Exhibit 5.1

 

October 1, 2019 91966.00011

Sorrento Therapeutics, Inc.
4955 Directors Place

San Diego, CA 92121

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel to Sorrento Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the preparation and filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5) of the rules and regulations of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), of a prospectus supplement, dated October 1, 2019 (the “Prospectus Supplement”), to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-221443) originally filed with the Commission under the Act on November 9, 2017, as amended by Amendment No. 1 thereto filed with the Commission under the Act on December 1, 2017 (as amended, the “Registration Statement”), and the related prospectus, dated December 6, 2017, included in the Registration Statement at the time it originally became effective (the “Base Prospectus” and, together with the Prospectus Supplement, the “Prospectus”), relating to the proposed issuance and sale by the Company, from time to time through JMP Securities LLC (“JMP Securities”) as the sales agent, of shares (the “Shares”) of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company in an aggregate offering amount of up to $75,000,000. The Shares are to be issued and sold pursuant to that certain Equity Distribution Agreement, dated October 1, 2019, by and between the Company and JMP Securities (the “Distribution Agreement”).

In connection with this opinion, we have examined and relied upon the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, the Distribution Agreement, the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, and the Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws, each as currently in effect, and the originals or copies certified to our satisfaction of such records, documents, certificates, memoranda and other instruments as in our judgment are necessary or appropriate to enable us to render the opinion expressed below. As to certain factual matters, we have relied upon a certificate of an officer of the Company and have not independently verified such matters. We have assumed the genuineness and authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, and the conformity to originals of all documents submitted to us as copies thereof.

Our opinion is limited to the matters stated herein and no opinion is implied or may be inferred beyond the matters expressly stated. Our opinion herein is expressed solely with respect to the federal laws of the United States and the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. We are not rendering any opinion as to compliance with any federal or state antifraud law, rule or regulation relating to securities, or to the sale or issuance thereof. Our opinion is based on these laws as in effect on the date hereof, and we disclaim any obligation to advise you of facts, circumstances, events or developments which hereafter may be brought to our attention and which may alter, affect or modify the opinion expressed herein. We express no opinion as to whether the laws of any particular jurisdiction other than those identified above are applicable to the subject matter hereof.

On the basis of the foregoing, and in reliance thereon, we are of the opinion that the Shares, when issued and sold against payment therefor in accordance with the Distribution Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

 

 

October 1, 2019

Page 2

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus included in the Registration Statement and to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to a Current Report of the Company on Form 8-K.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Paul Hastings LLP