain copies of the rights agreements and rights certificates.
The
prospectus supplement relating to any rights we offer will describe the specific terms of the offering and the rights, including the
record date for stockholders entitled to the rights distribution, the number of rights issued and the number of shares of common stock
that may be purchased upon exercise of the rights, the exercise price of the rights, the date on which the rights will become effective
and the date on which the rights will expire, and any applicable U.S. federal income tax considerations.
In
general, a right entitles the holder to purchase for cash a specific number of shares of common stock or other securities at a specified
exercise price. The rights are normally issued to stockholders as of a specific record date, may be exercised only for a limited period
of time and become void following the expiration of such period. If we determine to issue rights, we will accompany this prospectus with
a prospectus supplement that will describe, among other things:
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the
record date for stockholders entitled to receive the rights;
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the
number of shares of common stock or other securities that may be purchased upon exercise of each right;
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the
exercise price of the rights;
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the
terms for changes to or adjustments in the exercise price, if any;
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whether
the rights are transferable;
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the
period during which the rights may be exercised and when they will expire;
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the
steps required to exercise the rights;
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whether
the rights include “oversubscription rights” so that the holder may purchase more securities if other holders do not
purchase their full allotments;
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whether
we intend to sell the shares of common stock or other securities that are not purchased in the rights offering to an underwriter
or other purchaser under a contractual “standby” commitment or other arrangement;
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our
ability to withdraw or terminate the rights offering;
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any
material United States federal income tax consequences; and
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other
material terms, including terms relating to transferability, exchange, exercise or amendment of the rights.
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If
fewer than all of the rights issued in any rights offering are exercised, we may offer any unsubscribed securities directly to persons
other than stockholders, to or through agents, underwriters or dealers or through a combination of such methods, including pursuant to
standby arrangements, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, all unexercised
rights will become void.
DESCRIPTION
OF WARRANTS
The
following description, together with the additional information we may include in any applicable prospectus supplement and free writing
prospectus, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the warrants that we may offer under this prospectus, which may consist of
warrants to purchase common stock, preferred stock or debt securities and may be issued in one or more series. Warrants may be offered
independently or in combination with common stock, preferred stock or debt securities offered by any prospectus supplement. While the
terms we have summarized below will apply generally to any warrants that we may offer under this prospectus, we will describe the particular
terms of any series of warrants in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. The following description of warrants will apply
to the warrants offered by this prospectus unless we provide otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement. The applicable prospectus
supplement for a particular series of warrants may specify different or additional terms.
We
have filed forms of the warrant agreements and forms of warrant certificates containing the terms of the warrants that may be offered
as exhibits to the Registration Statement of which this prospectus is a part. We will file as exhibits to the Registration Statement
of which this prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by reference from reports that we file with the SEC, the form of warrant and/or
the warrant agreement and warrant certificate, as applicable, that describes the terms of the particular series of warrants we are offering
and any supplemental agreements, before the issuance of such warrants. The following summaries of material terms and provisions of the
warrants are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the form of warrant and/or warrant agreement
and warrant certificate, as applicable, and any supplemental agreements applicable to a particular series of warrants that we may offer
under this prospectus. We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplement related to the particular series of warrants that we
may offer under this prospectus, as well as any related free writing prospectus, and the complete form of warrant and/or warrant agreement
and warrant certificates, as applicable, and any supplemental agreements that contain the terms of the warrants.
General
We
will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms of the series of warrants being offered, including:
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the
title of such securities;
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the
offering price or prices and aggregate number of warrants offered;
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the
currency or currencies for which the warrants may be purchased;
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if
applicable, 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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if
applicable, the date on and after which the warrants and the related securities will be separately transferable;
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if
applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of such warrants which may be exercised at any one time;
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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 which, 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, and the currency in 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 agreements and the warrants;
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the
terms of any rights to redeem or call the warrants;
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the
terms of any rights to force the exercise of the warrants;
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any
provisions for changes to or adjustments in the exercise price or number of securities issuable upon exercise of the warrants;
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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 agreements and warrants may be modified;
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a
discussion of any material or special 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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Before
exercising their warrants, holders of warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities purchasable upon such
exercise, including:
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in
the case of warrants to purchase debt securities, the right to receive payments of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest
on, the debt securities purchasable upon exercise or to enforce covenants in the applicable indenture; or
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in
the case of warrants to purchase common stock or preferred stock, the right to receive dividends, if any, or, payments upon our liquidation,
dissolution or winding up or to exercise voting rights, if any.
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Exercise
of Warrants
Each
warrant will entitle the holder to purchase the securities that we specify in the applicable prospectus supplement at the exercise price
that we describe in the applicable prospectus supplement. The warrants may be exercised as set forth in the prospectus supplement relating
to the warrants offered. Unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, the warrants may be exercised at any time
up to the specified time on the expiration date that we set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to the warrants offered
thereby. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will become void.
Upon
receipt of payment and the warrant or warrant certificate, as applicable, properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust
office of the warrant agent, if any, or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will, as soon as practicable,
issue and deliver the securities purchasable upon such exercise. If less than all of the warrants (or the warrants represented by such
warrant certificate) are exercised, then we will issue a new warrant or warrant certificate, as applicable, for the remaining warrants.
Governing
Law
Unless
we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, the warrants and any warrant agreements will be governed by and construed
in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
Enforceability
of Rights By Holders of Warrants
Each
warrant agent, if any, will act solely as our agent under the applicable warrant agreement and will not assume any obligation or relationship
of agency or trust with any holder of any warrant. A single bank or trust company may act as warrant agent for more than one issue of
warrants. A warrant agent will have no duty or responsibility in case of any default by us under the applicable warrant agreement or
warrant, including any duty or responsibility to initiate any proceedings at law or otherwise, or to make any demand upon us. Any holder
of a warrant may, without the consent of the related warrant agent or the holder of any other warrant, enforce by appropriate legal action
its right to exercise, and receive the securities purchasable upon exercise of, its warrants.
DESCRIPTION
OF UNITS
We
may issue units comprised of one or more of the other securities described in this prospectus or in any prospectus supplement in any
combination. Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder, with the rights and obligations of a holder,
of each security included in the unit. 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 or upon the occurrence of a specified
event or occurrence.
The
applicable prospectus supplement relating to units offered under this prospectus will describe the following terms, where applicable,
of such units:
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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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any
unit agreement under which the units will be issued;
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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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whether
the units will be issued in fully registered or global form.
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PLAN
OF DISTRIBUTION
We
may sell the securities being offered pursuant to this prospectus to or through underwriters, through dealers, through agents, or directly
to one or more purchasers or through a combination of these methods. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of
the offering of the securities, including:
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the
name or names of any underwriters, if, and if required, any dealers or agents;
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the
purchase price of the securities and the proceeds we will receive from the sale;
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any
underwriting discounts and other items constituting underwriters’ compensation;
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any
discounts or concessions allowed or re-allowed or paid to dealers; and
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any
securities exchange or market on which the securities may be listed or traded.
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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;
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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.
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Only
underwriters named in the prospectus supplement are underwriters of the securities offered by the prospectus supplement.
If
underwriters are used in an offering, we will execute an underwriting agreement with such underwriters and will specify the name of each
underwriter and the terms of the transaction (including any underwriting discounts and other terms constituting compensation of the underwriters
and any dealers) in a prospectus supplement. The securities may be offered to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented
by managing underwriters or directly by one or more investment banking firms or others, as designated. If an underwriting syndicate is
used, the managing underwriter(s) will be specified on the cover of the prospectus supplement. If underwriters are used in the sale,
the offered securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own accounts and may be resold from time to time in one or more
transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale.
Any public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or re-allowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.
Unless otherwise set forth in the prospectus supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the offered securities will
be subject to conditions precedent, and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the offered securities, if any are purchased.
We
may grant to the underwriters options to purchase additional securities to cover over-allotments, if any, at the public offering price,
with additional underwriting commissions or discounts, as may be set forth in a related prospectus supplement. The terms of any over-allotment
option will be set forth in the prospectus supplement for those securities.
If
we use a dealer in the sale of the securities being offered pursuant to this prospectus or any prospectus supplement, we will sell the
securities to the dealer, as principal. The dealer may then resell the securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by
the dealer at the time of resale. The names of the dealers and the terms of the transaction will be specified in a prospectus supplement.
We
may sell the securities directly or through agents we designate from time to time. We will name any agent involved in the offering and
sale of securities and we will describe any commissions we will pay the agent in the prospectus supplement.
We
may authorize agents or underwriters to solicit offers by institutional investors to purchase securities from us at the public
offering price set forth in the prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery
on a specified date in the future. We will describe the conditions to these contracts and the commissions we must pay for solicitation
of these contracts in the prospectus supplement.
In
connection with the sale of the securities, underwriters, dealers or agents may receive compensation from us or from purchasers
of the securities for whom they act as agents, in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions. Underwriters may sell the
securities to or through dealers, and those dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions
from the underwriters or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as agents. Underwriters, dealers and agents that
participate in the distribution of the securities, and any institutional investors or others that purchase securities directly
for the purpose of resale or distribution, may be deemed to be underwriters, and any discounts or commissions received by them
from us and any profit on the resale of the common stock by them may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under
the Securities Act. No FINRA member firm may receive compensation in excess of that allowable under FINRA rules, including Rule
5110, in connection with the offering of the securities.
We
may provide agents, underwriters and other purchasers with indemnification against particular civil liabilities, including liabilities
under the Securities Act, or contribution with respect to payments that the agents, underwriters or other purchasers may make
with respect to such liabilities. Agents and underwriters may engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us in the
ordinary course of business.
To
facilitate the public offering of a series of securities, persons participating in the offering may engage in transactions that
stabilize, maintain, or otherwise affect the market price of the securities. This may include over-allotments or short sales of
the securities, which involves the sale by persons participating in the offering of more securities than have been sold to them
by us. In exercising the over-allotment option granted to those persons. In addition, those persons may stabilize or maintain
the price of the securities by bidding for or purchasing securities in the open market or by imposing penalty bids, whereby selling
concessions allowed to underwriters or dealers participating in any such offering may be reclaimed if securities sold by them
are repurchased in connection with stabilization transactions. The effect of these transactions may be to stabilize or maintain
the market price of the securities at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. Such transactions,
if commenced, may be discontinued at any time. We make no representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any
effect that the transactions described above, if implemented, may have on the price of our securities.
Unless
otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, any common stock sold pursuant to a prospectus supplement will be
eligible for trading on Nasdaq Capital Market. Any underwriters to whom securities are sold by us for public offering and sale
may make a market in the securities, but such underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making
at any time without notice.
We
may engage in at the market offerings into an existing trading market in accordance with Rule 415(a)(4) under the Securities Act.
In addition, we may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to
third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement indicates, in connection with those
derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including
short sale transactions. If so, the third party may use securities pledged by us or borrowed from us or others to settle those
sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock, and they may use securities received from us in settlement of those
derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of stock. The third party in these sale transactions will be an underwriter
and will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement. In addition, we may otherwise loan or pledge securities to a financial
institution or other third party that in turn may sell the securities short using this prospectus. The financial institution or
other third party may transfer its economic short position to investors in our securities or in connection with a concurrent offering
of other securities.
We
will file a prospectus supplement to describe the terms of any offering of our securities covered by this prospectus. The prospectus
supplement will disclose:
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the purchase price
of the securities from us;
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the net proceeds
to us from the sale of the securities;
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any delayed delivery
arrangements;
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any over-allotment
or other options under which underwriters, if any, may purchase additional securities from us;
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any underwriting
discounts, commissions or other items constituting underwriters’ compensation, and any commissions paid to agents;
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in a subscription
rights offering, whether we have engaged dealer-managers to facilitate the offering or subscription, including their name
or names and compensation;
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any public offering
price; and
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other facts material
to the transaction.
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We
will bear all or substantially all of the costs, expenses and fees in connection with the registration of our securities under
this prospectus. The underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with us, or perform services for us, in the ordinary
course of business.
In
order to comply with the securities laws of some states, if applicable, the securities offered pursuant to this prospectus will be sold
in those states only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in some states securities may not be sold unless
they have been registered or qualified for sale in the applicable state or an exemption from the registration or qualification requirement
is available and complied with.
LEGAL
MATTERS
Unless
otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the validity of the securities offered hereby will be passed upon for us
by Duane Morris LLP, New York, New York. If the validity of the securities offered hereby in connection with offerings made pursuant
to this prospectus are passed upon by counsel for the underwriters, dealers or agents, if any, such counsel will be named in the prospectus
supplement relating to such offering.
EXPERTS
Our
financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 incorporated by reference in this prospectus have
been audited by MaloneBailey, LLP, independent registered accounting firm, and are included in reliance on their report (the report on
the financial statements contains an explanatory paragraph regarding the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern) given
upon the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
LIMITATION
ON LIABILITY AND DISCLOSURE OF COMMISSION POSITION ON
INDEMNIFICATION FOR SECURITIES ACT LIABILITIES
Insofar
as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to our directors, officers and controlling persons
pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, we have been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against
public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against
such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person
of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person
in connection with the securities being registered, we will, unless in the opinion of our counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by us is against public policy as
expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
WHERE
YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
This
prospectus and any subsequent prospectus supplements do not contain all of the information in the Registration Statement. We have omitted
from this prospectus some parts of the Registration Statement as permitted by the rules and regulations of the SEC. Statements in this
prospectus concerning any document we have filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement or that we otherwise filed with the SEC
are not intended to be comprehensive and are qualified in their entirety by reference to these filings. In addition, we file annual,
quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. The SEC maintains an Internet site that contains
reports, proxy and information statements and other information that we file electronically with the SEC, including us. The SEC’s
Internet site can be found at http://www.sec.gov. In addition, we make available on or through our Internet site copies of these reports
as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file or furnished them to the SEC. Our Internet site can be found at http:www.protagenic.com.
Our website is not a part of this prospectus.
INFORMATION
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
We
have elected to incorporate certain information by reference into this prospectus. By incorporating by reference, we can disclose important
information to you by referring you to other documents we have filed or will file with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference
is deemed to be part of this prospectus, except for information incorporated by reference that is superseded by information contained
in this prospectus. This means that you must look at all of the SEC filings that we incorporate by reference to determine if any statements
in the prospectus or any document previously incorporated by reference have been modified or superseded. This prospectus incorporates
by reference the documents set forth below that we have previously filed with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(the “Exchange Act”):
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our
Annual Report on Form
10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, filed with the Securities Exchange Commission on March 25, 2021;
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our
Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2021, filed with the Securities Exchange Commission on April 28, 2021;
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the description of our common stock set forth in
the Registration Statement on Form
8-A12B filed with the Securities Exchange Commission on April 26, 2021, including any amendment or report filed
for the purpose of updating such description.
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We
also incorporate by reference any future filings (other than current reports furnished under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K and exhibits
filed on such form that are related to such items unless such Form 8-K expressly provides to the contrary) made with the SEC pursuant
to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, including those made after the date of the initial filing of the registration
statement of which this prospectus is a part and prior to effectiveness of such registration statement, until we file a post-effective
amendment that indicates the termination of the offering of the securities made by this prospectus, which will become a part of this
prospectus from the date that such documents are filed with the SEC. Information in such future filings updates and supplements the information
provided in this prospectus. Any statements in any such future filings will automatically be deemed to modify and supersede any information
in any document we previously filed with the SEC that is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated herein by reference to the extent
that statements in the later-filed document modify or replace such earlier statements. We will furnish without charge to each person,
including any beneficial owner, to whom a prospectus is delivered, upon written or oral request, a copy of any or all of the documents
incorporated by reference into this prospectus but not delivered with the prospectus, including exhibits that are specifically incorporated
by reference into such documents. You should direct any requests for documents to:
Protagenic
Therapeutics, Inc.
149 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10010
212-994-8200
Attention:
Chief Financial Officer
PROSPECTUS
$
100,000,000
Common
Stock
Preferred
Stock
Depositary
Shares
Debt
Securities
Rights
Warrants
Units
PART
II
INFORMATION
NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item
13. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
The
following table sets forth our costs and expenses in connection with the registration of our securities as described in this registration
statement. All of the amounts shown are estimates except the Commission Registration Fee and the FINRA filing fee.
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AMOUNT
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SEC registration fee
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$
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10,910
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FINRA filing fee
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$
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15,500
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Legal fees and expenses
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*
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Accounting fees and expenses
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*
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Transfer agent fees and expenses
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*
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Miscellaneous expenses
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*
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Total
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$
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26,410
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*
Estimated expenses not presently known.
Item
14. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
We
are incorporated under the laws of the state of Delaware. Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides that a Delaware
corporation may indemnify any persons who are, or are threatened to be made, parties to any threatened, pending or completed action,
suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of such corporation),
by reason of the fact that such person was an officer, director, employee or agent of such corporation, or is or was serving at the request
of such person as an officer, director, employee or agent of another corporation or enterprise. The indemnity may include expenses (including
attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection
with such action, suit or proceeding, provided that such person acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to
be in or not opposed to the corporation’s best interests and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable
cause to believe that his or her conduct was illegal. A Delaware corporation may indemnify any persons who are, or are threatened to
be made, a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation by reason of the fact that
such person was a director, officer, employee or agent of such corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such corporation as
a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or enterprise. The indemnity may include expenses (including attorneys’
fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit provided such
person acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the corporation’s best interests
except that no indemnification is permitted without judicial approval if the officer or director is adjudged to be liable to the corporation.
Where an officer or director is successful on the merits or otherwise in the defense of any action referred to above, the corporation
must indemnify him or her against the expenses that such officer or director has actually and reasonably incurred. Our charter and bylaws
provide for the indemnification of our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted under the Delaware General Corporation
Law.
Section
102(b)(7) of the Delaware General Corporation Law permits a corporation to provide in its certificate of incorporation that a director
of the corporation shall not be personally liable to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary
duties as a director, except for liability for:
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any
breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders;
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any
act or omission not in good faith or that involves intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;
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any
act related to unlawful stock repurchases, redemptions or other distributions or payment of dividends; or
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any
transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.
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These
limitations of liability do not affect the availability of equitable remedies such as injunctive relief or rescission. Our charter also
authorizes us to indemnify our officers, directors and other agents to the fullest extent permitted under Delaware law.
As
permitted by Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, our bylaws provide that:
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we
may indemnify our directors, officers and employees to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law, subject
to limited exceptions;
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we
may advance expenses to our directors, officers and employees in connection with a legal proceeding to the fullest extent permitted
by the Delaware General Corporation Law, subject to limited exceptions; and
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the
rights provided in our bylaws are not exclusive.
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Section
174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides, among other things, that a director who willfully or negligently approves of an
unlawful payment of dividends or an unlawful stock purchase or redemption may be held liable for such actions. A director who was either
absent when the unlawful actions were approved, or dissented at the time, may avoid liability by causing his or her dissent to such actions
to be entered in the books containing minutes of the meetings of the board of directors at the time such action occurred or immediately
after such absent director receives notice of the unlawful acts.
Our
Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that no director shall be liable to us or our stockholders for
monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL.
We
have entered into Indemnification Agreements with the each of our directors and executive officers. Pursuant to our agreements, we will
be obligated, to the extent permitted by applicable law, to indemnify our directors and officers against all expenses, judgments, fines
and penalties incurred in connection with the defense or settlement of any actions brought against them by reason of the fact that they
were our directors or officers or assumed certain responsibilities at our direction.
We
also have purchased directors and officer’s liability insurance in order to limit our exposure to liability of indemnification
of directors and officers.
The
form of Underwriting Agreement, to be filed as Exhibit 1.1 hereto, provides for indemnification by the underwriters of us and our officers
who sign this Registration Statement and directors for specified liabilities, including matters arising under the Securities Act.
Item
15. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities.
Original
Issuances of Stock and Warrants
2019-2020
Convertible Note Offering
From
November 21, 2019 through July 8, 2020, Protagenic Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Company”) entered into a Convertible Note Purchase
Agreement (“Purchase Agreement”) with accredited investors (the “Investors”), pursuant to which the Company issued
and sold unsecured convertible promissory notes (collectively, the “Notes”) to the Investors in the aggregate principal amount
of $1,570,000, as reported in Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on November 21, 2019, December 4, 2019, December 23, 2019, January 29,
2020, March 3, 2020, May 14, 2020, and July 8, 2020.
On
August 11, 2020, the Company notified investors in a conference call that it was re-opening the convertible note financing, with identical
terms to the previous round, except for the closing date, which has now been set at Friday, August 21st, at 5:00 pm.
On
August 28, 2020, the “Company” entered into a Convertible Note Purchase Agreement with certain accredited investors, pursuant
to which the Company issued and sold unsecured convertible promissory notes to the Investors in the aggregate principal amount of $427,500.
For
both sets of Notes, the Notes will be due on November 6, 2023 (the “Maturity Date”) and accrue simple interest at an annual
rate of 6% on the aggregate unconverted and outstanding principal amount, payable annually, beginning October 31, 2020. The Notes have
the same Maturity Date and interest rate as the set of convertible notes with an aggregate principal amount of $1,570,000 that the Company
previously issued and reported in the Current Reports on Form 8-K filed respectively on November 21, 2019, December 4, 2019, December
23, 2019, January 29, 2020, March 3, 2020, May 14, 2020, and July 8, 2020. The Company will pay (a “PIK Payment”) the interest
due by adding such interest (including interest at the Default Rate, as defined below, if any) to the then-outstanding principal amount
of the Notes on each interest payment date and on the Maturity Date. Each PIK Payment will be preceded by written notice from the Company
to each holder of the Notes setting forth in reasonable detail the amount of such PIK Payment and the principal amount of the Notes following
such PIK Payment. The Notes will bear interest at the rate of 12% per year (the “Default Rate”) following a Default (as defined
below).
Holders
may convert their Notes (including accrued interest) at their option, in whole or in part, at any time prior to the Maturity Date, at
a conversion price (the “Conversion Price”) of $1.25 per share of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per
share. The Conversion Price is subject to adjustment for any stock dividend, stock split, combination or other similar recapitalization
event. On the Maturity Date, the Company is required to repay the Notes (including accrued interest) in their entirety in cash or, at
its option, in shares of common stock at the Conversion Price.
The
Company may redeem for cash or shares of common stock all or any portion of the Notes, at its option, on or after November 5, 2021 if
the last reported sale price of its common stock has been at least 120% of the Conversion Price then in effect for at least 20 trading
days (whether or not consecutive) during any 30 consecutive trading day period ending on, and including, the trading day immediately
preceding the date on which it provides notice of redemption. The redemption will be effected at a redemption price equal to 100% of
the outstanding principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest up to, but excluding, the redemption date.
Any such redemption must be applied ratably among all Convertible Notes in proportion to their respective outstanding principal balances,
plus accrued and unpaid interest. Other than pursuant to this redemption right, the Company may not pre-pay the Notes.
Securities
Act Exemptions
We
deemed the transactions described above were exempt from registration under the Securities Act in reliance on Section 4(a)(2) of the
Securities Act, including Regulation D and Rule 506 promulgated thereunder, relative to transactions by an issuer not involving a public
offering. All purchasers of securities in transactions exempt from registration pursuant to Regulation D represented to us that they
were accredited investors and were acquiring the shares for investment purposes only and not with a view to, or for sale in connection
with, any distribution thereof and that they could bear the risks of the investment and could hold the securities for an indefinite period
of time. The purchasers received written disclosures that the securities had not been registered under the Securities Act and that any
resale must be made pursuant to a registration statement or an available exemption from such registration.
All
certificates representing the securities issued in the transactions described in this Item 15 included appropriate legends setting forth
that the securities had not been offered or sold pursuant to a registration statement and describing the applicable restrictions on transfer
of the securities. There were no underwriters employed in connection with any of the transactions set forth in this Item 15
Item
16. Exhibits.
*
To the extent applicable, to be filed by a post-effective amendment
or as an exhibit to a document filed under the Exchange Act and incorporated by reference herein.
**
Filed herewith.
Item
17. Undertakings.
a.
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The
undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
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1.
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To
file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
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i.
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To
include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;
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ii.
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To
reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent
post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set
forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if
the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end
of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if,
in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth
in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement.
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iii.
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To
include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement
or any material change to such information in the registration statement;
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Provided
however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) of this section do not apply if the information required to be included
in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the Registrant pursuant
to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained
in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.
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2.
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That,
for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a
new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be
deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
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3.
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To
remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
termination of the offering.
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4.
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That,
for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser:
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i.
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Each
prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the
date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and
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ii.
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Each
prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on
Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information
required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the
earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities
in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is
at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities
in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed
to be the initial bona fide offering thereof; provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus
that is part of the Registration Statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration
statement or prospectus that is part of the Registration Statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior
to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part
of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.
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5.
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That,
for the purpose of determining liability of the Registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution
of the securities, the undersigned Registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned Registrant pursuant
to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities
are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller
to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
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i.
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Any
preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned Registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule
424;
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ii.
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Any
free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant or used or referred to by
the undersigned Registrant;
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iii.
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The
portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned Registrant
or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant; and
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iv.
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Any
other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned Registrant to the purchaser.
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b.
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The
undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of
the registrant’s annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each
filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference
in the Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and
the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
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c.
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The
undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to supplement the prospectus, after the expiration of the subscription period, to set forth
the results of the subscription offer, the transactions by the underwriters during the subscription period, the amount of unsubscribed
securities to be purchased by the underwriters, and the terms of any subsequent reoffering thereof. If any public offering by the
underwriters is to be made on terms differing from those set forth on the cover page of the prospectus, a post-effective amendment
will be filed to set forth the terms of such offering.
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d.
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Insofar
as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons
of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event
that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid
by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted
by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the
question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the
final adjudication of such issue.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all
of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York, New York, on June 4, 2021.
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PROTAGENIC
THERAPEUTICS, INC.
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By:
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/s/
Garo H. Armen
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Name:
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Garo H. Armen
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Title:
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Chairman
(Principal Executive Officer and Duly Authorized Officer)
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POWER
OF ATTORNEY
KNOW
ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby severally constitutes and appoints Garo H. Armen
and Alexander K. Arrow, and each of them singly, as such person’s true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power
of substitution and resubstitution, for such person and in such person’s name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign
any and all amendments (including, without limitation, post-effective amendments) to this registration statement (or any registration
statement for the same offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933), and to
file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting
unto each said attorney-in-fact and agent, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary
to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as such person might or could do in person, hereby ratifying
and confirming all that any said attorney-in-fact and agent, or any substitute or substitutes of any of them, may lawfully do or cause
to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities
and on the dates indicated.
Signature
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Title
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Date
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/s/
Garo H. Armen
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Director
and Chairman of the Board
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June
4, 2021
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Garo
H. Armen
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(Principal
Executive Officer)
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/s/
Alexander K. Arrow
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Chief
Financial Officer
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June
4, 2021
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Alexander
K. Arrow
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(Principal
Financial Officer)
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/s/
Robert B. Stein
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Director
and Chief Medical Officer
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June
4, 2021
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Robert
B. Stein
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/s/
Khalil Barrage
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Director
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June
4, 2021
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Khalil
Barrage
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/s/
Brian Corvese
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Director
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June
4, 2021
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Brian
Corvese
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/s/
Jennifer Buell
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Director
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June
4, 2021
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Jennifer
Buell
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/s/
Joshua Silverman
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Director
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June
4, 2021
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Joshua
Silverman
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