Exhibit 5.1
Thomas A. Coll
+1 858 550 6013
collta@cooley.com
April 8, 2024
Bionano Genomics, Inc.
9540 Towne Centre Drive, Suite 100
San Diego, California 92121
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel to Bionano Genomics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the offering of (i) 6,536,682 shares (the “Shares”)
of its common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”); (ii) pre-funded warrants (the “Pre-Funded Warrants”) to purchase up to 2,196,944 shares of Common Stock (the “Pre-Funded Warrant Shares”); and (iii) accompanying warrants (together with the Pre-Funded Warrants, the ”Warrants”) to purchase up to 8,733,626 shares of Common Stock (together with the Pre-Funded Warrant Shares, the “Warrant Shares”), pursuant to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-270459) (the “Registration Statement”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”)
by the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), the prospectus included in the
Registration Statement (the “Base Prospectus”) and the prospectus supplement relating to the Shares, the Warrants and the
Warrant Shares, dated April 4, 2024, filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act (together with the Base Prospectus, the “Prospectus”).
In connection with this opinion, we have examined and relied upon the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, the forms of the Warrants, the Company’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws, each as currently in effect, and such other records, documents, opinions, certificates, memoranda and instruments as in our judgment are necessary or appropriate to enable us to render the opinion expressed below. We have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to originals of all documents submitted to us as copies; the accuracy, completeness and authenticity of certificates of public officials, and the due authorization, execution and delivery of all documents by all persons other than the Company where authorization, execution and delivery are prerequisites to the effectiveness thereof. As to certain factual matters, we have relied upon a certificate of an officer of the Company and have not independently verified such matters.
With regard to our opinion as to the Warrant Shares, we express no opinion to the extent that future issuances of securities of the Company,
antidilution adjustments to outstanding securities of the Company or other matters cause the Warrants to be exercisable for more shares of Common Stock than the number then available for issuance by the Company. Further, we have assumed the
exercise price of the Warrants will not be adjusted to an amount below the par value per share of the Common Stock.
With regard to our opinion concerning the Warrants constituting valid and binding obligations of the Company:
(i) Our opinion is subject to, and may be limited by, (a) applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance, debtor and creditor, and similar
laws which relate to or affect creditors’ rights generally, and (b) general principles of equity (including, without limitation, concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing) regardless of whether considered in a
proceeding in equity or at law.
Bionano Genomics, Inc.
April 8, 2024
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(ii) Our opinion is subject to the qualification that the availability of specific performance, an injunction or other equitable remedies is subject to the discretion of the
court before which the request is brought.
(iii) We express no opinion as to any provision of the Warrants that: (a) provides for liquidated damages, buy-in damages, monetary penalties, prepayment or make-whole payments or other economic
remedies to the extent such provisions may constitute unlawful penalties, (b) relates to advance waivers of claims, defenses, rights granted by law, or notice, opportunity for hearing, evidentiary requirements, statutes of limitations, trial by
jury, or procedural rights, (c) restricts non-written modifications and waivers, (d) provides for the payment of legal and other professional fees where such payment is contrary to law or public policy, (e) relates to exclusivity, election or
accumulation of rights or remedies, (f) authorizes or validates conclusive or discretionary determinations, or (g) provides that provisions of the Warrants are severable to the extent an essential part of the agreed exchange is determined to be
invalid and unenforceable.
(iv) We express no opinion as to whether a state court outside of the State of New York or a federal court of the United States would give effect to the choice of New York law or
jurisdiction provided for in the Warrants.
Our opinion is expressed solely with respect to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and, as to the Warrants constituting binding
obligations of the Company, the laws of the State of New York. We express no opinion to the extent that any other laws are applicable to the subject matter hereof and express no opinion and provide no assurance as to compliance with any federal
or state securities law, rule or regulation.
On the basis of the foregoing, in reliance thereon and subject to the qualifications set forth herein, we are of the opinion that (i) the Shares, when
sold and issued against payment therefor in accordance with the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, (ii) the Warrants, when duly executed by the Company and delivered to the purchasers
thereof against payment therefor as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, will be binding obligations of the Company and (iii) the Warrant Shares, when issued and paid for in accordance with the terms of the Warrants, will
be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
This opinion is limited to the matters expressly set forth in this letter, and no opinion should be implied, or may be inferred, beyond the matters
expressly stated. This opinion speaks only as to law and facts in effect or existing as of the date hereof and we undertake no obligation or responsibility to update or supplement this letter to reflect any facts or circumstances that may
hereafter come to our attention or any changes in law that may hereafter occur.
We consent to the reference to our firm under the heading “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus and to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission for incorporation by reference into the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not
thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.
Bionano Genomics, Inc.
April 8, 2024
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Very truly yours,
Cooley LLP
By:/s/ Thomas A. Coll
Thomas A. Coll