424B5 1 ea178004-424b5_smartforlife.htm PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)

Registration No. 333-271052

 

Prospectus Supplement

(To Prospectus dated April 10, 2023)

 

 

94,600 Shares of Common Stock

Pre-Funded Warrants to Purchase up to 186,001 Shares of Common Stock

 

Pursuant to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, we are offering to a certain investor 94,600 shares of our common stock, par value $0.0001, and pre-funded warrants to purchase up to 186,001 shares of common stock. The offering price per share and pre-funded warrant is $3.205 and $3.2049, respectively. The pre-funded warrants will have an exercise price of $0.0001 per share and are exercisable upon issuance until exercised in full.

 

In a concurrent private placement, we are selling to the same investor warrants to purchase up to 280,601 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $3.08 per share. These warrants and our common stock issuable upon the exercise of such warrants are not being registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and are not being offered pursuant to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and are being offered pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act provided in Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and Rule 506(b) promulgated thereunder.

 

Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “SMFL.” On May 1, 2023, the closing price of our common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market was $3.22 per share. We do not intend to apply for listing of the pre-funded warrants on any national securities exchange.

 

We are subject to General Instruction I.B.6 of Form S-3, which limits the amount that we may sell under the registration statement of which this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus form a part to no more than one-third of our public float in any 12-month period. The aggregate market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates is $6,398,886, which was calculated based on 656,296 shares held by non-affiliates at a price of $9.750 per share as of March 3, 2023. During the 12 calendar months prior to, and including, the date of this prospectus supplement, we have not sold any securities pursuant to the registration statement of which this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus form a part. Accordingly, as of the date of this prospectus supplement, the aggregate amount of securities we are permitted to sell pursuant to General Instruction I.B.6 of Form S-3 is $2,132,962.

 

   Per Share   Total 
Offering price  $3.205   $899,326 
Placement agent fees  $0.2404   $67,449 
Proceeds, before expenses, to us  $2.9646   $831,877 

 

We have retained H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC to act as the exclusive placement agent in connection with this offering. The placement agent has no obligation to buy any of the securities from us or to arrange for the purchase or sale of any specific number of dollar amount of securities. See “Plan of Distribution” for more information regarding these arrangements and compensation to be paid to the placement agent. We estimate the total expenses of this offering, excluding the placement agent fees and cost reimbursements, will be approximately $239,994.

 

Investing in our securities involves risks that are described in the “Risk Factors” section beginning on page S-5 of this prospectus supplement and on page 4 of the accompanying prospectus.

 

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

 

We expect that delivery of the securities offered pursuant to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus will be made on or about May 5, 2023, subject to customary closing conditions.

 

H.C. Wainwright & Co.

 

The date of this prospectus supplement is May 2, 2023

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

  Page
   
Prospectus Supplement  
   
Prospectus Supplement Summary S-1
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements S-4
Risk Factors S-5
Use of Proceeds S-10
Capitalization S-11
Dilution S-13
Description of Securities We Are Offering S-14
Private Placement Transaction S-16
Plan of Distribution S-17
Legal Matters S-19
Experts S-19
Where You Can Find More Information S-19
Documents Incorporated By Reference S-19
   
Prospectus  
   
Prospectus Summary 1
Risk Factors 4
Forward-Looking Statements 5
Use of Proceeds 5
Description of Capital Stock 6
Description of Debt Securities 6
Description of Depositary Shares 13
Description of Warrants 15
Description of Subscription Rights 16
Description of Purchase Contracts 17
Description of Units 18
Plan of Distribution 18
Legal Matters 20
Experts 20
Where You Can Find More Information 20
Documents Incorporated By Reference 20

 

You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. We have not authorized anyone else to provide you with additional or different information. We are offering to sell, and seeking offers to buy the securities only in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of those documents or that any document incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than its filing date.

 

No action is being taken in any jurisdiction outside the United States to permit a public offering of the securities or possession or distribution of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus in that jurisdiction. Persons who come into possession of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus in jurisdictions outside the United States are required to inform themselves about and to observe any restrictions as to this offering and the distribution of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus applicable to that jurisdiction.

 

S-i

 

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

 

On March 31, 2023, we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, a registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-271052) utilizing a shelf registration process relating to the securities described in this prospectus supplement. The registration statement was declared effective on April 10, 2023. Under this shelf registration process, we have registered to sell, from time to time, up to $150 million in the aggregate of common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, depositary shares, warrants, subscription rights, purchase contracts and units.

 

This document is in two parts. The first part is the prospectus supplement, which describes the specific terms of this offering and adds, updates and changes information contained in the accompanying prospectus. The second part is the accompanying prospectus, which gives more general information, some of which may not apply to this offering. 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 any document incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, on the other hand, you should rely on the information in this prospectus supplement. However, 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 this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus — the statement in the document having the later date modifies or supersedes the earlier statement as our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since the earlier dates.

 

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus include important information about us, our securities and other information you should know before investing. You should carefully read this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, all information incorporated by reference herein and therein, as well as the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus may contain and incorporate by reference market data and industry statistics and forecasts that are based on independent industry publications and other publicly available information. Although we believe these sources are reliable, we do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this information, and we have not independently verified this information. In addition, the market and industry data and forecasts that may be included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus or any applicable free writing prospectus may involve estimates, assumptions and other risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors, including those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and any applicable free writing prospectus, and under similar headings in other documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on this information.

 

S-ii

 

 

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY

 

This summary highlights information about us and the offering contained elsewhere in, or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. It is not complete and may not contain all the information that may be important to you. You should carefully read the entire prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, as well as the information incorporated by reference, before making an investment decision, especially the information presented under the heading “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-5 of this prospectus supplement, and our financial statements and the notes to those financial statements, which are incorporated by reference, and the other financial information appearing elsewhere in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement. See “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference.”

 

Unless the context requires otherwise, the words “we,” “us,” “our” and “our company” refer collectively to Smart for Life, Inc., a Nevada corporation, and its consolidated subsidiaries.

 

Our Company

 

Overview

 

We are engaged in the development, marketing, manufacturing, acquisition, operation and sale of a broad spectrum of nutritional and related products with an emphasis on health and wellness. Structured as a global holding company, we are executing a buy-and-build strategy with serial accretive acquisitions creating a vertically integrated company with an objective of aggregating companies generating a minimum of $300 million in revenues by the fourth quarter of 2026. To drive growth and earnings, we are developing proprietary products as well as acquiring other profitable companies, encompassing brands, manufacturing and distribution channels.

 

Our company was incorporated in the State of Delaware on February 2, 2017. On April 10, 2023, we converted to a Nevada corporation.

 

On March 8, 2018, we acquired 51% of Millenium Natural Manufacturing Corp. and Millenium Natural Health Products Inc. On October 8, 2019, we entered into an agreement to acquire the remaining 49% of these companies, which was completed on October 8, 2019. On September 30, 2020, we changed the name of Millenium Natural Manufacturing Corp. to Bonne Sante Natural Manufacturing, Inc., or BSNM, and on November 24, 2020, we merged Millenium Natural Health Products Inc. into BSNM to better reflect our vertical integration. BSNM is a nutraceutical contract manufacturer.

 

On July 1, 2021, we acquired all of the issued and outstanding equity interests of Doctors Scientific Organica, LLC d/b/a Smart for Life, Oyster Management Services, L.L.C. (formerly Oyster Management Services, Ltd.), Lawee Enterprises, L.L.C. and U.S. Medical Care Holdings, L.L.C. On May 19, 2022, we acquired Lavi Enterprises, LLC, an affiliate of these companies. We collectively refer to Doctors Scientific Organica, LLC and the foregoing consolidated subsidiaries as DSO. DSO manufactures, sells and owns the Smart for Life brand of natural health and wellness meal replacement products.

 

On December 6, 2021, we acquired all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of GSP Nutrition Inc., or GSP. GSP is a sports nutrition company. It offers nutritional supplements for athletes and active lifestyle consumers through a variety of wellness solutions and delivery methods, with its initial line of nutritional products being marketed under the Sports Illustrated Nutrition brand.

 

On July 29, 2022, we acquired all of the issued and outstanding equity interests of Ceautamed Worldwide LLC and its wholly-owned subsidiaries Wellness Watchers Global, LLC and Greens First Female LLC, which we collectively refer to as Ceautamed. Ceautamed owns the Greens First line of branded products which have been specifically marketed to the healthcare provider sector.

 

We also operate a network platform in the affiliate marketing space. Affiliate marketing is an advertising model in which a product vendor compensates third-party digital marketers to generate traffic or leads for the product vendor’s products and services. The third-party digital marketers are referred to as affiliates, and the commission fee incentivizes them to find ways to promote the products being sold by the product vendor. We operate this business through Nexus Offers, Inc., or Nexus, which we acquired on November 8, 2021.

 

Reverse Stock Split

 

On April 24, 2023, we completed a 1-for-50 reverse split of our outstanding shares of common stock. As a result of this reverse split, our issued and outstanding common stock decreased from 40,440,129 shares to 851,616 shares. Accordingly, except as otherwise indicated, all share and per share information contained in this prospectus supplement has been restated to retroactively show the effect of this reverse stock split.

 

Corporate Information

 

Our principal executive offices are located at 990 S Rogers Circle, Suite 3, Boca Raton, Florida 33487, and our telephone number is (786) 749-1221. We maintain a website at www.smartforlifecorp.com. Information available on our website is not incorporated by reference in and is not deemed a part of this prospectus supplement.

 

S-1

 

 

The Offering

 

Securities offered:   94,600 shares of common stock and pre-funded warrants to purchase up to 186,001 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.0001 per share.
Offering price:   $3.205 per share of common stock and $3.2049 per pre-funded warrant.
Common stock to be outstanding after this offering:(1)   951,216 shares (assuming no exercise of any of the warrants).
Use of proceeds:   We expect to receive net proceeds of approximately $591,883 from this offering. We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering to repay certain debt and for working capital and general corporate purposes. See “Use of Proceeds.”
Risk factors:   Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. For a discussion of factors you should consider carefully before deciding to invest in our securities, see “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-5 of this prospectus supplement and on page 4 of the accompanying prospectus and other information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

Concurrent private placement

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  In a concurrent private placement, we are selling to the same investor warrants to purchase up to 280,601 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $3.08 per share. These warrants are exercisable immediately upon issuance and will have a term of five and one-half years from issuance. We will receive gross proceeds from exercise of the warrants in such concurrent private placement transaction solely to the extent such warrants are exercised for cash. The warrants and the shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of the warrants are not being offered pursuant to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and are being offered pursuant to the exemption provided in Section 4(a)(2) under the Securities Act. There is no established public trading market for the warrants, and we do not expect a market to develop. In addition, we do not intend to list the warrants on any national securities exchange or any other nationally recognized trading system. See “Private Placement Transaction.”

 

S-2

 

 

Lock-up:  

We have agreed with the placement agent, subject to certain exceptions, not to (i) issue, enter into any agreement to issue, or announce the issuance or proposed issuance of, any common stock or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for our common stock, or (ii) file any registration statement or amendment or supplement thereto for a period of 20 days from the closing of this offering.

 

In addition, all of our directors and executive officers have agreed, subject to certain exceptions, not to sell, transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any of our common stock or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for our common stock, for a period of 90 days after the closing of this offering. See “Plan of Distribution” for more information.

 

Trading market and symbol:   Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “SMFL.” We do not intend to apply for listing of the pre-funded warrants on any national securities exchange. As a result, there is no established public trading market for the pre-funded warrants, and we do not expect a market to develop.
Transfer agent:   The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is VStock Transfer, LLC.

 

(1)The number of shares of common stock outstanding immediately following this offering is based on 856,616 shares outstanding as of the date of this prospectus supplement and excludes the following:

 

29,999 shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of our outstanding series A convertible preferred stock;

 

51,560 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding options issued under our stock incentive plans at a weighted average exercise price of $16.84 per share;

 

1,362,990 additional shares of common stock that are reserved for issuance under our stock incentive plans;

 

 
4,450,613 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants at a weighted average exercise price of $6.69 per share (without giving effect to certain adjustments to certain amended and restated warrants issued on December 8, 2022 that may be triggered by this offering, as described in “Description of Capital Stock” in the accompanying prospectus);

 

shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of 5% secured subordinated convertible promissory notes in the aggregate principal amount of $2,150,000 that are convertible at the option of the holders into shares of common stock at a conversion price of $6.25;

 

280,601 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of the warrants issued in connection with the concurrent private placement transaction; and

 

21,045 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of the placement agent warrants issued in connection with this offering.

 

S-3

 

 

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference in these documents 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, that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical facts are forward-looking statements. These statements relate to future events or to our future financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “may,” “could,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “expect,” “plan,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “project” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about:

 

our goals and strategies;

 

our future business development, financial condition and results of operations;

 

expected changes in our revenue, costs or expenditures;

 

growth of and competition trends in our industry;

 

our expectations regarding demand for, and market acceptance of, our products;

 

our expectations regarding our relationships with investors, institutional funding partners and other parties with which we collaborate;

 

fluctuations in general economic and business conditions in the markets in which we operate; and

 

relevant government policies and regulations relating to our industry.

 

You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which are, in some cases, beyond our control and which could materially affect results. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things, those listed under the heading “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference in these documents. If one or more of these risks or uncertainties occur, or if our underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual events or results may vary significantly from those implied or projected by the forward-looking statements. No forward-looking statement is a guarantee of future performance.

 

Further, forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Except to the extent required by U.S. federal securities laws, we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, a change in events, conditions, circumstances or assumptions underlying such statements, or otherwise.

 

S-4

 

 

RISK FACTORS

 

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk, and you should be able to bear the complete loss of your investment. You should consider carefully the risks described below and those described under the section captioned “Risk Factors” contained in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, any subsequent Annual Reports on Form 10-K, any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and all other information contained or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus before deciding whether to purchase any of the securities being offered under this prospectus supplement. Our business, consolidated financial condition or results of operations could be adversely affected as a result of these risks. In such case, the trading price of our common stock could decline and you could lose all or part of your investment. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements made throughout this prospectus supplement or the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus as a result of different factors, including the risks we face described below. Please refer to the section titled “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

 

Risks Related to This Offering

 

We may not be able to maintain a listing of our common stock on Nasdaq.

 

Our common stock is currently listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market. We must meet certain financial and liquidity criteria to maintain the listing of our common stock on Nasdaq. If we fail to meet any of Nasdaq’s continued listing standards or we violate Nasdaq listing requirements, our common stock may be delisted. In addition, our board of directors may determine that the cost of maintaining our listing on a national securities exchange outweighs the benefits of such listing.

 

On June 2, 2022, we received a notification letter, which was modified on June 3, 2022, from Nasdaq notifying us that we were not in compliance with the minimum bid price requirement set forth in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) for continued listing on the Nasdaq. Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) requires listed securities to maintain a minimum bid price of $1.00 per share, and Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(A) provides that a failure to meet the minimum bid price requirement exists if the deficiency continues for a period of 30 consecutive business days. Based on the closing bid price of our common stock for the 30 consecutive business days from April 20, 2022 to June 1, 2022, we no longer meet the minimum bid price requirement. In accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(A), we were provided 180 calendar days, or until November 29, 2022, to regain compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2).

 

On November 28, 2022, we received an additional notification letter from Nasdaq notifying us that we are not in compliance with the Nasdaq stockholders’ equity requirement of $2,500,000 for continued listing on The Nasdaq Capital Market, as set forth in Listing Rule 5550(b), given that our Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2022 evidenced stockholders’ equity of only $2,051,279. Given the stockholders’ equity deficiency, Nasdaq determined to terminate the grace period noted above one day early, pursuant to its discretionary authority, as set forth in Listing Rule 5101. Based on the foregoing, we requested a hearing before a Nasdaq Hearings Panel, which was held on January 19, 2023. The hearing request stayed any suspension or delisting action pending the conclusion of the hearings process.

 

On January 25, 2023, we received a notification letter from Nasdaq notifying us that the Nasdaq Hearings Panel granted an exception from the foregoing continued listing standards until May 30, 2023. Accordingly, we have until May 30, 2023 to regain compliance with the foregoing rules.

 

As noted above, we implemented a 1-for-50 reverse stock split on April 24, 2023 in order to regain compliance with the minimum bid price requirement.

 

A delisting of our common stock from Nasdaq may materially impair our stockholders’ ability to buy and sell our common stock and could have an adverse effect on the market price of, and the efficiency of the trading market for, our common stock. The delisting of our common stock could significantly impair our ability to raise capital and the value of your investment.

 

The market price of our stock may be highly volatile, and you could lose all or part of your investment.

 

The market for our common stock may be characterized by significant price volatility when compared to the shares of larger, more established companies that have large public floats, and our stock price will likely be more volatile than the shares of such larger, more established companies for the indefinite future. The stock market in general has recently been highly volatile. Furthermore, there have been recent instances of extreme stock price run-ups followed by rapid price declines and stock price volatility following a number of recent initial public offerings, particularly among companies with relatively smaller public floats. We also experienced such volatility following our initial public offering in February 2022 and may continue to experience such volatility, which may be unrelated to our actual or expected operating performance and financial condition or prospects, making it difficult for prospective investors to assess the rapidly changing value of our common stock.

 

S-5

 

 

The market price of our common stock is likely to be volatile due to a number of factors. First, as noted above, our common stock is likely to be more sporadically and thinly traded compared to the shares of such larger, more established companies. The price for our common stock could, for example, decline precipitously in the event that a large number of shares is sold on the market without commensurate demand. Secondly, we are a speculative or “risky” investment due to our lack of profits to date. As a consequence of this enhanced risk, more risk-adverse investors may, under the fear of losing all or most of their investment in the event of negative news or lack of progress, be more inclined to sell their shares on the market more quickly and at greater discounts than would be the case with the stock of a larger, more established company that has a large public float. Many of these factors are beyond our control and may decrease the market price of our common stock regardless of our operating performance. The market price of our common stock could also be subject to wide fluctuations in response to a broad and diverse range of factors, including the following:

 

actual or anticipated variations in our periodic operating results;

 

increases in market interest rates that lead investors of our common stock to demand a higher investment return;

 

changes in earnings estimates;

 

changes in market valuations of similar companies;

 

actions or announcements by our competitors;

 

adverse market reaction to any increased indebtedness we may incur in the future;

 

additions or departures of key personnel;

 

actions by stockholders;

 

speculation in the media, online forums, or investment community; and

 

our ability to maintain the listing of our common stock on Nasdaq.

 

Volatility in the market price of our common stock may prevent investors from being able to sell their common stock at or above the price at which they purchased our common stock. As a result, you may suffer a loss on your investment.

 

Our management has broad discretion as to the use of the net proceeds from this offering.

 

Our management will have broad discretion in the application of the net proceeds of this offering. Accordingly, you will have to rely upon the judgment of our management with respect to the use of these proceeds. We intend to use the proceeds of this offering to repay certain debt and for working capital and general corporate purposes. Our management may spend a portion or all of the net proceeds from this offering in ways that holders of our common stock may not desire or that may not yield a significant return or any return at all. Our management not applying these funds effectively could harm our business. Pending their use, we may also invest the net proceeds from this offering in a manner that does not produce income or that loses value. See “Use of Proceeds” for more information.

 

You will experience immediate and substantial dilution as a result of this offering.

 

As of December 31, 2022, our pro forma net tangible book value (deficit) was approximately $(24,640,242), or approximately $(28.76) per share. Since the price per share being offered in this offering is substantially higher than the pro forma net tangible book value per share, you will suffer substantial dilution with respect to the net tangible book value of the shares you purchase in this offering. Based on the offering price of $3.205 per share being sold in this offering and our pro forma net tangible book value per share as of December 31, 2022, if you purchase shares in this offering, you will suffer immediate and substantial dilution of $28.49 per share with respect to the net tangible book value of the common stock. See “Dilution” for a more detailed discussion of the dilution you will incur if you purchase securities in this offering.

 

S-6

 

 

There is no public market for the pre-funded warrants to purchase common stock issued in this offering.

 

We do not intend to apply to list the pre-funded warrants being sold in this offering on any securities exchange. Accordingly, there is no established public trading market for the pre-funded warrants, and we do not expect a market to develop. Without an active market, the liquidity of the pre-funded warrants will be limited.

 

Holders of the pre-funded warrants will have no rights as common stockholders until they acquire our common stock.

 

Until you acquire shares of our common stock upon exercise of any of the pre-funded warrants, you will have no rights with respect to our common stock as a stockholder. Upon exercise of any pre-funded warrants held, you will be entitled to exercise the rights of a common stockholder only as to matters for which the record date occurs after the exercise date.

 

We have not paid in the past and do not expect to declare or pay dividends in the foreseeable future.

 

We have not paid in the past and do not expect to declare or pay dividends in the foreseeable future, as we anticipate that we will invest future earnings in the development and growth of our business. Therefore, holders of our common stock will not receive any return on their investment unless they sell their securities, and holders may be unable to sell their securities on favorable terms or at all.

 

Future issuances of our common stock or securities convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for, our common stock could cause the market price of our common stock to decline and would result in the dilution of your holdings.

 

Future issuances of our common stock or securities convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for, our common stock could cause the market price of our common stock to decline. We cannot predict the effect, if any, of future issuances of our securities on the price of our common stock. In all events, future issuances of our common stock would result in the dilution of your holdings. In addition, the perception that new issuances of our securities could occur could adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

 

Future issuances of our common stock or securities convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for, our common stock, or the expiration of lock-up agreements that restrict the issuance of new common stock or the trading of outstanding common stock, could cause the market price of our common stock to decline and would result in the dilution of your holdings.

 

Future issuances of our common stock or securities convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for, our common stock, or the expiration of lock-up agreements that restrict the issuance of new common stock or the trading of outstanding common stock, could cause the market price of our common stock to decline. We cannot predict the effect, if any, of future issuances of our securities, or the future expirations of lock-up agreements, on the price of our common stock. In all events, future issuances of our common stock would result in the dilution of your holdings. In addition, the perception that new issuances of our securities could occur, or the perception that locked-up parties will sell their securities when the lock-ups expire, could adversely affect the market price of our common stock. In connection with this offering, we have agreed with the placement agent, subject to certain exceptions, not to (i) issue, enter into any agreement to issue, or announce the issuance or proposed issuance of, any common stock or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for our common stock, or (ii) file any registration statement or amendment or supplement thereto for a period of 20 days from the closing of this offering. In addition, all of our directors and executive officers have agreed with the placement agent, subject to certain exceptions, not to sell, transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any of our common stock or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for our common stock, for a period of 90 days after the closing of this offering. In addition to any adverse effects that may arise upon the expiration of these lock-up agreements, the lock-up provisions in these agreements may be waived, at any time and without notice. If the restrictions under the lock-up agreements are waived, our common stock may become available for resale, subject to applicable law, including without notice, which could reduce the market price for our common stock.

 

If securities industry analysts do not publish research reports on us, or publish unfavorable reports on us, then the market price and market trading volume of our common stock could be negatively affected.

 

Any trading market for our common stock may be influenced in part by any research reports that securities industry analysts publish about us. We do not currently have and may never obtain research coverage by securities industry analysts. If no securities industry analysts commence coverage of us, the market price and market trading volume of our common stock could be negatively affected. In the event we are covered by analysts, and one or more of such analysts downgrade our securities, or otherwise reports on us unfavorably, or discontinues coverage of us, the market price and market trading volume of our common stock could be negatively affected.

 

S-7

 

 

If our shares of common stock become subject to the penny stock rules, it would become more difficult to trade our shares.

 

The SEC has adopted rules that regulate broker-dealer practices in connection with transactions in penny stocks. Penny stocks are generally equity securities with a price of less than $5.00, other than securities registered on certain national securities exchanges or authorized for quotation on certain automated quotation systems, provided that current price and volume information with respect to transactions in such securities is provided by the exchange or system. If we do not retain a listing on Nasdaq or another national securities exchange and if the price of our common stock is less than $5.00, our common stock could be deemed a penny stock. The penny stock rules require a broker-dealer, before a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from those rules, to deliver a standardized risk disclosure document containing specified information. In addition, the penny stock rules require that before effecting any transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from those rules, a broker-dealer must make a special written determination that the penny stock is a suitable investment for the purchaser and receive (i) the purchaser’s written acknowledgment of the receipt of a risk disclosure statement; (ii) a written agreement to transactions involving penny stocks; and (iii) a signed and dated copy of a written suitability statement. These disclosure requirements may have the effect of reducing the trading activity in the secondary market for our common stock, and therefore stockholders may have difficulty selling their shares.

 

We are subject to ongoing public reporting requirements that are less rigorous than Exchange Act rules for companies that are not emerging growth companies and our stockholders could receive less information than they might expect to receive from more mature public companies.

 

We are required to publicly report on an ongoing basis as an “emerging growth company” under the reporting rules set forth under the Exchange Act. For so long as we remain an emerging growth company, we may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other Exchange Act reporting companies that are not emerging growth companies. For so long as we are an emerging growth company, we will not be required to:

 

have an auditor report on our internal controls over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act;

 

comply with any requirement that may be adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding mandatory audit firm rotation or a supplement to the auditor’s report providing additional information about the audit and the financial statements (i.e., an auditor discussion and analysis);

 

submit certain executive compensation matters to stockholder advisory votes, such as “say-on-pay” and “say-on-frequency;” and

 

disclose certain executive compensation related items such as the correlation between executive compensation and performance and comparisons of the chief executive officer’s compensation to median employee compensation.

 

In addition, Section 107 of the JOBS Act also provides that an emerging growth company can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, for complying with new or revised accounting standards. In other words, an emerging growth company can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We have elected to take advantage of the benefits of this extended transition period. Our financial statements may therefore not be comparable to those of companies that comply with such new or revised accounting standards.

 

S-8

 

 

We will remain an emerging growth company until the earliest of (i) the last day of the fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of our initial public offering, (ii) the last day of the first fiscal year in which our total annual gross revenues are $1.07 billion or more, (iii) the date that we become a “large accelerated filer” as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act, which would occur if the market value of our common stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter, or (iv) the date on which we have issued more than $1 billion in non-convertible debt during the preceding three year period.

 

Because we will be subject to ongoing public reporting requirements that are less rigorous than Exchange Act rules for companies that are not emerging growth companies, our stockholders could receive less information than they might expect to receive from more mature public companies. We cannot predict if investors will find our common stock less attractive if we elect to rely on these exemptions, or if taking advantage of these exemptions would result in less active trading or more volatility in the price of our common stock.

 

Anti-takeover provisions in our charter documents and under Nevada law could make an acquisition of our company more difficult, and limit attempts by our stockholders to replace or remove our current management.

 

Provisions in our articles of incorporation and bylaws may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control or changes in our management. Our articles of incorporation and bylaws include provisions that:

 

permit the board of directors to establish the number of directors and fill any vacancies and newly created directorships;

 

provide that directors may only be removed by two-thirds of the shares of voting stock then outstanding; and

 

establish advance notice requirements for nominations for election to our board of directors or for proposing matters that can be acted upon by stockholders at annual stockholder meetings.

 

These provisions may frustrate or prevent any attempts by our stockholders to replace or remove our current management by making it more difficult for stockholders to replace members of our board of directors, which is responsible for appointing the members of our management.

 

S-9

 

 

USE OF PROCEEDS

 

We estimate that the net proceeds from this offering will be approximately $591,883, after deducting placement agent fees and other estimated expenses of this offering payable by us. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of common stock issuable upon exercise of the pre-funded warrants that we are offering unless and until such pre-funded warrants are exercised for cash.

 

We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering to repay certain debt and for working capital and general corporate purposes. The following table sets forth a breakdown of our estimated use of our net proceeds as we currently expect to use them, assuming the purchase of all of the securities being offered.

 

   Amount 
Partial repayment of secured subordinated promissory notes(1)  $150,000 
Partial repayment of term loan(2)   250,000 
Working capital and general corporate   191,883 
Total use of proceeds  $591,883 

 

(1)On July 29, 2022, we issued secured subordinated promissory notes in the aggregate principal amount of $1,300,000 in connection with our acquisition of Ceautamed, which bear interest at a rate of 5% per annum, provided that upon an event of default (as defined in the notes), such interest rate shall increase to 15%, and were originally due and payable in one lump sum ninety (90) days from the date of the notes. The notes were subsequently amended and are currently due and payable on June 1, 2023. The notes contain customary covenants and events of default for loans of this type, including upon any default under the senior indebtedness (as defined in the notes), are guaranteed by Ceautamed and its subsidiaries, and are secured by a security interest in all of the assets of such guarantors; provided that such security interest is subordinate to the rights of the lenders under any such senior indebtedness. We have agreed to repay an aggregate of $150,000 of these notes upon closing of this offering.

 

(2)On July 1, 2021, we entered into a loan agreement with Diamond Creek Capital, LLC for a term loan in the principal amount of up to $3,000,000. The loan bears interest at a rate of 15.0% per annum, provided that upon an event of default, such rate shall increase by 5%. The loan was due and payable on the earlier of July 1, 2022 or upon completion of the initial public offering. We repaid $1,325,000 of the principal balance and $27,604 of the interest from the proceeds of our initial public offering. In connection with such repayment, the lender agreed that the remaining loan is due and payable on July 1, 2023. The loan is secured by all of our assets and contains customary events of default. Pursuant to the latest amendment to the loan agreement, we have agreed to repay $250,000 of the balance of this loan from the proceeds of this offering.

 

Pending these uses, we may 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 United States government.

 

We have no specific plans for the use of the proceeds allocated to working capital and general corporate purposes and do not plan to use the proceeds to fund any of our planned acquisitions. Our management will retain broad discretion over the allocation of the net proceeds from this offering with respect to working capital and general corporate uses. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to this Offering—Our management has broad discretion as to the use of the net proceeds from this offering.

 

S-10

 

 

CAPITALIZATION

 

The following table sets forth our capitalization as of December 31, 2022:

 

on an actual basis;

 

on a pro forma basis to reflect (i) the issuance of 10,000 shares of common stock as payment of certain amendment fees to amend a loan and a license agreement; (ii) the issuance of 111,057 shares of common stock upon the cashless exercise of outstanding warrants and (iii) the 1-for-50 reverse stock split described elsewhere in this prospectus supplement; and

 

on a pro forma, as adjusted basis to give effect to the issuance of 94,600 shares of common stock in this offering at the offering price of $3.205 per share, after deducting placement agent fees and expenses and other estimated offering expenses payable by us, and excluding the proceeds, if any, from the exercise of the pre-funded warrants issued pursuant to this offering.

 

The as adjusted information below is illustrative only. You should read this table together with the information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and the information incorporated by reference from our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, including the historical financial statements and related notes included therein.

 

   As of December 31, 2022 
   Actual   Pro Forma   As Adjusted 
Cash  $69,714   $69,714   $661,597 
Long-term debt:               
Debt   20,558,246    20,558,246    20,558,246 
Total long-term debt   20,558,246    20,558,246    20,558,246 
Stockholders’ deficit:               
Series A convertible preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; 8,000 shares authorized and 1,000 shares issued and outstanding, actual; 1,000 shares authorized and 1,000 shares issued and outstanding, pro forma and as adjusted   -    -    - 
Common stock, $0.0001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized and 36,103,067 shares issued and outstanding, actual; 500,000,000 shares authorized and 856,616 shares issued and outstanding, pro forma; and 951,216 shares issued and outstanding, as adjusted   3,610    86    95 
Additional paid-in capital   42,626,821    42,630,345    43,222,219 
Accumulated deficit   (44,992,415)   (44,992,415)   (44,992,415)
Total stockholders’ deficit   (2,361,984)   (2,361,984)   (1,770,101)
Total capitalization  $18,196,262   $18,196,262   $18,788,145 

 

S-11

 

 

The table and discussion above are based on 856,616 shares of common stock issued and outstanding as of the date of this prospectus supplement and excludes the following:

 

29,999 shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of our outstanding series A convertible preferred stock;

 

51,560 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding options issued under our stock incentive plans at a weighted average exercise price of $16.84 per share;

 

1,362,990 additional shares of common stock that are reserved for issuance under our stock incentive plans;

 

4,450,613 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants at a weighted average exercise price of $6.69 per share (without giving effect to certain adjustments to certain amended and restated warrants issued on December 8, 2022 that may be triggered by this offering, as described in “Description of Capital Stock” in the accompanying prospectus);

 

shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of 5% secured subordinated convertible promissory notes in the aggregate principal amount of $2,150,000 that are convertible at the option of the holders into shares of common stock at a conversion price of $6.25;

 

280,601 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of the warrants issued in connection with the concurrent private placement transaction; and

 

21,045 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of the placement agent warrants issued in connection with this offering.

 

S-12

 

 

DILUTION

 

If you invest in this offering, your interest will be diluted immediately to the extent of the difference between the offering price per share and the as adjusted net tangible book value per share after this offering.

 

Net tangible book value per share represents the amount of our total tangible assets less total liabilities divided by the total number of our shares of common stock outstanding. The deficiency in net tangible book value of our common stock as of December 31, 2022 was approximately $(24,640,242), or approximately $(0.68) per share. After giving effect to (i) the issuance of 10,000 shares of common stock as payment of certain amendment fees to amend a loan and a license agreement; (ii) the issuance of 111,057 shares of common stock upon the cashless exercise of outstanding warrants and (iii) the 1-for-50 reverse stock split described elsewhere in this prospectus supplement, the pro forma deficiency in net tangible book value of our common stock as of December 31, 2022 is approximately $(24,640,242), or approximately $(28.76) per share.

 

After giving effect to the sale of 94,600 shares of common stock in this offering at the offering price of $3.205 per share, and after deducting the placement agent fees and expenses and other estimated offering expenses payable by us, and excluding the proceeds, if any, from the exercise of the pre-funded warrants issued pursuant to this offering, our pro forma as adjusted deficiency in net tangible book value as of December 31, 2022 would have been approximately $(24,048,359), or approximately $(25.28) per share. This represents an immediate increase in net tangible book value of approximately $3.48 per share to our existing stockholders and an immediate dilution in pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value of approximately $28.49 per share to purchasers of securities in this offering, as illustrated by the following table:

 

Offering price per share        $3.205 
Historical deficiency in net tangible book value per share as of December 31, 2022  $(0.68)     
Decrease per share attributable to the pro forma adjustments described above   (28.08)     
Pro forma deficiency in net tangible book value per share as of December 31, 2022   (28.76)     
Increase in pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share attributable to new investors purchasing our common stock in this offering   3.48      
Pro forma as adjusted deficiency in net tangible book value per share after this offering        (25.28)
Dilution per share to new investors purchasing our common in this offering       $28.49 

 

The table and discussion above are based on 856,616 shares of common stock issued and outstanding as of the date of this prospectus supplement and excludes the following:

 

29,999 shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of our outstanding series A convertible preferred stock;

 

51,560 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding options issued under our stock incentive plans at a weighted average exercise price of $16.84 per share;

 

1,362,990 additional shares of common stock that are reserved for issuance under our stock incentive plans;

 

4,450,613 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants at a weighted average exercise price of $6.69 per share (without giving effect to certain adjustments to certain amended and restated warrants issued on December 8, 2022 that may be triggered by this offering, as described in “Description of Capital Stock” in the accompanying prospectus);

 

shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of 5% secured subordinated convertible promissory notes in the aggregate principal amount of $2,150,000 that are convertible at the option of the holders into shares of common stock at a conversion price of $6.25;

 

280,601 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of the warrants issued in connection with the concurrent private placement transaction; and

 

21,045 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of the placement agent warrants issued in connection with this offering.

 

To the extent that outstanding options or warrants have been or may be exercised or other shares issued, investors participating in this offering may 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.

 

S-13

 

 

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES WE ARE OFFERING

 

General

 

Pursuant to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, we are offering to a certain investor 94,600 shares of common stock and pre-funded warrants to purchase up to 186,001 shares of common stock.

 

In connection with this offering, we will also issue to H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC, our placement agent, warrants to purchase up to 21,045 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $4.00625. Please see “Plan of Distribution” for a description of these placement agent warrants.

 

In a concurrent private placement, we are selling to the same investor warrants to purchase up to 280,601 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $3.08 per share. These warrants and shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of such warrants are not being registered under the Securities Act and are not being offered pursuant to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and are being offered pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act provided in Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and Rule 506(b) promulgated thereunder. We are also issuing warrants to the placement agent in connection with this offering. Please see “Private Placement Transaction” for a description of the concurrent private placement in connection with this offering.

 

Common Stock

 

A description of the shares of common stock we are offering pursuant to this prospectus supplement is set forth under the heading “Description of Capital Stock” starting on page 6 of the accompanying prospectus. As of May 1, 2023, we had 856,616 shares of common stock outstanding.

 

Pre-Funded Warrants

 

The material terms and provisions of the pre-funded warrants being offered are summarized below. The summary is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the form of pre-funded warrant which has been provided to each investor in this offering and has been filed as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K with the SEC in connection with this offering.

 

The pre-funded warrants are exercisable at an initial exercise price of $0.0001 per share and may be exercised at any time until the pre-funded warrants are exercised in full, subject to the limitations set forth below. The exercise price is subject to customary adjustments in the event of stock splits, stock dividends, stock combinations and similar recapitalization transactions.

 

The pre-funded warrants contain a beneficial ownership limitation which provides that we shall not effect any exercise, and a holder shall not have the right to exercise, any portion of a pre-funded warrant to the extent that, after giving effect to the exercise, such holder (together with such holder’s affiliates) would beneficially own in excess of 9.99% of the number of shares of common stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares issuable upon the exercise.

 

S-14

 

 

The holder of a pre-funded warrant may exercise its pre-funded warrant by delivering an appropriately competed and signed exercise notice in the form attached to the pre-funded warrant. Payment of the exercise price for the number of shares for which a pre-funded warrant is being exercised is required to be delivered within two trading days after exercise of such pre-funded warrant. A holder of a pre-funded warrant will also have the right to exercise such pre-funded warrant on a cashless basis. Upon the holder’s exercise of a pre-funded warrant, we will issue the shares of common stock issuable upon such exercise by the date that is the earliest of (i) two trading days after the delivery of the exercise notice to us and (ii) one trading day after the delivery of the aggregate exercise price to us, if not exercised on a cashless basis.

 

Underlying Shares 

 

The shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the pre-funded warrants will be, when issued in accordance with the pre-funded warrants, duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

 

Cashless Exercise

 

In lieu of making the cash payment otherwise contemplated to be made to us upon the exercise of a pre-funded warrant in payment of the aggregate exercise price, the holder may elect instead to receive upon such exercise (either in whole or in part) the net number of shares of common stock determined according to a formula set forth in the pre-funded warrant.

 

Transferability

 

In accordance with its terms and subject to applicable laws, a pre-funded warrant may be transferred at the option of the holder upon surrender of the pre-funded warrant to us together with the appropriate instruments of transfer and payment of funds sufficient to pay any transfer taxes (if applicable).

 

No Stockholder Rights 

 

A holder of a pre-funded warrant will not possess any rights as a stockholder under such pre-funded warrant until the holder exercises such pre-funded warrant.

 

No Market for Pre-Funded Warrants 

 

We do not intend to apply to list the pre-funded warrants being on any securities exchange. Accordingly, there is no established public trading market for the pre-funded warrants, and we do not expect a market to develop. Without an active market, the liquidity of the pre-funded warrants will be limited.

 

S-15

 

 

PRIVATE PLACEMENT TRANSACTION

 

In a concurrent private placement, we are selling to the same investor warrants to purchase up to 280,601 shares of common stock. These warrants and shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of such warrants are not being registered under the Securities Act and are not being offered pursuant to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and are being offered pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act provided in Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and Rule 506(b) promulgated thereunder. Accordingly, investors may only sell common stock issued upon exercise of these warrants pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act covering the resale of those shares, an exemption under Rule 144 under the Securities Act or another applicable exemption under the Securities Act.

 

These warrants are exercisable for a period of 5.5 years at an initial exercise price of $3.08 per share. The exercise price is subject to customary adjustments in the event of stock splits, stock dividends, stock combinations and similar recapitalization transactions.

 

These warrants also contain a beneficial ownership limitation which provides that we shall not effect any exercise, and a holder shall not have the right to exercise, any portion of a warrant to the extent that, after giving effect to the exercise, such holder (together with such holder’s affiliates) would beneficially own in excess of 4.99% of the number of shares of common stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares issuable upon the exercise. This limitation may be waived (up to a maximum of 9.99%) by a holder in its sole discretion upon not less than sixty-one (61) days’ prior notice to us.

 

The holder of a warrant may exercise its warrant by delivering an appropriately competed and signed exercise notice in the form attached to the warrant. Payment of the exercise price for the number of shares for which a warrant is being exercised is required to be delivered within two trading days after exercise of such warrant. A holder of a warrant will also have the right to exercise such warrant on a cashless basis if at the time of exercise there is no effective registration statement registering, or the prospectus contained therein is not available for the resale of, the shares issuable upon exercise of such warrant. Upon the holder’s exercise of a warrant, we will issue the shares of common stock issuable upon such exercise by the date that is the earliest of (i) two trading days after the delivery of the exercise notice to us and (ii) one trading day after the delivery of the aggregate exercise price to us, if not exercised on a cashless basis.

 

S-16

 

 

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

We have entered into an engagement agreement, dated as of January 16, 2023, with H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC, or the placement agent, pursuant to which it agreed to act as our exclusive placement agent in connection with this offering.

 

The placement agent is not purchasing any securities offered by this prospectus supplement, nor is it required to arrange the purchase or sale of any specific number or dollar amount of the securities, but the placement agent has agreed to use its best efforts to arrange for direct sale of all of the securities in this offering. There is no requirement that any minimum number of securities or dollar amount of securities be sold in this offering and there can be no assurance that we will sell all or any of the securities being offered. Therefore, we will enter into a purchase agreement directly with each investor in connection with this offering and we may not sell the entire amount of securities offered pursuant to this prospectus supplement. The placement agent is also acting as the placement agent for the private placement transaction described above.

 

We entered into a securities purchase agreement, dated as of May 2, 2023, with a certain institutional investor purchasing the securities being offered hereby. The form of the securities purchase agreement is included as an exhibit to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC in connection with this offering. The closing of this offering will take place on or around May 5, 2023, and the following will occur:

 

we will receive funds in the amount of the aggregate purchase price;

 

the placement agent will receive the placement agent fees and the placement agent warrants in accordance with the terms of the engagement agreement; and

 

we will deliver the shares of common stock and the pre-funded warrants to the investor.

 

At the closing, our transfer agent will credit the shares to the respective account of the investor. We will mail the pre-funded warrants directly to the investor at its respective address set forth in the securities purchase agreement.

 

In connection with this offering, the placement agent may distribute this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus electronically.

 

The placement agent may be deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of Section 2(a)(11) of the Securities Act, and any fees or commissions received by it and any profit realized on the resale of securities sold by it while acting as principal might be deemed to be underwriting discounts or commissions under the Securities Act. As an underwriter, the placement agent would be required to comply with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, including, without limitation, Rule 415(a)(4) under the Securities Act and Rule 10b-5 and Regulation M under the Exchange Act. These rules and regulations may limit the timing of purchases and sales of shares of common stock and warrants by the placement agent. Under these rules and regulations, the placement agent: (i) may not engage in any stabilization activity in connection with our securities; and (ii) may not bid for or purchase any of our securities or attempt to induce any person to purchase any of our securities, other than as permitted under the Exchange Act, until it has completed its participation in the distribution.

 

Placement Agent Compensation

 

In exchange for the placement agent’s services, we have agreed to pay the placement agent a cash fee equal to 7.5% of the gross proceeds received at the closing of this offering. We also agreed to pay the placement agent a management fee equal to 1.0% of the gross proceeds received at the closing of this offering. The following table shows the per underlying share and total placement agent fees we will pay to the placement agent in connection with the sale of securities offered hereby assuming the purchase of all of the securities being offered:

 

   Per Share   Total 
Offering price  $3.205   $899,326 
Placement agent fees (7.5%)  $0.2404   $67,449 
Proceeds, before expenses, to us  $2.9646   $831,877 

 

S-17

 

 

We estimate the total offering expenses of this offering that will be payable by us, excluding the placement agent fees above, will be approximately $239,994, which include legal costs, various other fees and reimbursement of the placement agent’s expenses. We agreed to reimburse the placement agent for (i) up to $30,000 for fees and expenses of its legal counsel and other out-of-pocket expenses, (ii) $8,993.26 in management fees, and (iii) up to $15,950 for closing costs, including clearing agent expenses.

 

Since there is no minimum offering amount required in this offering, the actual offering amount, the placement agent fees and net proceeds to us, if any, in this offering may be less than the total amounts set forth above.

 

In addition to the foregoing, we agreed to pay additional compensation in the form of warrants to purchase up to 21,045 shares of common stock at an initial exercise price of $4.00625 per share. These placement agent warrants will be exercisable immediately upon issuance until the fifth anniversary of the commencement of sales in this offering. The exercise price is subject to customary adjustments in the event of stock splits, stock dividends, stock combinations and similar recapitalization transactions. The placement agent warrants and the shares of common stock underlying the placement agent warrants have not been registered and are being offered in reliance on an exemption from registration under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and Rule 506(b) promulgated thereunder. The placement agent warrants will otherwise generally be on the same terms and conditions as the warrants issued in the private placement.

 

Indemnification

 

We have agreed to indemnify the placement agent and the investors against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

 

Right of First Refusal

 

We have agreed to provide the placement agent with a right of first refusal for a period of twelve months following completion of this offering to act as sole book-running manager, sole underwriter, sole manager, sole placement agent or sole agent, at the placement agent’s sole discretion, for each equity or debt transaction, including future public and private equity and/or debt offerings, including all equity linked financings, subject to certain exceptions. In the event that we engage the placement agent to provide such services, the placement agent will be compensated consistent with our engagement agreement with the placement agent, unless we mutually agree otherwise.

 

Tail Rights

 

Under the engagement agreement, the placement agent is also entitled to additional cash and warrant compensation for any financings consummated within the twelve (12) month period following the expiration of the engagement agreement to the extent that such financing is provided to us by investors that the placement agent had introduced to us.

 

Lock-up Agreements

 

We have agreed with the placement agent, subject to certain exceptions, not to (i) issue, enter into any agreement to issue, or announce the issuance or proposed issuance of, any common stock or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for our common stock, or (ii) file any registration statement or amendment or supplement thereto for a period of 20 days from the closing of this offering.

 

In addition, all of our directors and executive officers have agreed with the placement agent, subject to certain exceptions, not to offer, sell, contract to sell, hypothecate, pledge or otherwise dispose of (or enter into any transaction which is designed to, or might reasonably be expected to, result in the disposition (whether by actual disposition or effective economic disposition due to cash settlement or otherwise), directly or indirectly, or establish or increase a put equivalent position or liquidate or decrease a call equivalent position within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act, with respect to, any shares of our common stock or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for our common stock, for a period of 90 days after the closing of this offering.

 

Transfer Agent and Registrar

 

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is VStock Transfer, LLC, 18 Lafayette Place, Woodmere, NY 11598, and its telephone number is 212-828-8436.

 

Listing

 

Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “SMFL.” We do not intend to apply for listing of the pre-funded warrants on any national securities exchange.

 

S-18

 

 

LEGAL MATTERS

 

The validity of the issuance of the securities offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Sherman & Howard L.L.C. Certain other legal matters will be passed upon for us by Bevilacqua PLLC. Bevilacqua PLLC may rely upon Sherman & Howard L.L.C. with respect to matters of Nevada law. Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP, New York, NY, is representing the placement agent in this offering.

 

Bevilacqua PLLC holds 6,466 shares of common stock, which it received as partial consideration for legal services previously provided to us.

 

EXPERTS

 

Daszkal Bolton, LLP has audited our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 as set forth in their report, which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Our consolidated financial statements are incorporated by reference in reliance on the report of Daszkal Bolton, LLP given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

 

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3 under the Securities Act with respect to the securities offered hereby. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, which constitute a part of the registration statement, does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement or the exhibits and schedules filed therewith. For further information about us or our securities offered hereby, we refer you to the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules filed thereto. Statements contained in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus regarding the contents of any contract or any other document that is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement are not necessarily complete, and each such statement is qualified in all respects by reference to the full text of such contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement.

 

We file periodic reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. These periodic reports, proxy statements and other information are available for inspection and copying at the SEC’s public reference facilities and the website of the SEC at www.sec.gov. Additionally, we will make these filings available, free of charge, on our website at www.smartforlifecorp.com as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such materials with, or furnish them to, the SEC. The information on our website, other than these filings, is not, and should not be, considered part of this prospectus supplement and is not incorporated by reference into this document.

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

We “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus supplement the information we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus supplement and information that we file subsequently with the SEC will automatically update this prospectus supplement. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after initial filing of the registration statement that contains the prospectus and prior to the time that we sell all the securities offered by this prospectus supplement (in each case, except for the information furnished under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 in any current report on Form 8-K and Form 8-K/A):

 

  our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 filed with the SEC on March 31, 2023;
     
  our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 5, 2023, January 13, 2023, January 26, 2023, March 9, 2023, March 17, 2023, April 6, 2023, April 13, 2023 and April 28, 2023;
     
  Our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on February 6, 2023;
     
  the description of our common stock contained in Exhibit 4.1 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 filed with the SEC on March 31, 2023, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description

 

You may request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at the following address:

 

Smart for Life, Inc.

990 S Rogers Circle, Suite 3

Boca Raton, FL 33487

Attn: Secretary

(786) 749-1221

 

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PROSPECTUS

$150,000,000

 

 

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Debt Securities

Depositary Shares

Warrants

Subscription Rights

Purchase Contracts

Units

 

We may issue securities from time to time in one or more offerings, in amounts, at prices and on terms determined at the time of offering. This prospectus describes the general terms of these securities and the general manner in which these securities will be offered. We will provide the specific terms of these securities in supplements to this prospectus, which will also describe the specific manner in which these securities will be offered and may also supplement, update or amend information contained in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement before you invest. The aggregate offering price of the securities we sell pursuant to this prospectus will not exceed $150,000,000.

 

The securities may be sold directly to you, through agents or through underwriters and dealers. If agents, underwriters or dealers are used to sell the securities, we will name them and describe their compensation in a prospectus supplement. The price to the public of those securities and the net proceeds we expect to receive from that sale will also be set forth in a prospectus supplement.

 

Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “SMFL.” Each prospectus supplement will indicate whether the securities offered thereby will be listed on any securities exchange.

 

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 4, and any applicable prospectus supplement, and under similar headings in the other documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus, to read about factors you should consider before you make an investment decision.

 

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 April 10, 2023

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

  Page
Prospectus Summary 1
Risk Factors 4
Forward-Looking Statements 5
Use of Proceeds 5
Description of Capital Stock 6
Description of Debt Securities 6
Description of Depositary Shares 13
Description of Warrants 15
Description of Subscription Rights 16
Description of Purchase Contracts 17
Description of Units 18
Plan of Distribution 18
Legal Matters 20
Experts 20
Where You Can Find More Information 20
Documents Incorporated By Reference 20

 

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

 

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may from time to time sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings for an aggregate offering price up to $150,000,000.

 

This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities that may be offered. Each time we sell securities, we will provide one or more prospectus supplements that will contain specific information about the terms of the offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read both this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement together with the additional information described in the sections of this prospectus titled “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Documents Incorporated by Reference.”

 

We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information that is different from that contained, or incorporated by reference, in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or in any related free writing prospectus. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. This prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement 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 securities described in the applicable prospectus supplement or an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy such securities in any circumstances in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, the documents incorporated by reference and any related free writing prospectus is accurate only as of their respective dates. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed materially since those dates.

 

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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

 

This summary highlights selected information that is presented in greater detail elsewhere, or incorporated by reference, in this prospectus. It does not contain all of the information that may be important to you and your investment decision. Before investing in our securities, you should carefully read this entire prospectus, including the matters set forth in the section of this prospectus titled “Risk Factors” and the financial statements and related notes and other information that we incorporate by reference herein, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Unless the context indicates otherwise, references in this prospectus to “we,” “us,” “our” and “our company” refer, collectively, to Smart for Life, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its subsidiaries taken as a whole.

 

Overview

 

We are engaged in the development, marketing, manufacturing, acquisition, operation and sale of a broad spectrum of nutritional and related products with an emphasis on health and wellness. Structured as a global holding company, we are executing a buy-and-build strategy with serial accretive acquisitions creating a vertically integrated company with an objective of aggregating companies generating a minimum of $300 million in revenues by the fourth quarter of 2026. To drive growth and earnings, we are developing proprietary products as well as acquiring other profitable companies, encompassing brands, manufacturing and distribution channels.

 

Our company was incorporated in the State of Delaware on February 2, 2017.

 

On March 8, 2018, we acquired 51% of Millenium Natural Manufacturing Corp. and Millenium Natural Health Products Inc. On October 8, 2019, we entered into an agreement to acquire the remaining 49% of these companies, which was completed on October 8, 2019. On September 30, 2020, we changed the name of Millenium Natural Manufacturing Corp. to Bonne Sante Natural Manufacturing, Inc., or BSNM, and on November 24, 2020, we merged Millenium Natural Health Products Inc. into BSNM to better reflect our vertical integration. BSNM is a nutraceutical contract manufacturer.

 

On July 1, 2021, we acquired all of the issued and outstanding equity interests of Doctors Scientific Organica, LLC d/b/a Smart for Life, Oyster Management Services, L.L.C. (formerly Oyster Management Services, Ltd.), Lawee Enterprises, L.L.C. and U.S. Medical Care Holdings, L.L.C. On May 19, 2022, we acquired Lavi Enterprises, LLC, an affiliate of these companies. We collectively refer to Doctors Scientific Organica, LLC and the foregoing consolidated subsidiaries as DSO. DSO manufactures, sells and owns the Smart for Life brand of natural health and wellness meal replacement products.

 

On December 6, 2021, we acquired all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of GSP Nutrition Inc., or GSP. GSP is a sports nutrition company. It offers nutritional supplements for athletes and active lifestyle consumers through a variety of wellness solutions and delivery methods, with its initial line of nutritional products being marketed under the Sports Illustrated Nutrition brand.

 

On July 29, 2022, we acquired all of the issued and outstanding equity interests of Ceautamed Worldwide LLC and its wholly-owned subsidiaries Wellness Watchers Global, LLC and Greens First Female LLC, which we collectively refer to as Ceautamed. Ceautamed owns the Greens First line of branded products which have been specifically marketed to the healthcare provider sector.

 

We also operate a network platform in the affiliate marketing space. Affiliate marketing is an advertising model in which a product vendor compensates third-party digital marketers to generate traffic or leads for the product vendor’s products and services. The third-party digital marketers are referred to as affiliates, and the commission fee incentivizes them to find ways to promote the products being sold by the product vendor. We operate this business through Nexus Offers, Inc., or Nexus, which we acquired on November 8, 2021.

 

Corporate Information

 

Our principal executive offices are located at 990 S Rogers Circle, Suite 3, Boca Raton, Florida 33487, and our telephone number is (786) 749-1221. We maintain a website at www.smartforlifecorp.com. Information available on our website is not incorporated by reference in and is not deemed a part of this prospectus. 

 

The Securities That May Be Offered

 

We may offer or sell common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, debt securities, warrants, subscription rights, purchase contracts and units in one or more offerings and in any combination. The aggregate offering price of the securities we sell pursuant to this prospectus will not exceed $150,000,000. Each time securities are offered with this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will describe the specific amounts, prices and terms of the securities being offered and the net proceeds we expect to receive from that sale.

 

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The securities may be sold to or through underwriters, dealers or agents or directly to purchasers or as otherwise set forth in the section of this prospectus titled “Plan of Distribution.” Each prospectus supplement will set forth the names of any underwriters, dealers, agents or other entities involved in the sale of securities described in that prospectus supplement and any applicable fee, commission or discount arrangements with them.

 

Common Stock

 

We may offer our common stock either alone or underlying other registered securities convertible into our common stock. Each holder of common stock is entitled to one vote per share. The holders of common stock have no preemptive rights.

 

Subject to preferences that may be applicable to any then-outstanding preferred stock, holders of common stock are entitled to receive ratably those dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by the board of directors out of legally available funds. We have never declared or paid cash dividends on our common stock. We currently intend to retain all available funds and any future earnings for use in the operation of our business and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our common stock in the near future. Any future determination to declare dividends will be made at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on our financial condition, operating results, capital requirements, contractual restrictions, general business conditions and other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant.

 

Preferred Stock

 

Our board of directors has the authority to issue preferred stock in one or more series, to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each series, and to fix the designation, powers, preferences and rights of the shares of each series and any of its qualifications, limitations or restrictions, in each case without further vote or action by our stockholders. Each series of preferred stock offered by us will be more fully described in the particular prospectus supplement that will accompany this prospectus, including redemption provisions, rights in the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, voting rights and rights to convert into common stock.

 

Depositary Shares

 

We may issue fractional shares of preferred stock that will be represented by depositary shares and depositary receipts. Each series of depositary shares or depositary receipts offered by us will be more fully described in the particular prospectus supplement that will accompany this prospectus, including redemption provisions, rights in the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, voting rights and rights to convert into common stock.

  

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Debt Securities

 

We may offer secured or unsecured obligations in the form of one or more series of senior or subordinated debt. The senior debt securities and the subordinated debt securities are together referred to in this prospectus as the “debt securities.” The subordinated debt securities generally will be entitled to payment only after payment of our senior debt. Senior debt generally includes all debt for money borrowed by us, except debt that is stated in the instrument governing the terms of that debt to be not senior to, or to have the same rank in right of payment as, or to be expressly junior to, the subordinated debt securities. We may issue debt securities that are convertible into our common stock.

 

The debt securities will be issued under an indenture between us and a trustee to be identified in an accompanying prospectus supplement. We have summarized the general features of the debt securities to be governed by the indenture in this prospectus and the form of indenture has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. We encourage you to read the indenture.

 

Warrants

 

We may offer warrants for the purchase of common stock, preferred stock, debt securities or depositary shares. We may offer warrants independently or together with other securities.

 

Subscription Rights

 

We may offer subscription rights to purchase our common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, depositary shares, warrants or units consisting of some or all of these securities. These subscription rights may be offered independently or together with any other security offered hereby and may or may not be transferable by the stockholder receiving the subscription rights in such offering.

 

Purchase Contracts

 

We may offer purchase contracts, including contracts obligating holders or us to purchase from the other a specific or variable number of securities at a future date or dates.

 

Units

 

We may offer units comprised of one or more of the other classes of securities described in this prospectus in any combination. Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit.

 

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RISK FACTORS

 

An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. The prospectus supplement applicable to each offering of our securities will contain a discussion of the risks applicable to an investment in our securities. Prior to making a decision about investing in our securities, you should carefully consider the specific factors discussed under the section in the applicable prospectus supplement titled “Risk Factors,” together with all of the other information contained or incorporated by reference in the prospectus supplement or appearing or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. You should also consider the risks, uncertainties and assumptions discussed under “Part I-Item 1A-Risk Factors” of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and in “Part II-Item 1A-Risk Factors” in our most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed subsequent to such Form 10-K that are incorporated herein by reference, as may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by other reports we file with the SEC in the future. The risks and uncertainties we have described are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also affect our operations.

 

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This prospectus, each prospectus supplement and the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus and each prospectus supplement contain certain statements that constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. The words “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “could,” “would,” “project,” “plan,” “potentially,” “likely,” and similar expressions and variations thereof are intended to identify forward-looking statements, but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. Those statements appear in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated herein and therein by reference, particularly in the sections titled “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of our management that are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions. You are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors.

 

Because forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified, you should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. The events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements may not be achieved or occur and actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Except as required by applicable law, including the securities laws of the United States and the rules and regulations of the SEC, we do not plan to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements contained herein after we distribute this prospectus, whether as a result of any new information, future events or otherwise.

 

In addition, statements that “we believe” and similar statements reflect our beliefs and opinions on the relevant subject. These statements are based upon information available to us as of the date of this prospectus, and although we believe such information forms a reasonable basis for such statements, such information may be limited or incomplete, and our statements should not be read to indicate that we have conducted a thorough inquiry into, or review of, all potentially available relevant information. These statements are inherently uncertain and investors are cautioned not to unduly rely upon these statements.

 

This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus may contain market data that we obtain from industry sources. These sources do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information. Although we believe that our industry sources are reliable, we do not independently verify the information. The market data may include projections that are based on a number of other projections. While we believe these assumptions to be reasonable and sound as of the date of this prospectus, actual results may differ from the projections.

 

USE OF PROCEEDS

 

We will retain broad discretion over the use of the net proceeds to us from the sale of our securities under this prospectus. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, we currently expect to use the net proceeds that we receive from this offering for working capital and other general corporate purposes. We may also use a portion of the net proceeds to acquire, license or invest in complementary products, technologies or businesses. The expected use of net proceeds of this offering represents our current intentions based on our present plans and business conditions. We cannot specify with certainty all of the particular uses for the net proceeds to be received upon the closing of this offering. Pending these uses, we may invest the net proceeds of 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.
 

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

 

The description of our capital stock is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 filed with the SEC on March 31, 2023.

 

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

 

The following description, together with the additional information we include in any applicable prospectus supplement, summarizes certain general terms and provisions of the debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus. When we offer to sell a particular series of debt securities, we will describe the specific terms of the series in a supplement to this prospectus. We will also indicate in the supplement to what extent the general terms and provisions described in this prospectus apply to a particular series of debt securities.

 

We may issue debt securities either separately, or together with, or upon the conversion or exercise of or in exchange for, other securities described in this prospectus. Debt securities may be our senior, senior subordinated or subordinated obligations and, unless otherwise specified in a supplement to this prospectus, the debt securities will be our direct, unsecured obligations and may be issued in one or more series.

 

The debt securities will be issued under an indenture between us and a trustee to be identified in an accompanying prospectus supplement. We have summarized select portions of the indenture below. The summary is not complete. The form of the indenture has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part and you should read the indenture for provisions that may be important to you. In the summary below, we have included references to the section numbers of the indenture so that you can easily locate these provisions. Capitalized terms used in the summary and not defined herein have the meanings specified in the indenture.

 

General

 

The terms of each series of debt securities will be established by or pursuant to a resolution of our board of directors and set forth or determined in the manner provided in a resolution of our board of directors, in an officer’s certificate or by a supplemental indenture. The particular terms of each series of debt securities will be described in a prospectus supplement relating to such series (including any pricing supplement or term sheet).

 

We can issue an unlimited amount of debt securities under the indenture that may be in one or more series with the same or various maturities, at par, at a premium, or at a discount. We will set forth in a prospectus supplement (including any pricing supplement or term sheet) relating to any series of debt securities being offered the aggregate principal amount and the following terms of the debt securities, if applicable:

 

the title and ranking of the debt securities (including the terms of any subordination provisions);

 

the price or prices (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount) at which we will sell the debt securities, including the portion of the principal amount of such debt securities that is convertible into another security or the method by which any such portion will be determined;

 

any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities;

 

the date or dates on which the principal of the securities of the series is payable;

 

the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) per annum or the method used to determine the rate or rates (including any commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index) at which the debt securities will bear interest, the date or dates from which interest will accrue, the date or dates on which interest will commence and be payable and any regular record date for the interest payable on any interest payment date;

 

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

 

the place or places where principal of, and interest, if any, on the debt securities will be payable (and the method of such payment), where the securities of such series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange, and where notices and demands to us in respect of the debt securities may be delivered;

 

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the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which we may redeem the debt securities, in whole or in part, at our option, and the manner in which any election by us to redeem the debt securities will be evidenced;

 

any obligation we have to redeem or purchase the debt securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a holder of debt securities and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which securities of the series shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;

 

the provisions, if any, relating to conversion or exchange of any debt securities of such series, including if applicable, the conversion or exchange price, the conversion or exchange period, provisions as to whether conversion or exchange will be mandatory, at the option of the holders thereof or at our option, the events requiring an adjustment of the conversion price or exchange price and provisions affecting conversion or exchange if such series of debt securities are redeemed;

 

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

 

whether the debt securities will be issued in the form of certificated debt securities or global debt securities (including the terms pertaining to the exchange of any such securities);

 

the portion of principal amount of the debt securities payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity date, if other than the principal amount;

 

the designation of the currency, currencies or currency units in which payment of principal of, premium and interest on the debt securities will be made;

 

if payments of principal of, premium or interest on the debt securities will be made in one or more currencies or currency units other than that or those in which the debt securities are denominated, the manner in which the exchange rate with respect to these payments will be determined;

 

the manner in which the amounts of payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the debt securities will be determined, if these amounts may be determined by reference to an index based on a currency or currencies or by reference to a commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index;

 

any provisions relating to any security provided for the debt securities;

 

any addition to, deletion of or change in the events of default described in this prospectus or in the indenture with respect to the debt securities and any change in the acceleration provisions described in this prospectus or in the indenture with respect to the debt securities;

 

any addition to, deletion of or change in the covenants described in this prospectus or in the indenture with respect to the debt securities;

 

any depositaries, interest rate calculation agents, exchange rate calculation agents or other agents with respect to the debt securities;

 

if there is more than one trustee or a different trustee, the identity of the trustee and, if not the trustee, the identity of each security registrar, paying agent or authenticating agent with respect to such debt securities;

 

any other terms of the debt securities, which may supplement, modify or delete any provision of the indenture as it applies to that series, including any terms that may be required under applicable law or regulations or advisable in connection with the marketing of the securities; and

 

whether any of our direct or indirect subsidiaries will guarantee the debt securities of that series, including the terms of subordination, if any, of such guarantees.

 

We may issue debt securities that provide for an amount less than their stated principal amount to be due and payable upon declaration of acceleration of their maturity pursuant to the terms of the indenture. We will provide you with information on the federal income tax considerations and other special considerations applicable to any of these debt securities in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

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If we denominate the purchase price of any of the debt securities in a foreign currency or currencies or a foreign currency unit or units, or if the principal of and any premium and interest on any series of debt securities is payable in a foreign currency or currencies or a foreign currency unit or units, we will provide you with information on the restrictions, elections, general tax considerations, specific terms and other information with respect to that issue of debt securities and such foreign currency or currencies or foreign currency unit or units in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

Transfer and Exchange

 

Each debt security will be represented by either one or more global securities registered in the name of a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, which we refer to as the depositary, or a nominee of the depositary (we will refer to any debt security represented by a global debt security as a “book-entry debt security”), or a certificate issued in definitive registered form (we will refer to any debt security represented by a certificated security as a “certificated debt security”) as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Except as set forth under the heading “Global Debt Securities and Book-Entry System” below, book-entry debt securities will not be issuable in certificated form.

 

Certificated Debt Securities

 

You may transfer or exchange certificated debt securities at any office we maintain for this purpose in accordance with the terms of the indenture. No service charge will be made for any transfer or exchange of certificated debt securities, but we may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with a transfer or exchange.

 

You may effect the transfer of certificated debt securities and the right to receive the principal of, premium and interest on certificated debt securities only by surrendering the certificate representing those certificated debt securities and either reissuance by us or the trustee of the certificate to the new holder or the issuance by us or the trustee of a new certificate to the new holder.

 

Global Debt Securities and Book-Entry System

 

Each global debt security representing book-entry debt securities will be deposited with, or on behalf of, the depositary, and registered in the name of the depositary or a nominee of the depositary.

 

Covenants

 

We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement any restrictive covenants applicable to any issue of debt securities.

 

No Protection in the Event of a Change of Control

 

Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not contain any provisions which may afford holders of the debt securities protection in the event we have a change in control or in the event of a highly leveraged transaction (whether or not such transaction results in a change in control) which could adversely affect holders of debt securities.

 

Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets

 

We may not consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of our properties and assets to any person, which we refer to as a successor person, unless:

 

we are the surviving corporation or the successor person (if other than us) is a corporation organized and validly existing under the laws of any U.S. domestic jurisdiction and expressly assumes our obligations on the debt securities and under the indenture; and

 

immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no default or event of default, shall have occurred and be continuing.

 

Notwithstanding the above, any of our subsidiaries may consolidate with, merge into or transfer all or part of its properties to us.

 

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Events of Default

 

“Event of default” means with respect to any series of debt securities, any of the following:

 

default in the payment of any interest upon any debt security of that series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days (unless the entire amount of the payment is deposited by us with the trustee or with a paying agent prior to the expiration of the 30-day period);

 

default in the payment of principal of any security of that series at its maturity;

 

default in the performance or breach of any other covenant or warranty by us in the indenture (other than a covenant or warranty that has been included in the indenture solely for the benefit of a series of debt securities other than that series), which default continues uncured for a period of 60 days after we receive written notice from the trustee, or we and the trustee receive written notice from the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series as provided in the indenture;

 

certain voluntary or involuntary events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of us; and

 

any other event of default provided with respect to debt securities of that series that is described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

No event of default with respect to a particular series of debt securities (except as to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization) necessarily constitutes an event of default with respect to any other series of debt securities. The occurrence of certain events of default or an acceleration under the indenture may constitute an event of default under certain indebtedness of ours or our subsidiaries outstanding from time to time.

 

We will provide the trustee written notice of any default or event of default within 30 days of becoming aware of the occurrence of such default or event of default, which notice will describe in reasonable detail the status of such default or event of default and what action we are taking or propose to take in respect thereof.

 

If an event of default with respect to debt securities of any series at the time outstanding occurs and is continuing, then the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may, by a notice in writing to us (and to the trustee if given by the holders), declare to be due and payable immediately the principal of (or, if the debt securities of that series are discount securities, that portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all debt securities of that series. In the case of an event of default resulting from certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, the principal (or such specified amount) of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all outstanding debt securities will become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the trustee or any holder of outstanding debt securities. At any time after a declaration of acceleration with respect to debt securities of any series has been made, but before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the trustee, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may rescind and annul the acceleration if all events of default, other than the non-payment of accelerated principal and interest, if any, with respect to debt securities of that series, have been cured or waived as provided in the indenture. We refer you to the prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities that are discount securities for the particular provisions relating to acceleration of a portion of the principal amount of such discount securities upon the occurrence of an event of default.

 

The indenture provides that the trustee may refuse to perform any duty or exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture unless the trustee receives indemnity satisfactory to it against any cost, liability or expense which might be incurred by it in performing such duty or exercising such right or power. Subject to certain rights of the trustee, 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.

 

No holder of any debt security of any series will have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to the indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any remedy under the indenture, unless:

 

that holder has previously given to the trustee written notice of a continuing event of default with respect to debt securities of that series; and

 

the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have made written request, and offered indemnity or security satisfactory to the trustee, to the trustee to institute the proceeding as trustee, and the trustee has not received from the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series a direction inconsistent with that request and has failed to institute the proceeding within 60 days.

 

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Notwithstanding any other provision in the indenture, the holder of any debt security will have an absolute and unconditional right to receive payment of the principal of, premium and any interest on that debt security on or after the due dates expressed in that debt security and to institute suit for the enforcement of payment.

 

The indenture requires us, within 120 days after the end of our fiscal year, to furnish to the trustee a statement as to compliance with the indenture. If a default or event of default occurs and is continuing with respect to the securities of any series and if it is known to a responsible officer of the trustee, the trustee shall send to each securityholder of the securities of that series notice of a default or event of default within 90 days after it occurs or, if later, after a responsible officer of the trustee has knowledge of such default or event of default. The indenture provides that the trustee may withhold notice to the holders of debt securities of any series of any default or event of default (except in payment on any debt securities of that series) with respect to debt securities of that series if the trustee determines in good faith that withholding notice is in the interest of the holders of those debt securities.

 

Modification and Waiver

 

We and the trustee may modify, amend or supplement the indenture or the debt securities of any series without the consent of any holder of any debt security:

 

to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;

 

to comply with covenants in the indenture described above under the heading “Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets”;

 

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

 

to add guarantees with respect to debt securities of any series or secure debt securities of any series;

 

to surrender any of our rights or powers under the indenture;

 

to add covenants or events of default for the benefit of the holders of debt securities of any series;

 

to comply with the applicable procedures of the applicable depositary;

 

to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder of debt securities;

 

to provide for the issuance of and establish the form and terms and conditions of debt securities of any series as permitted by the indenture;

 

to effect the appointment of a successor trustee with respect to the debt securities of any series and to add to or change any of the provisions of the indenture to provide for or facilitate administration by more than one trustee; or

 

to comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.

 

We may also modify and amend the indenture with the consent of the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series affected by the modifications or amendments. We may not make any modification or amendment without the consent of the holders of each affected debt security then outstanding if that amendment will:

 

reduce the amount of debt securities whose holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

 

reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest (including default interest) on any debt security;

 

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reduce the principal of or premium on or change the fixed maturity of any debt security or reduce the amount of, or postpone the date fixed for, the payment of any sinking fund or analogous obligation with respect to any series of debt securities;

 

reduce the principal amount of discount securities payable upon acceleration of maturity;

 

waive a default in the payment of the principal of, premium or interest on any debt security (except a rescission of acceleration of the debt securities of any series by the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding debt securities of that series and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);

 

make the principal of or premium or interest on any debt security payable in currency other than that stated in the debt security;

 

make any change to certain provisions of the indenture relating to, among other things, the right of holders of debt securities to receive payment of the principal of, premium and interest on those debt securities and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment and to waivers or amendments; or

 

waive a redemption payment with respect to any debt security.

 

Except for certain specified provisions, the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may on behalf of the holders of all debt securities of that series waive our compliance with provisions of the indenture. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may on behalf of the holders of all the debt securities of such series waive any past default under the indenture with respect to that series and its consequences, except a default in the payment of the principal of, premium or any interest on any debt security of that series; provided, however, that the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from the acceleration.

 

Defeasance of Debt Securities and Certain Covenants in Certain Circumstances

 

Legal Defeasance

 

The indenture provides that, unless otherwise provided by the terms of the applicable series of debt securities, we may be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the debt securities of any series (subject to certain exceptions). We will be so discharged upon the irrevocable deposit with the trustee, in trust, of money and/or U.S. government obligations or, in the case of debt securities denominated in a single currency other than U.S. dollars, government obligations of the government that issued or caused to be issued such currency, that, through the payment of interest and principal in accordance with their terms, will provide money or U.S. government obligations in an amount sufficient in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants or investment bank to pay and discharge each installment of principal, premium and interest on and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of the debt securities of that series on the stated maturity of those payments in accordance with the terms of the indenture and those debt securities.

 

This discharge may occur only if, among other things, we have delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel stating that we have received from, or there has been published by, the United States Internal Revenue Service a ruling or, since the date of execution of the indenture, there has been a change in the applicable United States federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the holders of the debt securities of that series will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to United States federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred.

 

Defeasance of Certain Covenants

 

The indenture provides that, unless otherwise provided by the terms of the applicable series of debt securities, upon compliance with certain conditions:

 

we may omit to comply with the covenant described under the heading “Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets” and certain other covenants set forth in the indenture, as well as any additional covenants which may be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement; and

 

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any omission to comply with those covenants will not constitute a Default or an Event of Default with respect to the debt securities of that series.

 

We refer to this as covenant defeasance. The conditions include:

 

depositing with the trustee money and/or U.S. government obligations or, in the case of debt securities denominated in a single currency other than U.S. dollars, government obligations of the government that issued or caused to be issued such currency, that, through the payment of interest and principal in accordance with their terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants or investment bank to pay and discharge each installment of principal of, premium and interest on and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of the debt securities of that series on the stated maturity of those payments in accordance with the terms of the indenture and those debt securities;

 

such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under the indenture or any other agreement to which we are a party;

 

no default or event of default with respect to the applicable series of debt securities shall have occurred or is continuing on the date of such deposit; and

 

delivering to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that we have received from, or there has been published by, the United States Internal Revenue Service a ruling or, since the date of execution of the indenture, there has been a change in the applicable United States federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the holders of the debt securities of that series will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit and related covenant defeasance and will be subject to United States federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the deposit and related covenant defeasance had not occurred.

 

No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees or Stockholders

 

None of our past, present or future directors, officers, employees or stockholders, as such, will have any liability for any of our obligations under the debt securities or the indenture or for any claim based on, or in respect or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. By accepting a debt security, each holder waives and releases all such liability. This waiver and release is part of the consideration for the issue of the debt securities. However, this waiver and release may not be effective to waive liabilities under U.S. federal securities laws, and it is the view of the SEC that such a waiver is against public policy.

 

Governing Law

 

The indenture and the debt securities, including any claim or controversy arising out of or relating to the indenture or the securities, will be governed by the laws of the State of New York.

 

The indenture will provide that we, the trustee and the holders of the debt securities (by their acceptance of the debt securities) irrevocably waive, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any and all right to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to the indenture, the debt securities or the transactions contemplated thereby.

 

The indenture will provide that any legal suit, action or proceeding arising out of or based upon the indenture or the transactions contemplated thereby may be instituted in the federal courts of the United States of America located in the City of New York or the courts of the State of New York in each case located in the City of New York, and we, the trustee and the holder of the debt securities (by their acceptance of the debt securities) irrevocably submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any such suit, action or proceeding. The indenture will further provide that service of any process, summons, notice or document by mail (to the extent allowed under any applicable statute or rule of court) to such party’s address set forth in the indenture will be effective service of process for any suit, action or other proceeding brought in any such court. The indenture will further provide that we, the trustee and the holders of the debt securities (by their acceptance of the debt securities) irrevocably and unconditionally waive any objection to the laying of venue of any suit, action or other proceeding in the courts specified above and irrevocably and unconditionally waive and agree not to plead or claim any such suit, action or other proceeding has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

 

General

 

We may, at our option, elect to offer fractional shares of preferred stock, or depositary shares, rather than full shares of preferred stock. If we do, we will issue to the public receipts, called depositary receipts, for depositary shares, each of which will represent a fraction, to be described in the applicable prospectus supplement, of a share of a particular series of preferred stock. Unless otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement, each owner of a depositary share will be entitled, in proportion to the applicable fractional interest in a share of preferred stock represented by the depositary share, to all the rights and preferences of the preferred stock represented by the depositary share. Those rights include dividend, voting, redemption, conversion and liquidation rights.

 

The preferred stock underlying the depositary shares will be deposited with a bank or trust company selected by us to act as depositary under a deposit agreement between us, the depositary and the holders of the depositary receipts. The depositary will be the transfer agent, registrar and dividend disbursing agent for the depositary shares.

 

The depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued pursuant to the depositary agreement. Holders of depositary receipts agree to be bound by the deposit agreement, which requires holders to take certain actions such as filing proof of residence and paying certain charges.

 

The summary of terms of the depositary shares contained in this prospectus is not complete. You should refer to the form of the deposit agreement, our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, and the certificate of designation for the applicable series of preferred stock that are, or will be, filed with the SEC.

 

Dividends and Other Distributions

 

The depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other cash distributions, if any, received in respect of the preferred stock underlying the depositary shares to the record holders of depositary shares in proportion to the numbers of depositary shares owned by those holders on the relevant record date. The relevant record date for depositary shares will be the same date as the record date for the underlying preferred stock.

 

If there is a distribution other than in cash, the depositary will distribute property (including securities) received by it to the record holders of depositary shares, unless the depositary determines that it is not feasible to make the distribution. If this occurs, the depositary may, with our approval, adopt another method for the distribution, including selling the property and distributing the net proceeds from the sale to the holders.

 

Liquidation Preference

 

If a series of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares has a liquidation preference, in the event of the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of us, holders of depositary shares will be entitled to receive the fraction of the liquidation preference accorded each share of the applicable series of preferred stock, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

Withdrawal of Shares

 

Unless the related depositary shares have been previously called for redemption, upon surrender of the depositary receipts at the office of the depositary, the holder of the depositary shares will be entitled to delivery, at the office of the depositary to or upon his or her order, of the number of whole shares of preferred stock and any money or other property represented by the depositary shares. If the depositary receipts delivered by the holder evidence a number of depositary shares in excess of the number of depositary shares representing the number of whole shares to be withdrawn, the depositary will deliver to the holder at the same time a new depositary receipt evidencing the excess number of depositary shares. In no event will the depositary deliver fractional shares upon surrender of depositary receipts. Holders of preferred stock thus withdrawn may not thereafter deposit those shares under the deposit agreement or receive depositary receipts evidencing depositary shares therefor.

 

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Redemption of Depositary Shares

 

Whenever we redeem preferred stock held by the depositary, the depositary will redeem as of the same redemption date the number of depositary shares representing preferred stock so redeemed, so long as we have paid in full to the depositary the redemption price of the preferred stock to be redeemed plus an amount equal to any accumulated and unpaid dividends on the preferred stock to the date fixed for redemption. The redemption price per depositary share will be equal to the redemption price and any other amounts per share payable on the preferred stock multiplied by the fraction of a share represented by one depositary share. If less than all the depositary shares are to be redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected by lot or pro rata or by any other equitable method as may be determined by the depositary.

 

After the date fixed for redemption, depositary shares called for redemption will no longer be deemed to be outstanding and all rights of the holders of depositary shares will cease, except the right to receive the monies payable upon redemption and any money or other property to which the holders of the depositary shares were entitled upon redemption upon surrender to the depositary of the depositary receipts evidencing the depositary shares.

 

Voting the Preferred Stock

 

Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of the preferred stock are entitled to vote, the depositary will mail the information contained in the notice of meeting to the record holders of the depositary receipts. The record date for the depositary receipts relating to the preferred stock will be the same date as the record date for the preferred stock. Each record holder of the depositary shares on the record date will be entitled to instruct the depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights pertaining to the number of shares of preferred stock represented by that holder’s depositary shares. The depositary will endeavor, insofar as practicable, to vote the number of shares of preferred stock represented by the depositary shares in accordance with those instructions, and we will agree to take all action that may be deemed necessary by the depositary in order to enable the depositary to do so. The depositary will not vote any preferred stock except to the extent that it receives specific instructions from the holders of depositary shares representing that number of shares of preferred stock.

 

Charges of the Depositary

 

We will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the existence of the depositary arrangements. We will pay charges of the depositary in connection with the initial deposit of the preferred stock and any redemption of the preferred stock. Holders of depositary receipts will pay transfer, income and other taxes and governmental charges and such other charges (including those in connection with the receipt and distribution of dividends, the sale or exercise of rights, the withdrawal of the preferred stock and the transferring, splitting or grouping of depositary receipts) as are expressly provided in the deposit agreement to be for their accounts. If these charges have not been paid by the holders of depositary receipts, the depositary may refuse to transfer depositary shares, withhold dividends and distributions and sell the depositary shares evidenced by the depositary receipt.

 

Amendment and Termination of the Deposit Agreement

 

The form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares and any provision of the deposit agreement may be amended by agreement between us and the depositary. However, any amendment that materially and adversely alters the rights of the holders of depositary shares, other than fee changes, will not be effective unless the amendment has been approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding depositary shares. The deposit agreement may be terminated by the depositary or us only if:

 

all outstanding depositary shares have been redeemed; or

 

there has been a final distribution of the preferred stock in connection with our dissolution and such distribution has been made to all the holders of depositary shares.

 

Resignation and Removal of Depositary

 

The depositary may resign at any time by delivering to us notice of its election to do so, and we may remove the depositary at any time. Any resignation or removal of the depositary will take effect upon our appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment. The successor depositary must be appointed within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal and must be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the United States and having the requisite combined capital and surplus as set forth in the applicable agreement.

 

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Notices

 

The depositary will forward to holders of depositary receipts all notices, reports and other communications, including proxy solicitation materials received from us, that are delivered to the depositary and that we are required to furnish to the holders of the preferred stock. In addition, the depositary will make available for inspection by holders of depositary receipts at the principal office of the depositary, and at such other places as it may from time to time deem advisable, any reports and communications we deliver to the depositary as the holder of preferred stock.

 

Limitation of Liability

 

Neither we nor the depositary will be liable if either is prevented or delayed by law or any circumstance beyond its control in performing its obligations. Our obligations and those of the depositary will be limited to performance in good faith of our and its duties thereunder. We and the depositary will not be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding in respect of any depositary shares or preferred stock unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished. We and the depositary may rely upon written advice of counsel or accountants, on information provided by persons presenting preferred stock for deposit, holders of depositary receipts or other persons believed to be competent to give such information and on documents believed to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties.

 

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

 

We may issue warrants to purchase debt securities, preferred stock, depositary shares or common stock. We may offer warrants separately or together with one or more additional warrants, debt securities, preferred stock, depositary shares or common stock, or any combination of those securities in the form of units, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. If we issue warrants as part of a unit, the applicable prospectus supplement will specify whether those warrants may be separated from the other securities in the unit prior to the expiration date of the warrants. The applicable prospectus supplement will also describe the following terms of any warrants:

 

the specific designation and aggregate number of, and the offering price at which we will issue, the warrants;

 

the currency or currency units in which the offering price, if any, and the exercise price are payable;

 

the date on which the right to exercise the warrants will begin and the date on which that right will expire or, if you may not continuously exercise the warrants throughout that period, the specific date or dates on which you may exercise the warrants;

 

whether the warrants are to be sold separately or with other securities as parts of units;

 

whether the warrants will be issued in definitive or global form or in any combination of these forms, although, in any case, the form of a warrant included in a unit will correspond to the form of the unit and of any security included in that unit;

 

any applicable material U.S. federal income tax consequences;

 

the identity of the warrant agent for the warrants and of any other depositaries, execution or paying agents, transfer agents, registrars or other agents;

 

the proposed listing, if any, of the warrants or any securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants on any securities exchange;

 

the designation and terms of any equity securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants;

 

the designation, aggregate principal amount, currency and terms of any debt securities that may be purchased upon exercise of the warrants;

 

if applicable, the designation and terms of the debt securities, preferred stock, depositary shares or common stock with which the warrants are issued and the number of warrants issued with each security;

 

if applicable, the date from and after which any warrants issued as part of a unit and the related debt securities, preferred stock, depositary shares or common stock will be separately transferable;

 

the number of shares of preferred stock, the number of depositary shares or the number of shares of common stock purchasable upon exercise of a warrant and the price at which those shares may be purchased;

 

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if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of the warrants that may be exercised at any one time;

 

information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any;

 

the antidilution provisions, and other provisions for changes to or adjustment in the exercise price, of the warrants, if any;

 

any redemption or call provisions; and

 

any additional terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange or exercise of the warrants.

 

DESCRIPTION OF SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS

 

We may issue subscription rights to purchase our common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, depositary shares, warrants or units consisting of some or all of these securities. These subscription rights may be offered independently or together with any other security offered hereby and may or may not be transferable by the stockholder receiving the subscription rights in such offering. In connection with any offering of subscription rights, we may enter into a standby arrangement with one or more underwriters or other purchasers pursuant to which the underwriters or other purchasers may be required to purchase any securities remaining unsubscribed for after such offering.

 

The prospectus supplement relating to any subscription rights we offer, if any, will, to the extent applicable, include specific terms relating to the offering, including some or all of the following:

 

the price, if any, for the subscription rights;

 

the exercise price payable for our common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, depositary shares, warrants or units consisting of some or all of these securities upon the exercise of the subscription rights;

 

the number of subscription rights to be issued to each stockholder;

 

the number and terms of our common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, depositary shares, warrants or units consisting of some or all of these securities which may be purchased per each subscription right;

 

the extent to which the subscription rights are transferable;

 

any other terms of the subscription rights, including the terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the subscription rights;

 

the date on which the right to exercise the subscription rights shall commence, and the date on which the subscription rights shall expire;

 

the extent to which the subscription rights may include an over-subscription privilege with respect to unsubscribed securities or an over-allotment privilege to the extent the securities are fully subscribed; and

 

if applicable, the material terms of any standby underwriting or purchase arrangement which may be entered into by us in connection with the offering of subscription rights.

 

The descriptions of the subscription rights in this prospectus and in any prospectus supplement are summaries of the material provisions of the applicable subscription right agreements. These descriptions do not restate those subscription right agreements in their entirety and may not contain all the information that you may find useful. We urge you to read the applicable subscription right agreements because they, and not the summaries, define your rights as holders of the subscription rights. For more information, please review the forms of the relevant subscription right agreements, which will be filed with the SEC promptly after the offering of subscription rights and will be available as described in the section of this prospectus titled “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

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DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASE CONTRACTS

 

The following description summarizes the general features of the purchase contracts that we may offer under this prospectus. Although the features we have summarized below will generally apply to any future purchase contracts we may offer under this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any purchase contracts that we may offer in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. The specific terms of any purchase contracts may differ from the description provided below as a result of negotiations with third parties in connection with the issuance of those purchase contracts, as well as for other reasons. Because the terms of any purchase contracts we offer under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms we describe below, you should rely solely on information in the applicable prospectus supplement if that summary is different from the summary in this prospectus.

 

We will incorporate by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part the form of any purchase contract that we may offer under this prospectus before the sale of the related purchase contract. We urge you to read any applicable prospectus supplement related to specific purchase contracts being offered, as well as the complete instruments that contain the terms of the securities that are subject to those purchase contracts. Certain of those instruments, or forms of those instruments, have been filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and supplements to those instruments or forms may be incorporated by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part from reports we file with the SEC.

 

We may issue purchase contracts, including contracts obligating holders to purchase from us, and for us to sell to holders, a specific or variable number of our securities at a future date or dates. Alternatively, the purchase contracts may obligate us to purchase from holders, and obligate holders to sell to us, a specific or varying number of our securities.

 

If we offer any purchase contracts, certain terms of that series of purchase contracts will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement, including, without limitation, the following:

 

the price of the securities or other property subject to the purchase contracts (which may be determined by reference to a specific formula described in the purchase contracts);

 

whether the purchase contracts are issued separately, or as a part of units each consisting of a purchase contract and one or more of our other securities, including U.S. Treasury securities, securing the holder’s obligations under the purchase contract;

 

any requirement for us to make periodic payments to holders or vice versa, and whether the payments are unsecured or pre-funded;

 

any provisions relating to any security provided for the purchase contracts;

 

whether the purchase contracts obligate the holder or us to purchase or sell, or both purchase and sell, the securities subject to purchase under the purchase contract, and the nature and amount of each of those securities, or the method of determining those amounts;

 

whether the purchase contracts are to be prepaid or not;

 

whether the purchase contracts are to be settled by delivery, or by reference or linkage to the value, performance or level of the securities subject to purchase under the purchase contract;

 

any acceleration, cancellation, termination or other provisions relating to the settlement of the purchase contracts;

 

a discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the purchase contracts;

 

whether the purchase contracts will be issued in fully registered or global form; and

 

any other terms of the purchase contracts and any securities subject to such purchase contracts.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

 

We may issue units comprising two or more securities described in this prospectus in any combination. For example, we might issue units consisting of a combination of debt securities and warrants to purchase common stock. The following description sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the units that we may offer pursuant to this prospectus. The particular terms of the units and the extent, if any, to which the general terms and provisions may apply to the units so offered will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit also is the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. Units will be issued pursuant to the terms of a unit agreement, which may provide that the securities included in the unit may not be held or transferred separately at any time or at any time before a specified date. A copy of the forms of the unit agreement and the unit certificate relating to any particular issue of units will be filed with the SEC each time we issue units, and you should read those documents for provisions that may be important to you. For more information on how you can obtain copies of the forms of the unit agreement and the related unit certificate, see the section of this prospectus titled “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

The prospectus supplement relating to any particular issuance of units will describe the terms of those units, including, to the extent applicable, the following:

 

the designation and terms of the units and the securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances those securities may be held or transferred separately;

 

any provision for the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units or of the securities comprising the units; and

 

whether the units will be issued in fully registered or global form.

 

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

We may sell securities:

 

through underwriters;

 

through dealers;

 

through agents;

 

directly to purchasers; or

 

through a combination of any of these methods of sale.

 

In addition, we may issue the securities as a dividend or distribution or in a subscription rights offering to our existing securityholders.

 

We may directly solicit offers to purchase securities or agents may be designated to solicit such offers. We will, in the prospectus supplement relating to such offering, name any agent that could be viewed as an underwriter under the Securities Act and describe any commissions that we must pay. Any such agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment or, if indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, on a firm commitment basis. This prospectus may be used in connection with any offering of our securities through any of these methods or other methods described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

The distribution of the securities may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions:

 

at a fixed price or prices that may be changed from time to time;

 

at market prices prevailing at the time of sale;

 

at prices related to such prevailing market prices; or

 

at negotiated prices.

 

Each prospectus supplement will describe the method of distribution of the securities and any applicable restrictions.

 

The prospectus supplement with respect to the securities of a particular series will describe the terms of the offering of the securities, including the following:

 

the name of the agent or any underwriters;

 

the public offering or purchase price;

 

if applicable, the names of any selling securityholders;

 

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any discounts and commissions to be allowed or paid to the agent or underwriters;

 

all other items constituting underwriting compensation;

 

any discounts and commissions to be allowed or paid to dealers; and

 

any exchanges on which the securities will be listed.

 

If any underwriters or agents are utilized in the sale of the securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered, we will enter into an underwriting agreement or other agreement with them at the time of sale to them, and we will set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to such offering the names of the underwriters or agents and the terms of the related agreement with them.

 

If a dealer is utilized in the sale of the securities in respect of which the prospectus is delivered, we will sell such securities to the dealer, as principal. The dealer may then resell such securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by such dealer at the time of resale.

 

If we offer securities in a subscription rights offering to our existing securityholders, we may enter into a standby underwriting agreement with dealers, acting as standby underwriters. We may pay the standby underwriters a commitment fee for the securities they commit to purchase on a standby basis. If we do not enter into a standby underwriting arrangement, we may retain a dealer-manager to manage a subscription rights offering for us.

 

Agents, underwriters, dealers and other persons may be entitled under agreements that they may enter into with us to indemnification by us against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

 

If so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will authorize underwriters or other persons acting as our agents to solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase securities from us pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on the date stated in the prospectus supplement. Each contract will be for an amount not less than, and the aggregate amount of securities sold pursuant to such contracts shall not be less nor more than, the respective amounts stated in the prospectus supplement. Institutions with whom the contracts, when authorized, may be made include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and charitable institutions and other institutions, but shall in all cases be subject to our approval. Delayed delivery contracts will not be subject to any conditions except that:

 

the purchase by an institution of the securities covered under that contract shall not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of the jurisdiction to which that institution is subject; and

 

if the securities are also being sold to underwriters acting as principals for their own account, the underwriters shall have purchased such securities not sold for delayed delivery.

 

The underwriters and other persons acting as agents will not have any responsibility in respect of the validity or performance of delayed delivery contracts.

 

Certain agents, underwriters and dealers, and their associates and affiliates may be customers of, have borrowing relationships with, engage in other transactions with, and/or perform services, including investment banking services, for us or one or more of our respective affiliates in the ordinary course of business.

 

In order to facilitate the offering of the securities, any underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the securities or any other securities the prices of which may be used to determine payments on such securities. Specifically, any underwriters may over-allot in connection with the offering, creating a short position for their own accounts. In addition, to cover over-allotments or to stabilize the price of the securities or of any such other securities, the underwriters may bid for, and purchase, the securities or any such other securities in the open market. Finally, in any offering of the securities through a syndicate of underwriters, the underwriting syndicate may reclaim selling concessions allowed to an underwriter or a dealer for distributing the securities in the offering if the syndicate repurchases previously distributed securities in transactions to cover syndicate short positions, in stabilization transactions or otherwise. Any of these activities may stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities above independent market levels. Any such underwriters are not required to engage in these activities and may end any of these activities at any time.

 

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Under Rule 15c6-1 of the Exchange Act, trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in two business days, unless the parties to any such trade expressly agree otherwise. The applicable prospectus supplement may provide that the original issue date for your securities may be more than two scheduled business days after the trade date for your securities. Accordingly, in such a case, if you wish to trade securities on any date prior to the third business day before the original issue date for your securities, you will be required, by virtue of the fact that your securities initially are expected to settle in more than three scheduled business days after the trade date for your securities, to make alternative settlement arrangements to prevent a failed settlement.

 

The securities may be new issues of securities and may have no established trading market. The securities may or may not be listed on a national securities exchange. We can make no assurance as to the liquidity of or the existence of trading markets for any of the securities.

 

LEGAL MATTERS

 

The validity of the securities offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Bevilacqua PLLC, Washington, DC. Additional legal matters may be passed on for us, or any underwriters, dealers or agents, by counsel that we will name in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

Bevilacqua PLLC holds 323,267 shares of common stock, which it received as partial consideration for legal services previously provided to us.

 

EXPERTS

 

The consolidated financial statements of our company for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 and the consolidated financial statements of Ceautamed for the year ended December 31, 2021 have been incorporated by reference in this prospectus in reliance upon the reports of Daszkal Bolton LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

 

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Copies of certain information filed by us with the SEC are also available on our website at www.smartforlifecorp.com. Information accessible on or through our website is not a part of this prospectus.

 

This prospectus and any prospectus supplement are part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC and do not contain all of the information in the registration statement. You should review the information and exhibits in the registration statement for further information on us and our consolidated subsidiaries and the securities that we are offering. Forms of any indenture or other documents establishing the terms of the offered securities are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part or under cover of a Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated in this prospectus by reference. Statements in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement about these documents are summaries and each statement is qualified in all respects by reference to the document to which it refers. You should read the actual documents for a more complete description of the relevant matters.

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference much of the information that we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those publicly available documents. The information that we incorporate by reference in this prospectus is considered to be part of this prospectus. Because we are incorporating by reference future filings with the SEC, this prospectus is continually updated and those future filings may modify or supersede some of the information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. This means that you must look at all of the SEC filings that we incorporate by reference to determine if any of the statements in this prospectus or in any document previously incorporated by reference have been modified or superseded. This prospectus incorporates by reference the documents listed below and any future filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (in each case, other than those documents or the portions of those documents furnished pursuant to Items 2.02 or 7.01 of any Current Report on Form 8-K and, except as may be noted in any such Form 8-K, exhibits filed on such form that are related to such information), until the offering of the securities under the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part is terminated or completed:

 

our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 filed with the SEC on March 31, 2023;

 

our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 5, 2023, January 13, 2023, January 26, 2023, March 9, 2023 and March 17, 2023; and

 

the description of our common stock contained in Exhibit 4.1 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 filed with the SEC on March 31, 2023, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.

 

You may request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at the following address:

 

Smart for Life, Inc.

990 S Rogers Circle, Suite 3

Boca Raton, FL 33487

Attn: Secretary

(786) 749-1221

 

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94,600 Shares of Common Stock

Pre-funded Warrants to Purchase up to 186,001 Shares of Common Stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

PROSPECTUS

 

 

 

H.C. Wainwright & Co.

 

May 2, 2023