424B5
Table of Contents

Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration No. 333-209012

 

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

(To Prospectus dated February 1, 2016)

 

5,000,000 Shares

 

LOGO

 

Common Stock

 

$12.00 per share

 

 

 

We are selling 5,000,000 shares of our common stock in this offering.

 

We have granted the underwriters an option for a period of 30 days to purchase up to 750,000 additional shares.

 

Our common stock is quoted on The NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “BLCM.” The last reported sale price of our common stock on The NASDAQ Global Market on March 22, 2017 was $14.37 per share.

 

 

 

Investing in our common stock involves risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-5.

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities, or determined if this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus are truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

 

     Per Share      Total  

Public Offering Price

   $ 12.00      $ 60,000,000  

Underwriting Discounts and Commissions(1)

   $ 0.72      $ 3,600,000  

Proceeds to Bellicum (before expenses)

   $ 11.28      $ 56,400,000  

 

(1)   The underwriters will also be reimbursed for certain expenses incurred in this offering. See “Underwriting” for details.

 

 

 

The underwriters expect to deliver the shares to purchasers on or about March 29, 2017 through the book-entry facilities of The Depository Trust Company.

 

 

 

Joint Book-Running Managers

 

Citigroup   Jefferies

 

 

 

Co-Managers

 

Guggenheim Securities

                      Ladenburg  Thalmann

Raymond James                                               

SunTrust Robinson Humphrey

 

 

 

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We are responsible for the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and in any free-writing prospectus we prepare or authorize. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information, and we take no responsibility for any other information others may give you. We are not, and the underwriters are not, making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is accurate as of any date other than its date.

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Prospectus Supplement

 

     Page  

About this Prospectus Supplement

     S-ii  

Forward-Looking Statements

     S-iv  

Prospectus Supplement Summary

     S-1  

Risk Factors

     S-5  

Use of Proceeds

     S-6  

Dividend Policy

     S-6  

Dilution

     S-7  

Executive Officers and Directors

     S-8  

Transactions with Related Persons

     S-11  

Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations for Non-U.S. Holders of Common Stock

     S-13  

Underwriting

     S-17  

Legal Matters

     S-22  

Experts

     S-22  

Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference

     S-22  
Prospectus   

About this Prospectus

     i  

Summary

     1  

Risk Factors

     6  

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

     6  

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

     7  

Use of Proceeds

     7  

Description of Capital Stock

     7  

Description of Debt Securities

     13  

Description of Warrants

     20  

Legal Ownership of Securities

     22  

Plan of Distribution

     25  

Legal Matters

     27  

Experts

     27  

Where You Can Find More Information

     27  

Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference

     28  

Disclosure of Commission’s Position of Indemnification for Securities Act Liability

     29  

 

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

 

This document is in two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes the terms of this offering of common stock and also adds to and updates information contained in the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. The second part, the accompanying prospectus dated February 1, 2016, including the documents incorporated by reference therein, provides more general information. Generally, when we refer to this prospectus, we are referring to both parts of this document combined. To the extent there is a conflict between the information contained in this prospectus supplement, on the one hand, and the information contained in the accompanying prospectus or in any document incorporated by reference that was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, before the date of this prospectus supplement, on the other hand, you should rely on the information in this prospectus supplement. If any statement in one of these documents is inconsistent with a statement in another document having a later date—for example, a document incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus—the statement in the document having the later date modifies or supersedes the earlier statement.

 

We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized anyone to provide you with information different than or inconsistent with the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and in any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering. We and the underwriters take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. We are not, and the underwriters are not, making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, and in any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering, is accurate only as of the date of those respective documents, regardless of the time of delivery of those respective documents. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates. You should read this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, and any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering, in their entirety before making an investment decision. You should also read and consider the information in the documents to which we have referred you in the section of this prospectus supplement entitled “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference.”

 

We are offering to sell, and seeking offers to buy, shares of our common stock only in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted. The distribution of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and the offering of our common stock in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law. Persons outside the United States who come into possession of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus must inform themselves about, and observe any restrictions relating to, the offering of our common stock and the distribution of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus outside the United States. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus do not constitute, and may not be used in connection with, an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus by any person in any jurisdiction in which it is unlawful for such person to make such an offer or solicitation.

 

Unless otherwise stated, all references in this prospectus to “we,” “us,” “our,” “Bellicum,” “Bellicum Pharmaceuticals,” the “Company” and similar designations refer to Bellicum Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and its subsidiary on a consolidated basis. This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the information incorporated by reference herein and therein contain common law, unregistered trademarks for Bellicum Pharmaceuticals based on use of the trademarks in the United States. Other trademarks referred to in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus or the information incorporated by reference herein and therein are the property of their respective owners. Solely for convenience, trademarks and trade names referred to in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the information incorporated by

 

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reference herein and therein, including logos, artwork and other visual displays, may appear without the ® or TM symbols, but such references are not intended to indicate, in any way, that we will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our rights or the rights of the applicable licensor to these trademarks and trade names. We do not intend our use or display of other companies’ trade names or trademarks to imply a relationship with, or endorsement or sponsorship of us by, any other companies.

 

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference and any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, which are subject to the “safe harbor” created by those sections. We may, in some cases, use words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “will,” “would” or the negative of those terms, and similar expressions that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes to identify these forward-looking statements. Any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical facts may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements about:

 

   

the success, cost and timing of our product development activities and clinical trials;

 

   

our ability to advance Chemical Induction of Dimerization, or CID, CID-based technologies, including CaspaCIDe and GoCAR-T;

 

   

our ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approval of BPX-501 and any other product candidates, and any related restrictions, limitations and/or warnings in the label of an approved product candidate;

 

   

our ability to obtain funding for our operations, including funding necessary to complete further development and commercialization of our product candidates;

 

   

the commercialization of our product candidates, if approved;

 

   

our plans to research, develop and commercialize our product candidates;

 

   

our ability to attract collaborators with development, regulatory and commercialization expertise and the success of any such collaborations;

 

   

future agreements with third parties in connection with the commercialization of our product candidates and any other approved product;

 

   

the size and growth potential of the markets for our product candidates, and our ability to serve those markets;

 

   

the rate and degree of market acceptance of our product candidates;

 

   

regulatory developments in the United States, or U.S., and foreign countries;

 

   

our ability to contract with third-party suppliers and manufacturers and their ability to perform adequately;

 

   

the success of competing therapies that are or may become available;

 

   

our ability to attract and retain key scientific or management personnel;

 

   

our ability to grow our organization and increase the size of our facilities to meet our anticipated growth;

 

   

the accuracy of our estimates regarding expenses, future revenue, capital requirements and needs for additional financing;

 

   

our expectations regarding the period during which we qualify as an emerging growth company under the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or the JOBS Act;

 

   

our use of cash and other resources;

 

   

our use of the net proceeds from this offering; and

 

   

our expectations regarding our ability to obtain and maintain intellectual property protection for our product candidates.

 

These forward-looking statements reflect our management’s beliefs and views with respect to future events and are based on estimates and assumptions as of the date of this prospectus supplement and are subject to risks and uncertainties. We discuss many of these risks in greater detail under “Risk Factors.” Moreover, we operate in

 

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a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks emerge from time to time. It is not possible for our management to predict all risks, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements we may make. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

 

You should read this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus together with the documents that we have filed with the SEC that are incorporated by reference and any free writing prospectus we have authorized for use in connection with a specific offering completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect. We qualify all of the forward-looking statements in this prospectus supplement by these cautionary statements. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

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PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY

 

This summary highlights certain information about us, this offering and selected information contained elsewhere in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement. This summary is not complete and does not contain all of the information that you should consider before deciding whether to invest in our common stock. For a more complete understanding of our company and this offering, you should read and consider carefully the more detailed information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including the risks described under the heading “Risk Factors,” as well as the information included in any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering.

 

Overview

 

We are a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing novel cellular immunotherapies for various forms of cancer, including both hematological cancers and solid tumors, as well as orphan inherited blood disorders. We are using our proprietary CID technology platform to engineer our product candidates with switch technologies that are designed to control components of the immune system in real time. By incorporating our CID platform, our product candidates may offer better safety and efficacy outcomes than are seen with current cellular immunotherapies.

 

We are developing next-generation product candidates in some of the most important areas of cellular immunotherapy, including hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, or HSCT, chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy, or CAR T, and T cell receptors, or TCRs. HSCT, also known as bone marrow transplantation, has for decades been curative for many patients with hematological cancers or orphan inherited blood disorders. However, adoption of HSCT to date has been limited by the risks of transplant-related morbidity and mortality from graft-versus-host-disease, or GvHD, and the potential for serious infections due to the lack of an effective immune system following a transplant. CAR T and TCR cell therapies are an innovative approach in which a patient’s T cells are genetically modified to carry chimeric antigen receptors, or CARs, or TCRs which redirect the T cells against cancer cells. While high objective response rates have been reported in some hematological malignancies, serious and sometimes fatal toxicities have arisen in patients treated with CAR T cell therapies. These toxicities include instances in which the CAR T cells have caused high levels of cytokines due to over-activation, referred to as “cytokine release syndrome,” or CRS, neurologic toxicities and cases in which they have attacked healthy organs. In each case, these toxicities have sometimes resulted in death. In solid tumors, where the behavior of CAR T cells is particularly unpredictable and results have been inconsistent, researchers are developing enhanced CAR T cell approaches that raise even greater safety concerns.

 

Our proprietary CID platform is designed to address these challenges. Events inside a cell are controlled by cascades of specialized signaling proteins. CID consists of molecular switches, modified forms of these signaling proteins, which are triggered inside the patient by infusion of a small molecule, rimiducid, instead of by natural upstream signals. We include these molecular switches in the appropriate immune cells and deliver the cells to the patient in the manner of conventional cellular immunotherapy. We have developed two such switches: a “safety switch,” designed to initiate programmed cell death, or apoptosis, of the immunotherapy cells, and an “activation switch,” designed to stimulate activation and in some cases proliferation and/or persistence of the immunotherapy cells. Each of our product candidates incorporates one of these switches, for enhanced, real time control of safety and efficacy:

 

   

CaspaCIDe is our safety switch, incorporated into our HSCT and TCR product candidate, where it is inactive unless the patient experiences a serious side effect. In that event, rimiducid is administered to induce Caspase-9, or iCaspase, switch activation to fully or partially eliminate the cells, with the goal of terminating or attenuating the therapy and resolving the serious side effect.

 

 

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Our “Go” switch incorporated into our GoCAR-T product candidate, is an activation switch designed to allow control of the activation and proliferation of the T cells through the scheduled administration of a course of rimiducid infusions that may continue until the desired patient outcome is achieved. In the event of emergence of side effects, the level of activation of the GoCAR-T cells is designed to be attenuated by extending the interval between rimiducid doses, reducing the dosage per infusion, or suspending further rimiducid administration.

 

In addition, we have an active research effort to develop other advanced molecular switch approaches, including a “dual-switch” that is designed to provide a system for managing persistence and safety of tumor antigen-specific CAR T cells.

 

By incorporating our novel switch technologies, we are developing product candidates with the potential to elicit positive clinical outcomes and ultimately change the treatment paradigm in various areas of cellular immunotherapy. Our lead clinical product candidate is described below:

 

   

BPX-501 is a CaspaCIDe product candidate designed as an adjunct T cell therapy administered after allogeneic HSCT. BPX-501 is designed to improve transplant outcomes by enhancing the recovery of the immune system following an HSCT procedure. BPX-501 addresses the risk of infusing donor T cells by enabling the elimination of donor T cells through the activation of the CaspaCIDe safety switch if there is an emergence of uncontrolled GvHD.

 

The European Commission has granted orphan drug designations to BPX-501 for treatment in HSCT, and for activator agent rimiducid for the treatment of GvHD. Additionally, BPX-501 and rimiducid have received orphan drug status from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or the FDA, as a combination replacement T-cell therapy for the treatment of immunodeficiency and GvHD after allogeneic HSCT.

 

During 2016, we discussed with the European Medicines Agency, or the EMA, clinical and regulatory plans to support the filing of Marketing Authorization Applications, or MAAs, for BPX-501 and rimiducid in Europe, initially for pediatric patients with certain orphan inherited blood disorders or treatment-refractory hematological cancers. Based on the regulatory discussions, we believe that data from the European arm of our BP-004 trial, expanded to enroll additional patients, with a primary endpoint of event-free survival, with events defined as transplant-related or non-relapse mortality, severe GvHD, and serious infection, at six months, could form the basis of MAAs for BPX-501 and rimiducid. In addition, the EMA’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use, or the CHMP, has agreed that review and approval under “exceptional circumstances” may be suitable, recognizing that a randomized trial may not be feasible in the pediatric haploidentical hematopoeitic stem cell transplant setting. Exceptional circumstances may be granted for medicines that treat very rare diseases, or where controlled studies are impractical or not consistent with accepted principles of medical ethics. In place of a randomized trial, we intend to collect data from a concurrent observational study in the pediatric matched unrelated donor hematopoietic stem cell transplant setting, which will include both retrospective patients and prospective patients.

 

We have discussions ongoing with the FDA regarding the regulatory path to approval in the U.S. and we expect to provide updates in the first half of 2017.

 

In addition to BPX-501, our clinical stage product candidates which are designed to overcome limitations of CAR T and TCR therapies, include the following:

 

   

BPX-701 is a CaspaCIDe-enabled natural high affinity TCR product candidate designed to target malignant cells expressing the preferentially-expressed antigen in melanoma, or PRAME. Initial planned indications for BPX-701 development are refractory or relapsed acute myeloid leukemia, or AML, and myelodysplastic syndromes, or MDS, with an additional study planned for metastatic uveal melanoma. Each of these is an orphan indication where PRAME is highly expressed and for which current treatment options are limited. A Phase 1 dose finding clinical trial in patients with relapsed or refractory myeloid neoplasms is being conducted at the Oregon Health & Science University Hospital in Portland, Oregon.

 

 

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BPX-601 is a GoCAR-T product candidate containing our proprietary inducible MyD88/CD40, or iMC, activation switch, designed to treat solid tumors expressing prostate stem cell antigen, or PSCA. Preclinical data shows enhanced T cell proliferation, persistence and in vivo anti-tumor activity compared to traditional CAR T therapies. A Phase 1 clinical trial in patients with non-resectable pancreatic cancer is being conducted at the Baylor Sammons Cancer Center in Dallas, Texas.

 

We have developed an efficient and scalable process to manufacture genetically modified T cells of high quality, which is currently being used by our third-party contract manufacturers to produce BPX-501 for our clinical trials. We are leveraging this process, as well as our resources, capabilities and expertise for the manufacture of our CAR T and TCR product candidates.

 

Pipeline

 

The following table summarizes our product candidate pipeline:

 

LOGO

 

Corporate Information

 

We were incorporated in Delaware in July 2004. Our principal executive offices are located at 2130 W. Holcombe Blvd., Ste. 800, Houston, Texas and our telephone number is (832) 384-1100. Our corporate website address is www.bellicum.com. The contents of our website are not a part of, and are not incorporated into, this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, and you should not consider it part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus and you should not rely on any such information in making any decisions of whether to purchase our securities. For further information regarding us and our financial information, you should refer to our recent filings with the SEC. See “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference.”

 

We use various trademarks, service marks and trade names in our business, including without limitation “Bellicum Pharmaceuticals” and “Bellicum.” This prospectus supplement also contains trademarks, service marks and trade names of other businesses that are the property of their respective holders.

 

 

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THE OFFERING

 

Issuer

Bellicum Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

 

Common stock offered by us

5,000,000 shares

 

Common stock to be outstanding after this offering

32,155,565 shares

 

Underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares

750,000 shares

 

Use of proceeds

We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering, together with our existing capital resources, to fund ongoing and planned BPX-501 clinical trials in both the European Union and U.S., Phase 1 clinical trials of controllable CAR T (BPX-601) and TCR (BPX-701) product candidates, preparation activities for potential future commercialization of BPX-501, for our other research and development activities and to fund working capital, including general corporate purposes. See “Use of Proceeds.”

 

Risk factors

Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors” for a discussion of factors that you should consider before buying shares of our common stock.

 

Symbol on The NASDAQ Global Market

BLCM

 

The number of shares of common stock to be outstanding after this offering is based on 27,155,565 shares outstanding on December 31, 2016, and excludes as of that date:

 

   

4,532,120 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options as of December 31, 2016, at a weighted-average exercise price of $12.37 per share of common stock;

 

   

58,825 shares of common stock subject to repurchase by us as of December 31, 2016;

 

   

560,911 shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under our 2014 Equity Incentive Plan, as of December 31, 2016; and

 

   

494,681 shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under our 2014 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as of December 31, 2016.

 

Except as otherwise noted, all information in this prospectus supplement assumes no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares and no exercise of the outstanding stock options described above.

 

 

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RISK FACTORS

 

Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks described below, those contained in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, as well as any amendment or update to our risk factors reflected in subsequent filings with the SEC, all other information in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, and the other documents incorporated by reference, and in any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering. The occurrence of any of these risks could harm our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects. In such an event, the market price of our common stock could decline and you may lose all or part of your investment. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial also may impair our business operations.

 

Risks Relating to this Offering

 

If you purchase shares of common stock in this offering, you will experience immediate and substantial dilution in your investment. You will experience further dilution if we issue additional equity or equity-linked securities in the future.

 

Since the price per share of our common stock being offered is substantially higher than the net tangible book value per share of our common stock, you will suffer immediate and substantial dilution with respect to the net tangible book value of the common stock you purchase in this offering. Based on the public offering price of $12.00 per share and our net tangible book value as of December 31, 2016, if you purchase shares of common stock in this offering, you will suffer immediate and substantial dilution of $7.26 per share with respect to the net tangible book value of the common stock. See the section entitled “Dilution” for a more detailed discussion of the dilution you will incur if you purchase common stock in this offering.

 

If we issue additional shares of common stock, or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for shares of common stock, our stockholders, including investors who purchase shares of common stock in this offering, will experience additional dilution, and any such issuances may result in downward pressure on the price of our common stock. We also cannot assure you that we will be able to sell shares or other securities in any other offering at a price per share that is equal to or greater than the price per share paid by investors in this offering, and investors purchasing shares or other securities in the future could have rights superior to existing stockholders.

 

We will have broad discretion in the use of the net proceeds from this offering and may not use them effectively.

 

We will have broad discretion in the use of the net proceeds from this offering and could spend the proceeds in ways that do not improve our results of operations or enhance the value of our common stock. Our failure to apply these funds effectively could have a material adverse effect on our business, impair or delay our ability to develop our product candidates and cause the price of our common stock to decline. See the section entitled “Use of Proceeds.”

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

 

We estimate that the net proceeds to us from the sale of shares of our common stock that we are offering will be approximately $56.0 million, or approximately $64.4 million if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

 

We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering, together with our existing capital resources, to fund ongoing and planned BPX-501 clinical trials in both the European Union and U.S., Phase 1 clinical trials of controllable CAR T (BPX-601) and TCR (BPX-701) product candidates, preparation activities for potential future commercialization of BPX-501, for our other research and development activities and to fund working capital, including general corporate purposes.

 

We may also use a portion of the net proceeds from this offering to acquire or license new product candidates or technology that could result in other product candidates, although we do not have current plans to do so.

 

Our expected use of the net proceeds from this offering represents our current intentions based upon our present plans and business condition. As of the date of this prospectus supplement, we cannot predict with certainty all of the particular uses for the net proceeds to be received upon the completion of this offering, or the amounts that we will actually spend on the uses set forth above. The amounts and timing of our actual use of the net proceeds will vary depending on numerous factors, including our ability to access additional financing, the relative success and cost of our research, preclinical and clinical development programs and whether we are able to enter into future licensing arrangements. As a result, our management will have broad discretion in the application of the net proceeds, and investors will be relying on our judgment regarding the application of the net proceeds of this offering. In addition, we might decide to postpone or not pursue clinical trials or preclinical activities if the net proceeds from this offering and any other sources of cash are less than expected.

 

Pending their use as described above, we plan to invest the net proceeds from this offering in short- and intermediate-term, interest-bearing obligations, investment-grade instruments, certificates of deposit or direct or guaranteed obligations of the U.S. government.

 

DIVIDEND POLICY

 

We do not anticipate declaring or paying, in the foreseeable future, any cash dividends on our capital stock. In addition, the terms of our loan and security agreement with Hercules Capital restrict our ability to declare or pay any cash dividend or make a cash distribution on any class of stock or other equity interest. We currently intend to retain all available funds and any future earnings to support our operations and finance the growth and development of our business. Any future determination related to our dividend policy will be made at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend upon, among other factors, our results of operations, financial condition, capital requirements, contractual restrictions, business prospects and other factors our board of directors may deem relevant.

 

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DILUTION

 

Our net tangible book value as of December 31, 2016 was approximately $96.6 million, or $3.56 per share. Net tangible book value per share is determined by dividing our total tangible assets, less total liabilities, by the number of shares of our common stock outstanding as of December 31, 2016. Dilution with respect to net tangible book value per share represents the difference between the amount per share paid by purchasers of shares of common stock in this offering and the net tangible book value per share of our common stock immediately after this offering.

 

After giving effect to the sale of 5,000,000 shares of our common stock in this offering at the public offering price of $12.00 per share and after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and our estimated offering expenses, our as adjusted net tangible book value as of December 31, 2016 would have been approximately $152.5 million, or $4.74 per share. This represents an immediate increase in net tangible book value of $1.18 per share to existing stockholders and immediate dilution in net tangible book value of $7.26 per share to new investors purchasing our common stock in this offering. The following table illustrates this dilution on a per share basis:

 

Assumed public offering price per share

      $ 12.00  

Net tangible book value per share as of December 31, 2016

   $ 3.56     

Increase in net tangible book value per share attributable to investors purchasing our common stock in this offering

   $ 1.18     
  

 

 

    

As adjusted net tangible book value per share as of December 31, 2016 after this offering

      $ 4.74  
     

 

 

 

Dilution per share to investors purchasing our common stock in this offering

      $ 7.26  

 

If the underwriters exercise their option in full to purchase up to 750,000 additional shares of common stock, the as adjusted net tangible book value after this offering would be $4.89 per share, representing an increase in net tangible book value of $1.33 per share to existing stockholders and immediate dilution in net tangible book value of $7.11 per share to new investors purchasing our common stock in this offering.

 

The number of shares of common stock to be outstanding after this offering is based on 27,155,565 shares outstanding on December 31, 2016, and excludes as of that date:

 

   

4,532,120 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options as of December 31, 2016, at a weighted-average exercise price of $12.37 per share of common stock;

 

   

58,825 shares of common stock subject to repurchase by us as of December 31, 2016;

 

   

560,911 shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under our 2014 Equity Incentive Plan, as of December 31, 2016; and

 

   

494,681 shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under our 2014 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as of December 31, 2016.

 

To the extent that outstanding options are exercised, investors purchasing our common stock in this offering will experience further dilution. In addition, we may choose to raise additional capital due to market conditions or strategic considerations even if we believe we have sufficient funds for our current or future operating plans. To the extent that additional capital is raised through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, the issuance of these securities could result in further dilution to our stockholders.

 

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EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

 

The following table sets forth certain information regarding our current executive officers and directors as of March 17, 2016:

 

NAME

   AGE   

POSITION(S)

Richard A. Fair    48    President and Chief Executive Officer and Director
Alan A. Musso, C.P.A., C.M.A.    55    Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
David M. Spencer, Ph.D.    54    Chief Scientific Officer
Annemarie Moseley, Ph.D., M.D.    61    Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President of Clinical Development
Ken Moseley, J.D.    60    Senior Vice President and General Counsel
James Brown    52    Director
James M. Daly    55    Director
Stephen R. Davis    56    Director
Reid M. Huber, Ph.D.    45    Director
Frank B. McGuyer    65    Director
Kevin M. Slawin, M.D.    56    Director
Jon P. Stonehouse    56    Director

 

Executive Officers

 

Richard A. Fair, 48, has served as our President and Chief Executive Officer and a member of our Board of Directors since January 2017. Prior to joining Bellicum, Mr. Fair served as Senior Vice President, Therapeutic Head Oncology Global Product Strategy at Genentech, Inc., a private biotechnology company and subsidiary of Roche Holding AG. From April 2006 to January 2014, Mr. Fair held other positions at Genentech, including Vice President, Global Product Strategy Hematology & Signaling, from November 2012 through December 2013, and Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Oral Oncolytics, from May 2010 to November 2012. Prior to Genentech, Mr. Fair held positions at Johnson & Johnson, a public pharmaceutical and medical device company. Mr. Fair received his B.S. in computer science from the University of Michigan and his MBA, with a dual concentration in finance and management, from Columbia University.

 

Alan A. Musso, C.P.A., C.M.A., 55, has served as our Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer since November 2014. From February 2002 to November 2014, Mr. Musso served in various positions at Targacept, Inc., a public biopharmaceutical company, including as Senior Vice President of Finance and Administration from March 2010 to November 2014, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer from February 2002 to November 2014, and Assistant Secretary from June 2007 to November 2014. Mr. Musso has over 25 years of biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry experience in both large and emerging growth companies. Mr. Musso received his B.S. degree from Saint Mary’s College of California and his graduate degree from the American Graduate School of International Management in Glendale, Arizona.

 

David M. Spencer, Ph.D., 54, founded Bellicum with Kevin M. Slawin, M.D. in July 2004 and served as a member of our Board until September 2004. He has served as a scientific advisor to the Company since our inception and has served as our Chief Scientific Officer since November 2011, a position that he also held part-time as a consultant since September 2004. From January 1996 to November 2011, Dr. Spencer served as professor in the department of Pathology and Immunology at Baylor College of Medicine and as Vice Chairman of the department from January 2010 to November 2011. Dr. Spencer is the original inventor of our CID technology, and together with Dr. Slawin, developed the first clinical applications of the technology, DeCIDe and CaspaCIDe. He received his B.A. degree in Chemistry from the University of California, San Diego and his Ph.D. in Biology at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and was a postdoctoral fellow at Stanford University.

 

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Annemarie Moseley, Ph.D., M.D., 61, has served as our Chief Operating Officer since November 2012 and as our Executive Vice President of Clinical Development since April 2015. Dr. Moseley also served as our Senior Vice President of Clinical Development and Regulatory Affairs from October 2011 until April 2015. Dr. Moseley has over 20 years of industry experience in translational medicine and clinical development of stem cell therapies, immunotherapies, biological devices and combination products, including overseeing the first late-stage Graft versus Host Disease study in patients who underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplant. She received her B.S. and M.S. from the University of Texas at Arlington, and received her Ph.D. in Physiology and Biochemistry from Utah State. She received her M.D. from Baylor College of Medicine where she completed an internal medicine residency and a genetics fellowship.

 

Ken Moseley, J.D., 60, has served as our Senior Vice President and General Counsel since January 2015 and as our Corporate Secretary since February 2012. Mr. Moseley also served as our Vice President of Intellectual Property and Legal Affairs from December 2011 to January 2015. Mr. Moseley received his B.S. degree from the University of Houston and his B.A. degree from Rice University. He received his J.D. from the University of Houston Law Center. Mr. Moseley is a registered U.S. patent attorney and is a member of the State Bars of Texas and California.

 

Non-Employee Directors

 

James F. Brown, 52, has served as a member of our Board of Directors since November 2011 and as Chairman of our Board of Directors since December 2014. Since July 2009 he has served as Managing Director of AVG Ventures, a private investment firm. From 2003 to 2009, Mr. Brown was an independent investor and served on a number of private company boards of directors. From 1999 to 2002, he served as Executive Vice President and General Manager of OpenTV, Inc., a technology and media company, where he co-founded and managed the company’s applications business unit, prior to its sale to Liberty Media in 2002. Earlier in his career, Mr. Brown was a partner in the law firms of McDermott, Will & Emery and Pillsbury Madison & Sutro. Mr. Brown is currently a director of Landmark Infrastructure Partners, LP, a public real estate management company, and Perk.com, Inc., a public company traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange. He received his B.S. in accounting from Weber State University and his J.D. from Brigham Young University School of Law. Our Board of Directors believes that Mr. Brown’s business experience and his success as an investor and entrepreneur qualify him to serve on our Board of Directors.

 

James M. Daly, 55, has served as a member of our Board of Directors since May 2016. Mr. Daly currently serves on the board of directors of three other biopharmaceutical companies, including ACADIA Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc. and Chimerix, Inc. From October 2012 to June 2015, Mr. Daly served as Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer of Incyte Corporation, a public biotechnology company. From January 2002 to December 2011, Mr. Daly held various positions at Amgen, Inc., a public biopharmaceutical company, where he most recently served as Senior Vice President of North America Commercial Operations and Global Marketing/Commercial Development. Prior to his employment with Amgen, Mr. Daly served as Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Respiratory/Anti-infective business unit of GlaxoSmithKline, a public pharmaceutical company, where he was employed from June 1985 to December 2001. Mr. Daly received his B.S. in Pharmacy and an M.B.A. from the University at Buffalo, The State University of New York.

 

Stephen R. Davis, 56, has served as a member of our Board of Directors since July 2015. Since March 2015, Mr. Davis has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of ACADIA Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a public biotechnology company. Prior to that, Mr. Davis served as ACADIA’s Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Business Officer from July 2014 through March 2015. From June 2012 to June 2015, Mr. Davis served as a member of the board of directors of Heron Therapeutics, Inc., a public biotechnology company, where he also served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer from May 2013 to July 2014. From April 2010 to December 2012, Mr. Davis served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Ardea Biosciences, Inc., a public biotechnology company which was acquired by AstraZeneca PLC in

 

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June 2012. He also recently served as a director of Synageva BioPharma Corp. Earlier in his career, Mr. Davis practiced as a certified public accountant with a major accounting firm and as a corporate and securities attorney with a Wall Street law firm. Mr. Davis received his B.S. degree in accounting from Southern Nazerene University and his J.D. degree from Vanderbilt University. Our Board of Directors believes that Mr. Davis’ experience as an executive at various public biotechnology companies, his background in law, finance and accounting and his experience as a director at public biotechnology companies qualify him to serve on our Board of Directors.

 

Reid M. Huber, Ph.D., 45, has served as a member of our Board of Directors since October 2014. Dr. Huber currently serves as the Executive Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer of Incyte Corporation, a public biotechnology company, where he has held various management positions since January 2002. From 1998 to 2002, Dr. Huber held scientific research positions at DuPont Pharmaceuticals Company, a private chemicals and healthcare company. Prior to DuPont Pharmaceuticals Company, from 1997 to 1998, Dr. Huber held intramural pre-doctoral and post-doctoral fellowships at the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Huber received his B.S. in biochemistry/molecular genetics from Murray State University and his Ph.D. in molecular genetics from Washington University. Our Board of Directors believes that Dr. Huber’s extensive background in the pharmaceutical industry and current management experience at a public biotechnology company qualify him to serve on our Board of Directors.

 

Frank B. McGuyer. 65, has served as a member of our Board of Directors since March 2009. He is the founder of, and since December 1988 has served as the chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of, McGuyer Homebuilders Inc., a private homebuilding company. He received his B.B.A. with honors at Southern Methodist University. Our Board of Directors believes that Mr. McGuyer’s operational, business and investment experience qualifies him to serve on our Board of Directors.

 

Kevin M. Slawin, M.D., 56, founded Bellicum with David Spencer, Ph.D., in July 2004 and has served as a member of our Board of Directors since its founding. Dr. Slawin served as our Chief Technology Officer from February 2006 through December 2016 and as a member of our Board of Directors since February 2006. From February 2006 to April 2014, Dr. Slawin served as our Executive Chairman and from February 2006 until March 2015, he also served as our Chief Medical Officer. From September 2004 to February 2006, Dr. Slawin served as the Chairman of the Board, our Chief Executive Officer and Secretary, and from September 2004 to November 2011, Dr. Slawin served as our President. Dr. Slawin also has had a long tenure in academic medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, where he served as the Dan Duncan Professor in Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases, and Director, The Baylor Prostate Center, until 2007. Dr. Slawin currently serves as Director of Vanguard Urologic Institute at Memorial Hermann Medical Group, Memorial Hermann Hospital, and Vanguard Urologic Research Foundation, as well as a clinical professor of Urology at Baylor College of Medicine. He received his B.A. and M.D. from Columbia University, where he was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa and Alpha Omega Alpha, and completed an American Foundation of Urologic Diseases Scholar Fellowship in Urologic Oncology at Baylor College of Medicine. Our Board of Directors believes that Dr. Slawin’s educational and professional experiences, as well as his experience as one of our founders, qualifies him to serve on our Board of Directors.

 

Jon P. Stonehouse, 56, has served as a member of our Board of Directors since December 2014. Since January 2007, Mr. Stonehouse has served as the Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors of BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a public biopharmaceutical company. Since July 2007, he has also served as President of BioCryst. From March 2002 to December 2006, Mr. Stonehouse served in various positions at Merck KGaA, a pharmaceutical Company, including as Senior Vice President of Corporate Development from July 2002 to December 2006, and Vice President of Global Licensing and Business Development and Integration from March 2002 to December 2006. Since November 2008, Mr. Stonehouse has also served as a member of the Advisory Board of Precision Biosciences, Inc., a private biotechnology company. Mr. Stonehouse received his B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Minnesota. Our Board of Directors believes that Mr. Stonehouse’s management background, experience as a director at a public pharmaceutical company and extensive history as an advisory board member in the pharmaceutical industry qualify him to serve on our Board of Directors.

 

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TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PERSONS

 

The following includes a description of transactions since January 1, 2016, in which we were a participant and the amount involved exceeded $120,000, and in which any of our directors, executive officers or, to our knowledge, beneficial owners of more than 5% of our capital stock, or any member of the immediate family of any of the foregoing persons, had or will have a direct or indirect material interest.

 

Investor Agreements

 

On January 15, 2016, we entered into a registration rights agreement with Baker Brothers Life Sciences, L.P., 667, L.P. and 14159, L.P., or Baker Brothers, a beneficial owner of more than 5% of our common stock, pursuant to which Baker Brothers is entitled to certain resale registration rights with respect to shares of our common stock held by Baker Brothers. Under the agreement, following a demand by Baker Brothers, we are obligated to file a resale registration statement on Form S-3, or other appropriate form, covering such common stock held by Baker Brothers, and to keep such registration statement effective until the earlier of (i) all registrable securities covered by the registration statement have been sold or may be sold freely without limitations or restrictions as to volume or manner of sale pursuant to Rule 144 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or Rule 144, or (ii) all registrable securities covered by the registration statement otherwise cease to be considered registrable securities pursuant to the terms of the agreement. Under the agreement, Baker Brothers has the right to one underwritten public offering per calendar year, but no more than three underwritten public offerings in total, to effect the sale or distribution of its registrable securities, subject to specified exceptions, conditions and limitations. The agreement requires us to bear expenses incurred by us in effecting any registration pursuant to the agreement, and up to $50,000 of expenses per underwritten public offering for counsel for Baker Brothers, and also includes customary indemnification obligations in connection with registrations conducted pursuant to the agreement. The rights of Baker Brothers under the agreement terminate automatically upon the earlier to occur of the following events: (i) all registrable securities covered by the agreement have been sold pursuant to an effective registration statement; (ii) all registrable securities covered by the agreement have been sold by pursuant to Rule 144, or other similar rule; (iii) all registrable securities covered by the agreement may be resold without limitations as to volume or manner of sale pursuant to Rule 144; or (iv) 10 years after the date of the agreement.

 

As a condition to our execution and delivery of this agreement, Baker Brothers irrevocably waived any and all registration rights accruing or attributable to Baker Brothers and its affiliated entities and/or any other entity controlled by, controlling or under common control with any of the preceding persons, under that certain Second Amended and Restated Investor Rights Agreement, dated August 22, 2014, by and among us and the investors set forth therein.

 

Agreements with Current and Former Officers and Directors

 

On March 31, 2016, our Board of Directors approved a six-month extension of the employment of Kevin M. Slawin, M.D., a current member of our Board of Directors and previously our Chief Technology Officer, through December 31, 2016. In connection with this extension, our Board of Directors approved the terms of a six month consulting agreement between Dr. Slawin and us, effective January 1, 2017 through June 30, 2017. In March 2017, the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors approved a nine month extension of Dr. Slawin’s consulting agreement through March 30, 2018. Pursuant to the terms of Dr. Slawin’s consulting agreement, Dr. Slawin agreed to serve as a special advisor to the Science Committee of our Board of Directors, undertaking special projects as requested by the Science Committee or our Board of Directors. Dr. Slawin’s consulting agreement provides that Dr. Slawin will be paid a monthly consulting fee of $25,000 during the term of the agreement. In addition, Dr. Slawin will be entitled to receive payments covering healthcare benefit premiums during the term of the consulting agreement and will be entitled to reimbursement for documented expenses under the Company’s reimbursement policy.

 

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Effective January 30, 2017, Thomas J. Farrell resigned from his position as a member of our Board of Directors and our President and Chief Executive Officer. In connection with Mr. Farrell’s resignation, we entered into a letter agreement with Mr. Farrell that provides for certain separation benefits in the form of continued payment of base salary for 12 months, a lump sum amount equal to Mr. Farrell’s pro-rated target performance bonus for 2017, and reimbursement of COBRA premiums for up to 12 months. In addition, we agreed to retain Mr. Farrell as a consultant at a rate of $5,000 per month, for a term of up to 18 months measured from January 30, 2017. In exchange for Mr. Farrell’s consulting services, we also agreed to extend the separation benefits specified above for an additional six months following the initial 12 month period, subject to Mr. Farrell’s continuous service and other terms and conditions specified in the agreement.

 

Effective March 14, 2017, Peter L. Hoang was terminated from his position as Senior Vice President of Business Development and Strategy. In connection with Mr. Hoang’s termination, his employment agreement provides for certain separation benefits in the form of continued payment of base salary for 12 months, a lump sum amount equal to Mr. Hoang’s pro-rated target performance bonus for 2017, and reimbursement of COBRA premiums for up to 12 months.

 

Employment Arrangements

 

We currently have written employment agreements with our executive officers, including Ken Moseley, an executive officer and our Senior Vice President and General Counsel, who is the spouse of Dr. Annemarie Moseley, Ph.D., M.D., our Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President of Clinical Development.

 

Dr. Tsvetelina P. Hoang, Ph.D., a scientist at Bellicum, is the spouse of Peter L. Hoang, our former Senior Vice President of Business Development and Strategy. Dr. Hoang’s compensation was determined in accordance with employee levels previously approved by our Compensation Committee, and is commensurate with the compensation of other comparable employees. Dr. Hoang received an aggregate of $254,747 in total compensation for the year ended December 31, 2016, which amount includes salary, bonus, option awards and all other compensation (including life insurance premiums and parking subsidies). In accordance with SEC rules, the value of option awards included in the total compensation for Dr. Hoang set forth in this paragraph reflect the aggregate grant date fair value of the option awards granted during the applicable fiscal year, computed in accordance with ASC 718. Assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts are included in Note 9 to our audited financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016. These amounts do not reflect the actual economic value that will be realized by the employee upon the vesting of the stock options, the exercise of the stock options, or the sale of the common stock underlying such stock options.

 

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CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS FOR NON-U.S. HOLDERS OF COMMON STOCK

 

The following describes the material U.S. federal income tax consequences to non-U.S. holders (as defined below) of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our common stock issued pursuant to this offering. This discussion is not a complete analysis of all potential U.S. federal income tax consequences relating thereto, does not address the potential application of the Medicare contribution tax and does not address any estate or gift tax consequences or any tax consequences arising under any state, local or foreign tax laws, or any other U.S. federal tax laws. This discussion is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, judicial decisions and published rulings and administrative pronouncements of the Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, all as in effect as of the date of this prospectus supplement. These authorities may change, possibly retroactively, resulting in U.S. federal income tax consequences different from those discussed below. We have not requested a ruling from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, with respect to the statements made and the conclusions reached in the following description, and there can be no assurance that the IRS will agree with such statements and conclusions.

 

This discussion is limited to non-U.S. holders who purchase our common stock issued pursuant to this offering and who hold our common stock as a “capital asset” within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (generally, property held for investment). This discussion does not address all of the U.S. federal income tax consequences that may be relevant to a particular holder in light of such holder’s particular circumstances. This discussion also does not consider any specific facts or circumstances that may be relevant to holders subject to special rules under the U.S. federal income tax laws, including, without limitation, certain former citizens or long-term residents of the United States, partnerships or other pass-through entities, non-U.S. governmental or sovereign entities or any entities qualifying under Section 892 of the Code, “controlled foreign corporations,” “passive foreign investment companies,” corporations that accumulate earnings to avoid U.S. federal income tax, banks, financial institutions, investment funds, insurance companies, brokers, dealers or traders in securities, tax-exempt organizations, tax-qualified retirement plans, persons subject to the alternative minimum tax, persons that own, or have owned, actually or constructively, more than 5% of our common stock and persons holding our common stock as part of a hedging or conversion transaction or straddle, or a constructive sale, or other risk reduction strategy.

 

If an entity or arrangement that is classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds our common stock, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner will generally depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Partnerships holding our common stock and the partners in such partnerships are urged to consult their tax advisors as to particular U.S. federal income tax consequences to them of holding and disposing of our common stock.

 

PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS REGARDING THE PARTICULAR U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF ACQUIRING, OWNING AND DISPOSING OF OUR COMMON STOCK, AS WELL AS ANY TAX CONSEQUENCES ARISING UNDER ANY STATE, LOCAL OR FOREIGN TAX LAWS AND ANY OTHER U.S. FEDERAL TAX LAWS.

 

Definition of non-U.S. holder

 

For purposes of this discussion, a non-U.S. holder is any beneficial owner of our common stock that is not a “U.S. person” or a partnership (including any entity or arrangement treated as a partnership) for U.S. federal income tax purposes. A beneficial owner is a U.S. person if the owner is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, any of the following:

 

   

an individual citizen or resident of the United States;

 

   

a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;

 

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

 

   

a trust (1) whose administration is subject to the primary supervision of a U.S. court and which has one or more U.S. persons who have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust, or (2) that has a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury Regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.

 

Distributions on our common stock

 

If we make cash or other property distributions on our common stock, such distributions will constitute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent paid from our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. Amounts not treated as dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes will constitute a return of capital and will first be applied against and reduce a holder’s tax basis in our common stock, but not below zero. Any excess will be treated as gain realized on the sale or other disposition of our common stock and will be treated as described under the section of this prospectus supplement titled “Gain on disposition of our common stock” below.

 

Subject to the discussion below regarding backup withholding and FATCA, dividends (out of earnings and profits) paid to a non-U.S. holder of our common stock generally will be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax at a rate of 30% of the gross amount of the dividends, or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty. To receive the benefit of a reduced treaty rate, a non-U.S. holder must furnish to us or our paying agent a valid IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E (or applicable successor form) including a U.S. taxpayer identification number and certifying such holder’s qualification for the reduced rate. This certification must be provided to us or our paying agent prior to the payment of dividends and must be updated periodically. If the non-U.S. holder holds the stock through a financial institution or other agent acting on the non-U.S. holder’s behalf, the non-U.S. holder will be required to provide appropriate documentation to the agent, which then will be required to provide certification to us or our paying agent, either directly or through other intermediaries.

 

Non-U.S. holders that do not timely provide the required certification, but that qualify for a reduced treaty rate, may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by timely filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS.

 

If a non-U.S. holder holds our common stock in connection with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States, and dividends paid on our common stock are effectively connected with such holder’s U.S. trade or business (and are attributable to such holder’s permanent establishment in the United States if required by an applicable tax treaty), the non-U.S. holder will be exempt from U.S. federal withholding tax. To claim the exemption, the non-U.S. holder must generally furnish a properly executed IRS Form W-8ECI (or applicable successor form).

 

Any dividends paid on our common stock that are effectively connected with a non-U.S. holder’s U.S. trade or business (and if required by an applicable income tax treaty, are attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the non-U.S. holder in the United States) generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis at the regular graduated U.S. federal income tax rates in the same manner as if such holder were a resident of the United States. A non-U.S. holder that is a foreign corporation also may be subject to an additional branch profits tax equal to 30% (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty) of its effectively connected earnings and profits for the taxable year, as adjusted for certain items.

 

Non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding any applicable income tax treaties that may provide for different rules, reduced rates of withholding on dividends, or branch profits tax.

 

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Gain on disposition of our common stock

 

Subject to the discussion below regarding backup withholding and FATCA, a non-U.S. holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any gain realized upon the sale or other disposition of our common stock, unless:

 

   

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

 

   

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

 

   

our common stock constitutes stock in a United States real property holding corporation, or USRPHC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes at any time within the shorter of the five-year period preceding the disposition or the non-U.S. holder’s holding period for our common stock, and we either cease to be regularly traded on an established securities market or the disposing non-U.S. holder owned, at any time during that five-year or shorter period, more than 5% of our common stock, directly or indirectly by attribution.

 

The determination of whether we are a USRPHC depends on the fair market value of our U.S. real property interests relative to the fair market value of our other trade or business assets and our foreign real property interests. We believe we are not currently and do not anticipate becoming a USRPHC for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

Gain described in the first bullet point above generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis at the regular graduated U.S. federal income tax rates in the same manner as if such holder were a resident of the United States. A non-U.S. holder that is a foreign corporation also may be subject to an additional branch profits tax equal to 30% (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty) of its effectively connected earnings and profits for the taxable year, as adjusted for certain items. Non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding any applicable income tax treaties that may provide for different rules. Gain described in the second bullet point above will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at a flat 30% rate (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty), but may be offset by certain U.S.-source capital losses (even though the individual is not considered a resident of the United States), provided that the non-U.S. holder has timely filed U.S. federal income tax returns with respect to such losses.

 

Information reporting and backup withholding

 

Annual reports are required to be filed with the IRS and provided to each non-U.S. holder indicating the amount of dividends on our common stock paid to such holder and the amount of any tax withheld with respect to those dividends. These information reporting requirements apply even if no withholding was required because the dividends were effectively connected with the holder’s conduct of a U.S. trade or business, or withholding was reduced or eliminated by an applicable income tax treaty. This information also may be made available under a specific treaty or agreement with the tax authorities in the country in which the non-U.S. holder resides or is established. Backup withholding, currently at a 28% rate, generally will not apply to payments to a non-U.S. holder of dividends on or the gross proceeds of a disposition of our common stock provided the non-U.S. holder furnishes the required certification as to its non-U.S. status, such as by providing a valid IRS Form W-8BEN, IRS Form W-8BEN-E or IRS Form W-8ECI, or certain other requirements are met. Notwithstanding the foregoing, backup withholding may apply if the payor has actual knowledge, or reason to know, that the holder is a U.S. person who is not an exempt recipient.

 

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. If any amount is withheld under the backup withholding rules, the non-U.S. holder should consult with a U.S. tax advisor regarding the possibility of and procedure for obtaining a refund or a credit against the non-U.S. holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, if any.

 

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Withholding on foreign entities

 

Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code (commonly referred to as FATCA) impose a U.S. federal withholding tax of 30% on certain payments made to a “foreign financial institution” (as specially defined under these rules) unless such institution enters into an agreement with the U.S. government to withhold on certain payments and to collect and provide to the U.S. tax authorities substantial information regarding U.S. account holders of such institution (which includes certain equity and debt holders of such institution, as well as certain account holders that are foreign entities with U.S. owners) or an exemption applies. FATCA also generally will impose a U.S. federal withholding tax of 30% on certain payments made to a non-financial foreign entity unless such entity provides the withholding agent a certification identifying the direct and indirect U.S. owners of the entity or an exemption applies. An intergovernmental agreement between the United States and an applicable foreign country may modify these requirements. Under certain circumstances, a non-U.S. holder might be eligible for refunds or credits of such taxes. FATCA currently applies to dividends paid on our common stock. FATCA will also apply to gross proceeds from sales or other dispositions of our common stock after December 31, 2018.

 

Prospective investors are encouraged to consult with their own tax advisors regarding the possible implications of this legislation on their investment in our common stock.

 

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UNDERWRITING

 

Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Jefferies LLC are acting as joint book-running managers of the offering and as representatives of the underwriters named below. Subject to the terms and conditions stated in the underwriting agreement, dated March 23, 2017, each underwriter named below has severally agreed to purchase, and we have agreed to sell to that underwriter, the number of shares set forth opposite the underwriter’s name.

 

Underwriter

   Number
of Shares
 

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

     1,750,000  

Jefferies LLC

     1,550,000  

Guggenheim Securities, LLC

     700,000  

Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc.

     333,334  

Raymond James & Associates, Inc.

     333,333  

SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc.

     333,333  
  

 

 

 

Total

     5,000,000  
  

 

 

 

 

The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the shares included in this offering are subject to approval of legal matters by counsel and to other conditions. The underwriters are obligated to purchase all the shares (other than those covered by the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares described below) if they purchase any of the shares.

 

Shares sold by the underwriters to the public will initially be offered at the initial public offering price set forth on the cover of this prospectus supplement. Any shares sold by the underwriters to securities dealers may be sold at a discount from the initial public offering price not to exceed $0.432 per share. If all the shares are not sold at the initial offering price, the underwriters may change the offering price and the other selling terms.

 

We have granted to the underwriters an option, exercisable for 30 days from the date of this prospectus supplement, to purchase up to 750,000 additional shares at the public offering price less the underwriting discount. To the extent the option is exercised, each underwriter must purchase a number of additional shares approximately proportionate to that underwriter’s initial purchase commitment. Any shares issued or sold under the option will be issued and sold on the same terms and conditions as the other shares that are the subject of this offering.

 

We and our officers and directors have agreed that, for a period of 90 days from the date of this prospectus supplement, we and they will not, without the prior written consent of Citigroup and Jefferies, dispose of or hedge any shares or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock. Citigroup and Jefferies in their sole discretion may release any of the securities subject to these lock-up agreements at any time without notice.

 

The shares are listed on The NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “BLCM.”

 

The following table shows the underwriting discounts and commissions that we are to pay to the underwriters in connection with this offering. These amounts are shown assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares.

 

     Paid by Bellicum  
     No Exercise      Full Exercise  

Per share

   $ 0.72      $ 0.72  

Total

   $ 3,600,000      $ 4,140,000  

 

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We estimate that our portion of the total expenses of this offering will be approximately $430,000. We have also agreed to reimburse the underwriters for up to $35,000 for their FINRA counsel fee. In accordance with FINRA Rule 5110, the reimbursed fee is deemed underwriting compensation for this offering.

 

In connection with the offering, the underwriters may purchase and sell shares in the open market. Purchases and sales in the open market may include short sales, purchases to cover short positions, which may include purchases pursuant to the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares, and stabilizing purchases.

 

   

Short sales involve secondary market sales by the underwriters of a greater number of shares than they are required to purchase in the offering.

 

  ¡    

“Covered” short sales are sales of shares in an amount up to the number of shares represented by the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares.

 

  ¡    

“Naked” short sales are sales of shares in an amount in excess of the number of shares represented by the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares.

 

   

Covering transactions involve purchases of shares either pursuant to the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares or in the open market in order to cover short positions.

 

  ¡    

To close a naked short position, the underwriters must purchase shares in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the shares in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering.

 

  ¡    

To close a covered short position, the underwriters must purchase shares in the open market or must exercise the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares. In determining the source of shares to close the covered short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of shares available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase shares through the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares.

 

   

Stabilizing transactions involve bids to purchase shares so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum.

 

Purchases to cover short positions and stabilizing purchases, as well as other purchases by the underwriters for their own accounts, may have the effect of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the shares. They may also cause the price of the shares to be higher than the price that would otherwise exist in the open market in the absence of these transactions. The underwriters may conduct these transactions on The NASDAQ Global Market, in the over-the-counter market or otherwise. If the underwriters commence any of these transactions, they may discontinue them at any time.

 

In addition, in connection with this offering, some of the underwriters (and selling group members) may engage in passive market making transactions in the shares on The NASDAQ Global Market, prior to the pricing and completion of the offering. Passive market making consists of displaying bids on The NASDAQ Global Market no higher than the bid prices of independent market makers and making purchases at prices no higher than those independent bids and effected in response to order flow. Net purchases by a passive market maker on each day are limited to a specified percentage of the passive market maker’s average daily trading volume in the shares during a specified period and must be discontinued when that limit is reached. Passive market making may cause the price of the shares to be higher than the price that otherwise would exist in the open market in the absence of those transactions. If the underwriters commence passive market making transactions, they may discontinue them at any time.

 

Other Relationships

 

The underwriters are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, investment management, principal

 

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investment, hedging, financing and brokerage activities. The underwriters and their respective affiliates have in the past performed commercial banking, investment banking and advisory services for us from time to time for which they have received customary fees and reimbursement of expenses and may, from time to time, engage in transactions with and perform services for us in the ordinary course of their business for which they may receive customary fees and reimbursement of expenses. In the ordinary course of their various business activities, the underwriters and their respective affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (which may include bank loans and/or credit default swaps) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers and may at any time hold long and short positions in such securities and instruments. Such investments and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of ours or our affiliates. The underwriters and their affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or financial instruments and may hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.

 

We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make because of any of those liabilities.

 

Notice to Prospective Investors in Canada

 

The shares of common stock may be sold in Canada only to purchasers purchasing, or deemed to be purchasing, as principal that are accredited investors, as defined in National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions or subsection 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario), and are permitted clients, as defined in National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations. Any resale of the shares of common stock must be made in accordance with an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the prospectus requirements of applicable securities laws.

 

Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if this offering memorandum (including any amendment thereto) contains a misrepresentation, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory. The purchaser should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal advisor.

 

Pursuant to section 3A.3 of National Instrument 33-105 Underwriting Conflicts (NI 33-105), the underwriters are not required to comply with the disclosure requirements of NI 33-105 regarding underwriter conflicts of interest in connection with this offering.

 

Notice to Prospective Investors in the European Economic Area

 

In relation to each member state of the European Economic Area that has implemented the Prospectus Directive (each, a relevant member state), with effect from and including the date on which the Prospectus Directive is implemented in that relevant member state (the relevant implementation date), an offer of shares described in this prospectus supplement may not be made to the public in that relevant member state other than:

 

   

to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined in the Prospectus Directive;

 

   

to fewer than 150 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Directive), as permitted under the Prospectus Directive, subject to obtaining the prior consent of the relevant Dealer or Dealers nominated by us for any such offer; or

 

   

in any other circumstances falling within Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive,

 

provided that no such offer of shares shall require us or any underwriter to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive.

 

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For purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer of securities to the public” in any relevant member state means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the shares to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for the shares, as the expression may be varied in that member state by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that member state, and the expression “Prospectus Directive” means Directive 2003/71/EC (and amendments thereto, including the 2010 PD Amending Directive, to the extent implemented in the relevant member state) and includes any relevant implementing measure in the relevant member state. The expression 2010 PD Amending Directive means Directive 2010/73/EU.

 

The sellers of the shares have not authorized and do not authorize the making of any offer of shares through any financial intermediary on their behalf, other than offers made by the underwriters with a view to the final placement of the shares as contemplated in this prospectus supplement. Accordingly, no purchaser of the shares, other than the underwriters, is authorized to make any further offer of the shares on behalf of the sellers or the underwriters.

 

Notice to Prospective Investors in the United Kingdom

 

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are only being distributed to, and is only directed at, persons in the United Kingdom that are qualified investors within the meaning of Article 2(1)(e) of the Prospectus Directive that are also (i) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the “Order”) or (ii) high net worth entities, and other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated, falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (each such person being referred to as a “relevant person”). This prospectus supplement and its contents are confidential and should not be distributed, published or reproduced (in whole or in part) or disclosed by recipients to any other persons in the United Kingdom. Any person in the United Kingdom that is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this document or any of its contents.

 

Notice to Prospective Investors in France

 

Neither this prospectus supplement nor any other offering material relating to the shares described in this prospectus supplement has been submitted to the clearance procedures of the Autorité des Marchés Financiers or of the competent authority of another member state of the European Economic Area and notified to the Autorité des Marchés Financiers. The shares have not been offered or sold and will not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, to the public in France. Neither this prospectus supplement nor any other offering material relating to the shares has been or will be:

 

   

released, issued, distributed or caused to be released, issued or distributed to the public in France; or

 

   

used in connection with any offer for subscription or sale of the shares to the public in France.

 

Such offers, sales and distributions will be made in France only:

 

   

to qualified investors (investisseurs qualifiés) and/or to a restricted circle of investors (cercle restreint d’investisseurs), in each case investing for their own account, all as defined in, and in accordance with articles L.411-2, D.411-1, D.411-2, D.734-1, D.744-1, D.754-1 and D.764-1 of the French Code monétaire et financier;

 

   

to investment services providers authorized to engage in portfolio management on behalf of third parties; or

 

   

in a transaction that, in accordance with article L.411-2-II-1°-or-2°-or 3° of the French Code monétaire et financier and article 211-2 of the General Regulations (Règlement Général) of the Autorité des Marchés Financiers, does not constitute a public offer (appel public à l’épargne).

 

The shares may be resold directly or indirectly, only in compliance with articles L.411-1, L.411-2, L.412-1 and L.621-8 through L.621-8-3 of the French Code monétaire et financier.

 

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Notice to Prospective Investors in Hong Kong

 

The shares may not be offered or sold in Hong Kong by means of any document other than (i) in circumstances which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32, Laws of Hong Kong), or (ii) to “professional investors” within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder, or (iii) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32, Laws of Hong Kong) and no advertisement, invitation or document relating to the shares may be issued or may be in the possession of any person for the purpose of issue (in each case whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere), which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public in Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to shares which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder.

 

Notice to Prospective Investors in Japan

 

The shares offered in this prospectus supplement have not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan. The shares have not been offered or sold and will not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to or for the account of any resident of Japan (including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan), except (i) pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law and (ii) in compliance with any other applicable requirements of Japanese law.

 

Notice to Prospective Investors in Singapore

 

This prospectus supplement has not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this prospectus supplement and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the shares may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the shares be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore (the “SFA”), (ii) to a relevant person pursuant to Section 275(1), or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the SFA or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA, in each case subject to compliance with conditions set forth in the SFA.

 

Where the shares are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 of the SFA by a relevant person which is:

 

   

a corporation (which is not an accredited investor (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA)) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor; or

 

   

a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary of the trust is an individual who is an accredited investor,

 

shares, debentures and units of shares and debentures of that corporation or the beneficiaries’ rights and interest (howsoever described) in that trust shall not be transferred within six months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the shares pursuant to an offer made under Section 275 of the SFA except:

 

   

to an institutional investor (for corporations, under Section 274 of the SFA) or to a relevant person defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA, or to any person pursuant to an offer that is made on terms that such shares, debentures and units of shares and debentures of that corporation or such rights and interest in that trust are acquired at a consideration of not less than S$200,000 (or its equivalent in a foreign currency) for each transaction, whether such amount is to be paid for in cash or by exchange of securities or other assets, and further for corporations, in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the SFA;

 

   

where no consideration is or will be given for the transfer; or

 

   

where the transfer is by operation of law.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

 

The validity of the shares of common stock offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Cooley LLP, San Diego, California. Covington & Burling LLP, New York, New York is counsel to the underwriters in connection with this offering.

 

EXPERTS

 

The financial statements of Bellicum Pharmaceuticals, Inc. included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2016 have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

 

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information from other documents that we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Information in this prospectus supplement supersedes information incorporated by reference that we filed with the SEC prior to the date of this prospectus supplement, while information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede the information in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings made with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act between the date of this prospectus supplement and the termination of the offering (other than, unless otherwise specifically indicated, 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):

 

  1.   our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, filed with the SEC on March 13, 2017;

 

  2.   the information specifically incorporated by reference into our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 from our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on April 27, 2016;

 

  3.   our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 31, 2017; and

 

  4.   the description of our common stock contained in our registration statement on Form 8-A filed with the SEC on December 10, 2014, under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, including any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description.

 

We will provide to each person, without charge upon written or oral request, a copy of any or all of the documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement, including exhibits which are specifically incorporated by reference into such documents. You should direct any requests for documents by writing us at 2130 W. Holcombe Blvd., Ste. 800, Houston, Texas 77030, Attn: Corporate Secretary or telephoning us at (832) 384-1100.

 

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PROSPECTUS

 

LOGO

$150,000,000

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Debt Securities

Warrants

 

 

From time to time, we may offer up to $150,000,000 of any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. We may also offer securities as may be issuable upon conversion, redemption, repurchase, exchange or exercise of any securities registered hereunder, including any applicable antidilution provisions.

This prospectus provides a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we offer securities, we will provide specific terms of the securities offered in a supplement to this prospectus. We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you in connection with these offerings. The prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should carefully read this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, as well as any documents incorporated by reference, before you invest in any of the securities being offered.

 

 

This prospectus may not be used to consummate a sale of any securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

Our common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “BLCM.” On January 12, 2016, the last reported sales price of our common stock was $14.08 per share. The applicable prospectus supplement will contain information, where applicable, as to any other listing on the Nasdaq Global Market or any securities market or other exchange of the securities, if any, covered by the prospectus supplement.

We will sell these securities directly to investors, through agents designated from time to time or to or through underwriters or dealers, on a continuous or delayed basis. For additional information on the methods of sale, you should refer to the section entitled “Plan of Distribution” in this prospectus. If any agents or underwriters are involved in the sale of any securities with respect to which this prospectus is being delivered, the names of such agents or underwriters and any applicable fees, commissions, discounts or over-allotment options will be set forth in a prospectus supplement. The price to the public of such securities and the net proceeds we expect to receive from such sale will also be set forth in a prospectus supplement.

 

 

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should review carefully the risks and uncertainties described under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, and under similar headings in the other documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR DETERMINED IF THIS PROSPECTUS IS TRUTHFUL OR COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

 

 

The date of this prospectus is February 1, 2016.


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS      i  
SUMMARY      1  
RISK FACTORS      6  
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS      6  
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES      7  
USE OF PROCEEDS      7  
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK      7  
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES      13  
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS      20  
LEGAL OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES      22  
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION      25  
LEGAL MATTERS      27  
EXPERTS      27  
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION      27  
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE      28  

DISCLOSURE OF COMMISSION’S POSITION ON INDEMNIFICATION FOR SECURITIES ACT LIABILITY

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is a part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings up to a total aggregate offering price of $150,000,000. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer.

Each time we sell securities under this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you that may contain material information relating to these offerings. The prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus or in any documents that we have incorporated by reference into this prospectus. You should read this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, together with the information incorporated herein by reference as described under the heading “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference,” before investing in any of the securities offered.

THIS PROSPECTUS MAY NOT BE USED TO CONSUMMATE A SALE OF SECURITIES UNLESS IT IS ACCOMPANIED BY A PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT.

Neither we, nor any agent, underwriter or dealer has authorized any person to give any information or to make any representation other than those contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you. This prospectus, any applicable supplement to this prospectus or any related free writing prospectus do not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the registered securities to which they relate, nor do this prospectus, any applicable supplement to this prospectus or any related free writing prospectus constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction.

You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus is accurate on any date subsequent to the date set forth on the front of the document or that any information we have incorporated by reference is correct on any date subsequent to the date of the document incorporated by reference, even though this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus is delivered, or securities are sold, on a later date.

This prospectus contains summaries of certain provisions contained in some of the documents described herein, but reference is made to the actual documents for complete information. All of the summaries are qualified in their entirety by the actual documents. Copies of some of the documents referred to herein have been filed, will be filed or will be incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and you may obtain copies of those documents as described below under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

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SUMMARY

This summary highlights selected information from this prospectus and does not contain all of the information that you need to consider in making your investment decision. You should carefully read the entire prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, including the risks of investing in our securities discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, and under similar headings in the other documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus. You should also carefully read the information incorporated by reference into this prospectus, including our financial statements, and the exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

Unless the context requires otherwise, references in this prospectus to “Bellicum,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Bellicum Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Company Overview

We are a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing novel cellular immunotherapies for various forms of cancer, including both hematological cancers and solid tumors, as well as orphan inherited blood disorders. We are using our proprietary Chemical Induction of Dimerization, or CID, technology platform to engineer and then control components of the immune system in real time. By incorporating our CID platform, our product candidates may offer better safety and efficacy outcomes than are seen with current cellular immunotherapies.

We are developing next-generation product candidates in some of the most important areas of cellular immunotherapy, including hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, or HSCT, chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy, or CAR-Ts, and T cell receptors, or TCRs. HSCT, also known as bone marrow transplantation, has for decades been curative for many patients with hematological cancers or orphan inherited blood disorders. However, adoption of HSCT to date has been limited by the risks of transplant-related morbidity and mortality from graft-versus-host-disease, or GvHD, and the potential for serious infections due to the lack of an effective immune system following a transplant. CAR-T and TCR cell therapies are an innovative approach in which a patient’s T cells are genetically modified to carry chimeric antigen receptors, or CARs, or TCRs which redirect the T cells against cancer cells. While high objective response rates have been reported in some hematological malignancies, serious and sometimes fatal toxicities have arisen in patients treated with CAR-T cell therapies. These toxicities include instances in which the CAR-T cells have caused high levels of cytokines due to over-activation, referred to as “cytokine release syndrome”, frequent transient neurologic toxicities and cases in which they have attacked healthy organs as well as the targeted tumor, sometimes resulting in death. In solid tumors, where the behavior of CAR-T cells is particularly unpredictable and results have been inconsistent, researchers are developing enhanced CAR-T cell approaches called “armored CARs” that raise even greater safety concerns.

Our proprietary CID platform is designed to address these challenges. Events inside a cell are controlled by cascades of specialized signaling proteins. CID consists of molecular switches, modified forms of these signaling proteins, which are triggered inside the patient by infusion of a small molecule, rimiducid, instead of by natural upstream signals. We include these molecular switches in the appropriate immune cells and deliver the cells to the patient in the manner of conventional cellular immunotherapy. We have developed two such switches: a “safety switch,” designed to initiate programmed cell death, or apoptosis, of the immunotherapy cells, and an “activation switch,” designed to stimulate activation and in some cases proliferation of the immunotherapy cells. Each of our technologies incorporates one of these switches, for enhanced, real time control of safety and efficacy:

 

    CaspaCIDe is our safety switch, incorporated into our HSCT and in certain of our CAR-T or TCR, product candidates, where it is inactive unless the patient experiences a serious side effect. In that event, rimiducid is administered to fully or partially eliminate the cells, with the goal of terminating or attenuating the therapy and resolving the serious side effect.

 



 

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    CIDeCAR consists of CAR-T cells modified to include the signaling domains of two proteins, MyD88 and CD40. Together, these form our proprietary dual co-stimulatory domain, or MC, which is designed to activate T cells in the presence of cancer cells. Incorporation of CaspaCIDe in a CIDeCAR product candidate is intended to allow the enhanced potency of MC co-stimulation to be deployed safely in patients.

 

    GoCAR-T consists of CAR-T cells that are modified to include MC. In contrast to CIDeCAR, MC is structured in GoCAR-T as a rimiducid-driven molecular switch, separate from the chimeric antigen receptor. GoCAR-T is designed to allow control of the activation and proliferation of the CAR-T cells through the scheduled administration of a course of rimiducid infusions that may continue until the desired patient outcome is achieved. In the event of emergence of side effects, the level of activation of the GoCAR-T cells is designed to be attenuated by extending the interval between rimiducid doses and/or reducing the dosage per infusion.

By incorporating our novel switch technologies, we are developing product candidates with the potential to elicit positive clinical outcomes and ultimately change the treatment paradigm in various areas of cellular immunotherapy. Our lead clinical product candidate is described below.

 

    BPX-501. We are developing a CaspaCIDe product candidate, BPX-501, as an adjunct T-cell therapy administered after allogeneic HSCT. BPX-501 is designed to improve transplant outcomes by enhancing the recovery of the immune system following an HSCT procedure. BPX-501 addresses the risk of infusing donor T cells by enabling the elimination of donor T cells through the activation of the CaspaCIDe safety switch if there is an emergence of GvHD.

In addition, our preclinical product candidates are designed to overcome the current limitations of CAR-T and TCR therapies and include the following:

 

    BPX-401. We are developing a CIDeCAR product candidate, BPX-401, as a next-generation CAR-T cell therapy for hematological cancers that express the CD19 antigen.

 

    BPX-601. We are developing a GoCAR-T product candidate, BPX-601, for solid tumors expressing prostate stem cell antigen, or PSCA, such as some pancreatic, prostate, bladder, esophageal and gastric cancers.

 

    BPX-701. We are developing a CaspaCIDe TCR product candidate, BPX-701, in collaboration with Leiden University Medical Center. BPX-701 is designed to target malignant cells which express the preferentially-expressed antigen in melanoma, or PRAME, such as certain leukemias, melanomas, sarcomas and neuroblastomas.

Corporate Information

We were incorporated in Delaware in July 2004. Our principal executive offices are located at 2130 W. Holcombe Blvd., Ste. 800, Houston, Texas and our telephone number is (832) 384-1100. Our corporate website address is www.bellicum.com. Information contained on or accessible through our website is not a part of this prospectus, and the inclusion of our website address in this prospectus is an inactive textual reference only.

This prospectus contains references to our trademarks and to trademarks belonging to other entities. Solely for convenience, trademarks and trade names referred to in this prospectus, including logos, artwork and other visual displays, may appear without the ® or TM symbols, but such references are not intended to indicate, in any way, that their respective owners will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, their rights thereto. We do not intend our use or display of other companies’ trade names or trademarks to imply a relationship with, or endorsement or sponsorship of us by, any other companies.

 



 

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The Securities We May Offer

We may offer shares of our common stock and preferred stock, various series of debt securities and warrants to purchase any of such securities, up to a total aggregate offering price of $150,000,000 from time to time in one or more offerings under this prospectus, together with any applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, at prices and on terms to be determined by market conditions at the time of the relevant offering. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we offer a type or series of securities under this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will describe the specific amounts, prices and other important terms of the securities, including, to the extent applicable:

 

    designation or classification;

 

    aggregate principal amount or aggregate offering price;

 

    maturity, if applicable;

 

    original issue discount, if any;

 

    rates and times of payment of interest or dividends, if any;

 

    redemption, conversion, exchange or sinking fund terms, if any;

 

    conversion or exchange prices or rates, if any, and, if applicable, any provisions for changes to or adjustments in the conversion or exchange prices or rates and in the securities or other property receivable upon conversion or exchange;

 

    ranking, if applicable;

 

    restrictive covenants, if any;

 

    voting or other rights, if any; and

 

    important U.S. federal income tax considerations.

The prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus or in documents we have incorporated by reference. However, no prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus will offer a security that is not registered and described in this prospectus at the time of the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

This prospectus may not be used to consummate a sale of securities unless it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

We may sell the securities directly to investors or through underwriters, dealers or agents. We, and our underwriters or agents, reserve the right to accept or reject all or part of any proposed purchase of securities. If we do offer securities through underwriters or agents, we will include in the applicable prospectus supplement:

 

    the names of those underwriters or agents;

 

    applicable fees, discounts and commissions to be paid to them;

 

    details regarding over-allotment options, if any; and

 



 

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    the estimated net proceeds to us.

Common Stock. We may issue shares of our common stock from time to time. Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote per share for the election of directors and on all other matters that require stockholder approval. Subject to any preferential rights of any then outstanding preferred stock, in the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, holders of our common stock are entitled to share ratably in the assets remaining after payment of liabilities and the liquidation preferences of any then outstanding preferred stock. Our common stock does not carry any preemptive rights enabling a holder to subscribe for, or receive shares of, any class of our common stock or any other securities convertible into shares of any class of our common stock, or any redemption rights.

Preferred Stock. We may issue shares of our preferred stock from time to time, in one or more series. Under our certificate of incorporation, our board of directors has the authority, without further action by stockholders, to designate up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series and to fix the rights, preferences, privileges, qualifications and restrictions granted to or imposed upon the preferred stock, including dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, rights and terms of redemption, liquidation preference and sinking fund terms, any or all of which may be greater than the rights of the common stock. To date, none of the 10,000,000 authorized shares of preferred stock have been designated by our board of directors. Convertible preferred stock will be convertible into our common stock or exchangeable for our other securities. Conversion may be mandatory or at the option of the holders of our preferred stock and would be at prescribed conversion rates.

We will fix the rights, preferences, privileges, qualifications and restrictions of the preferred stock of each series that we sell under this prospectus and applicable prospectus supplements in the certificate of designation relating to that series. We will incorporate by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part the form of any certificate of designation that describes the terms of the series of preferred stock we are offering before the issuance of the related series of preferred stock. We urge you, however, to read the applicable prospectus supplement (and any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you) related to the series of preferred stock being offered, as well as the complete certificate of designation that contains the terms of the applicable series of preferred stock.

Debt Securities. We may issue debt securities from time to time, in one or more series, as either senior or subordinated debt or as senior or subordinated convertible debt. The senior debt securities will rank equally with any other unsecured and unsubordinated debt. The subordinated debt securities will be subordinate and junior in right of payment, to the extent and in the manner described in the instrument governing the debt, to all of our senior indebtedness. Convertible debt securities will be convertible into our common stock or preferred stock. Conversion may be mandatory or at the holder’s option and would be at prescribed conversion rates.

The debt securities will be issued under one or more documents called indentures, which are contracts between us and a national banking association or other eligible party, as trustee. In this prospectus, we have summarized certain general features of the debt securities. We urge you, however, to read the applicable prospectus supplement (and any free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you) related to the series of debt securities being offered, as well as the complete indentures that contain the terms of the debt securities. A form of indenture has been filed 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.

Warrants. We may issue warrants for the purchase of common stock, preferred stock and/or debt securities in one or more series. We may issue warrants independently or together with common stock, preferred stock and/or debt securities, and the warrants may be attached to or separate from these securities. In this prospectus, we have summarized certain general features of the warrants. We urge you, however, to read the applicable prospectus supplement (and any free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you) related to the particular series of warrants being offered, as well as the complete warrant agreements and warrant certificates that contain the terms of the warrants. Forms of the warrant agreements and forms of warrant certificates containing the terms of the

 



 

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warrants being offered have been filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and supplemental warrant agreements and forms of warrant certificates will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part or will be incorporated by reference from reports that we file with the SEC.

We will evidence each series of warrants by warrant certificates that we will issue. Warrants may be issued under an applicable warrant agreement that we enter into with a warrant agent. We will indicate the name and address of the warrant agent, if applicable, in the prospectus supplement relating to the particular series of warrants being offered.

 



 

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RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully review the risks and uncertainties described under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, and under similar headings in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, as updated by our annual, quarterly and other reports and documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus, before deciding whether to purchase any of the securities being registered pursuant to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. Each of the risk factors could adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition, as well as adversely affect the value of an investment in our securities, and the occurrence of any of these risks might cause you to lose all or part of your investment. Additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently believe are immaterial may also significantly impair our business operations.

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus, each prospectus supplement and the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus and each prospectus supplement contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Although our forward-looking statements reflect the good faith judgment of our management, these statements can only be based on facts and factors currently known by us. Consequently, these forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results and outcomes may differ materially from results and outcomes discussed in the forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “believes,” “expects,” “hopes,” “may,” “will,” “plan,” “intends,” “estimates,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “continue,” “seeks,” “pro forma,” or “anticipates,” or other similar words (including their use in the negative), or by discussions of future matters such as the development of new products, technology enhancements, possible collaborations and other statements that are not historical. These statements include but are not limited to statements under the captions “Business,” “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and in other sections incorporated by reference from our Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as applicable, as well as our other filings with the SEC. You should be aware that the occurrence of any of the events discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in any applicable prospectus supplement and any documents incorporated by reference herein or therein could substantially harm our business, operating results and financial condition and that if any of these events occurs, it could adversely affect the value of an investment in our securities.

The cautionary statements made in this prospectus are intended to be applicable to all related forward-looking statements wherever they may appear in this prospectus or in any prospectus supplement or any documents incorporated by reference herein or therein. We urge you not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update our forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future.

 

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RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

The following table sets forth our ratio of earnings to fixed charges and the ratio of our combined fixed charges and preferred dividends to earnings for each of the periods indicated. The following table is qualified by the more detailed information appearing in the computation table set forth in Exhibit 12.1 to the registration statement of which this prospectus is part and the historical financial statements, including the notes to those financial statements, incorporated by reference in this prospectus. The ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred dividends are calculated separately from the ratio of earnings to fixed charges because we paid accrued dividends on shares of Series B convertible preferred stock in December 2014 in connection with our initial public offering.

 

Amounts shown are in thousands, except for ratios    Year Ended December 31,     Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
 
     2012     2013     2014     2015  

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges

     N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A  

Ratio of combined fixed charges and preferred dividends to earnings

     N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A  

Deficiency of earnings available to cover fixed charges

   $ (6,263   $ (7,969   $ (83,965   $ (31,700

Deficiency of earnings available to cover combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends

   $ (7,020   $ (9,063   $ (85,397   $ (31,700

For purposes of computing the ratio of earnings to fixed charges and the ratio of our combined fixed charges and preferred dividends to earnings, earnings consist of income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes plus fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of interest expense on indebtedness and an estimate of the interest within rental expense. We did not record earnings for any of the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 or the nine months ended September 30, 2015. Accordingly, our earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges for such periods and we are unable to disclose a ratio of earnings to fixed charges for such periods.

USE OF PROCEEDS

We will retain broad discretion over the use of the net proceeds from the sale of the securities offered hereby. Except as described in any prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you, we currently intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities offered hereby for general corporate purposes, which may include research and development, capital expenditures, working capital and general and administrative expenses. We may also use a portion of the net proceeds to acquire or invest in businesses, products and technologies that are complementary to our own, although we have no current plans, commitments or agreements with respect to any acquisitions as of the date of this prospectus. We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus our intended use for the net proceeds received from the sale of any securities sold pursuant to the prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus. Pending these uses, we intend to invest the net proceeds in short- and intermediate-term, interest-bearing obligations, investment-grade instruments, certificates of deposit or direct or guaranteed obligations of the U.S. government.

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

As of the date of this prospectus, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation authorizes us to issue 200,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share. As of January 12, 2016, 26,998,423 shares of common stock were outstanding and no shares of preferred stock were outstanding.

 

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The following summary describes the material terms of our capital stock and the registration rights of certain holders of our common stock or their transferees. The descriptions of capital stock and the registration rights under the Second Amended and Restated Investor Rights Agreement by and among us and certain of our stockholders, dated August 22, 2014, or the Investor Rights Agreement, are qualified by reference to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, our amended and restated bylaws and the Investor Rights Agreement, which are incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

Common Stock

Voting. Our common stock is entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders, including the election of directors, and does not have cumulative voting rights. Accordingly, the holders of a majority of the shares of our common stock entitled to vote in any election of directors can elect all of the directors standing for election.

Dividends. Subject to preferences that may be applicable to any then-outstanding preferred stock, the holders of common stock are entitled to receive dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by our board of directors out of legally available funds.

Liquidation. In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, holders of our common stock will be entitled to share ratably in the net assets legally available for distribution to stockholders after the payment of all of our debts and other liabilities, subject to the satisfaction of any liquidation preference granted to the holders of any outstanding shares of preferred stock.

Rights and Preferences. Holders of our common stock have no preemptive, conversion or subscription rights, and there are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to our common stock. The rights, preferences and privileges of the holders of our common stock are subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of shares of any series of our preferred stock that we may designate and issue in the future.

Fully Paid and nonassessable. All of our outstanding shares of common stock are fully paid and nonassessable.

Preferred Stock

Under our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, our board of directors has the authority, without further action by stockholders, to designate up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series and to fix or alter, from time to time, the designations, powers and rights of each series of preferred stock and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of any series of preferred stock, including dividend rights, dividend rate, conversion rights, voting rights, rights and terms of redemption (including sinking fund provisions), redemption price or prices, and the liquidation preference of any wholly unissued series of preferred stock, any or all of which may be greater than the rights of the common stock, and to establish the number of shares constituting any such series. To date, none of the 10,000,000 authorized shares of preferred stock have been designated by our board of directors.

Our board of directors will fix the rights, preferences, privileges, qualifications and restrictions of the preferred stock of each series that we sell under this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplements in the certificate of designation relating to each such series. We will incorporate by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part or as an exhibit to one or more Current Reports on Form 8-K, the form of any certificate of designation that describes the terms of the series of preferred stock we are offering before the issuance of the related series of preferred stock. This description will include:

 

    the title and stated value;

 

    the number of shares we are offering;

 

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    the liquidation preference per share;

 

    the purchase price per share;

 

    the dividend rate per share, dividend period, payment date or dates and method of calculation for dividends;

 

    whether dividends will be cumulative or non-cumulative and, if cumulative, the date from which dividends will accumulate;

 

    our right, if any, to defer payment of dividends and the maximum length of any such deferral period;

 

    the procedures for any auction and remarketing, if any;

 

    the provisions for a sinking fund, if any;

 

    the provisions for redemption or repurchase, if applicable, and any restrictions on our ability to exercise those redemption and repurchase rights;

 

    any listing of the preferred stock on any securities exchange or market;

 

    whether the preferred stock will be convertible into our common stock or other securities of ours, including warrants, and, if applicable, the conversion price, or how it will be calculated, and under what circumstances and the mechanism by which it may be adjusted, and the conversion period;

 

    whether the preferred stock will be exchangeable into debt securities or other securities of ours, and, if applicable, the exchange price, or how it will be calculated, and under what circumstances it may be adjusted, and the exchange period;

 

    voting rights, if any;

 

    preemptive rights, if any;

 

    restrictions on transfer, sale or other assignment, if any;

 

    whether interests in the preferred stock will be represented by depositary shares;

 

    a discussion of any material or special U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the preferred stock;

 

    the relative ranking and preferences of the preferred stock as to dividend rights and rights if we liquidate, dissolve or wind up our affairs;

 

    any limitations on issuances of any class or series of preferred stock ranking senior to or on parity with the series of preferred stock being issued as to dividend rights and rights if we liquidate, dissolve or wind up our affairs; and

 

    any other specific terms, rights, preferences, privileges, qualifications or limitations of, or restrictions on the preferred stock.

If we issue and sell shares of preferred stock pursuant to this prospectus, together with any applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, the shares will be fully paid and nonassessable.

 

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The laws of the state of Delaware, the state of our incorporation, provide that the holders of preferred stock will have the right to vote separately, as a class, on any proposal involving fundamental changes in the rights of holders of such preferred stock. This right is in addition to any voting rights that may be provided for in the applicable certificate of designation.

The issuance of preferred stock could adversely affect the voting power, conversion or other rights of holders of common stock and reduce the likelihood that common stockholders will receive dividend payments and payments upon liquidation. Preferred stock could be issued quickly with terms designed to delay, deter or prevent a change in control of our company or make removal of management more difficult. Additionally, the issuance of preferred stock may have the effect of decreasing the market price of our common stock.

Registration Rights

According to the terms of the Investor Rights Agreement, certain of our stockholders, or their transferees, are entitled to demand, Form S-3 and “piggyback” registration rights. These stockholders hold an aggregate of 9,262,043 shares eligible for registration under the Investor Rights Agreement, or approximately 34.3% of our total outstanding common stock, as of January 12, 2016.

Demand registration rights. At any time beginning 180 days after the effective date of this registration statement, a holder or the holders of at least 30% of the registrable securities have the right to demand that we file a registration statement under the Securities Act covering the registration of the registrable securities requested to be registered by such holders. These registration rights are subject to specified conditions and limitations, including a limitation on the number of such registration statements that can be demanded, restrictions on the exercise of such demand registration rights during periods of time that may be detrimental to the Company and its stockholders, and the right of the underwriters under certain circumstances to limit the number of shares having registration rights to be included in any such registration.

Form S-3 registration rights. Holders of shares having registration rights have the right to demand that we file no more than two registration statements for the holders on Form S-3 in any 12-month period so long as the aggregate offering price of securities to be sold under the registration statement on Form S-3 is at least $3,000,000, subject to specified exceptions, conditions and limitations.

In addition, pursuant to the terms of a registration rights agreement we entered into with Baker Brothers Life Sciences, L.P., 667, L.P. and 14159, L.P., or collectively, Baker Brothers, Baker Brothers is entitled to certain resale registration rights with respect to shares of the Company’s common stock held by Baker Brothers. Under the agreement, following a demand by Baker Brothers, the Company is obligated to file a resale registration statement on Form S-3, or other appropriate form, covering registrable securities held by Baker Brothers, and to keep such registration statement effective until the earlier of (i) all registrable securities covered by such registration statement have been sold or may be sold freely without limitations or restrictions as to volume or manner of sale pursuant to Rule 144 of the Securities Act, or (ii) all registrable securities covered by such registration statement otherwise cease to be considered registrable securities pursuant to the terms of the agreement. Under the agreement, Baker Brothers has the right to one underwritten public offering per calendar year, but no more than three underwritten public offerings in total, to effect the sale or distribution of its registrable securities, subject to specified exceptions, conditions and limitations.

“Piggyback” registration rights. If we register any securities for public sale, stockholders with registration rights will have the right to include their shares in the registration statement. The underwriters of any underwritten offering will have the right to limit the number of shares having registration rights to be included in the registration statement, but not below 25% of the total number of shares included in the registration statement. In connection with the filing of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, we have obtained a waiver of such rights from any party to the Investor Rights Agreement who has such rights.

 

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Expenses of registration. Generally, we are required to bear all registration and selling expenses incurred by the holders in connection with the demand, Form S-3 and piggyback registrations described above, other than underwriting discounts and commissions, in an amount not to exceed $50,000 per registration.

Expiration of registration rights. The demand, Form S-3 and piggyback registration rights discussed above will terminate as to a given holder of registrable securities upon the earlier of (1) December 23, 2017, (2) as to any holder of registrable securities, the first date on which such holder is able to dispose of all of its registrable securities without restriction under Rule 144 of the Securities Act, or (3) the consummation of a liquidation event.

Anti-Takeover Effects of Provisions of Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, Our Bylaws and Delaware Law

Delaware Anti-Takeover Law

We are subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or the DGCL, which generally prohibits a public 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:

 

    prior to the date 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;

 

    the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding upon consummation of the transaction, 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; or

 

    on or subsequent to the consummation 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.

Section 203 of the DGCL defines a business combination to include:

 

    any merger or consolidation involving the corporation and the interested stockholder;

 

    any sale, transfer, pledge or other disposition involving the interested stockholder of 10% or more of the assets of the corporation;

 

    subject to exceptions, any transaction involving the corporation that has the effect of increasing the proportionate share of the stock of any class or series of the corporation beneficially owned by the interested stockholder;

 

    subject to exceptions, any transaction that results in the issuance or transfer by the corporation of any stock of the corporation to the interested stockholder; and

 

    the receipt by the interested stockholder of the benefit of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits provided by or through the corporation.

In general, Section 203 of the DGCL defines an interested stockholder as any entity or person beneficially owning 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation and any entity or person affiliated with or controlling or controlled by the entity or person.

 

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Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws

Provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws, may delay or discourage transactions involving an actual or potential change in our control or change in our management, including transactions in which stockholders might otherwise receive a premium for their shares or transactions that our stockholders might otherwise deem to be in their best interests. Therefore, these provisions could adversely affect the price of our common stock. Among other things, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws:

 

    permit our board of directors to issue up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, with any rights, preferences and privileges as they may designate;

 

    provide that the authorized number of directors may be changed only by resolution adopted by a majority of the board of directors;

 

    provide that the board of directors or any individual director may only be removed with cause and the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of all of our then outstanding common stock;

 

    provide that all vacancies, including newly created directorships, may, except as otherwise required by law or subject to the rights of holders of preferred stock as designated from time to time, be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of directors then in office, even if less than a quorum;

 

    divide our board of directors into three classes;

 

    require that any action to be taken by our stockholders must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of stockholders and not be taken by written consent or electronic transmission;

 

    provide that stockholders seeking to present proposals before a meeting of stockholders or to nominate candidates for election as directors at a meeting of stockholders must provide notice in writing in a timely manner and also specify requirements as to the form and content of a stockholder’s notice;

 

    do not provide for cumulative voting rights (therefore allowing the holders of a majority of the shares of common stock entitled to vote in any election of directors to elect all of the directors standing for election, if they should so choose);

 

    provide that special meetings of our stockholders may be called only by the chairman of the board, our Chief Executive Officer or by the board of directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the total number of authorized directors (whether or not there exists any vacancies); and

 

    provide that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will be the sole and exclusive forum for (1) any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf, (2) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any of our directors or officers to us or our stockholders, (3) any action asserting a claim against the us arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or our certificate of incorporation or bylaws, or (4) any action asserting a claim against us governed by the internal affairs doctrine.

The amendment of any of these provisions, with the exception of the ability of our board of directors to issue shares of preferred stock and designate any rights, preferences and privileges thereto, would require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of all of our then outstanding common stock.

 

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Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC. The transfer agent and registrar’s address is 6201 15th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11219. The transfer agent for any series of preferred stock that we may offer under this prospectus will be named and described in the prospectus supplement for that series.

Listing on the Nasdaq Global Market

Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “BLCM.”

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, or 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 “original issue discount,” or 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:

 

    the title of the series of debt securities;

 

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    any limit upon the aggregate principal amount that may be issued;

 

    the maturity date or dates;

 

    the form of the debt securities of the series;

 

    the applicability of any guarantees;

 

    whether or not the debt securities will be secured or unsecured, and the terms of any secured debt;

 

    whether the debt securities rank as senior debt, senior subordinated debt, subordinated debt or any combination thereof, and the terms of any subordination;

 

    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;

 

    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;

 

    our right, if any, to defer payment of interest and the maximum length of any such deferral period;

 

    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;

 

    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;

 

    the denominations in which we will issue the series of debt securities, if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof;

 

    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;

 

    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;

 

    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;

 

    additions to or changes in the covenants applicable to the particular debt securities being issued, including, among others, the consolidation, merger or sale covenant;

 

    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;

 

    additions to or changes in or deletions of the provisions relating to covenant defeasance and legal defeasance;

 

    additions to or changes in the provisions relating to satisfaction and discharge of the indenture;

 

    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;

 

    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;

 

    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;

 

    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;

 

    any restrictions on transfer, sale or assignment of the debt securities of the series; and

 

    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.

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;

 

    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;

 

    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

 

    if specified events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occur.

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, of such series of debt securities 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:

 

    the direction so given by the holder is not in conflict with any law or the applicable indenture; and

 

    subject to its duties under the Trust Indenture Act, the trustee need not take any action that might involve it in personal liability or might be unduly prejudicial to the holders not involved in the proceeding.

A holder of the debt securities of any series will have the right to institute a proceeding under the indenture or to appoint a receiver or trustee, or to seek other remedies only if:

 

    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;

 

    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

 

    the trustee does not institute the proceeding, and does not receive from the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series other conflicting directions within 90 days after the notice, request and offer.

These limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by a holder of debt securities if we default in the payment of the principal, premium, if any, or interest on, the debt securities.

We will periodically file statements with the trustee regarding our compliance with specified covenants in the indenture.

Modification of Indenture; Waiver

Unless we provide otherwise in the prospectus supplement applicable to a particular series of debt securities, we and the trustee may change an indenture without the consent of any holders with respect to specific matters:

 

    to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in the indenture or in the debt securities of any series;

 

    to comply with the provisions described above under “Description of Debt Securities—Consolidation, Merger or Sale;”

 

    to provide for uncertificated debt securities in addition to or in place of certificated debt securities;

 

    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;

 

    to add to, delete from or revise the conditions, limitations, and restrictions on the authorized amount, terms, or purposes of issue, authentication and delivery of debt securities, as set forth in the indenture;

 

    to make any change that does not adversely affect the interests of any holder of debt securities of any series in any material respect;

 

    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;

 

    to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment under any indenture by a successor trustee; or

 

    to comply with any requirements of the SEC in connection with the qualification of any indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.

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

 

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applicable to a particular series of debt securities, we and the trustee may make the following changes only with the consent of each holder of any outstanding debt securities affected:

 

    extending the fixed maturity of any debt securities of any series;

 

    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

 

    reducing the percentage of debt securities, the holders of which are required to consent to any amendment, supplement, modification or waiver.

Discharge

The 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:

 

    provide for payment;

 

    register the transfer or exchange of debt securities of the series;

 

    replace stolen, lost or mutilated debt securities of the series;

 

    pay principal of and premium and interest on any debt securities of the series;

 

    maintain paying agencies;

 

    hold monies for payment in trust;

 

    recover excess money held by the trustee;

 

    compensate and indemnify the trustee; and

 

    appoint any successor trustee.

In order to exercise our rights to be discharged, we must deposit with the trustee money or government obligations sufficient to pay all the principal of, any premium, 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, or the 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.

 

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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:

 

    issue, register the transfer of, or exchange any debt securities of that series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of mailing of a notice of redemption of any debt securities that may be selected for redemption and ending at the close of business on the day of the mailing; or

 

    register the transfer of or exchange of any debt securities so selected for redemption, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any debt securities we are redeeming in part.

Information Concerning the Trustee

The trustee, other than during the occurrence and continuance of an event of default under an indenture, undertakes to perform only those duties as are specifically set forth in the applicable indenture. Upon an event of default under an indenture, the trustee must use the same degree of care as a prudent person would exercise or use in the conduct of his or her own affairs. Subject to this provision, the trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the powers given it by the 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.

 

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Governing Law

The indenture and the debt securities, and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related to the indenture or the debt securities, will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, except to the extent that the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is applicable.

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

The following description, together with the additional information we may include in any applicable prospectus supplements and free writing prospectuses, 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 issued independently or together with common stock, preferred stock or debt securities offered by any prospectus supplement, and may be attached to or separate from those securities. 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 that we may offer in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement and any applicable free writing prospectus. The terms of any warrants offered under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below. However, no prospectus supplement will fundamentally change the terms that are set forth in this prospectus or offer a security that is not registered and described in this prospectus at the time of its effectiveness.

We have filed forms of the warrant agreements 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 agreement, if any, including a form of warrant certificate, that describes the terms of the particular series of warrants we are offering. The following summaries of material provisions of the warrants and the warrant agreements are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the warrant agreement and warrant certificate applicable to the particular series of warrants that we may offer under this prospectus. We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplements related to the particular series of warrants that we may offer under this prospectus, as well as any related free writing prospectuses, and the complete warrant agreements and warrant certificates that contain the terms of the warrants.

General

We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms relating to a series of warrants being offered, including:

 

    the title of such securities;

 

    the offering price or prices and aggregate number of warrants offered;

 

    the currency or currencies for which the warrants may be purchased;

 

    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;

 

    if applicable, the date on and after which the warrants and the related securities will be separately transferable;

 

    if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of such warrants which my 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;

 

    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;

 

    the effect of any merger, consolidation, sale or other disposition of our business on the warrant agreements and the warrants;

 

    the terms of any rights to redeem or call the warrants;

 

    the terms of any rights to force the exercise of the warrants;

 

    any provisions for changes to or adjustments in the exercise price or number of securities issuable upon exercise of the warrants;

 

    the dates on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence and expire;

 

    the manner in which the warrant agreements and warrants may be modified;

 

    a discussion of any material or special U.S. federal income tax consequences of holding or exercising the warrants;

 

    the terms of the securities issuable upon exercise of the warrants; and

 

    any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of or restrictions on the warrants.

Before exercising their warrants, holders of warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities purchasable upon such exercise, including:

 

    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

 

    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.

Exercise of Warrants

Each warrant will entitle the holder to purchase the securities that we specify in the applicable prospectus supplement at the exercise price that we describe in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the warrants may exercise the warrants at any time up to the specified time on the expiration date that we set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will become void.

Unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the warrants may exercise the warrants by delivering the warrant certificate representing the warrants to be exercised together with specified information, and paying the required amount to the warrant agent in immediately available funds, as provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. We will set forth on the reverse side of the warrant certificate and in the

 

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applicable prospectus supplement the information that the holder of the warrant will be required to deliver to the warrant agent in connection with the exercise of the warrant.

Upon receipt of the required payment and the warrant certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will issue and deliver the securities purchasable upon such exercise. If fewer than all of the warrants represented by the warrant certificate are exercised, then we will issue a new warrant certificate for the remaining amount of warrants. If we so indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the warrants may surrender securities as all or part of the exercise price for warrants.

Governing Law

Unless we provide otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the warrants and warrant agreements, and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related to the warrants or warrant agreements, will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

Enforceability of Rights by Holders of Warrants

Each warrant agent will act solely as our agent under the applicable warrant agreement and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust with any holder of any warrant. A single bank or trust company may act as warrant agent for more than one issue of warrants. A warrant agent will have no duty or responsibility in case of any default by us under the applicable warrant agreement or warrant, including any duty or responsibility to initiate any proceedings at law or otherwise, or to make any demand upon us. Any holder of a warrant may, without the consent of the related warrant agent or the holder of any other warrant, enforce by appropriate legal action its right to exercise, and receive the securities purchasable upon exercise of, its warrants.

LEGAL OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES

We can issue securities in registered form or in the form of one or more global securities. We describe global securities in greater detail below. We refer to those persons who have securities registered in their own names on the books that we or any applicable trustee or depositary maintain for this purpose as the “holders” of those securities. These persons are the legal holders of the securities. We refer to those persons who, indirectly through others, own beneficial interests in securities that are not registered in their own names as “indirect holders” of those securities. As we discuss below, indirect holders are not legal holders and investors in securities issued in book-entry form or in street name will be indirect holders.

Book-Entry Holders

We may issue securities in book-entry form only, as we will specify in the applicable prospectus supplement. This means securities may be represented by one or more global securities registered in the name of a financial institution that holds them as depositary on behalf of other financial institutions that participate in the depositary’s book-entry system. These participating institutions, which are referred to as participants, in turn, hold beneficial interests in the securities on behalf of themselves or their customers.

Only the person in whose name a security is registered is recognized as the holder of that security. Global securities will be registered in the name of the depositary or its participants. Consequently, for global securities, we will recognize only the depositary as the holder of the securities, and we will make all payments on the securities to the depositary. The depositary passes along the payments it receives to its participants, which in turn pass the payments along to their customers who are the beneficial owners. The depositary and its participants do so under agreements they have made with one another or with their customers; they are not obligated to do so under the terms of the securities.

As a result, investors in a global security will not own securities directly. Instead, they will own beneficial interests in a global security, through a bank, broker or other financial institution that participates in the depositary’s

 

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book-entry system or holds an interest through a participant. As long as the securities are issued in global form, investors will be indirect holders, and not legal holders, of the securities.

Street Name Holders

A global security may be terminated in certain situations as described under “—Special Situations When a Global Security Will Be Terminated,” or issue securities that are not issued in global form. In these cases, investors may choose to hold their securities in their own names or in “street name.” Securities held by an investor in street name would be registered in the name of a bank, broker or other financial institution that the investor chooses, and the investor would hold only a beneficial interest in those securities through an account he or she maintains at that institution.

For securities held in street name, we or any applicable trustee or depositary will recognize only the intermediary banks, brokers and other financial institutions in whose names the securities are registered as the holders of those securities, and we or any such trustee or depositary will make all payments on those securities to them. These institutions pass along the payments they receive to their customers who are the beneficial owners, but only because they agree to do so in their customer agreements or because they are legally required to do so. Investors who hold securities in street name will be indirect holders, not holders, of those securities.

Legal Holders

Our obligations, as well as the obligations of any applicable trustee or third party employed by us or a trustee, run only to the legal holders of the securities. We do not have obligations to investors who hold beneficial interests in global securities, in street name or by any other indirect means. This will be the case whether an investor chooses to be an indirect holder of a security or has no choice because we are issuing the securities only in global form.

For example, once we make a payment or give a notice to the legal holder, we have no further responsibility for the payment or notice even if that legal holder is required, under agreements with its participants or customers or by law, to pass it along to the indirect holders but does not do so. Similarly, we may want to obtain the approval of the holders to amend an indenture, to relieve us of the consequences of a default or of our obligation to comply with a particular provision of an indenture, or for other purposes. In such an event, we would seek approval only from the legal holders, and not the indirect holders, of the securities. Whether and how the legal holders contact the indirect holders is up to the legal holders.

Special Considerations for Indirect Holders

If you hold securities through a bank, broker or other financial institution, either in book-entry form because the securities are represented by one or more global securities or in street name, you should check with your own institution to find out:

 

    how it handles securities payments and notices;

 

    whether it imposes fees or charges;

 

    how it would handle a request for the holders’ consent, if ever required;

 

    whether and how you can instruct it to send you securities registered in your own name so you can be a holder, if that is permitted in the future;

 

    how it would exercise rights under the securities if there were a default or other event triggering the need for holders to act to protect their interests; and

 

    if the securities are in book-entry form, how the depositary’s rules and procedures will affect these matters.

 

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Global Securities

A global security is a security that represents one or any other number of individual securities held by a depositary. Generally, all securities represented by the same global securities will have the same terms.

Each security issued in book-entry form will be represented by a global security that we issue to, deposit with and register in the name of a financial institution or its nominee that we select. The financial institution that we select for this purpose is called the depositary. Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the DTC will be the depositary for all securities issued in book-entry form.

A global security may not be transferred to or registered in the name of anyone other than the depositary, its nominee or a successor depositary, unless special termination situations arise. We describe those situations below under “—Special Situations When a Global Security Will Be Terminated.” As a result of these arrangements, the depositary, or its nominee, will be the sole registered owner and legal holder of all securities represented by a global security, and investors will be permitted to own only beneficial interests in a global security. Beneficial interests must be held by means of an account with a broker, bank or other financial institution that in turn has an account with the depositary or with another institution that does. Thus, an investor whose security is represented by a global security will not be a legal holder of the security, but only an indirect holder of a beneficial interest in the global security.

If the prospectus supplement for a particular security indicates that the security will be issued as a global security, then the security will be represented by a global security at all times unless and until the global security is terminated. If termination occurs, we may issue the securities through another book-entry clearing system or decide that the securities may no longer be held through any book-entry clearing system.

Special Considerations for Global Securities

As an indirect holder, an investor’s rights relating to a global security will be governed by the account rules of the investor’s financial institution and of the depositary, as well as general laws relating to securities transfers. We do not recognize an indirect holder as a holder of securities and instead deal only with the depositary that holds the global security.

If securities are issued only as global securities, an investor should be aware of the following:

 

    an investor cannot cause the securities to be registered in his or her name, and cannot obtain non-global certificates for his or her interest in the securities, except in the special situations we describe below;

 

    an investor will be an indirect holder and must look to his or her own bank or broker for payments on the securities and protection of his or her legal rights relating to the securities, as we describe above;

 

    an investor may not be able to sell interests in the securities to some insurance companies and to other institutions that are required by law to own their securities in non-book-entry form;

 

    an investor may not be able to pledge his or her interest in the global security in circumstances where certificates representing the securities must be delivered to the lender or other beneficiary of the pledge in order for the pledge to be effective;

 

    the depositary’s policies, which may change from time to time, will govern payments, transfers, exchanges and other matters relating to an investor’s interest in the global security;

 

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    we and any applicable trustee have no responsibility for any aspect of the depositary’s actions or for its records of ownership interests in the global security, nor will we or any applicable trustee supervise the depositary in any way;

 

    the depositary may, and we understand that DTC will, require that those who purchase and sell interests in the global security within its book-entry system use immediately available funds, and your broker or bank may require you to do so as well; and

 

    financial institutions that participate in the depositary’s book-entry system, and through which an investor holds its interest in the global security, may also have their own policies affecting payments, notices and other matters relating to the securities.

There may be more than one financial intermediary in the chain of ownership for an investor. We do not monitor and are not responsible for the actions of any of those intermediaries.

Special Situations When a Global Security Will Be Terminated

In a few special situations described below, a global security will terminate and interests in it will be exchanged for physical certificates representing those interests. After that exchange, the choice of whether to hold securities directly or in street name will be up to the investor. Investors must consult their own banks or brokers to find out how to have their interests in securities transferred to their own names, so that they will be direct holders. We have described the rights of holders and street name investors above.

A global security will terminate when the following special situations occur:

 

    if the depositary notifies us that it is unwilling, unable or no longer qualified to continue as depositary for that global security and we do not appoint another institution to act as depositary within 90 days;

 

    if we notify any applicable trustee that we wish to terminate that global security; or

 

    if an event of default has occurred with regard to securities represented by that global security and has not been cured or waived.

The applicable prospectus supplement may also list additional situations for terminating a global security that would apply only to the particular series of securities covered by the prospectus supplement. When a global security terminates, the depositary, and neither we nor any applicable trustee, is responsible for deciding the names of the institutions that will be the initial direct holders.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell the securities from time to time pursuant to underwritten public offerings, negotiated transactions, block trades or a combination of these methods. We may sell the securities to or through underwriters or dealers, through agents, or directly to one or more purchasers. We may distribute securities from time to time in one or more transactions:

 

    at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed;

 

    at market prices prevailing at the time of sale;

 

    at prices related to such prevailing market prices; or

 

    at negotiated prices.

 

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We may also sell equity securities covered by this registration statement in an “at the market offering” as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act. Such offering may be made into an existing trading market for such securities in transactions at other than a fixed price, either:

 

    on or through the facilities of the Nasdaq Global Market or any other securities exchange or quotation or trading service on which such securities may be listed, quoted or traded at the time of sale; and/or

 

    to or through a market maker other than on the Nasdaq Global Market or such other securities exchanges or quotation or trading services.

Such at-the-market offerings, if any, may be conducted by underwriters acting as principal or agent.

A prospectus supplement or supplements (and any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you) will describe the terms of the offering of the securities, including, to the extent applicable:

 

    the name or names of any underwriters, dealers or agents, if any;

 

    the purchase price of the securities and the proceeds we will receive from the sale;

 

    any over-allotment options under which underwriters may purchase additional securities from us;

 

    any agency fees or underwriting discounts and other items constituting agents’ or underwriters’ compensation;

 

    any public offering price;

 

    any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and

 

    any securities exchange or market on which the securities may be listed.

Only underwriters named in the prospectus supplement are underwriters of the securities offered by the prospectus supplement.

If underwriters are used in the sale, they will acquire the securities for their own account and may resell the securities from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. The obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to the conditions set forth in the applicable underwriting agreement. We may offer the securities to the public through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters or by underwriters without a syndicate. Subject to certain conditions, the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the securities offered by the prospectus supplement. Any public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may change from time to time. We may use underwriters with whom we have a material relationship. We will describe in the prospectus supplement, naming the underwriter, the nature of any such relationship.

We may sell securities directly or through agents we designate from time to time. We will name any agent involved in the offering and sale of securities, and we will describe any commissions we will pay the agent in the prospectus supplement. Unless the prospectus supplement states otherwise, our agent will act on a best-efforts basis for the period of its appointment.

We may authorize agents or underwriters to solicit offers by certain types of institutional investors to purchase securities from us at the public offering price set forth in the prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. We will describe the conditions to these contracts and the commissions we must pay for solicitation of these contracts in the prospectus supplement.

 

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We may provide agents and underwriters with indemnification against civil liabilities related to this offering, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or contribution with respect to payments that the agents or underwriters may make with respect to these liabilities. Agents and underwriters may engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us in the ordinary course of business.

Other than common stock, all securities we offer will be new issues of securities with no established trading market. Any underwriters may make a market in these securities, but will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. We cannot guarantee the liquidity of the trading markets for any securities.

Any underwriter may engage in overallotment, stabilizing transactions, short covering transactions and penalty bids. Overallotment involves sales in excess of the offering size, which create a short position. Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum. Short covering transactions involve purchases of the securities in the open market after the distribution is completed to cover short positions. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a dealer when the securities originally sold by the dealer are purchased in a stabilizing or covering transaction to cover short positions. Those activities may cause the price of the securities to be higher than it would otherwise be. If commenced, the underwriters may discontinue any of the activities at any time. These transactions may be effected on any exchange or over-the-counter market or otherwise.

Any underwriters who are qualified market makers on the Nasdaq Global Market may engage in passive market making transactions in the securities on the Nasdaq Global Market in accordance with Rule 103 of Regulation M, during the business day prior to the pricing of the offering, before the commencement of offers or sales of the securities. Passive market makers must comply with applicable volume and price limitations and must be identified as passive market makers. In general, a passive market maker must display its bid at a price not in excess of the highest independent bid for such security; if all independent bids are lowered below the passive market maker’s bid, however, the passive market maker’s bid must then be lowered when certain purchase limits are exceeded. Passive market making may stabilize the market price of the securities at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.

LEGAL MATTERS

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, certain legal matters in connection with the offering and the validity of the securities offered by this prospectus, and any supplement thereto, will be passed upon by Cooley LLP.

EXPERTS

Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, has audited our financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, as set forth in their report, which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement. Our financial statements are incorporated by reference in reliance on Ernst  & Young LLP’s report, given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

This prospectus is part of a registration statement we filed with the SEC. This prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement and the exhibits to the registration statement. For further information with respect to us and the securities we are offering under this prospectus, we refer you to the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules filed as a part of the registration statement. Neither we nor any agent, underwriter or dealer has authorized any person to provide you with different information. We are not making an offer of these securities in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front page of this prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any sale of the securities offered by this prospectus.

 

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We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy the registration statement, as well as any other document filed by us with the SEC, at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street NE, Washington, D.C. 20549. You can also request copies of these documents by writing to the SEC and paying a fee for the copying cost. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at (800) SEC-0330. The SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC, including Bellicum. The address of the SEC website is www.sec.gov.

We maintain a website at www.bellicum.com. Information contained in or accessible through our website does not constitute a part of this prospectus.

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information into this prospectus, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The SEC file number for the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus is 001-36783. The documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus contain important information that you should read about us.

The following documents are incorporated by reference into this document:

 

    our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 and filed with the SEC on March 20, 2015;

 

    our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2015, June 30, 2015 and September 30, 2015, which were filed with the SEC on May 12, 2015, August 13, 2015 and November 9, 2015, respectively;

 

    the information specifically incorporated by reference into our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 from our definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A (other than information furnished rather than filed) filed with the SEC on April 21, 2015;

 

    our Current Reports on Form 8-K (other than information furnished, rather than filed) filed with the SEC on February 27, 2015, March 9, 2015, April 7, 2015, April 29, 2015, May 8, 2015, June 15, 2015, June 19, 2015, July 16, 2015, December 11, 2015, December 15, 2015, December 24, 2015, January 11, 2016 and January 15, 2016; and

 

    the description of our common stock, which is registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, in our registration statement on Form 8-A, filed with the SEC on December 10, 2014, including any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description.

We also incorporate by reference into this prospectus all documents (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) that are filed by us with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (i) after the date of the initial filing of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part and prior to effectiveness of the registration statement, or (ii) after the date of this prospectus but prior to the termination of the offering. These documents include periodic reports, such as Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, as well as proxy statements.

We will provide to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a prospectus is delivered, without charge upon written or oral request, a copy of any or all of the documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus but not delivered with the prospectus, including exhibits which are specifically incorporated by reference

 

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into such documents. You should direct any requests for documents by writing us at 2130 W. Holcombe Blvd., Ste. 800, Houston, Texas 77030, Attn: Corporate Secretary or telephoning us at (832) 384-1100.

Any statement contained herein or in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference into this document will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of the document to the extent that a statement contained in this document or any other subsequently filed document that is deemed to be incorporated by reference into this document modifies or supersedes the statement.

DISCLOSURE OF COMMISSION’S POSITION ON INDEMNIFICATION FOR

SECURITIES ACT LIABILITY

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the Company pursuant to the DGCL, we have been informed that in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.

 

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5,000,000 Shares

 

LOGO

 

Common Stock

 

 

 

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

 

March 23, 2017

 

 

 

Citigroup

 

Jefferies

 

Guggenheim Securities

 

Ladenburg Thalmann

 

Raymond James

 

SunTrust Robinson Humphrey