clsn20171027_424b5.htm

 

Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)

Registration Statement No. 333-206789

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

(To Prospectus dated September 25, 2015)

 

 

Up to $10,000,000

Common Stock

 

We have previously entered into a Controlled Equity OfferingSM Sales Agreement dated as of February 1, 2013 with Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. (Sales Agreement), relating to shares of our common stock offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Under the Sales Agreement, we may offer and sell shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $25,000,000 from time to time through Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., acting as agent. We have offered and sold shares of common stock for total gross proceeds of $12,798,269 collectively under the Sales Agreement pursuant to the registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-183286), the related prospectus that forms a part of such registration statement, as supplemented by the prospectus supplement dated as of February 22, 2013 and the registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-206789), the related prospectus that forms a part of such registration statement, as supplemented by the prospectus supplement dated as of October 2, 2015. As of the date of this prospectus supplement, shares of common stock having an aggregate offering price of $12,201,731 remain available for sale under the Sales Agreement.

 

 

Our common stock is listed on The NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “CLSN”. On February 2, 2018, the last reported sale price of our common stock on The NASDAQ Capital Market was $2.35 per share.

 

Sales of our common stock, if any, under this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus may be made in sales deemed to be “at the market offering” as defined in Rule 415(a)(4) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (Securities Act), including sales made directly on or through The NASDAQ Capital Market or on any other existing trading market for our common stock. Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. will act as sales agent on a best efforts basis and use commercially reasonable efforts to sell on our behalf all of the shares of common stock requested to be sold by us, consistent with its normal trading and sales practices, on mutually agreed terms between Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. and us. There is no arrangement for funds to be received in any escrow, trust or similar arrangement.

 

Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. will be entitled to compensation at a fixed commission rate of 3.0% of the gross sales price per share sold. In connection with the sale of our common stock on our behalf, Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. will be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act and the compensation of Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. will be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts.

 

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Before making an investment decision, please read “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-10 of this prospectus supplement, page 9 of the accompanying prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

 

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

 

 

The date of this prospectus supplement is February 6, 2018.

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Page

Prospectus Supplement

 

 

About this Prospectus Supplement

 

S-1

Prospectus Supplement Summary

 

S-2

The Offering

 

S-9

Risk Factors

 

S-10

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

 

S-14

Use of Proceeds

 

S-15

Dilution

 

S-16

Price Range of Our Common Stock

 

S-17

Plan of Distribution

 

S-18

Legal Matters

 

S-19

Experts

 

S-19

Where You Can Find More Information

 

S-19

Information Incorporated by Reference

 

S-20

 

 

 

Prospectus

 

 

About This Prospectus

 

1

Where You Can Find Additional Information

 

1

Information Incorporated by Reference

 

2

Forward-Looking Statements

 

3

Prospectus Summary

 

5

Risk Factors

 

9

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

 

10

Use of Proceeds

 

10

Dividend Policy

 

10

General Description of Securities

 

11

Description of Capital Stock

 

12

Description of Debt Securities

 

16

Description of Warrants, Other Rights and Units

 

22

Plan of Distribution

 

23

Legal Matters

 

25

Experts

 

25

 

 

 

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

 

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are part of a “shelf” registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-206789) that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on September 4, 2015 and that was declared effective on September 28, 2015.

 

This document is in two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes the terms of this offering and also adds to and updates information contained in the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. The second part is the accompanying prospectus, which gives more general information about the shares of our common stock and other securities we may offer from time to time under our shelf registration statement, some of which does not apply to the securities offered by this prospectus supplement. 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 herein or therein, on the other hand, you should rely on the information in this prospectus supplement.

 

You should read this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering before making an investment decision. You should also read and consider the information in the documents referred to in the sections of this prospectus supplement entitled “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Information Incorporated by Reference.”

 

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it.

 

We are not making an offer to sell the securities covered by this prospectus supplement in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

The information appearing in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering is accurate only as of its respective date, regardless of the time of delivery of the respective document or of any sale of securities covered by this prospectus supplement. You should not assume that the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, or in any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering, is accurate as of any date other than the respective dates thereof.

 

In this prospectus supplement, the terms “Celsion Corporation,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” “our” and similar terms refer to Celsion Corporation, a Delaware corporation, and its wholly-owned subsidiary, CLSN Laboratories, Inc., also a Delaware corporation, unless the context otherwise requires. The Celsion brand and product names, including but not limited to Celsion® and ThermoDox® contained in this prospectus supplement are trademarks, registered trademarks or service marks of Celsion Corporation or its subsidiary in the United States and certain other countries. This document may also contain references to trademarks and service marks of other companies that are the property of their respective owners.

 

S-1

 

 

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY

 

This summary highlights certain information about us, this offering and selected information contained elsewhere in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. This summary is not complete and does not contain all of the information that you should consider before deciding whether to invest in the securities covered by this prospectus supplement. For a more complete understanding of Celsion and this offering, we encourage you to read and consider carefully the more detailed information in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and the information included in any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering, including the information referred to under the heading “Risk Factors” in this prospectus supplement beginning on page S-10.

  

Overview

  

Celsion is a fully-integrated development stage oncology drug company focused on advancing a portfolio of innovative cancer treatments, including directed chemotherapies, DNA-mediated immunotherapy and RNA based therapies. Our lead product candidate is ThermoDox®, a proprietary heat-activated liposomal encapsulation of doxorubicin, currently in a Phase III clinical trial for the treatment of primary liver cancer (the “OPTIMA Study”), and a Phase II clinical trial for the treatment of recurrent chest wall breast cancer (the “DIGNITY Study”). Second in our pipeline is GEN-1, a DNA-mediated immunotherapy for the localized treatment of ovarian and brain cancers. We have two platform technologies providing the basis for the future development of a range of therapeutics for difficult-to-treat forms of cancer including: Lysolipid Thermally Sensitive Liposomes, a heat sensitive liposomal based dosage form that targets disease with known therapeutics in the presence of mild heat and TheraPlas, a novel nucleic acid-based treatment for local transfection of therapeutic plasmids. With these technologies we are working to develop and commercialize more efficient, effective and targeted oncology therapies that maximize efficacy while minimizing side-effects common to cancer treatments.

  

ThermoDox®  

  

ThermoDox ® is being evaluated in a Phase III clinical trial for primary liver cancer, which we call the OPTIMA Study, which was initiated in 2014, and a Phase II clinical trial for recurrent chest wall breast cancer, which we call the DIGNITY Study. ThermoDox® is a liposomal encapsulation of doxorubicin, an approved and frequently used oncology drug for the treatment of a wide range of cancers. Localized heat at hyperthermia temperatures (greater than 40° Celsius) releases the encapsulated doxorubicin from the liposome enabling high concentrations of doxorubicin to be deposited preferentially in and around the targeted tumor.

  

The OPTIMA Study. The OPTIMA Study represents an evaluation of ThermoDox® in combination with a first line therapy, radiofrequency ablation (“RFA”), for newly diagnosed, intermediate stage HCC patients. HCC incidence globally is approximately 850,000 new cases per year and is the third largest cancer indication globally. Approximately 30% of newly diagnosed patients can be addressed with RFA alone.

  

On February  24, 2014, we announced that the United States Food and Drug Administration (the “FDA”), after its customary 30-day review period, provided clearance for the OPTIMA Study, which is a pivotal, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase III trial of ThermoDox® , in combination with standardized RFA, for the treatment of primary liver cancer. The trial design of the OPTIMA Study is based on the comprehensive analysis of data from an earlier clinical trial called the HEAT Study, which is described below. The OPTIMA Study is supported by a hypothesis developed from an overall survival analysis of a large subgroup of patients from the HEAT Study.

  

We initiated the OPTIMA Study in the first half of 2014. The OPTIMA Study was designed with extensive input from globally recognized hepatocellular carcinoma (“HCC”) researchers and expert clinicians and after receiving formal written consultation from the FDA. The OPTIMA Study is expected to enroll up to 550 patients globally at up to 65 sites in the United States, Canada, Europe Union, China and other countries in the Asia-Pacific region, and will evaluate ThermoDox® in combination with standardized RFA, which will require a minimum of 45 minutes across all investigators and clinical sites for treating lesions three to seven centimeters, versus standardized RFA alone. The primary endpoint for this clinical trial is overall survival (“OS”), and the secondary endpoints are progression free survival and safety. The statistical plan calls for two interim efficacy analyses by an independent Data Monitoring Committee (“DMC”).

  

On December 16, 2015, we announced that we had received the clinical trial application approval from the China Food and Drug Administration (the “CFDA”) to conduct the OPTIMA Study in China. This clinical trial application approval will allow Celsion to enroll patients at up to 20 clinical sites in China. On April 26, 2016, we announced that the first patient in China had been enrolled in the OPTIMA Study. Results from the OPTIMA Study, if successful, will provide the basis for a global registration filing and marketing approval.

 

On August 7, 2017, the Company announced that the independent Data Monitoring Committee (DMC) for the Company's OPTIMA Study completed a regularly scheduled review of the first 50% of patients enrolled in the trial and has unanimously recommended that the OPTIMA Study continue according to protocol to its final data readout. The DMC reviewed study data at regular intervals, with the primary responsibilities of ensuring the safety of all patients enrolled in the study, the quality of the data collected, and the continued scientific validity of the study design. As part of its review of the first 275 patients, the DMC monitored a quality matrix relating to the total clinical data set, confirming the timely collection of data, that all data are current as well as other data collection and quality criteria.

  

S-2

 

 

The Company hosted an Investigators Meeting with physicians in South East Asia and key opinion leaders on July 22-23, 2017 in Bangkok, Thailand. A second Investigators Meeting was held on September 23, 2017 with physicians in China. The Company has initiated approximately 65 clinical sites in 14 countries with plans to activate up to 8 additional clinical trial sites in China or Vietnam by the end of the first quarter of 2018. In addition, the Company announced that patient enrollment in the 550 patient Phase III global study has reached over 67%. Based on current enrollment rates, the Company expects to complete enrollment of the study by the end of the third quarter of 2018.

 

Post-hoc data analysis from the Company’s earlier Phase III HEAT Study suggest that ThermoDox® may substantially improve OS, when compared to the control group, in patients if their lesions undergo a 45 minute RFA procedure standardized for a lesion greater than 3 cm in diameter. Data from nine OS sweeps have been conducted since the top line progression free survival (“PFS”) data from the HEAT Study were announced in January 2013, with each data set demonstrating substantial improvement in clinical benefit over the control group with statistical significance. On August 15, 2016, the Company announced updated results from its final retrospective OS analysis of the data from the HEAT Study. These results demonstrated that in a large, well bounded, subgroup of patients with a single lesion (n=285, 41% of the HEAT Study patients), treatment with a combination of ThermoDox® and optimized RFA provided an average 54% risk improvement in OS compared to optimized RFA alone. The Hazard Ratio (“HR”) at this analysis is 0.65 (95% CI 0.45 - 0.94) with a p-value of 0.02. Median OS for the ThermoDox® group has been reached which translates into a two year survival benefit over the optimized RFA group (projected to be greater than 80 months for the ThermoDox® plus optimized RFA group compared to less than 60 months projection for the optimized RFA only group). Additional findings from this most recent analysis specific to the Chinese patient cohort of 223 patients are summarized below:

  

 

In the population of 154 patients with a single lesion who received optimized RFA treatment for 45 minutes or more showed a 53% risk improvement in OS (HR = 0.66) when treated with ThermoDox® plus optimized RFA.

  

 

These data continue to support and further strengthen ThermoDox®’s potential to significantly improve OS compared to an RFA control in patients with lesions that undergo optimized RFA treatment for 45 minutes or more. The clinical benefit seen in the intent-to-treat Chinese patient cohort further confirms the importance of RFA heating time as 72% of patients in this large patient cohort in China received an optimized RFA treatment.

  

While this information should be viewed with caution since it is based on a retrospective analysis of a subgroup, we also conducted additional analyses that further strengthen the evidence for the HEAT Study sub-group. We commissioned an independent computational model at the University of South Carolina Medical School. The results indicate that longer RFA heating times correlate with significant increases in doxorubicin concentration around the RFA treated tissue. In addition, we conducted a prospective preclinical study in 22 pigs using two different manufacturers of RFA and human equivalent doses of ThermoDox® that clearly support the relationship between increased heating duration and doxorubicin concentrations.

  

On November 29, 2016, the Company announced the results of an independent analysis conducted by the National Institutes of Health (the “NIH”) from the HEAT Study which reaffirmed the correlation between increased RFA burn time per tumor volume and improvements in overall survival. The NIH analysis, which sought to evaluate the correlation between RFA burn time per tumor volume (min/ml) and clinical outcome, concluded that increased burn time per tumor volume significantly improved overall survival in patients treated with RFA plus ThermoDox® compared to patients treated with RFA alone. For all patients with single lesions treated with RFA plus ThermoDox ®:

  

 

One unit increase in RFA duration per tumor volume improved overall survival by 20% (p=0.017; n=227);

  

 

More significant differences in subgroup of patients with RFA burn times per tumor volume greater than 2.5 minutes per ml;

  

 

Cox multiple covariate analysis showed overall survival to be significant (p=0.038; Hazard Ratio = 0.85); and

  

 

Burn time per tumor volume did not have a significant effect on overall survival in single lesion patients treated with RFA only.

  

The HEAT Study. On January 31, 2013, the Company announced that the HEAT Study, ThermoDox® in combination with RFA, did not meet the primary endpoint, PFS, of a Phase III clinical trial enrolling 701 patients with primary liver cancer. This determination was made after conferring with the HEAT Study independent DMC, that the HEAT Study did not meet the goal of demonstrating a clinically meaningful improvement in progression free survival. In the trial, ThermoDox® was well-tolerated with no unexpected serious adverse events. Following the announcement of the HEAT Study results, we continued to follow patients for OS, the secondary endpoint of the HEAT Study. We have conducted a comprehensive analysis of the data from the HEAT Study to assess the future strategic value and development strategy for ThermoDox®.

 

On October 16, 2017, the Company announced the publication of the manuscript, “Phase III HEAT STUDY Adding Lyso-Thermosensitive Liposomal Doxorubicin to Radiofrequency Ablation in Patients with Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma Lesions,” in Clinical Cancer Research, a peer-reviewed medical journal. The article reports on one of the largest controlled studies in hepatocellular carcinoma. It provides a comprehensive review of ThermoDox® for the treatment of primary liver cancer. The article details learnings from the Company’s 701 patient HEAT Study and includes results from computer simulation studies and includes findings from a post hoc subgroup analysis, all of which are consistent with each other and which – when examined together – suggests a clearer understanding of a key ThermoDox® heat-based mechanism of action: the longer the target tissue is heated, the greater the doxorubicin tissue concentration. Additionally, he article explores a new hypothesis prompted by these findings: ThermoDox® when used in combination with Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) standardized to a minimum dwell time of 45 minutes (sRFA > 45 minutes), may increase the overall survival (OS) of patients with HCC. The lead author is Won Young Tak, M.D., Ph.D., Professor Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Kyungpook National University Hospital Daegu, Republic of Korea, and there are 22 HEAT Study co-authors along with Nicholas Borys, M.D., Celsion’s senior vice president and chief medical officer.

 

S-3

 

 

The DIGNITY Study. On December 14, 2015, we announced final data from our ongoing DIGNITY study, which is an open-label, dose-escalating Phase II trial of ThermoDox® in patients with recurrent chest wall (“RCW”) breast cancer. The DIGNITY Study was designed to establish a safe therapeutic dose in Phase I, and to demonstrate local control in Phase II, including complete and partial responses, and stable disease as its primary endpoint. The DIGNITY Study was also designed to evaluate kinetics in ThermoDox® produced from more than one manufacturing site. Of the 29 patients enrolled and treated, 21 patients were eligible for evaluation of efficacy. Approximately 62% of evaluable patients experienced a local response, including six complete responses and seven partial responses.

  

Acquisition of EGEN Assets  

  

On June  20, 2014, we completed the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Egen, Inc., an Alabama corporation, which has changed its company name to EGWU, Inc. after the closing of the acquisition (“EGEN”), pursuant to an asset purchase agreement dated as of June 6, 2014, by and between EGEN and Celsion (the “Asset Purchase Agreement”). We acquired all of EGEN’s right, title and interest in and to substantially all of the assets of EGEN, including cash and cash equivalents, patents, trademarks and other intellectual property rights, clinical data, certain contracts, licenses and permits, equipment, furniture, office equipment, furnishings, supplies and other tangible personal property. In addition, CLSN Laboratories assumed certain specified liabilities of EGEN, including the liabilities arising out of the acquired contracts and other assets relating to periods after the closing date.

  

The total purchase price for the asset acquisition is up to $44.4 million, including potential future earnout payments of up to $30.4 million contingent upon achievement of certain earnout milestones set forth in the Asset Purchase Agreement. At the closing, we paid approximately $3.0 million in cash after the expense adjustment and issued 193,728 shares of our common stock to EGEN. The shares of common stock were issued in a private transaction exempt from registration under the Securities Act, pursuant to Section 4(2) thereof. In addition, 47,862 shares of common stock were held back by us at the closing and are issuable to EGEN pending satisfactory resolution of any post-closing adjustments for expenses or in relation to EGEN’s indemnification obligations under the Asset Purchase Agreement. These shares were issued on June 16, 2017.

 

The earnout payments of up to $30.4 million will become payable, in cash, shares of our common stock or a combination thereof, at our option upon achievement of three major milestone events as follows: 

  

 

$12.4  million will become payable upon achieving certain specified development milestones relating to an ovarian cancer study of GEN-1 (formerly known as EGEN-001) to be conducted by us or our subsidiary;

  

 

$12.0 million will become payable upon achieving certain specified development milestones relating to a GEN-1 glioblastoma multiforme brain cancer study to be conducted by us or our subsidiary; and

  

 

up to $6.0 million will become payable upon achieving certain specified milestones relating to the TheraSilence technology acquired from EGEN in the acquisition

  

Our obligations to make the earnout payments will terminate on the seventh anniversary of the closing date. In the acquisition, we purchased GEN-1, a DNA-based immunotherapy for the localized treatment of ovarian and brain cancers, and two platform technologies for the development of treatments for those suffering with difficult-to-treat forms of cancer, novel nucleic acid-based immunotherapies and other anticancer DNA or RNA therapies, including TheraPlas and TheraSilence.

  

GEN-1  

  

GEN-1 is a DNA-based immunotherapeutic product for the localized treatment of ovarian and brain cancers by intraperitoneally administering an Interleukin-12 (“IL-12”) plasmid formulated with our proprietary TheraPlas delivery system. In this DNA-based approach, the immunotherapy is combined with a standard chemotherapy drug, which can potentially achieve better clinical outcomes than with chemotherapy alone. We believe that increases in IL-12 concentrations at tumor sites for several days after a single administration could create a potent immune environment against tumor activity and that a direct killing of the tumor with concomitant use of cytotoxic chemotherapy could result in a more robust and durable antitumor response than chemotherapy alone. We believe the rationale for local therapy with GEN-1 are based on the following.

  

We believe the rationale for local therapy with GEN-1 is b based on the following:

  

 

  

Loco-regional production of the potent cytokine IL-12 avoids toxicities and poor pharmacokinetics associated with systemic delivery of recombinant IL-12 ;

 

 

  

Persistent local delivery of IL-12 lasts up to one week and dosing can be repeated; and

  

 

  

Ideal for long-term maintenance therapy.

   

S-4

 

 

GEN-1 OVATION Study.   In February 2015, we announced that the FDA accepted, without objection, the Phase I dose-escalation clinical trial of GEN-1 in combination with the standard of care in neo-adjuvant ovarian cancer (the “OVATION Study”). On September 30, 2015, we announced enrollment of the first patient in the OVATION Study. The OVATION Study will seek to identify a safe, tolerable and potentially therapeutically active dose of GEN-1 by recruiting and maximizing an immune response and is designed to enroll three to six patients per dose level and will evaluate safety and efficacy and attempt to define an optimal dose for a follow-on Phase I/II study combining GEN-1 with Avastin® and Doxil®. In addition, the OVATION Study establishes a unique opportunity to assess how cytokine-based compounds such as GEN-1, directly affect ovarian cancer cells and the tumor microenvironment in newly diagnosed patients. The study is designed to characterize the nature of the immune response triggered by GEN-1 at various levels of the patients’ immune system, including:

  

 

  

Infiltration of cancer fighting T-cell lymphocytes into primary tumor and tumor microenvironment including peritoneal cavity, which is the primary site of metastasis of ovarian cancer;

  

 

  

Changes in local and systemic levels of immuno-stimulatory and immunosuppressive cytokines associated with tumor suppression and growth, respectively; and

  

 

  

Expression profile of a comprehensive panel of immune related genes in pre-treatment and GEN-1-treated tumor tissue.

  

We initiated the OVATION Study at four clinical sites at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Oklahoma University Medical Center, Washington University in St. Louis and the Medical College of Wisconsin. During 2016 and 2017, we announced data from the first fourteen patients in the OVATION Study who completed treatment.

  

On October 3, 2017, we announced final clinical and translational research data from its OVATION Study, a Phase Ib dose escalating clinical trial combining GEN-1, the Company's DNA-based immunotherapy, with the standard of care for the treatment of newly-diagnosed patients with advanced Stage III/IV ovarian cancer who will undergo neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by interval debulking surgery.

  

Key translational research findings from all evaluable patients are consistent with the earlier reports from partial analysis of the data and are summarized below:

  

 

The intraperitoneal treatment of GEN-1 in conjunction with neoadjuvant chemotherapy resulted in dose dependent increases in IL-12 and Interferon-gamma (IFN-g) levels that were predominantly in the peritoneal fluid compartment with little to no changes observed in the patients' systemic circulation. These and other post-treatment changes including decreases in VEGF levels in peritoneal fluid are consistent with an IL-12 based immune mechanism.

  

 

Consistent with the previous partial reports, the effects observed in the IHC analysis were pronounced decreases in the density of immunosuppressive T-cell signals (Foxp3, PD-1, PDL-1, IDO-1) and increases in CD8+ cells in the tumor microenvironment.

  

 

The ratio of CD8+ cells to immunosuppressive cells was increased in approximately 75% of patients suggesting an overall shift in the tumor microenvironment from immunosuppressive to pro-immune stimulatory following treatment with GEN-1.   An increase in CD8+ to immunosuppressive T-cell populations is a leading indicator and believed to be a good predictor of improved overall survival.

  

 

Analysis of peritoneal fluid by cell sorting, not reported before, shows treatment-related decrease in the percentage of immunosuppressive T-cell (Foxp3+), which is consistent with the reduction of Foxp3+ T-cells in the primary tumor tissue, and a shift in tumor naïve CD8+ cell population to more efficient tumor killing memory effector CD8+ cells .

  

Celsion also reported positive clinical data from the first fourteen patients who have completed treatment in the OVATION Study.   GEN-1 plus standard chemotherapy produced positive clinical results, with no dose limiting toxicities and positive dose dependent efficacy signals which correlate well with positive surgical outcomes as summarized below:

  

 

Of the fourteen patients treated in the entire study, two patients demonstrated a complete response, ten patients demonstrated a partial response and two patients demonstrated stable disease, as measured by RECIST criteria. This translates to a 100% disease control rate ("DCR") and an 86% objective response rate ("ORR").   Of the five patients treated in the highest dose cohort, there was a 100% objective response rate with one complete response and four partial responses.

   

 

Fourteen patients had successful resections of their tumors, with nine patients (64%) having an R0 resection, which indicates a microscopically margin-negative resection in which no gross or microscopic tumor remains in the tumor bed.    Seven out of eight (87%) patients in the highest two dose cohorts experienced a R0 surgical resection. All five patients treated at the highest dose cohort experienced a R0 surgical resection.

  

 

All patients experienced a clinically significant decrease in their CA-125 protein levels as of their most recent study visit. CA-125 is used to monitor certain cancers during and after treatment. CA-125 is present in greater concentrations in ovarian cancer cells than in other cells.  

  

S-5

 

 

 

Of the 13 patients who received GEN-1 treatment in all four dose escalating cohorts, only four patients' cancers have progressed as of January 15, 2018.  Median PFS for all 13 patients in the OVATION Study is 15.9 months (as of January 15, 2018) and counting. This compares favorably to the historical median progression-free survival of 12 months for newly diagnosed patients with Stage III and IV ovarian cancer that undergo neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by interval debulking surgery. Summarized below are the latest PFS results for all patients treated per protocol in the 3OVATION Study:

 

  Cohort 1 (36 mg/m²) - All 3 patients have progressed; Average PFS was 19.25 months; Longest progression-free patient in 1st cohort was 24.8 months.
  Cohort 2 (47 mg/m²) – None of the patients have progressed after 21 months.
  Cohort 3 (61 mg/m²) - One patient has progressed after 14 months; Two other patients in 3rd cohort are progression free over 18 months
  Cohort 4 (79 mg/m²) - No patients have progressed; Average PFS for these five patients in 4th cohort is 15 months.

 

The Company also held an Advisory Board Meeting on September 27, 2017 with the clinical investigators and scientific experts including those from Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical School, and M.D. Anderson Cancer Center to review and finalize clinical, translational research and safety data from the Phase IB OVATION Study in order to determine the next steps forward for our GEN-1 immunotherapy program. On November 13, 2017, he Company filed its Phase I/II clinical trial protocol with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for GEN-1 for the localized treatment of ovarian cancer. The protocol is designed with a single dose escalation to evaluate the safety and biological activity of GEN-1 at 100 mg/ m² in newly diagnosed Stage III/IV ovarian cancer patients, followed by a continuation at the selected dose in Phase II in a 90 patient 1 to 1 randomized study. GEN-1 has demonstrated positive safety and efficacy data in a recently completed dose escalation Phase IB trial in combination with neoadjuvant chemotherapy, the standard of care for patients newly diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Concurrently with neoadjuvant chemotherapy, enrolled patients received escalating weekly doses of GEN-1, from levels beginning at 36 mg/m², 47 mg/m², 61 mg/m² and 79 mg/m² weekly for 8 treatments in total, followed by interval debulking surgery.

 

The Phase I/II study will have a dose escalating phase to 100 mg/m² to identify a safe and tolerable dose of GEN-1 while maximizing an immune response.  The study protocol was unanimously supported by an expert medical advisory board and lead investigators from the Phase IB OVATION Study and is summarized below:

 

 

Open label, 1:1 randomized design

 

 

Enrollment up to 90 patients with Stage III/IV ovarian cancer patients at ten U.S. centers

 

 

Primary endpoint of improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) comparing GEN-1 with neoadjuvant chemotherapy versus neoadjuvant chemotherapy alone.

 

GEN-1 Plus Doxil® and Avastin® Trial. On April 29, 2015, we announced the expansion of our ovarian cancer development program to include a Phase I dose escalating trial to evaluate GEN-1 in combination with Avastin® and Doxil® in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer patients. This new combination study in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer is supported by three preclinical studies indicating that the combination of GEN-1 with Avastin® may result in significant clinical benefit with a favorable safety profile. Specifically:

  

 

In two preclinical studies using an animal model of disseminated ovarian cancer, GEN-1 in combination with Avastin® led to a significant reduction in tumor burden and disease progression. The effectiveness of the combined treatment was seen when GEN-1 was combined with various dose levels of Avastin® (low-medium-high). Additionally, it was shown that GEN-1 treatment alone resulted in anti-tumor activity that was as good as or better than Avastin® treatment alone.

  

 

The preclinical studies indicated that no obvious overt toxicities were associated with the combined treatments of GEN-1 and Avastin®. The preclinical data are also consistent with the mechanism of action for GEN-1, which exhibits certain anti-angiogenic properties and suggests that combining GEN-1 with lower doses of Avastin® may enhance efficacy and help reduce the known toxicities associated with this anti-VEGF drug.

  

 

The distinct biological activities of GEN-1 (immune stimulation) and Avastin® (inhibition of tumor blood vessel formation) also suggest scientific rationale for this combination approach. Additionally, the anti-angiogenic activity of GEN-1 mediated through up regulation of the interferon gamma (“IFN-g”) pathway may help to explain the synergy between GEN-1 and Avastin® and potentially addresses the VEGF escape mechanisms associated with resistance to Avastin® therapy.

   

TheraPlas Technology Platform. TheraPlas is a technology platform for the delivery of DNA and messenger RNA (“mRNA”) therapeutics via synthetic non-viral carriers and is capable of providing cell transfection for double-stranded DNA plasmids and large therapeutic RNA segments such as mRNA. There are two components of the TheraPlas system, a plasmid DNA or mRNA payload encoding a therapeutic protein and a delivery system. The delivery system is designed to protect the DNA/RNA from degradation and promote trafficking into cells and through intracellular compartments. We designed the delivery system of TheraPlas by chemically modifying the low molecular weight polymer to improve its gene transfer activity without increasing toxicity. We believe TheraPlas is a viable alternative to current approaches to gene delivery due to several distinguishing characteristics, including enhanced molecular versatility that allows for complex modifications to improve activity and safety.

  

S-6

 

 

Technology Development and Licensing Agreements. Our current efforts and resources are applied on the development and commercialization of cancer drugs including tumor-targeting chemotherapy treatments using focused heat energy in combination with heat-activated drug delivery systems, immunotherapies and RNA-based therapies. To support our research and development, we raised gross proceeds of approximately $127.2 million in equity financings and warrant and option exercises in the years 2010 through 2015. During 2016, we raised gross proceeds of $7.8 million through two registered direct equity financings with several institutional investors. In 2017 thus far, we raised $10.1 million in gross proceeds from a public offering equity financing and $22.0 million from the exercise of warrants to purchase common stock. We had cash and cash equivalents totaling $2.7 million at September 30, 2017. We have one credit facility for a total principal amount of up to $20 million and have drawn down $10 million under this credit facility.

  

On August 8, 2016, we signed a Technology Transfer, Manufacturing and Commercial Supply Agreement (the “GEN-1 Agreement”) with Hisun to pursue an expanded partnership for the technology transfer relating to the clinical and commercial manufacture and supply of GEN-1, Celsion’s proprietary gene mediated, IL-12 immunotherapy, for the greater China territory, with the option to expand into other countries in the rest of the world after all necessary regulatory approvals are obtained. The GEN-1 Agreement will help to support supply for both ongoing and planned clinical studies in the United States, and for potential future studies of GEN-1 in China. GEN-1 is currently being evaluated by Celsion in first line ovarian cancer patients.

  

In June 2012, Celsion and Hisun signed a long-term commercial supply agreement for the production of ThermoDox®. Hisun is one the largest manufacturers of chemotherapy agents globally, including doxorubicin. In July 2013, the ThermoDox® collaboration was expanded to focus on next generation liposomal formulation development with the goal of creating safer, more efficacious versions of marketed cancer chemotherapeutics. During 2015, Hisun successfully completed the manufacture of three registration batches for ThermoDox® and has obtained regulatory approvals to supply ThermoDox® to participating clinical trial sites in all of the countries of South East Asia, Europe and North America, as well as to the European Union countries allowing for early access to ThermoDox®. The future manufacturing of clinical and commercial supplies by Hisun will result in a cost structure allowing Celsion to profitably access all global markets, including third world countries, and help accelerate the Company’s product development program in China for ThermoDox® in primary liver cancer and other approved indications.  

  

Business Strategy and Development Plan

  

We have not generated and do not expect to generate any revenue from product sales in the next several years, if at all. An element of our business strategy has been to pursue, as resources permit, the research and development of a range of product candidates for a variety of indications. We may also evaluate licensing cancer products from third parties for cancer treatments to expand our current product pipeline. This is intended to allow us to diversify the risks associated with our research and development expenditures. To the extent we are unable to maintain a broad range of product candidates, our dependence on the success of one or a few product candidates would increase and results such as those announced in relation to the HEAT study on January 31, 2013 will have a more significant impact on our financial prospects, financial condition and market value. We may also consider and evaluate strategic alternatives, including investment in, or acquisition of, complementary businesses, technologies or products. As demonstrated by the HEAT Study results, drug research and development is an inherently uncertain process and there is a high risk of failure at every stage prior to approval. The timing and the outcome of clinical results are extremely difficult to predict. The success or failure of any preclinical development and clinical trial can have a disproportionately positive or negative impact on our results of operations, financial condition, prospects and market value.  

  

Our current business strategy includes the possibility of entering into collaborative arrangements with third parties to complete e the development and commercialization of our product candidates. In the event that third parties take over the clinical trial process for one or more of our product candidates, the estimated completion date would largely be under the control of that third party rather than us. We cannot forecast with any degree of certainty which proprietary products or indications, if any, will be subject to future collaborative arrangements, in whole or in part, and how such arrangements would affect our development plan or capital requirements. We may also apply for subsidies, grants or government or agency-sponsored studies that could reduce our development costs.

  

As of September 30, 2017, we had approximately $2.7 million in cash and cash equivalents. In July 2017, the Company completed a $5 million registered direct equity offering of shares of common stock, or pre-funded warrants in lieu thereof, and a concurrent private placement of warrants to purchase common stock, with several institutional healthcare investors. In early October 2017, the Company received $17 million in gross proceeds collectively from certain warrant holders exercising warrants to purchase collectively 5.0 million shares of common stock. On October 27, 2017, we entered into an underwriting agreement whereby the Company sold approximately 2.6 million shares of common stock and warrants to purchase approximately 1.3 million shares of common stock for gross proceeds of $6.6 million. The Company also has a Controlled Equity OfferingSM Sales Agreement (the “ATM Agreement”) with Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. In connection with this underwritten offering, we have agreed not to sell any additional shares under the Sales agreement for a period of 90 days after the closing of this offering.

 

The Company will be required to obtain additional funding in order to continue the development of its current product candidates within the anticipated time periods, if at all, and to continue to fund operations. The Company has $7.5 million available under a controlled equity offeringSM facility with Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. Besides this equity facility, the Company does not have any committed sources of financing at this time, and there is substantial uncertainty whether additional funding will be available when needed on terms that will be acceptable to it, or at all. If the Company would not be able to obtain financing when needed, it could be unable to carry out the business plan and may have to significantly limit its operations and its business and its financial condition and results of operations could be materially harmed. With the current cash on hand and from the gross proceeds of $28.8 million from warrant exercises, the equity offering in October 2017 and sales of common stock under the ATM Agreement with Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., the Company believes it has sufficient capital resources to fund its operations into the third quarter of 2019.

  

S-7

 

 

Recent Developments

  

On October 4, 2017, the Company entered into letter agreements (the “ Exercise Agreements”) with holders of its Series AAA and Series BBB Warrants issued in a July 6, 2017 Common Stock Offering (the “Exercising Holders”). The Exercise Agreements amended the Series AAA Warrants to permit their immediate exercise. Prior to the execution of the Exercise Agreements, the Series AAA Warrants were not exercisable until January 11, 2018. Pursuant to the Exercise Agreements, the Exercising Holders and the Company agreed that the Exercising Holders would exercise all of their Existing Warrants with respect to 4,665,000 shares of Common Stock underlying such Existing Warrants. The Series AAA Warrants and Series BBB Warrants were exercised at a price of $2.07 per share and $4.75 per share, respectively, which were their respective original exercise prices.

   

The Exercise Agreements also provide for the issuance of 1,166,250 Series DDD Warrants, each to purchase one share of Common Stock (the “Series DDD Warrants”). The Series DDD Warrants are initially exercisable no sooner than twelve months following issuance, or on October 4, 2018, and terminate six months following when the Series DDD Warrants are initially exercisable, or on April 4, 2019. The Series DDD Warrants have an exercise price no than less than $6.20 per share.

 

The Series DDD Warrants and the shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of the Series DDD Warrants shall not be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and are offered pursuant to the exemption provided in Section 4(a)(2) under the Securities Act or Rule 506(b) promulgated thereunder. Pursuant to the Exercise Agreements, the Series DDD Warrants are substantially in the form of the Existing Warrants, and the Company will be required to register for resale the shares of Common Stock underlying the Series DDD Warrants.

   

In early October 2017, certain holders of the other 205,000 Series BBB Warrants and 108,455 Series AA Warrants from the February 14, 2017 Public Offering were exercised and, together with the exercise of the 4,665,000 Series AAA and Series BBB Warrants exercised by the Exercising Holders described above, the Company received aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $20.0 million in October 2017.

   

On October 27, 2017, the Company entered into an underwriting agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”) with Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. (the “Underwriter”), relating to the issuance and sale (the “Offering”) of 2,640,000 shares (the “Shares”) of the Company’s common stock, $0.01 par value per share (the “Common Stock”), and warrants to purchase an aggregate of 1,320,000 shares of Common Stock. Each share of Common Stock was sold together with 0.5 warrants (the “Investor Warrants”), each whole Investor Warrant being exercisable for one share of Common Stock, at an offering price of $2.50 per share of Common Stock and related Investor Warrants.

  

Pursuant to terms of the Underwriting Agreement, the Underwriter agreed to purchase the Shares and related Investor Warrants from the Company at a price of $2.325 per share and related Investor Warrants. Each Investor Warrant is exercisable six months from the date of issuance. The Investor Warrants have an exercise price of $3.00 per whole share, and expire five years from the date first exercisable.

 

The Company received $6.6 million of gross proceeds from the sale of the Shares and Investor Warrants. The Offering closed on October 31, 2017. This Offering was made pursuant to the company’s effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-206789) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 4, 2015, and declared effective on September 25, 2015.

 

The Underwriting Agreement contains customary representations, warranties and agreements by the Company, customary conditions to closing, indemnification obligations of the Company and the Underwriters, including for liabilities under the Securities Act, other obligations of the parties, and termination provisions. The Company also agreed to issue to the Underwriter warrants to purchase up to 66,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, such issuance being exempt from registration pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.

 

The Company received gross proceeds of $22.0 million from the exercise of warrants to purchase 7,617,147 shares of common stock in 2017.

 

We are a party to a Controlled Equity OfferingSM Sales Agreement (the “ATM Agreement”) dated as of February 1, 2013 with Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., pursuant to which we may sell additional shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $25 million through “at-the-market” equity offerings from time to time. As of the date of this prospectus supplement, the Company sold and issued an aggregate of 1,784,396 shares of common stock under the ATM Agreement, receiving approximately $12.8 million in gross proceeds. The Company received gross proceeds of $5.2 million from the sale of 1,678,717 shares of common stock under the ATM Agreement during the fourth quarter of 2017 through the date of this prospectus supplement.

 

Corporate Information

  

We were founded in 1982 and are a Delaware corporation. Our shares of common stock trade on The NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “CLSN.” Our principal executive offices are located at 997 Lenox Drive, Suite 100, Lawrenceville, New Jersey 08648. Our telephone number is (609) 896-9100 and our website is www.celsion.com. The information available on or through our website is not part of, nor incorporated by reference into, this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, and should not be relied upon.

 

S-8

 

 

THE OFFERING

 

 

Common stock offered by us

 

Shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $10,000,000.

 

 

 

Common stock to be outstanding  after this offering

 

Up to 12,609,998 shares (as more fully described in the notes following this table), assuming sales of 4,255,319 shares of our common stock in this offering at an offering price of $2.35 per share, which was the last reported sale price of our common stock on The NASDAQ Capital Market on February 2, 2018. The actual number of shares issued will vary depending on the sales price under this offering.

 

 

 

Plan of Distribution

 

At-the-market” offering that may be made from time to time through our sales agent, Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. See “Plan of Distribution” on page S-18 of this prospectus supplement.

 

 

 

Use of Proceeds

 

We currently intend to use the net proceeds from this offering, if any, for general corporate purposes, including research and development activities, capital expenditures and working capital. See “Use of Proceeds” on page S-15 of this prospectus supplement.

 

 

 

NASDAQ Capital Market symbol

 

CLSN”

 

 

 

Risk Factors

 

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-6 of this prospectus supplement.

 

 

The number of shares of our common stock shown above to be outstanding immediately before and after this offering is based on 8,354,679 shares outstanding as of September 30, 2017, and excludes, as of such date:

  

 

679,752 shares of our common stock subject to outstanding options having a weighted average exercise price of $9.94 per share;

  

 

29,498  shares of our common stock reserved for future issuance pursuant to our existing stock incentive plans;

  

 

5,528,634 shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of warrants outstanding, having a weighted average exercise price of $5.33 per share; and

  

 

334 shares of our common stock held as treasury stock.

  

Subsequent to September 30, 2017, the Company issued 4,978,445 shares of common stock upon the exercise of outstanding warrants, 2,640,000 shares issued from an underwritten equity offering completed on October 31, 2017, 1,678,718 shares issued under the ATM facility for the period October 1, 2017 through the date of this prospectus supplement and 82,193 shares of common shares from other transactions. Including such issuances, as of February 5, 2018, the Company had 17,734,035 shares of common stock outstanding.

 

S-9

 

 

RISK FACTORS

 

An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Before deciding whether to invest in our securities, you should consider carefully the risks discussed below, together with the risks under the heading “Risk Factors” beginning on page 22 under Part I, Item IA of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, filed with the SEC on March 24, 2017, and any subsequent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, as well as the other information in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, the information and documents incorporated by reference and in any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering. If any of the identified risks actually occur, they could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, operating results or prospects and the trading price of our securities. Additional risks and uncertainties that we do not presently know or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business, financial condition, operating results and prospects and the trading price of our securities.

 

Risk Related to Our Business

 

New gene-based products for therapeutic applications are subject to extensive regulation by the FDA and comparable agencies in other countries. The precise regulatory requirements with which we will have to comply, now and in the future, are uncertain due to the novelty of the gene-based products we are developing.

 

Limited data exist regarding the safety and efficacy of DNA-based therapeutics compared with conventional therapeutics, and government regulation of DNA-based therapeutics is evolving. Adverse events or the perception of adverse events in the field of gene therapy generally, or with respect to our product candidates specifically, may have a particularly negative impact on public perception of gene therapy and result in greater governmental regulation, including future bans or stricter standards imposed on gene-based therapy clinical trials, stricter labeling requirements and other regulatory delays in the testing or approval of our potential products. Any increased scrutiny could delay or increase the costs of our product development efforts or clinical trials.

 

Even if our products receive regulatory approval, they may still face future development and regulatory difficulties. Government regulators may impose significant restrictions on a product’s indicated uses or marketing or impose ongoing requirements for potentially costly post-approval studies. This governmental oversight may be particularly strict with respect to gene-based therapies.

 

Risks Related to This Offering and Our Common Stock

 

The market price of our common stock has been, and we expect it to continue to be, volatile and fluctuate significantly, which could result in substantial losses for investors and subject us to securities class action litigation.

 

The trading price for our common stock has been, and we expect it to continue to be, volatile. Our January 31, 2013 announcement that the HEAT Study failed to meet its primary endpoint has resulted in significant volatility and a steep decline in the price of our common stock, a level of decline that could result in securities litigation. Plaintiffs’ securities litigation firms have publicly announced that they are investigating potential securities fraud claims that they may wish to make against us. The price at which our common stock trades depends upon a number of factors, including our historical and anticipated operating results, our financial situation, announcements of technological innovations or new products by us or our competitors, our ability or inability to raise the additional capital we may need and the terms on which we raise it, and general market and economic conditions. Some of these factors are beyond our control. Broad market fluctuations may lower the market price of our common stock and affect the volume of trading in our stock, regardless of our financial condition, results of operations, business or prospect. The closing price of our common stock as reported on The NASDAQ Capital Market had a high price of $27.86 and a low price of $4.20 in the 52-week period ended December 31, 2016, a high price of $6.06 and a low price of $1.51 in the 52-week period ended December 31, 2017, and a high price of $2.82 and a low price of $2.30 from January 1, 2018 and thus far in 2018. Among the factors that may cause the market price of our common stock to fluctuate are the risks described in this “Risk Factors” section and other factors, including:

 

 

results of preclinical and clinical studies of our product candidates or those of our competitors;

 

 

regulatory or legal developments in the U.S. and other countries, especially changes in laws and regulations applicable to our product candidates;

 

 

actions taken by regulatory agencies with respect to our product candidates, clinical studies, manufacturing process or sales and marketing terms;

 

 

introductions and announcements of new products by us or our competitors, and the timing of these introductions or announcements;

 

 

announcements by us or our competitors of significant acquisitions or other strategic transactions or capital commitments;

 

 

fluctuations in our quarterly operating results or the operating results of our competitors;

 

 

variance in our financial performance from the expectations of investors;

 

S-10

 

 

 

changes in the estimation of the future size and growth rate of our markets;

 

 

changes in accounting principles or changes in interpretations of existing principles, which could affect our financial results;

 

 

failure of our products to achieve or maintain market acceptance or commercial success;

 

 

conditions and trends in the markets we serve;

 

 

changes in general economic, industry and market conditions;

 

 

success of competitive products and services;

 

 

changes in market valuations or earnings of our competitors;

 

 

changes in our pricing policies or the pricing policies of our competitors;

 

 

changes in legislation or regulatory policies, practices or actions;

 

 

the commencement or outcome of litigation involving our company, our general industry or both;

 

 

recruitment or departure of key personnel;

 

 

changes in our capital structure, such as future issuances of securities or the incurrence of additional debt;

 

 

actual or anticipated changes in earnings estimates or changes in stock market analyst recommendations regarding our common stock, other comparable companies or our industry generally;

 

 

actual or expected sales of our common stock by our stockholders;

 

 

acquisitions and financings, including the EGEN acquisition; and

 

 

the trading volume of our common stock.

 

In addition, the stock markets in general, The NASDAQ Capital Market and the market for pharmaceutical companies, in particular, may experience a loss of investor confidence. Such loss of investor confidence may result in extreme price and volume fluctuations in our common stock that are unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of our business, financial condition or results of operations. These broad market and industry factors may materially harm the market price of our common stock and expose us to securities class action litigation. Such litigation, even if unsuccessful, could be costly to defend and divert management’s attention and resources, which could further materially harm our financial condition and results of operations.

 

You will experience immediate and substantial dilution in the net tangible book value per share of the common stock they purchase.

 

Since the price per share of our common stock being offered is higher than the net tangible book value per share of our common stock, you will suffer substantial dilution in the net tangible book value of the common stock you purchase in this offering. See the section entitled “Dilution” in this prospectus supplement for a more detailed discussion of the dilution you will incur if you purchase common stock in this offering. In addition, we have a significant number of stock options and warrants outstanding. If the holders of these securities exercise such securities, you may incur further dilution.

 

Our stockholders may experience significant dilution as a result of future equity offerings and exercise of outstanding options and warrants.

 

In order to raise additional capital or pursue strategic transactions, we may in the future offer, issue or sell additional shares of our common stock or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock, including the issuance of common stock in relation to the achievement, if any, of milestones triggering our payment of earn-out consideration in connection with the EGEN acquisition. We cannot assure you that we will be able to sell shares or other securities in any other offering at a price per share that is equal to or greater than the price per share paid by investors in this offering, and investors purchasing shares or other securities in the future could have rights superior to existing stockholders. The price per share at which we sell additional shares of our common stock or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock in future transactions may be higher or lower than the price per share in this offering.

 

Our stockholders may experience significant dilution as a result of future equity offerings or issuance. Investors purchasing shares or other securities in the future could have rights superior to existing stockholders. As of September 30, 2017, we have a significant number of securities convertible into, or allowing the purchase of, our common stock, including 5,528,634 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of warrants outstanding, 679,752 options to purchase shares of our common stock and restricted stock awards outstanding, and 24,498 shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under our stock incentive plans. The exercise of outstanding options and warrants having an exercise price per share that is less than the offering price per share in this offering will increase dilution to investors in this offering.

 

S-11

 

 

Future sales of our common stock in the public market could cause our stock price to fall.

 

Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the public market, or the perception that these sales might occur, could depress the market price of our common stock and could impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of additional equity securities. As of September 30, 2017, we had 8,354,679 shares of common stock outstanding, all of which shares, other than shares held by our directors and certain officers, were eligible for sale in the public market, subject in some cases to compliance with the requirements of Rule 144, including the volume limitations and manner of sale requirements. In addition, all of the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of warrants will be freely tradable without restriction or further registration upon issuance.

 

We have broad discretion in the use of the net proceeds from this offering.

 

Our management will have broad discretion in the application of the net proceeds from this offering and could spend the proceeds in ways with which you may not agree. Accordingly, you will be relying on the judgment of our management with regard to the use of the net proceeds, and you will not have the opportunity, as part of your investment decision, to assess whether the proceeds are being used appropriately. It is possible that the net proceeds will be invested or otherwise used in a way that does not yield a favorable, or any, return for the Company.

 

 

The adverse capital and credit market conditions could affect our liquidity.

 

Adverse capital and credit market conditions could affect our ability to meet liquidity needs, as well as our access to capital and cost of capital. The capital and credit markets have experienced extreme volatility and disruption in recent years. Our results of operations, financial condition, cash flows and capital position could be materially adversely affected by continued disruptions in the capital and credit markets.

 

We have never paid cash dividends on our common stock in the past and do not anticipate paying cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future.

 

We have never declared or paid cash dividends on our common stock. We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. We currently intend to retain all available funds and any future earnings to fund the development and growth of our business. As a result, capital appreciation, if any, of our common stock will be the sole source of gain for the foreseeable future for holders of our common stock.

 

Anti-takeover provisions in our charter documents and Delaware law could prevent or delay a change in control.

 

Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws may discourage, delay or prevent a merger or acquisition that a stockholder may consider favorable by authorizing the issuance of “blank check” preferred stock. This preferred stock may be issued by our board of directors on such terms as it determines, without further stockholder approval. Therefore, our board of directors may issue such preferred stock on terms unfavorable to a potential bidder in the event that our board of directors opposes a merger or acquisition. In addition, our classified board of directors may discourage such transactions by increasing the amount of time necessary to obtain majority representation on our board of directors. Certain other provisions of our bylaws and of Delaware law may also discourage, delay or prevent a third party from acquiring or merging with us, even if such action were beneficial to some, or even a majority, of our stockholders.

 

We may be unable to maintain compliance with The NASDAQ Marketplace Rules which could cause our common stock to be delisted from The NASDAQ Capital Market. This could result in the lack of a market for our common stock, cause a decrease in the value of an investment in us, and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Our common stock is currently listed on The NASDAQ Capital Market. To maintain the listing of our common stock on The NASDAQ Capital Market, we are required to meet certain listing requirements, including, among others, either: (i) a minimum closing bid price of $1.00 per share, a market value of publicly held shares (excluding shares held by our executive officers, directors and 10% or more stockholders) of at least $1 million and stockholders’ equity of at least $2.5 million; or (ii) a minimum closing bid price of $1.00 per share, a market value of publicly held shares (excluding shares held by our executive officers, directors and 10% or more stockholders) of at least $1 million and a total market value of listed securities of at least $35 million. As of February 2, 2018, the closing sale price per share of our common stock was $2.35, the total market value of our publicly held shares of our common stock (excluding shares held by our executive officers, directors and 10% or more stockholders) was approximately $41.6 million, and the total market value of our listed securities was approximately $41.7 million. There is no assurance that we will continue to meet the minimum closing price requirement and other listing requirements. As of September 30, 2017, we had stockholders’ equity of approximately $5.3 million.

 

S-12

 

 

On December 15, 2016, we received a letter from NASDAQ indicating that the closing bid price of our common stock fell below $1.00 per share for the previous 30 consecutive business days, and that we are therefore not in compliance with the minimum bid price requirement for continued inclusion on The NASDAQ Capital Market and our common stock could be subject to delisting from The NASDAQ Capital Market. If our common stock is delisted, trading of the stock will most likely take place on an over-the-counter market established for unlisted securities, such as the Pink Sheets or the OTC Bulletin Board. An investor is likely to find it less convenient to sell, or to obtain accurate quotations in seeking to buy, our common stock on an over-the-counter market, and many investors may not buy or sell our common stock due to difficulty in accessing over-the-counter markets, or due to policies preventing them from trading in securities not listed on a national exchange or other reasons. In addition, as a delisted security, our common stock would be subject to SEC rules regarding “penny stock,” which impose additional disclosure requirements on broker-dealers. The regulations relating to penny stocks, coupled with the typically higher cost per trade to investors in penny stocks due to factors such as broker commissions generally representing a higher percentage of the price of a penny stock than of a higher priced stock, would further limit the ability and willingness of investors to trade in our common stock. For these reasons and others, delisting would adversely affect the liquidity, trading volume and price of our common stock, causing the value of an investment in us to decrease and having an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations, including our ability to attract and retain qualified executives and employees and to raise capital.

 

On June 14, 2017, we announced we received notice from NASDAQ on June 13, 2017 indicating that the Company regained compliance with the minimum bid price requirement under NASDAQ Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) for continued listing on The NASDAQ Capital Market. In order to regain compliance with the Rule, the Company was required to maintain a minimum closing bid price of $1.00 or more for at least 10 consecutive trading days. This requirement was met on June 12, 2017, the tenth consecutive trading day when the closing bid price of the Company’s common stock was over $1.00. Accordingly, the Company is currently in compliance with all applicable listing standards and its common stock will continue to be listed on The NASDAQ Capital Market.

 

S-13

 

 

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

Certain statements contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, in any applicable prospectus and in any related free writing prospectus constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and releases issued by the SEC and within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. From time to time, we may publish forward-looking statements relating to such matters as anticipated financial performance, business prospects, technological developments, product pipelines, clinical trials and research and development activities, the adequacy of capital reserves and anticipated operating results and cash expenditures, current and potential collaborations, strategic alternatives and other aspects of our present and future business operations and similar matters that also constitute such forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our or our industry’s 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 such forward-looking statements. Such statements include, without limitation:

  

 

any statements regarding future operations, plans, regulatory filings or approvals, including the plans and objectives of management for future operations or programs or proposed new products or services;

     
 

any statements regarding the performance, or likely performance, or outcomes or economic benefit of any of our research and development activities, proposed or potential clinical trials or new drug filing strategies or timelines, including whether any of our clinical trials will be completed successfully within any specified time period or at all;

     
 

any projections of earnings, cash resources, revenue, expense or other financial terms;

     
 

any statements regarding the initiation, timing, progress and results of our research and development programs, preclinical studies, any clinical trials and Investigational New Drug application, New Drug Application and other regulatory submissions;

     
 

any statements regarding cost and timing of development and testing, capital structure, financial condition, working capital needs and other financial items;

     
 

any statements regarding the implementation of our business model and integration of acquired technologies, assets or businesses and existing or future collaborations, mergers, acquisitions or other strategic transactions;

     
 

any statements regarding approaches to medical treatment, any introduction of new products by others, any possible licenses or acquisitions of other technologies, assets or businesses, or possible actions by customers, suppliers, strategic partners, potential strategic partners, competitors or regulatory authorities;

     
 

any statements regarding development or success of our collaboration arrangements or future payments that may come due to us under these arrangements;

     
 

any statements regarding compliance with the listing standards of The NASDAQ Capital Market; and

     
 

any statements regarding future economic conditions or performance and any statement of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing.

  

In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “ expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “continue,” “plan,” “believe,” “could,” “intend,” “predict,” “may,” “should,” “will ,” “would” and words of similar import regarding our expectations. Forward-looking statements are only predictions. Actual events or results may differ materially. Although we believe that our expectations are based on reasonable assumptions within the bounds of our knowledge of our industry, business and operations, we cannot guarantee that actual results will not differ materially from our expectations. In evaluating such forward-looking statements, you should specifically consider various factors, including the risks outlined under “Risk Factors” contained in this prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, and in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and our most recent filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as well as any amendments thereto reflected in subsequent filings with the SEC. The discussion of risks and uncertainties set forth in those filings is not necessarily a complete or exhaustive list of all risks facing us at any particular point in time. We operate in a highly competitive, highly regulated and rapidly changing environment, and our business is in a state of evolution. Therefore, it is likely that new risks will emerge and the nature and elements of existing risks will change. It is not possible for management to predict all such risk factors or changes therein or to assess either the impact of all such risk factors on our business or the extent to which any individual risk factor, combination of factors or new or altered factors may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Forward-looking statements represent our estimates and assumptions only as of the date such forward-looking statements are made. You should carefully read this prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, together with the information incorporated herein or therein by reference as described under the section titled “Information Incorporated By Reference,” and with the understanding that our actual future results may materially differ from what we expect.

  

Except as required by law, forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements publicly, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in any forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available.

 

S-14

 

 

USE OF PROCEEDS

 

We currently intend to use the net proceeds from this offering, if any, for general corporate purposes, including research and development activities, capital expenditures and working capital. Pending the application of the net proceeds, we intend to invest the net proceeds in short-term, investment grade, interest-bearing securities.

 

As of the date of this prospectus supplement, we cannot specify with certainty all of the particular uses for the net proceeds to us from this offering, if any. As a result, our management will have broad discretion regarding the timing and application of the net proceeds from this offering.

 

S-15

 

 

DILUTION

 

If you invest in our common stock, you will experience dilution to the extent of the difference between the price per share you pay in this offering and the net tangible book value per share of our common stock immediately after this offering. Our net tangible book value as of September 30, 2017 was approximately $(17.8) million, or $(2.13) per share of our common stock. Net tangible book value per share as of September 30, 2017 is equal to our total tangible assets minus total liabilities, all divided by the number of shares of common stock outstanding as of September 30, 2017.

 

After giving effect to the sale of our common stock in the aggregate amount of $10.0 million in this offering at an assumed offering price of $2.35 per share, the last reported sale price of our common stock on The NASDAQ Capital Market on February 2, 2018, and after deducting estimated offering commissions and expenses payable by us, our as adjusted net tangible book value would have been approximately $(8.1) million, or approximately $(0.64) per share of common stock, as of September 30, 2017. This represents an immediate increase in net tangible book value of approximately $1.49 per share to existing stockholders and an immediate dilution of approximately $2.99 per share to investors in this offering. The following table illustrates this calculation on a per share basis.

 

Assumed public offering price per share

  $ 2.35  

Net tangible book value per share as of September 30, 2017

  $ (2.13

)

Increase in net tangible book value per share attributable to this offering

  $ 1.49  

As adjusted net tangible book value per share as of September 30, 2017, after giving effect to this offering

  $ (0.64

)

Dilution per share to new investors purchasing shares in this offering

  $ (2.99

)

 

The table above assumes for illustrative purposes that an aggregate of 4,273,504 shares of our common stock are sold at a price of $2.35 per share, the last reported sale price of our common stock on The NASDAQ Capital Market on February 2, 2018, for aggregate gross proceeds of $10.0 million. The shares sold in this offering, if any, will be sold from time to time at various prices. An increase of $0.50 per share in the price at which the shares are sold from the assumed offering price of $2.35 per share shown in the table above, assuming all of our common stock in the aggregate amount of $10.0 million is sold at the price of $2.85, would decrease our adjusted net tangible book value per share after the offering to $(0.68) per share and would increase the dilution in net tangible book value per share to new investors in this offering to $3.53 per share, after deducting commissions and estimated aggregate offering expenses payable by us. A decrease of $0.50 per share in the price at which the shares are sold from the assumed offering price of $2.35 per share shown in the table above, assuming all of our common stock in the aggregate amount of $10.0 million is sold at the price of $1.85, would increase our adjusted net tangible book value per share after the offering to $(0.59) per share and would decrease the dilution in net tangible book value per share to new investors in this offering to $2.43 per share, after deducting commissions and estimated aggregate offering expenses payable by us. This information is supplied for illustrative purposes only.

 

The number of shares of our common stock shown above to be outstanding immediately before and after this offering is based on 8,354,679 shares outstanding as of September 30, 2017, and excludes, as of such date:

  

 

679,752 shares of our common stock subject to outstanding options having a weighted average exercise price of $9.94 per share;

  

 

29,498  shares of our common stock reserved for future issuance pursuant to our existing stock incentive plans;

  

 

5,528,634 shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of warrants outstanding, having a weighted average exercise price of $5.33 per share; and

  

 

334 shares of our common stock held as treasury stock.

  

Subsequent to September 30, 2017, the Company issued 4,978,445 shares of common stock upon the exercise of outstanding warrants, 2,640,000 shares issued from an underwritten equity offering completed on October 31, 2017, 1,432,752 shares issued under the ATM facility for the period October 1, 2017 through the date of this prospectus supplement and 82,193 shares of common shares from other transactions. Including such issuances, as of the date of this prospectus supplement, the Company had 17,734,035 shares of common stock outstanding. 

 

S-16

 

 

PRICE RANGE OF OUR COMMON STOCK

 

The following table sets forth the high and low reported closing sale prices on NASDAQ for the periods indicated:

  

Period            

 

 

High

   

Low

 

Year Ending December 31, 2018

               

First Quarter (January 1, 2018 to February 2, 2018)

  $ 2.82     $ 2.30  
                 

Year Ended December 31, 2017

               

First Quarter

  $ 7.14     $ 2.94  

Second Quarter

  $ 4.31     $ 2.05  

Third Quarter

  $ 2.42     $ 1.28  

Fourth Quarter

  $ 6.06     $ 1.51  
                 

Year Ended December 31, 2016

               

First Quarter

  $ 27.86     $ 14.56  

Second Quarter

  $ 24.92     $ 18.20  

Third Quarter

  $ 18.76     $ 16.80  

Fourth Quarter

  $ 13.86     $ 4.20  

 

The reported last sale price of our common stock on NASDAQ on February 2, 2018 was $2.35 per share.

  

S-17

 

 

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

We have entered into a Controlled Equity OfferingSM Sales Agreement (Sales Agreement) with Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. (Cantor), under which we may issue and sell shares of our common stock having an aggregate gross sales price of up to $25,000,000 from time to time through Cantor, acting as agent. We have sold shares of common stock under the Sales Agreement generating total gross proceeds of $12,106,329 and have up to $12,893,671 available for future sale under the Sales Agreement.

 

Upon delivery of a placement notice and subject to the terms and conditions of the Sales Agreement, Cantor may sell our common stock by any method permitted by law deemed to be an “at-the-market offering” as defined in Rule 415(a)(4) promulgated under the Securities Act, including sales made directly on The NASDAQ Capital Market or on any other existing trading market for our common stock. We may instruct Cantor not to sell common stock if the sales cannot be effected at or above the price designated by us from time to time. We or Cantor may suspend the offering of common stock upon notice and subject to other conditions.

 

We will pay Cantor commissions, in cash, for its services in acting as agent in the sale of our common stock. Cantor will be entitled to compensation at a fixed commission rate of 3.0% of the gross sales price per share sold. Because there is no minimum offering amount required as a condition to close this offering, the actual total public offering amount, commissions and proceeds to us, if any, are not determinable at this time. We have previously reimbursed Cantor for certain specified expenses, including the fees and disbursements of its legal counsel in an amount not to exceed $50,000, and may agree to reimburse Cantor for additional expenses in connection with the sale of our common stock under the Sales Agreement.

 

Settlement for sales of common stock will occur on the second business day following the date on which any sales are made, or on some other date that is agreed upon by us and Cantor in connection with a particular transaction, in return for payment of the net proceeds to us. Sales of our common stock as contemplated in this prospectus supplement will be settled through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company or by such other means as we and Cantor may agree upon. There is no arrangement for funds to be received in an escrow, trust or similar arrangement.

 

Cantor will use its commercially reasonable efforts, consistent with its sales and trading practices, to solicit offers to purchase the common stock shares under the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Sales Agreement. In connection with the sale of the common stock on our behalf, Cantor will be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act and the compensation of Cantor will be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts. We have agreed to provide indemnification and contribution to Cantor against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

 

The offering of our common stock pursuant to the Sales Agreement will terminate upon the earlier of (1) the sale of all shares of our common stock subject to the Sales Agreement, or (2) termination of the Sales Agreement as permitted therein. We and Cantor may each terminate the Sales Agreement at any time upon ten days prior notice.

  

Cantor and its affiliates may in the future provide various investment banking, commercial banking and other financial services for us and our affiliates, for which services they may in the future receive customary fees. To the extent required by Regulation M, Cantor will not engage in any market making activities involving our common stock while the offering is ongoing under this prospectus supplement.

 

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus in electronic format may be made available on a website maintained by Cantor and Cantor may distribute this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus electronically.

 

S-18

 

 

LEGAL MATTERS

  

The validity of the shares of our common stock being offered by this prospectus supplement will be passed upon for us by Sidley Austin LLP, Palo Alto, California. Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. is being represented in connection with this offering by Cooley LLP, New York, New York.

  

  

  

EXPERTS

  

Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, has audited our financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, as set forth in their report, which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement. Our financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance on Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP’s report, given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

  

Stegman and Company, an independent registered public accounting firm, has audited our financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2015 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement. Our financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance on Stegman and Company’s report, given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

  

  

 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

 

We are subject to the information reporting requirements of the Exchange Act. In accordance with the Exchange Act, we file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Such reports, proxy statements and other information filed by us are available to the public free of charge at www.sec.gov. You may also read and copy any document we file with the SEC at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the public reference facilities by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. Copies of certain information filed by us with the SEC are also available on our website at www.celsion.com. The information available on or through our website is not part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus and should not be relied upon.

 

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus omit some information contained in the registration statement in accordance with SEC rules and regulations. You should review the information and exhibits in the registration statement for further information about us and the securities being offered hereby. Statements in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus concerning any document we filed as an exhibit to the registration statement or that we otherwise filed with the SEC are not intended to be comprehensive and are qualified by reference to the filings. You should review the complete document to evaluate these statements.

 

S-19

 

 

INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

  

SEC rules allow us to “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus supplement much of the information 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 into this prospectus supplement is considered to be part of this prospectus supplement. These documents may include Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, as well as proxy statements. You should read the information incorporated by reference because it is an important part of this prospectus supplement.

  

This prospectus supplement incorporates by reference the documents listed below, other than those documents or the portions of those documents deemed to be furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules:

  

 

our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, filed with the SEC on March 24, 2017;

 

our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2017, filed with the SEC on May 12, 2017;

 

our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2017, filed with the SEC on August 14, 2017;

 

our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2017, filed with the SEC on November 14, 2017;

 

our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 15, 2017, May 16, 2017, May 26, 2017, June 6, 2017, June 9, 2017, June 19, 2017, June 22, 2017, June 23, 2017, June 26, 2017, July 6, 2017, July 11, 2017, August 15, 2017, September 21, 2017, October 4, 2017, October 27, 2017 and October 31, 2017;

 

our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on April 4, 2017; and

 

the description of our common stock contained in our registration statement on Form 8-A filed with the SEC on May 26, 2000, as amended by a Form 8-A/A dated February 7, 2008, and any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description.

  

Any statement contained in any document incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus supplement to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus supplement or any prospectus modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus supplement.

  

We also incorporate by reference any future filings, other than current reports furnished under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K and exhibits filed on such form that are related to such items, made with the SEC pursuant to 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 deemed to be furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules, until the offering of the securities under the registration statement of which this prospectus supplement forms a part is terminated or completed. Information in such future filings updates and supplements the information provided in this prospectus supplement. Any statements in any such future filings will be deemed to modify and supersede any information in any document we previously filed with the SEC that is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated herein by reference to the extent that statements in the later filed document modify or replace such earlier statements.

  

Because we are incorporating by reference future filings with the SEC, this prospectus supplement is continually updated and later information filed with the SE C may update and supersede some of the information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement. 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 supplement or in any document previously incorporated by reference have been modified or superseded.

  

We will provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial owners, to whom this prospectus supplement is delivered, upon his or her written or oral request, a copy of any or all reports or documents referred to above which have been or may be incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement but not delivered with this prospectus supplement, excluding exhibits to those reports or documents unless they are specifically incorporated by reference into those documents. You may request a copy of these documents by writing or telephoning us at the following address.

  

  

Celsion Corporation

997 Lenox Drive, Suite 100

Lawrenceville, New Jersey 08648

 

(609) 896-9100

 

Attention: Jeffrey W. Church

Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

and Corporate Secretary

 

S-20

 

 

 

 

PROSPECTUS 

 

  

$75,000,000

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Debt Securities

Warrants

Rights

Units

 

From time to time, we may offer or sell, together or separately, in one or more offerings:

 

 

common stock;

 

 

preferred stock;

 

 

debt securities;

 

 

warrants to purchase common stock or preferred stock;

 

 

rights to purchase common stock or preferred stock; and

 

 

units comprised of two or more of the foregoing securities.

 

We may sell any combination of these securities in one or more offerings, up to an aggregate offering price of $75,000,000, in amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined at the time of each offering thereof. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we offer securities using this prospectus, we will provide the specific terms of the securities and the offering in one or more supplements to this prospectus. We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you in connection with these offerings. The prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus may also add to, update or change the information contained in this prospectus and will also describe the specific manner in which we will offer the securities.

 

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

 

This prospectus may not be used to sell any securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement. You should carefully read this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, as well as any documents incorporated by reference, prior to investing in any of our securities.

 

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should review carefully the risks and uncertainties described under the heading “Risk Factors” beginning on page 9 of this prospectus, in any accompanying prospectus supplement and in any related free writing prospectus, and under similar headings in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus.

 

Our common stock is traded on The NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “CLSN.” On September 3, 2015, the last reported sale price of our common stock on The NASDAQ Capital Market was $1.98 per share. We do not expect our preferred stock, debt securities, warrants, rights or units to be listed on any securities exchange or over-the-counter market unless otherwise described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

 

 

 

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          , 2015

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

  

Page

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

1

WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

1

INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

2

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

3

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

5

RISK FACTORS

9

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

10

USE OF PROCEEDS

10

DIVIDEND POLICY

10

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

11

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

12

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

16

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS, OTHER RIGHTS AND UNITS

22

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

23

LEGAL MATTERS

25

EXPERTS

25

 

i

 

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

 

This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may, from time to time, offer shares of our common stock, shares of our preferred stock, debt securities, warrants, rights or units comprised of two or more of the foregoing securities in one or more offerings, for a total maximum offering price not to exceed $75,000,000.

 

This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell any securities under this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain more specific information about the terms of that specific offering, including the specific amounts, prices and terms of the securities offered. Any prospectus supplement may include a discussion of risks or other special considerations applicable to us or the offered securities. Any prospectus supplement may also add to, update or change information contained in this prospectus. To the extent there is a conflict between the information contained in this prospectus, on the one hand, and the information contained in any prospectus, on the other hand, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement. If any statement in one of these documents is inconsistent with a statement in another document having a later date-for example, a document incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus-the statement in the document having the later date modifies or supersedes the earlier statement.

 

This prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement contain and incorporate by reference market data, industry statistics and other data that have been obtained or compiled from information made available by third parties. These data, to the extent they contain estimates or projections, involve a number of assumptions and limitations, and you are cautioned not to give undue weight to such estimates or projections. Industry publications and other reports we have obtained from independent parties generally state that the data contained in these publications or other reports have been obtained in good faith or from sources considered to be reliable, but they do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of such data.

 

We urge you to carefully read this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, any documents that we incorporate by reference in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, and the additional information described below under “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference” before making an investment decision. You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with additional, different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. You should not assume that the information we have included in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement, any related free writing prospectus or any documents incorporated by reference herein or therein is accurate as of any date other than the dates of those documents. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

 

This document may only be used where it is legal to sell these securities. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is no soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction whether the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

Unless the context indicates otherwise, as used in this prospectus, the terms “Celsion,” “the Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Celsion Corporation, a Delaware corporation, and its wholly-owned subsidiary, CLSN Laboratories, Inc., also a Delaware corporation. The Celsion brand and product names, including but not limited to Celsion®, ThermoDox®, EGEN®, TheraPlas™ and TheraSilence™ contained in this prospectus are trademarks, registered trademarks or service marks of Celsion Corporation or its subsidiary in the United States and certain other countries. This document may also contain references to trademarks and service marks of other companies that are the property of their respective owners.

 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

 

We are subject to the information requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act). In accordance with the Exchange Act, we file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Such reports, proxy statements and other information filed by us are available to the public free of charge at www.sec.gov. You may also read and copy any document we file with the SEC at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the public reference facilities by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. Copies of certain information filed by us with the SEC are also available on our website at www.celsion.com. The information available on or through our website is not part of this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement or related free writing prospectus and should not be relied upon.

 

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC. This prospectus omits some information contained in the registration statement in accordance with SEC rules and regulations. You should review the information and exhibits in the registration statement for further information about us and the securities being offered hereby. Statements in this prospectus concerning any document we filed as an exhibit to the registration statement or that we otherwise filed with the SEC are not intended to be comprehensive and are qualified by reference to the filings. You should review the complete document to evaluate these statements.

 

1

 

 

INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

The SEC rules allow us to “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus information that we file with the SEC. Incorporation by reference allows us to disclose important information to you by referring you to those publicly available documents. The information that we incorporate by reference into this prospectus is considered to be part of this prospectus. These documents may include Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, as well as proxy statements. You should read the information incorporated by reference because it is an important part of this prospectus.

 

This prospectus incorporates by reference the documents listed below, other than those documents or the portions of those documents deemed to be furnished and not filed in accordance with the SEC rules:

 

 

our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 filed with the SEC on March 12, 2015;

 

 

our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2015 filed with the SEC on May 11, 2015 as amended by the Amendment No. 1 to Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on June 19, 2015;

 

 

our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2015 filed with the SEC on August 10, 2015;

 

 

our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 20, 2015, May 28, 2015, May 29, 2015 and June 19, 2015, and on Form 8-K/A filed with the SEC on May 29, 2015 (as Amendment No. 2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 20, 2014 and Amendment No. 1 on Form 8-K/A filed with the SEC on August 25, 2014);

 

 

our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on April 30, 2015; and

 

 

the description of our common stock contained in our registration statement on Form 8-A filed with the SEC on May 26, 2000, as amended by a Form 8-A/A dated February 7, 2008, and any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description.

 

Any statement contained in any document incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus.

 

We also incorporate by reference any future filings, other than current reports furnished under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K and exhibits filed on such form that are related to such items, made with the SEC pursuant to 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 deemed to be furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules, until the offering of the securities under the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part is terminated or completed. Information in such future filings updates and supplements the information provided in this prospectus. Any statements in any such future filings will be deemed to modify and supersede any information in any document we previously filed with the SEC that is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated herein by reference to the extent that statements in the later filed document modify or replace such earlier statements.

 

Because we are incorporating by reference future filings with the SEC, this prospectus is continually updated and later information filed with the SEC may update and 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.

 

We will provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial owners, to whom this prospectus is delivered, upon his or her written or oral request, a copy of any or all documents referred to above which have been or may be incorporated by reference into this prospectus but not delivered with this prospectus, excluding exhibits to those documents unless they are specifically incorporated by reference into those documents. You may request a copy of these documents by writing or telephoning us at the following address.

 

Celsion Corporation

997 Lenox Drive, Suite 100

Lawrenceville, New Jersey 08648

(609) 896-9100

Attention:  Jeffrey W. Church

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer 

 

2

 

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

Certain statements contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, in any applicable prospectus and in any related free writing prospectus constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and releases issued by the SEC and within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (Securities Act), and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. From time to time, we publish forward-looking statements relating to matters such as anticipated financial performance, business prospects, technological developments, new products, research and development activities, mergers, acquisitions or other strategic transactions and other aspects of our present and future business operations and similar matters that also constitute such forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our or our industry’s 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 such forward-looking statements. Such statements include, without limitation:

 

 

any statements regarding future operations, plans, regulatory filings or approvals, including the plans and objectives of management for future operations or programs or proposed new products or services;

 

 

any statements regarding the performance, or likely performance, or outcomes or economic benefit of any of our research and development activities, proposed or potential clinical trials or new drug filing strategies or timelines, including whether any of our clinical trials will be completed successfully within any specified time period or at all;

 

 

any projections of earnings, cash resources, revenue, expense or other financial terms;

 

 

any statements regarding the initiation, timing, progress and results of our research and development programs, preclinical studies, any clinical trials and Investigational New Drug application, New Drug Application and other regulatory submissions;

 

 

any statements regarding cost and timing of development and testing, capital structure, financial condition, working capital needs and other financial items;

 

 

any statements regarding the implementation of our business model and integration of acquired technologies, assets or businesses and existing or future collaborations, mergers, acquisitions or other strategic transactions;

 

 

any statements regarding approaches to medical treatment, any introduction of new products by others, any possible licenses or acquisitions of other technologies, assets or businesses, or possible actions by customers, suppliers, strategic partners, potential strategic partners, competitors or regulatory authorities;

 

 

any statements regarding development or success of our collaboration arrangements or future payments that may come due to us under these arrangements;

 

 

any statements regarding compliance with the listing standards of The NASDAQ Capital Market; and

 

 

any statements regarding future economic conditions or performance and any statement of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing.

 

In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “continue,” “plan,” “believe,” “could,” “intend,” “predict,” “project,” “potential,” “may,” “should,” “will” or the negative thereof, variations thereof similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are only predictions and actual events or results may differ materially. Although we believe that our expectations are based on reasonable assumptions within the bounds of our current knowledge of our industry, business and operations, we cannot guarantee that actual results will not differ materially from our expectations. In evaluating such forward-looking statements, you should specifically consider various factors, including the risks outlined under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in this prospectus and any related free writing prospectus, and in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and our most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as well as any amendments thereto reflected in subsequent filings with the SEC. The discussion of risks and uncertainties set forth in those filings is not necessarily a complete or exhaustive list of all risks facing the Company at any particular point in time. We operate in a highly competitive, highly regulated and rapidly changing environment, and our business is in a state of evolution. Therefore, it is likely that over time new risks will emerge and the nature and elements of existing risks will change. It is not possible for management to predict all such risk factors or changes therein or to assess either the impact of all such risk factors on our business or the extent to which any individual risk factor, combination of factors or new or altered factors may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Forward-looking statements represent our estimates and assumptions only as of the date such forward-looking statements are made. You should carefully read this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, together with the information incorporated herein or therein by reference as described under the section titled “Information Incorporated By Reference,” and with the understanding that our actual future results may materially differ from what we expect.

 

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Except as required by law, forward-looking statements speak only as of the dates they are made, and we assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements publicly or to update the reasons why actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in any forward-looking statements even if new information becomes available.

 

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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

 

The following summary highlights information contained elsewhere or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. This summary does not contain all of the information you should consider before investing in the securities. Before making an investment decision, you should read the entire prospectus carefully, including the matters discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in this prospectus.

 

Overview

 

Celsion is a fully-integrated oncology drug development company focused on developing a portfolio of innovative cancer treatments, including directed chemotherapies, immunotherapies and RNA- or DNA-based therapies. Our lead program is ThermoDox®, a proprietary heat-activated liposomal encapsulation of doxorubicin, currently in Phase III clinical trial for the treatment of primary liver cancer, also known as hepatocellular carcinoma or HCC, and a Phase II clinical trial for the treatment of recurrent chest wall breast cancer. Our pipeline also includes GEN-1 (formerly known as EGEN-001), a DNA-based immunotherapy for the localized treatment of ovarian and brain cancers. We have three platform technologies for the development of treatments for those suffering with difficult-to-treat forms of cancer, novel nucleic acid-based immunotherapies and other anti-cancer DNA or RNA therapies, including TheraPlasTM and TheraSilenceTM. We are working to develop and commercialize more efficient, effective and targeted oncology therapies based on our technologies, with the goal to develop novel therapeutics that maximize efficacy while minimizing side-effects common to cancer treatments.

 

Our lead product, ThermoDox®, is being evaluated in a Phase III clinical trial, in combination with a standardized radiofrequency ablation (RFA), for primary liver cancer (the OPTIMA study) and a Phase II clinical trial for recurrent chest wall breast cancer (the DIGNITY study). ThermoDox® is a liposomal encapsulation of doxorubicin, an approved and frequently used oncology drug for the treatment of a wide range of cancers. Localized heat at mild hyperthermia temperatures (greater than 39.5 degrees Celsius) releases the encapsulated doxorubicin from the liposome enabling high concentrations of doxorubicin to be deposited preferentially in and around the targeted tumor.

 

The HEAT Study

 

On January 31, 2013, we announced that ThermoDox® in combination with RFA did not meet the primary endpoint, progression free survival (PFS), of a Phase III clinical trial enrolling 701 patients with primary liver cancer, which we called the HEAT study. Specifically, we determined, after conferring with the HEAT study independent Data Monitoring Committee, that the HEAT study did not meet the goal of demonstrating persuasive evidence of clinical effectiveness that could form the basis for regulatory approval in the population chosen for the HEAT study. In the trial, ThermoDox® was well-tolerated with no unexpected serious adverse events. Following the announcement of the HEAT study results, we continue to follow patients for overall survival, the secondary endpoint of the HEAT study, on a quarterly basis. We have conducted a comprehensive analysis of the data from the HEAT study to assess the future strategic value of ThermoDox®. In April 2013, we announced the deferral of expenses associated with our Phase II study of ThermoDox® in combination with RFA for the treatment of colorectal liver metastases (the ABLATE study) until such time as we finalize our plans for the continuation of our development program with ThermoDox® in HCC.

 

The data from the HEAT study post-hoc analysis suggest that ThermoDox® may substantially improve overall survival, when compared to the control group, in patients if their lesions undergo standardized RFA treatment for a lesion greater than three centimeters in diameter for 45 minutes or more. Data from seven overall survival sweeps have been conducted since the top line PFS data from the HEAT study were announced in January 2013, with each data set showing progressive improvement in statistical significance. The most recent post-hoc overall survival analysis data from the HEAT study as of January 15, 2015, announced in February 2015, demonstrated that in a large, well-bounded subgroup of patients (n=285, 41 percent of the study patients), the combination of ThermoDox® and standardized RFA provided a 59 percent improvement in overall survival compared to optimized RFA alone.

 

The Hazard Ratio at this latest quarterly overall survival analysis is 0.628 (95 percent CI 0.420 - 0.939) with a p-value of 0.02. These findings apply to patients with single HCC lesions (64.4 percent of the HEAT study population) from both size cohorts of the HEAT study (3-5 cm and 5-7 cm) and represent a subgroup of 285 patients. Median overall survival for this subgroup has not yet been reached and this information should be viewed with caution since it is based on a retrospective analysis of a subgroup. We may choose to end this analysis of overall survival once the median is reached for both arms of the study. We also completed computational modeling with supplementary preclinical animal studies supporting the relationship between heating duration and clinical outcomes.

 

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The OPTIMA Study

 

On February 24, 2014, we announced that the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), after its customary 30-day review period, provided clearance for the OPTIMA study, which is a pivotal, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase III trial of ThermoDox®, in combination with standardized RFA, for the treatment of primary liver cancer. The trial design of the OPTIMA study is based on the comprehensive analysis of data from the HEAT study. We launched the OPTIMA study in the first half of 2014. The OPTIMA study was designed with extensive input from globally recognized HCC researchers and clinicians and after receiving formal written consultation from the FDA. The OPTIMA study is expected to enroll up to 550 patients globally at up to 100 sites in the United States, Europe, China and other Asia Pacific regions, and will evaluate ThermoDox® in combination with standardized RFA, which will require a minimum of 45 minutes across all investigators and clinical sites for treating lesions three to seven centimeters, versus standardized RFA alone. The primary endpoint for this clinical trial is overall survival, and the secondary endpoints are progression free survival and safety. The statistical plan calls for two interim efficacy analyses by an independent Data Monitoring Committee.

 

In addition, we met with the China State Food and Drug Administration in 2014 to discuss the inclusion in the OPTIMA study of a minimum patient enrollment requirement to support the ThermoDox®’s registration in China. Based on those discussions, we have submitted an application for accelerated approval of the OPTIMA study in China. We also filed a request for a centralized Voluntary Harmonization Procedure (VHP) in Europe, which provides for the assessment of multinational clinical trial applications across several European countries, including Germany, Italy and Spain. Our request for a VHP in Europe was approved on October 23, 2014.

 

The DIGNITY Study

 

On July 6, 2015, we announced positive interim data from our ongoing DIGNITY study, which is an open-label, dose-escalating Phase II trial of ThermoDox® in patients with recurrent chest wall (RCW) breast cancer. The trial is designed to enroll 20 patients at several clinical sites in the United States and is evaluating ThermoDox® in combination with mild hyperthermia. Of the 17 patients enrolled and treated, 13 were eligible for evaluation of efficacy. Based on data available to date, every patient experienced a clinical benefit of their highly refractory disease within the ThermoDox® treatment field, with a local response rate of 69 percent observed in the 13 evaluable patients, notably five complete responses, four partial responses and four patients with stable disease. We expect to complete the patient enrollment in this trial in the third quarter of 2015.

 

Acquisition of EGEN Assets

 

On June 20, 2014, we completed the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Egen, Inc., an Alabama corporation, which has changed its company name to EGWU, Inc. after the closing of the acquisition (EGEN), pursuant to an asset purchase agreement dated as of June 6, 2014, by and between EGEN and Celsion (the purchase agreement). CLSN Laboratories, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Celsion (CLSN Laboratories), acquired all of EGEN’s right, title and interest in and to substantially all of the assets of EGEN, including cash and cash equivalents, patents, trademarks and other intellectual property rights, clinical data, certain contracts, licenses and permits, equipment, furniture, office equipment, furnishings, supplies and other tangible personal property. In addition, CLSN Laboratories assumed certain specified liabilities of EGEN, including the liabilities arising out of the acquired contracts and other assets relating to periods after the closing date.

 

The total purchase price for the asset acquisition is up to $44.4 million, including potential future earnout payments of up to $30.4 million contingent upon achievement of certain earnout milestones set forth in the purchase agreement. At the closing, we paid approximately $3.0 million in cash after the expense adjustment and issued 2,712,188 shares of our common stock to EGEN. The shares of common stock were issued in a private transaction exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, pursuant to Section 4(2) thereof. In addition, 670,070 shares of common stock were held back by us at the closing and are issuable to EGEN on or after August 2, 2016 pending certain potential adjustments for expenses or in relation to EGEN’s indemnification obligations under the purchase agreement.

 

The earnout payments of up to $30.4 million will become payable, in cash, shares of our common stock or a combination thereof, at our option, as follows:

 

 

$12.4 million will become payable upon achieving certain specified development milestones relating to an ovarian cancer study of GEN-1 (formerly known as EGEN-001) to be conducted by us or our subsidiary;

 

 

$12.0 million will become payable upon achieving certain specified development milestones relating to a GEN-1 glioblastoma multiforme brain cancer study to be conducted by us or our subsidiary; and

 

 

up to $6.0 million will become payable upon achieving certain specified development milestones relating to the TheraSilence™ technology acquired from EGEN in the acquisition.

 

Our obligations to make the earnout payments will terminate on the seventh anniversary of the closing date.

 

In the acquisition, we purchased GEN-1 (formerly known as EGEN-001), a DNA-based immunotherapy for the localized treatment of ovarian and brain cancers, and three platform technologies for the development of treatments for those suffering with difficult-to-treat forms of cancer, novel nucleic acid-based immunotherapies and other anti-cancer DNA or RNA therapies, including TheraPlas™ and TheraSilence™.

 

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GEN-1 is a DNA-based immunotherapeutic product for the localized treatment of ovarian and brain cancers by intraperitoneally administering an Interleukin-12 (IL-12) plasmid formulated with our proprietary TheraPlas™ delivery system. In this DNA-based approach, the immunotherapy is combined with a standard chemotherapy drug, which can potentially achieve better clinical outcomes than with chemotherapy alone. We believe that increases in IL-12 concentrations at tumor sites for several days after a single administration could create a potent immune environment against tumor activity and that a direct killing of the tumor with concomitant use of cytotoxic chemotherapy could result in a more robust and durable antitumor response than chemotherapy alone.

 

In February 2015, we announced that the FDA had accepted, without comment, a Phase I dose-escalation clinical trial protocol of GEN-1 in combination with the standard of care for the treatment of newly-diagnosed ovarian cancer patients who will undergo neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The clinical trial will seek to identify a safe, tolerable and potentially therapeutically active dose of GEN-1 while maximizing an immune response. The trial is designed to enroll three to six patients per dose level and will evaluate safety and efficacy and attempt to define an optimal dose to carry forward into a Phase II trial. We expect to initiate enrollment for the trial in the second half of 2015 at five to six U.S. clinical centers.

 

In April 2015, we announced that we plan to expand the ovarian cancer development program to include a Phase I dose escalating trial evaluating GEN-1 in combination with Avastin® and Doxil® in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer patients. We intend to conduct additional preclinical studies to support an Investigational New Drug filing with the FDA for this new Phase I combination study, which will be designed to optimize the dosing regimen for GEN-1 in combination with Avastin®.

 

In May 2015, we announced results from a Phase Ib trial combining GEN-1 with pegylated doxorubicin. The findings demonstrated an overall clinical benefit at the highest dose level of 86% (PR=29% and SD=57%). GEN-1 was well tolerated, with no dose limiting toxicities and no overlapping toxicities between GEN-1, its subsequent immune system activation and pegylated doxorubicin.

 

TheraPlasTM Technology Platform

 

TheraPlas™ is a technology platform for the delivery of DNA and messenger RNA (mRNA) therapeutics via synthetic non-viral carriers and is capable of providing cell transfection for double-stranded DNA plasmids and large therapeutic RNA segments such as mRNA. There are two components of a TheraPlas™ system, including a plasmid DNA or mRNA payload encoding a therapeutic protein and a delivery system. The delivery system is designed to protect the DNA or RNA from degradation and promote trafficking into cells and through intracellular compartments. We designed the delivery system of TheraPlas™ by chemically modifying the low molecular weight polymer to improve its gene transfer activity without increasing toxicity. We believe that TheraPlas™ is a viable alternative to current approaches to gene delivery due to several distinguishing characteristics, including enhanced molecular versatility that allows for complex modifications to improve activity and safety.

 

TheraSilenceTM Technology Platform

 

TheraSilence™ is a technology platform for the delivery of synthetically-generated inhibitory RNA (RNAi), such as small inhibitory RNAs (siRNAs), microRNAs, microRNA mimics, and related molecules that can regulate protein expression at the transcript level by exploiting endogenous cell mechanisms. RNAi-based therapies have the potential for targeting the disease-related genes with a high degree of specificity, including the target genes that have been widely identified as “non-druggable.” The TheraSilence™ technology seeks to address the primary obstacle to nucleic acid-based therapeutics, which is the efficient delivery of RNAs to target cells. Specifically, a delivery system needs to be able to protect the RNAi from nuclease degradation, transfer the molecule across the cellular membranes and release the material so that it can be available to the endogenous RNA silencing machinery. We have developed proprietary, novel structures that we believe are able to interact with the RNAi molecules forming protective nanoparticles that can be readily taken up into cells. In addition, these systems are chemically flexible and amenable to attaching tissue-targeted ligands, in-vivo stabilizing agents and other functional moieties which can tailor a formulation for a particular application and delivery modality. We believe that these features can provide high specificity for RNAi delivery to select tissue, enhance stability and reduce in-vivo toxicity. On May 21, 2015, we reported data from a preclinical study in which RNA formulated with the TheraSilence™ delivery system resulted in preferential expression level in the lungs in non-human primates and was well tolerated at the two dose levels as determined by safety analysis including complete blood cell count, blood chemistry, histopathology, interferon response and compliment activation.

 

Business Strategy

 

We have not generated and do not expect to generate any revenue from product sales in the next several years, if at all, other than minimal revenue from the sale of reagent products we acquired from EGEN. An element of our business strategy has been to pursue, as resources permit, the research and development of a range of product candidates for a variety of indications. We may also evaluate licensing cancer products from third parties for cancer treatments to expand our product pipeline. This is intended to allow us to diversify the risks associated with our research and development expenditures. However, there can be no assurance that we will be able to develop and maintain a broad range of product candidates. To the extent we are unable to maintain a broad range of product candidates, our dependence on the success of one or a few product candidates would increase and results such as those announced in relation to the HEAT study on January 31, 2013 will have a more significant impact on our financial prospects, financial condition and market value. We will assess our product pipeline and research and development priorities. We may also consider and evaluate strategic alternatives, including investment in, or acquisition of, complementary businesses, technologies or products. As demonstrated by the HEAT study results, drug research and development is an inherently uncertain process and there is a high risk of failure at every stage prior to approval. The timing and the outcome of clinical results is extremely difficult to predict. Clinical development successes and failures can have a disproportionate positive or negative impact on our scientific and medical prospects, financial prospects, financial condition and market value.

 

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Our current business strategy includes the possibility of entering into collaborative arrangements with third parties to complete the development and commercialization of our product candidates. In the event that third parties take over the clinical trial process for one or more of our product candidates, the estimated completion date would largely be under the control of that third party rather than us. We cannot forecast with any degree of certainty which proprietary products or indications, if any, will be subject to future collaborative arrangements, in whole or in part, and how such arrangements would affect our development plan or capital requirements. We may also apply for subsidies, grants or government or agency-sponsored studies that could reduce our development costs.

 

As a result of the uncertainties discussed above, among others, we are unable to estimate the duration and completion costs of our research and development projects or when, if ever, and to what extent we will receive cash inflows from the commercialization and sale of a product. Our inability to complete our research and development projects in a timely manner or to obtain positive results in our clinical trials, as well as any failure to enter into collaborative agreements when appropriate, could significantly increase our capital requirements and could adversely impact our liquidity. While our estimated future capital requirements are uncertain and could increase or decrease as a result of many factors, including the extent to which we choose to advance our research, development and clinical trials or whether we are in a position to pursue manufacturing or commercialization activities, it is clear we will need significant additional capital to develop our product candidates through clinical development, manufacturing and commercialization. We do not know whether we will be able to access additional capital when needed or on terms favorable to us or our stockholders. Our inability to raise additional capital, or to do so on terms reasonably acceptable to us, would jeopardize the future success of our business.

 

Corporate Information

 

We were founded in 1982 and are a Delaware corporation. Our shares of common stock trade on The NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “CLSN.” Our principal executive offices are located at 997 Lenox Drive, Suite 100, Lawrenceville, New Jersey 08648. Our telephone number is (609) 896-9100 and our website is www.celsion.com. The information available on or through our website is not part of or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus and should not be relied upon.

 

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RISK FACTORS

 

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider and evaluate all of the information contained in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement and in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement before you decide to purchase our securities. In particular, you should carefully consider and evaluate the risks and uncertainties described in “Part I — Item 1A. Risk Factors” of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as updated by the additional risks and uncertainties set forth in our most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in other filings we make with the SEC, as well as the risks and uncertainties described under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in the applicable prospectus supplement or in any other document incorporated by reference into this prospectus. Any of the risks and uncertainties set forth therein could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition, which in turn could materially and adversely affect the trading price or value of our securities. As a result, you could lose all or part of your investment.

 

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RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

 

(In thousands)

 

Set forth below is information concerning our ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the periods indicated. For purposes of calculating this ratio, earnings consist of net income from continuing operations before income taxes, fixed charges less capitalized interest. Fixed charges consist of interest expense and estimated interest portion of rentals.

 

For the periods indicated below, we had no outstanding shares of preferred stock with required dividend payments. Therefore, the ratios of earnings to combined fixed charges are identical to the ratios presented in the table below.

 

   

Year Ended December 31,

 
   

2014

   

2013

   

2012

   

2011

   

2010

 
                                         

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges

    *       *       *       *       *  
                                         

Deficiency of earnings available to cover fixed charges

  $ 24,715     $ 15,763     $ 22,360     $ 23,019     $ 19,637  

 

 

USE OF PROCEEDS

 

Unless otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement, we currently intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities offered hereby for general corporate purposes, which may include the further research and development, clinical trials, manufacture and commercialization of our lead product candidate, ThermoDox®, and other products, including GEN-1, and to fund research and development of our technologies, working capital, repaying, redeeming or repurchasing debt, capital expenditures and other general corporate purposes. We may also use a portion of the net proceeds to acquire or invest in businesses, products and technologies that are complementary to our own, as well as for capital expenditures. We have not specifically allocated the proceeds to those purposes as of the date of this prospectus. Pending these uses, we expect to invest the net proceeds in short-term, interest-bearing instruments or other investment-grade securities, certificates of deposits or short-term U.S. government securities. The precise amount and timing of the application of proceeds from the sale of securities will depend on our funding requirements and the availability and cost of other funds at the time of sale. Allocation of proceeds of a particular series of securities, or the principal reason for the offering if no allocation has been made, will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement or in any related free writing prospectus.

 

DIVIDEND POLICY

 

We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our common stock and do not currently anticipate declaring or paying cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. We currently intend to retain all of our future earnings, if any, to finance operations. Any future determination relating to our dividend policy will be made at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on a number of factors, including future earnings, capital requirements, financial conditions, future prospects, contractual restrictions and other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant.

 

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GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

 

We may offer shares of common or preferred stock, various series of debt securities, warrants or other rights to purchase common stock or preferred stock, or units consisting of combinations of the foregoing, in each case from time to time under this prospectus, together with any applicable prospectus supplement, at prices and on terms to be determined by market conditions at the time of offering. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. At the time we offer a type or series of securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement describing the specific amounts, prices and other important terms of the securities, including, to the extent applicable:

 

 

designation or classification;

 

 

aggregate principal amount or aggregate offering price;

 

 

voting or other rights;

 

 

rates and times of payment of interest, dividends or other payments;

 

 

original issue discount;

 

 

maturity;

 

 

ranking;

 

 

restrictive covenants;

 

 

redemption, conversion, exercise, exchange, settlement or sinking fund terms, including prices or rates, and any provisions for changes to or adjustments in such prices or rates and in the securities or other property receivable upon conversion, exercise, exchange or settlement;

 

 

any securities exchange or market listing arrangements; and

 

 

important U.S. federal income tax considerations.

 

This prospectus may not be used to offer or sell securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement. The prospectus supplement may add, update or change information contained in this prospectus or in documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus. We urge you to read the prospectus supplement related to any securities being offered.

 

We may sell the securities directly to or through underwriters, dealers or agents. We and our underwriters, dealers or agents reserve the right to accept or reject all or part of any proposed purchase of securities. If we do offer securities through underwriters or agents, we will include in the applicable prospectus supplement (a) the names of the underwriters or agents and applicable fees, discounts and commissions to be paid to them, (b) details regarding over-allotment options, if any, and (c) net proceeds to us.

 

The following descriptions are not complete and may not contain all the information you should consider before investing in any securities we may offer hereunder; they are summarized from, and qualified by reference to, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, bylaws and the other documents referred to in the descriptions, all of which are or will be publicly filed with the SEC, as applicable. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

 

General

 

Our authorized capital stock consists of 75,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share, and 100,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share. As of September 3, 2015, there were 23,027,988 shares of our common stock outstanding and no shares of preferred stock outstanding.

 

The following summary description of our capital stock is based on the applicable provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended (DGCL), the provisions of our certificate of incorporation, as amended (our certificate of incorporation), and our bylaws, as amended (our bylaws). This information is qualified entirely by reference to the applicable provisions of the DGCL, our certificate of incorporation and bylaws. For information on how to obtain copies of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, which are exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, see the section titled “Where You Can Find Additional Information” in this prospectus.

 

Common Stock

 

Holders of common stock to be registered hereunder are entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders and do not have cumulative voting rights. Subject to any preferential rights of any outstanding preferred stock, holders of common stock are entitled to receive ratably such dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by our board of directors out of funds legally available therefor. In the event of a dissolution, liquidation or winding-up of the Company, holders of common stock are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining after payment of liabilities and any preferential rights of any outstanding preferred stock.

 

Holders of common stock have no preemptive or conversion rights or other subscription rights. There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to our common stock. All outstanding shares of common stock are fully paid and non-assessable. The rights, preferences and privileges of the holders of common stock are subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of shares of any series of preferred stock which may be designated and issued in the future.

 

Preferred Stock

 

Pursuant to our certificate of incorporation, our board of directors has the authority, without further action by the stockholders (unless such stockholder action is required by applicable law or NASDAQ rules), to designate and issue shares of preferred stock in one or more series, to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each such series, to fix the designations, powers (including voting), privileges, preferences and relative participating, optional or other rights, if any, of the shares of each such series and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof and to increase or decrease the number of shares of any such series, but not below the number of shares of such series then outstanding.

 

We will fix the designations, powers (including voting), privileges, preferences and relative participating, optional or other rights, if any, of the preferred stock of each series, as well as the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, in the certificate of designation relating to that series. We will file as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by reference from reports that we file with the SEC, the form of any certificate of designation that describes the terms of the series of preferred stock we are offering before the issuance of that series of preferred stock. This description will include:

 

 

the title and stated value;

 

 

the number of shares we are offering;

 

 

the liquidation preference per share;

 

 

the purchase price;

 

 

the dividend rate, period and payment date and method of calculation for dividends;

 

 

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

 

 

the procedures for any auction or remarketing, if any;

 

 

the provisions for a sinking fund, if any;

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

whether the preferred stock will be convertible into or exchangeable for other securities and, if applicable, the conversion price, or how it will be calculated, and the conversion period;

 

 

voting rights, if any, of the preferred stock;

 

 

preemptive rights, if any;

 

 

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

 

 

liability as to further calls or to assessment by the Company, if any;

 

 

a discussion of any material United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the preferred stock;

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

The DGCL provides that the holders of preferred stock will have the right to vote separately as a class or, in some cases, as a series on an amendment to our certificate of incorporation if the amendment would change the par value or, unless our certificate of incorporation provides otherwise, the number of authorized shares of the class or the powers, preferences or special rights of the class or series so as to adversely affect the class or series, as the case may be. This right is in addition to any voting rights that may be provided in the applicable certificate of designation.

 

Our board of directors may authorize the issuance of preferred stock with voting or conversion rights that could adversely affect the voting power or other rights of the holders of our common stock or other securities. Preferred stock could be issued quickly with terms designed to delay or prevent a change in control of our company or make removal of management more difficult. Additionally, the issuance of preferred stock may have the effect of decreasing the market price of our common stock.

 

Anti-Takeover Considerations and Special Provisions of Our Certificate of Incorporation, Our Bylaws and the Delaware General Corporation Law

 

Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws

 

A number of provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws concern matters of corporate governance and the rights of our stockholders. Provisions that grant our board of directors the ability to issue shares of preferred stock and to set the voting rights, preferences and other terms thereof may discourage takeover attempts that are not first approved by our board of directors, including takeovers that may be considered by some stockholders to be in their best interests, such as those attempts that might result in a premium over the market price for the shares held by stockholders. Certain provisions could delay or impede the removal of incumbent directors even if such removal would be beneficial to our stockholders, such as the classification of our board of directors and the lack of cumulative voting. Since our board of directors has the power to retain and discharge our officers, these provisions could also make it more difficult for existing stockholders or another party to effect a change in management.

 

These provisions may have the effect of deterring hostile takeovers or delaying changes in our control or in our management. These provisions are intended to enhance the likelihood of continued stability in the composition of our board of directors and in the policies they implement and to discourage certain types of transactions that may involve an actual or threatened change of our control. These provisions are designed to reduce our vulnerability to an unsolicited acquisition proposal. The provisions also are intended to discourage certain tactics that may be used in proxy fights. However, such provisions could have the effect of discouraging others from making tender offers for our shares and, as a consequence, they also may inhibit fluctuations in the market price of our shares that could result from actual or rumored takeover attempts.

 

These provisions also could discourage or make more difficult a merger, tender offer or proxy contest, even if they could be favorable to the interests of stockholders, and could potentially depress the market price of our common stock. Our board of directors believes that these provisions are appropriate to protect our interests and the interests of our stockholders.

 

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Classification of Board; No Cumulative Voting. Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws provide for our board of directors to be divided into three classes, with staggered three-year terms. Only one class of directors is elected at each annual meeting of our stockholders, with the other classes continuing for the remainder of their respective three-year terms. Because our stockholders do not have cumulative voting rights, our stockholders representing a majority of the shares of common stock outstanding will be able to elect all of our directors due to be elected at each annual meeting of our stockholders.

 

Meetings of and Actions by Stockholders. Our bylaws provide that annual meetings of our stockholders may take place at the time and place designated by our board of directors. A special meeting of our stockholders may be called at any time by our board of directors, the chairman of our board of directors or the president. Our bylaws provide that (i) our board of directors can fix separate record dates for determining stockholders entitled to receive notice of a stockholder meeting and for determining stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting; (ii) we may hold a stockholder meeting by means of remote communications; (iii) any stockholder seeking to have the stockholders authorize or take corporate action by written consent shall, by written notice to the secretary of the Company, request that the board fix a record date and the board shall adopt a resolution fixing the record date in all events within ten calendar days after a request is received; and (iv) a written consent of stockholders shall not be effective unless a written consent signed by a sufficient number of stockholders to take such action is received by us within 60 calendar days of the earliest dated written consent received.

 

Advance Notice Requirements for Stockholder Proposals and Director Nominations. Our bylaws provide that stockholders seeking to bring business before an annual meeting of stockholders or to nominate candidates for election as directors at an annual meeting of stockholders must provide timely notice in writing. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be delivered to, or mailed and received by, the secretary of the Company at our principal executive offices not later than the close of business on the 90th calendar day, nor earlier than the close of business on the 120th calendar day in advance of the date specified in the Company’s proxy statement released to stockholders in connection with the previous year’s annual meeting of stockholders. If the date of the annual meeting is more than 30 calendar days before or after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so not earlier than the close of business on the 120th calendar day in advance of such date of annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th calendar day in advance of such date of annual meeting or the tenth calendar day following the date on which public announcement of the date of the meeting is made. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of an advance notice by any stockholder. Any stockholder that proposes director nominations or other business must be a stockholder of record at the time the advance notice is delivered by such stockholder to us and entitled to vote at the meeting. Our bylaws also specify requirements as to the form and content of a stockholder’s notice. These provisions may preclude stockholders from bringing matters before an annual meeting of stockholders or from making nominations for the election of directors at an annual meeting of stockholders. Unless otherwise required by law, any director nomination or other business shall not be made or transacted if the stockholder (or a qualified representative of the stockholder) does not appear at the meeting to present the director nominee or other proposed business.

 

Filling of Board Vacancies. Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws provide that the authorized size of our board of directors shall be determined by the board by board resolution from time to time and that our board of directors has the exclusive power to fill any vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors and the stockholders do not have the power to fill such vacancies. Vacancies in our board of directors and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors on our board of directors may be filled by a majority of the directors remaining in office, even though that number may be less than a quorum of our board of directors, or by a sole remaining director. A director so elected to fill a vacancy shall serve for the remaining term of the predecessor he or she replaced and until his or her successor is elected and has qualified, or until his or her earlier resignation, removal or death.

 

Amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation. Our certificate of incorporation may be amended, altered, changed or repealed at a meeting of our stockholders entitled to vote thereon by the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding stock entitled to vote thereon and a majority of the outstanding stock of each class entitled to vote thereon as a class, in the manner prescribed by the DGCL.

 

Amendment of the Bylaws. Our bylaws may be amended or repealed, or new bylaws may be adopted, by either our board of directors or the affirmative vote of at least 66 2/3 percent of the voting power of our outstanding shares of capital stock.

 

Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law

 

We are subject to Section 203 of the DGCL, which prohibits a Delaware corporation from engaging in any business combination with any interested stockholder for a period of three years after the date that such stockholder became an interested stockholder, with the following exceptions:

 

 

before such date, the board of directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;

 

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upon completion of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85 percent of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction began, excluding for purposes of determining the voting stock outstanding (but not the outstanding voting stock owned by the interested stockholder) those shares owned (i) by persons who are directors and also officers and (ii) pursuant to employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; and

 

 

on or after such date, the business combination is approved by the board of directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of the stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least 66 2/3 percent of the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder.

 

In general, Section 203 defines a business combination to include the following:

 

 

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

 

 

any sale, lease, transfer, pledge or other disposition of ten percent or more of the assets of the corporation to or with the interested stockholder;

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

In general, Section 203 of the DGCL defines an “interested stockholder” as an entity or person who, together with the entity’s or person’s affiliates and associates, beneficially owns, or is an affiliate of the corporation and within three years prior to the time of determination of interested stockholder status did own, 15 percent or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation.

 

A Delaware corporation may “opt out” of these provisions with an express provision in its certificate of incorporation. We have not opted out of these provisions, which may as a result, discourage or prevent mergers or other takeover or change of control attempts of us.

 

Transfer Agent and Registrar

 

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC (AST), located at 6201 15th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11219. AST’s phone number is (800) 937-5449.

 

NASDAQ Capital Market Listing

 

Our common stock is listed on The NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “CLSN.”

 

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

 

We may issue debt securities from time to time, in one or more series, as senior, subordinated or junior subordinated, convertible or non-convertible and secured or unsecured debt. Any senior debt securities will rank equally with any unsubordinated debt. Subordinated debt securities will rank equally with any other subordinated debt of the same ranking we may issue. Convertible debt securities will be convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock or other securities at predetermined conversion rates, and conversion may be mandatory or at the holder’s option.

 

Debt securities will be issued under one or more indentures—contracts between us and a national banking association or other eligible party acting as trustee. Following is a summary of certain general features of debt securities we may issue; we will describe the particular terms of any debt securities that we may offer in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement, which may differ from the terms we describe below. You should read the prospectus supplements, any free writing prospectus we may authorize and the indentures, supplemental indentures and forms of debt securities relating to any series of debt securities we may offer.

 

General. Except as we may otherwise provide in a prospectus supplement, the relevant indenture will provide that debt securities may be issued from time to time in one or more series. The indenture will not limit the amount of debt securities that may be issued thereunder, and will provide that the specific terms of any series of debt securities shall be set forth in, or determined pursuant to, an authorizing resolution, an officers’ certificate or a supplemental indenture, if any, relating to such series.

 

We will describe in each prospectus supplement the following terms relating to any series of debt securities:

 

 

the title or designation;

 

 

whether they will be secured or unsecured, and the terms of any security;

 

 

whether the debt securities will be subject to subordination, and any terms thereof;

 

 

any limit upon the aggregate principal amount;

 

 

the date or dates on which the debt securities may be issued and on which we will pay the principal;

 

 

the interest rate, which may be fixed or variable, or the method for determining the rate, the date interest will begin to accrue, the date or dates interest will be payable and the record dates for interest payment dates or the method for determining them;

 

 

the manner in which the amounts of payment of principal of, premium 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 other than that in which the debt securities are denominated or designated to be payable or by reference to a commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index;

 

 

the currency of denomination;

 

 

if payments of principal of, premium or interest 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 place or places where the principal of, premium, and interest will be payable, where debt securities of any series may be presented for registration of transfer, exchange or conversion, and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the debt securities may be made;

 

 

the form of consideration in which principal of, premium or interest will be paid;

 

 

the terms and conditions upon which we may redeem the debt securities;

 

 

any obligation we have to redeem or purchase the debt securities pursuant to any sinking fund, amortization or analogous provisions or at the option of a holder;

 

 

the dates on which and the price or prices at which we will repurchase the debt securities at the option of holders and other detailed terms and provisions of these obligations;

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

whether the debt securities are to be issued at any original issuance discount and the amount of discount with which they may be issued;

 

 

whether the debt securities will be issued in certificated or global form and, in such case, the depositary and the terms and conditions, if any, upon which interests in such global security or securities may be exchanged in whole or in part for the individual securities represented thereby;

 

 

provisions, if any, for defeasance in whole or in part and any addition or change to provisions related to satisfaction and discharge;

 

 

the form of the debt securities;

 

 

the terms and conditions upon which convertible debt securities will be convertible or exchangeable into securities or property of the Company or another person, if at all, and any additions or changes, if any, to permit or facilitate the same;

 

 

provisions, if any, granting special rights to holders upon the occurrence of specified events;

 

 

any restriction or condition on transferability;

 

 

any addition or change in the provisions related to compensation and reimbursement of the trustee;

 

 

any addition to or change in the events of default described in this prospectus or in the indenture and any change in the acceleration provisions so described;

 

 

whether the debt securities will restrict our ability to pay dividends, or will require us to maintain any asset ratios or reserves;

 

 

whether we will be restricted from incurring any additional indebtedness;

 

 

any addition to or change in the covenants described in this prospectus or in the indenture, including terms of any restrictive covenants; and

 

 

any other terms which may modify or delete any provision of the indenture.

 

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 U.S. federal income tax considerations and other special considerations applicable to any debt securities in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

Conversion or Exchange Rights. We will set forth in the prospectus supplement the terms, if any, on which a series of debt securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock or other securities. We will include provisions as to whether conversion or exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our option. We may include provisions pursuant to which the number of shares of our common stock or other securities that the holders of debt securities receive would be subject to adjustment.

 

Consolidation, Merger or Sale; No Protection in Event of a Change of Control or Highly Leveraged Transaction. Except as we may otherwise provide in a prospectus supplement, the indenture will provide that we may not merge or consolidate with or into another entity, or sell other than for cash or lease all or substantially all our assets to another entity, or purchase all or substantially all the assets of another entity unless we are the surviving entity or, if we are not the surviving entity, the successor, transferee or lessee entity expressly assumes all of our obligations under the indenture or the debt securities, as appropriate.

 

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

 

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Events of Default Under the Indenture. Except as we may otherwise provide in a prospectus supplement, the following will be events of default under the indenture with respect to any series of debt securities that we may issue:

 

 

if we fail to pay interest when due and our failure continues for 90 days and the time for payment has not been extended or deferred;

 

 

if we fail to pay the principal, or premium, if any, when due whether by maturity or called for redemption;

 

 

if we fail to pay a sinking fund installment, if any, when due and our failure continues for 30 days;

 

 

if we fail to observe or perform any other covenant relating to the debt securities, other than a covenant specifically relating to and for the benefit of holders of another series of debt securities, and our failure continues for 90 days after we receive written notice from the debenture trustee or holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding series; and

 

 

if specified events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occur as to the Company.

 

No event of default with respect to a particular series of debt securities (except as to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization) will necessarily constitute an event of default with respect to any other series. The occurrence of an event of default may constitute an event of default under any bank credit agreements we may have in existence from time to time. In addition, the occurrence of certain events of default or an acceleration under the indenture may constitute an event of default under certain of our other indebtedness outstanding from time to time.

 

Except as we may otherwise provide in a prospectus supplement, 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 a majority in principal amount of the outstanding series may, by a notice in writing to us (and to the debenture trustee if given by the holders), declare to be due and payable immediately the principal (or, if the debt securities are discount securities, that portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of such securities) of and premium and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all such debt securities. Before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained with respect to any series, the holders of a majority in principal amount of that series (or, at a meeting of holders at which a quorum is present, the holders of a majority in principal amount represented at such meeting) may rescind and annul the acceleration if all events of default, other than the non-payment of accelerated principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, have been cured or waived as provided in the applicable indenture (including payments or deposits in respect of principal, premium or interest that had become due other than as a result of such acceleration) and the Company has deposited with the indenture trustee or paying agent a sum sufficient to pay all amounts owed to the indenture trustee under the indenture, all arrears of interest, if any, and the principal and premium, if any, on the debt securities that have become due other than by such acceleration. We refer you to the relevant prospectus supplement relating to any discount securities for the particular provisions relating to acceleration of a portion of the principal amount thereof upon the occurrence of an event of default.

 

Subject to the terms of the indenture, and except as we may otherwise provide in a prospectus supplement, if an event of default under the indenture shall occur and be continuing, the debenture trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under such indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders of the applicable series, unless such holders have offered the debenture trustee reasonable indemnity. The holders of a majority in principal amount of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the debenture trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the debenture trustee, with respect to that series, provided that, subject to the terms of the indenture, the debenture trustee need not take any action that it believes, upon the advice of counsel, might involve it in personal liability or might be unduly prejudicial to holders not involved in the proceeding.

 

Except as we may otherwise provide in a prospectus supplement, a holder of the debt securities of any series will only have the right to institute a proceeding under the indenture or to appoint a receiver or trustee, or to seek other remedies if:

 

 

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

 

 

the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount outstanding of that series have made written request, and such holders have offered reasonable indemnity to the debenture trustee to institute the proceeding as trustee; and

 

 

the debenture trustee does not institute the proceeding, and does not receive from the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount outstanding of that series (or at a meeting of holders at which a quorum is present, the holders of a majority in principal amount of such series represented at such meeting) other conflicting directions within 60 days after the notice, request and offer.

 

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Except as we may otherwise provide in a prospectus supplement, these limitations will not apply to a suit instituted by a holder of debt securities if we default in the payment of the principal, premium, if any, or interest on, them.

 

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

 

Modification of Indenture; Waiver. Except as we may otherwise provide in a prospectus supplement, the debenture trustee and the Company may, without the consent of any holders, execute a supplemental indenture to change the applicable indenture with respect to specific matters, including, among other things:

 

 

to surrender any right or power conferred upon the Company;

 

 

to provide, change or eliminate any restrictions on payment of principal of or premium, if any; provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the holders of debt securities of any series in any material respect;

 

 

to change or eliminate any of the provisions of the indenture; provided that any such change or elimination shall become effective only when there is no outstanding debt security created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture that is entitled to the benefit of such provision and as to which such supplemental indenture would apply;

 

 

to evidence the succession of another entity to the Company;

 

 

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

 

 

to cure any ambiguity, mistake, manifest error, omission, defect or inconsistency in the indenture or to conform the text of any provision in the indenture or in any supplemental indenture to any description thereof in the applicable section of a prospectus, prospectus supplement or other offering document that was intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of the indenture or of any supplemental indenture;

 

 

to add to or change or eliminate any provision of the indenture as shall be necessary or desirable in accordance with any amendments to the U.S. Trust Indenture Act of 1939;

 

 

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

 

 

to supplement any of the provisions of the indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance and discharge of any series of debt securities; provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of holders of any debt securities.

 

In addition, and except as we may otherwise provide in a prospectus supplement, under the indenture the rights of holders of a series of debt securities may be changed by us and the debenture trustee with the written consent of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount outstanding (or, at a meeting of holders of such series at which a quorum is present, the holders of a majority in principal amount represented at such meeting) that is affected. The debenture trustee and the Company may, however, make the following changes only with the consent of each holder of any outstanding debt securities affected:

 

 

extending the fixed maturity;

 

 

reducing the principal amount, reducing the rate of or extending the time of payment of interest, or any premium payable upon redemption;

 

 

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

 

 

making the principal of or premium or interest payable in currency other than that stated;

 

 

impairing the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or after the fixed maturity date;

 

 

materially adversely affecting the economic terms of any right to convert or exchange; and

 

 

reducing the percentage of debt securities, the holders of which are required to consent to any amendment or waiver; or modifying, without the written consent of the trustee, the rights, duties or immunities of the trustee.

 

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Except for certain specified provisions, and except as we may otherwise provide in a prospectus supplement, the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of any series (or, at a meeting of holders of such series at which a quorum is present, the holders of a majority in principal amount represented at such meeting) 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 all such holders, waive any past default under the indenture with respect to that series and its consequences, other than a default in the payment of the principal of, premium or any interest; 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.

 

Discharge. Except as we may otherwise provide in a prospectus supplement, the indenture will provide that we can elect to be discharged from our obligations with respect to one or more series of debt securities. In order to exercise our rights to be discharged, we must deposit with the trustee money or government obligations sufficient to pay all the principal of, the premium, if any, and interest on, the debt securities of the affected series on the dates payments are due.

 

Form, Exchange and Transfer. Except as we may otherwise provide in a prospectus supplement, we will issue debt securities only in fully registered form without coupons and, unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof. Except as we may otherwise provide in a prospectus supplement, the indenture will provide that we may issue debt securities in temporary or permanent global form and as book-entry securities that will be deposited with a depositary named by us and identified in a prospectus supplement with respect to that series.

 

At the option of the holder, subject to the terms of the indenture and the limitations applicable to global securities described in the applicable prospectus supplement, the holder will be able to exchange the debt securities for other debt securities of the same series, in any authorized denomination and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount.

 

Subject to the terms of the indenture and the limitations applicable to global securities set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders may present the debt securities for exchange or for registration of transfer, duly endorsed or with the form of transfer endorsed thereon duly executed if so required by us or the security registrar, at the office of the security registrar or at the office of any transfer agent designated by us for this purpose. Unless otherwise provided in the debt securities or the indenture, we will make no service charge for any registration of transfer or exchange, but we may require payment of any taxes or other governmental charges.

 

We will name in the applicable prospectus supplement the security registrar, and any transfer agent in addition to the security registrar, that we initially designate for any debt securities. We may at any time designate additional transfer agents or rescind the designation of any transfer agent or approve a change in the office through which any transfer agent acts, except that we will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of each series.

 

Except as we may otherwise provide in a prospectus supplement, if we elect to redeem the debt securities of any series, we will not be required to:

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

Information Concerning the Debenture Trustee. The debenture trustee, other than during the occurrence and continuance of an event of default under the indenture, will undertake to perform only those duties as are specifically set forth in the indenture. Upon an event of default, the debenture trustee must use the same degree of care as a prudent person would exercise or use in the conduct of his or her own affairs. Subject to this provision, the debenture trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of the powers given it by the indenture at the request of any holder unless it is offered reasonable security and indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities that it might incur.

 

Payment and Paying Agents. Unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will make payment of interest on any interest payment date to the person in whose name the debt securities, or one or more predecessor securities, are registered at the close of business on the regular record date for the interest.

 

Unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will pay principal of and any premium and interest at the office of the indenture trustee or, at the option of the Company, by check payable to the holder. Unless we otherwise indicate in a prospectus supplement, we will designate the corporate trust office of the debenture trustee our sole paying agent for payments. We will name in the applicable prospectus supplement any other paying agents that we initially designate. We will maintain a paying agent in each place of payment.

 

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All money we pay to a paying agent or the debenture trustee for the payment of principal or any premium or interest which remains unclaimed at the end of two years after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable will be repaid to us, and the holder of the security thereafter may look only to us for payment thereof.

 

Governing Law. The indenture and the debt securities will be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

 

No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders. No incorporator, stockholder, employee, agent, officer, director or subsidiary of ours will have any liability for any obligations of ours or, due to the creation of any indebtedness under the debt securities, the indentures or supplemental indentures. The indentures provide that all such liability is expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as consideration for, the execution of such indentures and the issuance of the debt securities.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS, OTHER RIGHTS AND UNITS

 

We may from time to time issue warrants or other rights (together, Rights), in one or more series, for the purchase of common stock or preferred stock. We may issue Rights independently or together with such securities, and such Rights may be attached to or separate from them. Rights will be evidenced by a Rights certificate issued under one or more Rights agreements between us and a Rights agent which will act solely as our agent in connection with the Rights and will not have any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of Rights. We may issue securities in units (Units), each consisting of two or more types of securities. For example, we might issue Units consisting of a combination of common stock and warrants to purchase common stock. If we issue Units, the prospectus supplement relating to the Units will contain the information described above with regard to each of the securities that is a component of the Units. In addition, the prospectus supplement relating to the Units will describe the terms of any Units we issue. The forms of any such certificates and agreements will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part by amendment thereof or as exhibits to a Current Report on Form 8-K incorporated herein by reference, and the accompanying prospectus supplement and such forms may add, update or change the terms and conditions of the Rights or Units described in this prospectus. You should read the prospectus supplements, Rights agreements and Rights certificates that contain the terms of the Rights in their entirety.

 

The particular terms of each issue of Rights or Units will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement, including, as applicable:

 

 

the title of the Rights or Units;

 

 

any initial offering price;

 

 

the title, aggregate principal amount or number and terms of the securities purchasable upon exercise of the Rights;

 

 

the principal amount or number of securities purchasable upon exercise of each Right and the price at which that principal amount or number may be purchased upon exercise of each Right;

 

 

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

 

 

the title and terms of any related securities with which the Rights are issued and the number of the Rights issued with each security;

 

 

any date on and after which the Rights or Units and the related securities will be separately transferable;

 

 

any minimum or maximum number of Rights that may be exercised at any one time;

 

 

the date on which the right to exercise the Rights will commence and the date on which the right will expire;

 

 

a discussion of U.S. federal income tax, accounting or other considerations applicable to the Rights or Units;

 

 

whether the Rights represented by the Rights certificates, if applicable, will be issued in registered or bearer form and, if registered, where they may be transferred and registered;

 

 

any anti-dilution provisions of the Rights or Units;

 

 

any redemption or call provisions applicable to the Rights;

 

 

any provisions for changes to or adjustments in the exercise price of any Rights; and

 

 

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

 

Rights certificates will be exchangeable for new Rights certificates of different denominations and, if in registered form, may be presented for registration of transfer, and Rights may be exercised, at the corporate trust office of the Rights agent or any other office indicated in the related prospectus supplement. Before the exercise of Rights, holders of Rights will not be entitled to payments of any dividends, principal, premium or interest on securities purchasable upon exercise of the Rights, to vote, consent or receive any notice as a holder of and in respect of any such securities or to enforce any covenants in any indenture, or to exercise any other rights whatsoever as a holder of securities purchasable upon exercise of the Rights.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

We may sell the securities, from time to time, to or through underwriters or dealers, through agents or remarketing firms, or directly to one or more purchasers pursuant to:

 

 

underwritten public offerings;

 

 

negotiated transactions;

 

 

block trades;

 

 

“At the Market Offerings,” within the meaning of Rule 415(a)(4) of the Securities Act, to or through a market maker or into an existing trading market, on an exchange or otherwise, at prevailing market prices; or

 

 

through a combination of these methods.

 

We may distribute securities from time to time in one or more transactions:

 

 

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

 

 

at market prices prevailing at the time of sale;

 

 

at prices related to such prevailing market prices; or

 

 

at negotiated prices.

 

A prospectus supplement or supplements will describe the terms of the offering of the securities, including:

 

 

the name or names of the underwriters, if any;

 

 

if the securities are to be offered through the selling efforts of brokers or dealers, the plan of distribution and the terms of any agreement, arrangement, or understanding entered into with broker(s) or dealer(s) prior to the effective date of the registration statement, and, if known, the identity of any broker(s) or dealer(s) who will participate in the offering and the amount to be offered through each;

 

 

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

 

 

if any of the securities being registered are to be offered otherwise than for cash, the general purposes of the distribution, the basis upon which the securities are to be offered, the amount of compensation and other expenses of distribution, and by whom they are to be borne;

 

 

any delayed delivery arrangements;

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

any public offering price;

 

 

any discounts, commissions or commissions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers;

 

 

the identity and relationships of any finders, if applicable; and

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

We may use a remarketing firm to offer the securities in connection with a remarketing arrangement upon their purchase. Remarketing firms will act as principals for their own account or as agents for us. These remarketing firms will offer or sell the securities pursuant to the terms of the securities. A prospectus supplement will identify any remarketing firm and the terms of its agreement, if any, with us and will describe the remarketing firm’s compensation. Remarketing firms may be deemed to be underwriters in connection the securities they remarket.

 

If we offer and sell securities through a dealer, we or an underwriter will sell the securities to the dealer, as principal. The dealer may resell the securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by the dealer at the time of resale. Any such dealer may be deemed to be an underwriter of the securities offered and sold. The name of the dealer and the terms of the transaction will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

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

 

We may sell securities directly to one or more purchasers without using underwriters or agents. Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of the securities may be underwriters as defined in the Securities Act, and any discounts or commissions they receive from us and any profit on their resale of the securities may be treated as underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Any underwriter may engage in over-allotment, stabilizing transactions, short-covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act. Over-allotment involves sales in excess of the offering size, which create a short position. Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum price. Syndicate-covering or other short-covering transactions involve purchases of the securities, either through exercise of the over-allotment option or in the open market after the distribution is completed, to cover short positions. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a dealer when the securities originally sold by the dealer are purchased in a stabilizing or covering transaction to cover short positions. Those activities may cause the price of the securities to be higher than it would otherwise be. If commenced, the underwriters may discontinue any of the activities at any time.

 

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

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

 

The validity of the securities being offered hereby will be passed upon by Sidley Austin LLP, Palo Alto, California.

 

EXPERTS

 

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

 

Anglin, Reichmann, Snellgrove & Armstrong P.C., an independent registered public accounting firm, has audited the financial statements of EGWU, Inc. (formerly known as Egen, Inc.), an Alabama corporation, as of and for the year ended June 30, 2013 and for the period from March 2, 2002 (date of inception) to June 30, 2013, and as of and for the year ended June 30, 2012, as set forth in their reports, which appear in Amendment No. 1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed on August 25, 2014 and are incorporated herein by reference in Amendment No. 2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed on May 29, 2015 and this prospectus. Such financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance on the reports of Anglin, Reichmann, Snellgrove & Armstrong P.C., given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

25

 

 

 

 

 

 

Up to $10,000,000

Common Stock

 

 

___________________

 

 

 

Prospectus Supplement

 

 

 

___________________

 

 

 

 

February 6, 2018