tcon-424b5.htm

Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)

Registration No. 333-229990

 

 

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

(To Prospectus Dated October 8, 2019)

3,926,702 Shares

 

 

Common Stock

_________________________

 

We are offering 3,926,702 shares of our common stock.

 

Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “TCON.” On July 20, 2021, the last reported sale price of our common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market was $5.15 per share.

 

The offering is being underwritten on a firm commitment basis. The underwriters may offer the shares of common stock from time to time to purchasers directly or through agents, through brokers in brokerage transactions on the Nasdaq Capital Market, to dealers in negotiated transactions or in a combination of such methods of sale, or otherwise, at fixed price or prices, which may be changed, or at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices.

 

Investing in our common stock involves risks. See “Risk Factors” on page S-6 of this prospectus supplement and in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement.

 

 

  

Per Share

 

    

Total

 

Public offering price

  

$3.82

 

 

 

$15,000,002

 

 

Underwriting discounts and commissions(1)

  

$0.29

 

 

 

$1,125,000

 

 

Proceeds to TRACON (before expenses)

  

$3.53

 

 

 

$13,875,002

 

 

          (1) See “Underwriting” for additional disclosure regarding underwriting compensation.

 

We have granted the underwriters an option for a period of 30 days to purchase up to an additional 589,005 shares of our common stock at the public offering price less underwriting discounts and commissions. If the underwriters exercise the option in full, the total underwriting discounts and commissions payable by us will be $1,293,750 and the total proceeds to us, before expenses, will be $15,956,251.

 

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 underwriters expect to deliver the shares to purchasers on or about July 26, 2021.

 

H.C. Wainwright & Co.

 

The date of this prospectus supplement is July 21, 2021.

 


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Prospectus Supplement

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

S-1

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY

S-2

RISK FACTORS

S-6

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

S-7

USE OF PROCEEDS

S-9

DILUTION

S-10

UNDERWRITING

S-12

LEGAL MATTERS

S-16

EXPERTS

S-16

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

S-16

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

S-16

 

Prospectus

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

ii

SUMMARY

1

RISK FACTORS

4

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

4

USE OF PROCEEDS

5

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

5

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

9

LEGAL OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES

11

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

14

LEGAL MATTERS

15

EXPERTS

16

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

16

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

16

DISCLOSURE OF COMMISSION POSITION ON INDEMNIFICATION FOR SECURITIES ACT LIABILITY

17

 

 

 

S-i


 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT 

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relate to an offering of our common stock. Before buying any of the common stock that we are offering, we urge you to carefully read this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, together with the information incorporated by reference as described under the headings “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference” in this prospectus supplement. These documents contain important information that you should consider when making your investment decision.

Unless the context indicates otherwise, as used in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, the terms “TRACON,” “the Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to TRACON Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its wholly-owned subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.

This document is in two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes the terms of this offering of common stock and also adds to, updates and changes information contained in the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference. The second part is the accompanying prospectus, which gives more general information. To the extent the information contained in this prospectus supplement differs from or conflicts with the information contained in the accompanying prospectus or any document incorporated by reference, the information in this prospectus supplement will control. 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 into the accompanying prospectus—the statement in the document having the later date modifies or supersedes the earlier statement.

We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized anyone to provide you with information different from that which is contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and in any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering. No one is making offers to sell or seeking offers to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information contained in this prospectus supplement is accurate as of the date on the front cover of this prospectus supplement only and that any information we have incorporated by reference or included in the accompanying prospectus is accurate only as of the date given in the document incorporated by reference or as of the date of the prospectus, as applicable, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, any related free writing prospectus, or any sale of our common stock. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.

We further note that the representations, warranties and covenants made by us in any agreement that is filed as an exhibit to any document that is incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus were made solely for the benefit of the parties to such agreement, including, in some cases, for the purpose of allocating risk among the parties to such agreements, and should not be deemed to be a representation, warranty or covenant to you. Moreover, such representations, warranties or covenants were accurate only as of the date when made. Accordingly, such representations, warranties and covenants should not be relied on as accurately representing the current state of our affairs.

 

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

 

S-1


PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY

 

This summary highlights selected information contained elsewhere or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. This summary does not contain all the information you should consider before investing in our common stock. You should read and consider carefully the more detailed information in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including the factors described under the heading “Risk Factors” in this prospectus supplement and the financial and other information incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, as well as the information included in any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering, before making an investment decision.

Company Overview

 

We are a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of novel targeted therapeutics for cancer and utilizing our cost efficient, contract research organization (CRO) independent product development platform to partner with ex-U.S. companies to develop and commercialize innovative products in the United States.

 

In December 2019, we entered into a collaboration and clinical trial agreement (the Envafolimab Collaboration Agreement) with 3D Medicines Co., Ltd. (3D Medicines) and Jiangsu Alphamab Biopharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. (Alphamab) for the development of envafolimab, also known as KN035, an investigational PD-L1 single-domain antibody administered by rapid subcutaneous injection for the treatment of sarcoma in North America. In December 2020, we announced the dosing of the first patient in the ENVASARC Phase 2 pivotal trial (the ENVASARC trial), which will enroll approximately 160 patients with the sarcoma subtypes of undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS) and myxofibrosarcoma (MFS). The trial includes one cohort of approximately 80 patients who receive single agent treatment with envafolimab and a second cohort of approximately 80 patients who receive envafolimab in combination with Yervoy (ipilimumab), a checkpoint inhibitor marketed by Bristol-Myers Squibb, with the primary endpoint in each of the cohorts being objective response rate (ORR) by blinded central review.  Achieving the primary endpoint of ORR could be the basis for accelerated approval of envafolimab by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a single agent and/or in combination with Yervoy. The trial will provide at least 86% power to demonstrate the primary endpoint of whether ORR is greater than 5% in each cohort, which is greater than the 4% ORR of Votrient (pazopanib) reported in soft tissue sarcoma in its package insert. Votrient is the only approved treatment for refractory soft tissue sarcoma, which includes UPS and MFS. Nine or more objective responses among the 80 patients expected to enroll in cohort A or cohort B would be sufficient to demonstrate that envafolimab or envafolimab combined with Yervoy, respectively, have an ORR that is statistically superior to the 4% ORR reported for Votrient in refractory soft tissue sarcoma.

 

In June 2021, we received Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) for envafolimab for the treatment of soft tissue sarcoma subtypes. Assuming sufficient patient responses in line with meeting the ENVASARC trial endpoint, we intend to apply for breakthrough therapy or fast track designation with the FDA for envafolimab for the treatment of soft tissue sarcoma subtypes in the United States in 2021. Thereafter, we expect having a final response assessment from the ENVASARC trial in 2022, and, assuming positive data, submitting a biologics license application to the FDA for accelerated approval in 2023. Additionally, assuming positive interim data from the ENVASARC trial, we plan to initiate a trial in multiple soft tissue sarcoma subtypes to expand the target patient population.

 

In April 2021, a poster highlighting the ENVASARC trial was presented at the American Association for Cancer Research virtual meeting, which provided details on the ENVASARC trial design. A poster highlighting the pivotal ENVASARC clinical trial design was presented at the American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) virtual meeting in June 2021.

 

Our other clinical stage oncology product candidates include TRC102, which is a small molecule that has been studied in Phase 1 and Phase 2 trials for the treatment of mesothelioma, lung cancer, glioblastoma and solid tumors, and TJ004309, which is a CD73 antibody in Phase 1 clinical development for the treatment of solid tumors, that we licensed from I-Mab Biopharma (I-Mab) in November 2018.  

 

TRC102 is a small molecule in clinical development to reverse resistance to specific chemotherapeutics by inhibiting DNA base excision repair. In initial clinical trials of more than 100 patients, TRC102 has shown good

S-2


tolerability and promising anti-tumor activity in combination with alkylating and antimetabolite chemotherapy for the treatment of cancer patients. TRC102 has been studied in Phase 1 or Phase 2 trials in mesothelioma patients in combination with the approved chemotherapeutic Alimta (pemetrexed), in glioblastoma, ovarian cancer, lung and colorectal cancer patients in combination with the approved chemotherapeutic Temodar (temozolomide) and in lung cancer patients in combination with the approved chemotherapeutics Alimta and cisplatin as well as external beam radiation (i.e., chemoradiation). All current TRC102 trials are sponsored and funded by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). We retain global rights to develop and commercialize TRC102 in all indications. In October 2020, TRC102 received ODD from the FDA for the treatment of patients with malignant glioma, including glioblastoma. O6-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) deficiency is observed in about one-third of glioblastoma patients, and a prior study of Temodar and TRC102 reported at the Society for Neuro-Oncology in 2018 demonstrated that two MGMT deficient glioblastoma patients had prolonged survival when treated with Temodar and TRC102 after progressing previously on Temodar and radiation therapy. A December 2020 publication in Cancer Cell also demonstrated Temodar and TRC102 were active in MGMT deficient patients with colorectal cancer. We expect further development by the NCI in MGMT deficient glioblastoma based on these data and believe a trial in first line glioblastoma patients of Temodar, radiation therapy and TRC102 is warranted. Based on data presented at the ASCO 2020 virtual meeting that the combination of chemoradiation and TRC102 produced objective responses in all 15 evaluable patients with advanced localized lung cancer treated in a Phase 1 clinical trial, we also believe further study of TRC102 is warranted in advanced localized lung cancer patients.

 

TJ004309, also known as TJD5, is a novel humanized antibody against CD73 expressed on stromal cells and tumors that converts extracellular adenosine monophosphate to the immunosuppressive metabolite adenosine. We are developing TJ004309 in collaboration with I-Mab under a strategic collaboration and clinical trial agreement that we entered into in November 2018. In July 2019, we began enrollment in a Phase 1 clinical trial to assess safety and preliminary efficacy of TJ004309 as a single agent and when combined with the PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitor Tecentriq in patients with advanced solid tumors, and we presented dose escalation data from the ongoing Phase 1 clinical trial at the ASCO 2021 virtual meeting. We also entered into a separate strategic collaboration and clinical trial agreement, which allows for the development of up to five of I-Mab’s proprietary bispecific antibody product candidates to be nominated by I-Mab within a five-year period for development and commercialization in North America, with the option to opt-in and acquire product rights outside of Greater China and Korea prior to completing the first pivotal clinical trial for any bispecific product candidate.

 

In May 2021, we returned the rights to TRC253, a product candidate we had previously been developing for the treatment of men with prostate cancer, to Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V., and terminated the related license agreement.

 

We utilize a CRO-independent product development platform that emphasizes capital efficiency. Our experienced clinical operations, data management, quality assurance, product development and regulatory affairs groups manage significant aspects of our clinical trials with internal resources. We use these internal resources to minimize the costs associated with utilizing CROs to conduct clinical trials. In our experience, this model has resulted in capital efficiencies and improved communication with clinical trial sites, which expedites patient enrollment and improves the quality of patient data as compared to a CRO-managed model. We have leveraged this platform in all of our sponsored clinical trials. We have also leveraged our product development platform to diversify our product pipeline without payment of upfront license fees through license agreements with 3D Medicines and Alphamab and I-Mab. We continue to evaluate ex-U.S. companies that would benefit from a rapid and capital-efficient U.S. drug development solution that includes U.S. and European Union clinical development expertise. We believe we will continue to be recognized as a preferred U.S. clinical development partner through a cost- and risk-sharing partnership structure, which may include U.S. commercialization.  

 

Corporate Information

 

We were incorporated in the state of Delaware in October 2004. Our principal executive offices are located at 4350 La Jolla Village Drive, Suite 800, San Diego, California 92122, and our telephone number is (858) 550‑0780. Our corporate website is www.traconpharma.com. The information contained in, or that can be accessed through, our website is not part of, and is not incorporated into, this prospectus supplement and should not be considered part of this prospectus supplement. Our website address is included in this document as an inactive textual reference only.

S-3


The Offering

 

Common stock offered by us

3,926,702 shares.

 

 

Option to purchase additional shares from us

We have granted the underwriters an option for 30 days from the date of this prospectus supplement to purchase up to an additional 589,005 shares of our common stock at the public offering price per share, less underwriting discounts and commissions.

 

Common stock to be outstanding immediately after this offering

 

19,407,513 shares (or 19,996,518 shares if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares).

 

 

Use of proceeds

We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering to support the continued clinical development of envafolimab, as well as for working capital and general corporate purposes.  See “Use of Proceeds”.

 

 

Risk factors

Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-6 of this prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement before deciding to purchase our common stock in this offering.

 

Nasdaq Capital Market symbol

“TCON”

 

The number of shares of common stock to be outstanding immediately after the offering is based on 15,480,811 shares of common stock outstanding as of March 31, 2021, and excludes as of that date:

 

 

1,126,558 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options at a weighted-average exercise price of $15.74 per share;

 

 

1,385,349 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants at a weighted-average exercise price of $27.33 per share;

 

 

3,248,506 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding pre-funded warrants at an exercise price of $0.01 per share;

 

 

176,554 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding pre-funded warrants at an exercise price of $0.10 per share;

 

 

149,518 shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under our 2015 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (EIP); and

 

 

142,306 shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under our 2015 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP).

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all information in this prospectus supplement assumes no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares.

 

In addition, the number of shares of our common stock to be outstanding immediately after this offering as shown above does not include the $50.0 million of shares of our common stock that remain available for sale at March 31, 2021 under the Capital on DemandTM Sales Agreement, or the Sales Agreement, dated December 9, 2020,

S-4


with JonesTrading Institutional Services LLC (JonesTrading). Between March 31, 2021 and the date of this prospectus supplement, we have not sold any shares of our common stock under the Sales Agreement. 

 

S-5


RISK FACTORS

Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk.  Before deciding whether to invest in our common stock, you should carefully review the risks and uncertainties described below and under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in any free writing prospectus that we may authorize for use in connection with this offering, and under similar headings in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2021, as updated by our subsequent annual, quarterly and other reports and documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement. These risks could adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition, as well as adversely affect the value of an investment in our common stock, and the occurrence of any of these risks might cause you to lose all or part of your investment. Additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently believe are immaterial may also significantly impair our business operations.

Risks Related to This Offering

Management will have broad discretion as to the use of the proceeds from this offering, and may not use the proceeds effectively.

Our management will have broad discretion as to the application of the net proceeds from this offering and could use them for purposes other than those contemplated at the time of the offering. Our management may use the net proceeds for corporate purposes that may not improve our financial condition or market value.

 

If you purchase shares of our common stock in this offering, you will suffer immediate dilution of your investment.

 

If you purchase shares of our common stock in this offering, you will incur immediate and substantial dilution in the as adjusted net tangible book value of the common stock that you purchase of $2.08 per share as of March 31, 2021, based on the public offering price of $3.82 per share, because the price that you pay will be substantially greater than the net tangible book value per share of the shares you acquire. The exercise of outstanding stock options and warrants may result in further dilution of your investment. See “Dilution.”

You may experience future dilution as a result of future equity offerings.

In order to raise additional capital, we may in the future offer additional shares of our common stock or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock at prices that may not be the same as the price per share in this offering. We may sell shares or other securities in any other offering at a price per share that is less 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 securities convertible or exchangeable into common stock, in future transactions may be higher or lower than the price per share paid by investors in this offering.

In addition, pursuant to the Sales Agreement, we may issue and sell from time to time through JonesTrading shares of our common stock, in an aggregate amount not to exceed $50.0 million. As of the date of this prospectus supplement, $50.0 million of common stock remains available for sale under the Sales Agreement. To the extent that we sell additional shares of our common stock pursuant to the Sales Agreement subsequent to this offering, investors purchasing securities in this offering could experience further dilution.

 

S-6


 

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, the documents we have filed with the SEC that are incorporated by reference herein and therein and any free writing prospectus that we or the underwriters have authorized for use in connection with this offering contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (Securities Act) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act). These statements relate to future events or to our future operating or financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performances or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements about:

 

the success, cost and timing of results of our and our collaborators’ ongoing clinical trials;

 

 

our and our collaborators’ plans to develop, seek regulatory approval for, and commercialize our product candidates;

 

 

the potential effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our operations;

 

 

the potential benefits of our collaboration arrangements and our ability to enter into additional collaboration arrangements;

 

 

our regulatory strategy and potential benefits associated therewith;

 

 

the timing of, and our ability to, obtain and maintain regulatory approvals for our product candidates;

 

 

the rate and degree of market acceptance and clinical utility of any approved product candidate;

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

our commercialization, marketing and manufacturing capabilities and strategy;

 

 

our intellectual property position;

 

 

our estimates regarding expenses, future revenues, capital requirements, the sufficiency of our current and expected cash resources, and our need for additional financing;

 

 

our ability to realize the anticipated benefits associated with our capital efficiency focused initiatives; and

 

 

our anticipated use of the net proceeds from this offering or other financing transactions.

In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “projects,” “predicts,” “potential” and similar expressions intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements reflect our current views with respect to future events, are based on assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. We discuss in greater detail, and incorporate by reference into this prospectus supplement in their entirety, many of these risks under the heading “Risk Factors” of this prospectus supplement. Also, these forward-looking statements represent our estimates and assumptions only as of the date of the document containing the applicable statement.

S-7


You should read this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, the documents we have filed with the SEC that are incorporated by reference herein and therein and any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect. We qualify all of the forward-looking statements in the foregoing documents by these cautionary statements.

Unless required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect new information or future events or developments. Thus, you should not assume that our silence over time means that actual events are bearing out as expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements.

 

S-8


 

USE OF PROCEEDS

 

We estimate the net proceeds to us from this offering will be approximately $13.4 million (or $15.5 million if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase 589,005 additional shares), after payment of the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering to support the continued clinical development of envafolimab, as well as for working capital and general corporate purposes.

The amounts and timing of our use of the net proceeds from this offering will depend on a number of factors, such as the timing and progress of our clinical trials and research and development efforts, activities and actions under our existing collaboration agreements, and whether we enter into additional collaborations or licensing transactions. 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. Accordingly, our management will have broad discretion in the timing and application of these proceeds. Pending application of the net proceeds as described above, we intend to temporarily invest the proceeds in short-term, interest-bearing instruments.

 

S-9


 

DILUTION

 

Investors purchasing shares of our common stock in this offering will experience immediate and substantial dilution in the as adjusted net tangible book value of their shares of common stock. Dilution in net tangible book value represents the difference between the public offering price per share and the adjusted net tangible book value per share of our common stock immediately after this offering.

 

The historical net tangible book value of our common stock as of March 31, 2021 was $20.4 million, or $1.32 per share. Historical net tangible book value per share of our common stock represents our total tangible assets (total assets less intangible assets) less total liabilities, divided by the number of shares of common stock outstanding as of that date.

 

After giving effect to the issuance of 3,926,702 shares of common stock at the public offering price of $3.82 per share and after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, our as adjusted net tangible book value as of March 31, 2021 would have been approximately $33.7 million, or $1.74 per share of common stock. This represents an immediate increase in net tangible book value of $0.42 per share to existing stockholders and an immediate dilution of $2.08 per share to new investors purchasing our common stock in this offering.

 

 

The following table illustrates this dilution on a per share basis to new investors:

Public offering price per share

 

$ 3.82    

Historical net tangible book value per share as of March 31, 2021

$ 1.32

 

Increase in net tangible book value per share attributable to new investors purchasing shares in this offering

0.42

 

As adjusted net tangible book value per share as of March 31, 2021 after giving effect to this offering

 

1.74

Dilution per share to new investors participating in this offering

 

$ 2.08

If the underwriters exercise their option to purchase 589,005 shares of common stock in full, the as adjusted net tangible book value after this offering would be approximately $1.79 per share, representing an increase in net tangible book value of approximately $0.47 per share to existing stockholders and immediate dilution in net tangible book value of approximately $2.03 per share to investors purchasing our common stock in this offering at the public offering price.

The above discussion and table are based on 15,480,811 shares of common stock outstanding as of March 31, 2021, and excludes as of that date:

 

 

1,126,558 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options at a weighted-average exercise price of $15.74 per share;

 

 

1,385,349 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants at a weighted-average exercise price of $27.33 per share;

 

 

3,248,506 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding pre-funded warrants at an exercise price of $0.01 per share;

 

 

176,554 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding pre-funded warrants at an exercise price of $0.10 per share;

 

 

149,518 shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under our EIP; and

 

 

142,306 shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under our ESPP.

 

S-10


 

To the extent that existing options or warrants are exercised or new shares or equity awards are issued under our equity compensation plans in the future, there will be further dilution to investors participating in this offering. In addition, we may choose to raise additional capital due to market conditions or strategic considerations, even if we believe we have sufficient funds for our current or future operating plans. To the extent that we raise additional capital by issuing equity securities or convertible debt, your ownership will be further diluted.

 

In addition, the number of shares of our common stock outstanding as shown above does not include up to $50.0 million of shares of our common stock that remained available for sale at March 31, 2021 under the Sales Agreement. Between March 31, 2021 and the date of this prospectus supplement, we have not sold any shares of our common stock under the Sales Agreement.

 

 

S-11


 

UNDERWRITING

 

We have entered into an underwriting agreement, dated July 21, 2021, with H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC, as representative of each of the underwriters named below, with respect to the common stock being offered hereby. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the underwriting agreement, we have agreed to sell to the underwriters, and each of the underwriters has agreed to purchase from us, the number of shares of our common stock set forth opposite its name below.

 

Name

Number of Shares

H.C. Wainwright & Co. LLC

3,926,702

Total

3,926,702

 

The underwriters may offer the shares of common stock from time to time to purchasers directly or through agents, or through brokers in brokerage transactions on the Nasdaq Capital Market, or to dealers in negotiated transactions or in a combination of such methods of sale, or otherwise, at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, or at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices, subject to receipt and acceptance by them and subject to their right to reject any order in whole or in part. The difference between the price at which the underwriters purchase shares from us and the price at which the underwriters resell such shares may be deemed underwriting compensation. If the underwriters effect such transactions by selling shares of common stock to or through dealers, such dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters and/or purchasers of shares of common stock for whom they may act as agents or to whom they may sell as principal.

 

The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the underwriters to pay for and accept delivery of the common stock offered by this prospectus supplement are subject to the approval of certain legal matters by their counsel and to other conditions, including the absence of any material adverse change in our business and the receipt of customary legal opinions, letters and certificates. The underwriters are committed to take and pay for all of the shares of common stock being offered, if any are taken, other than the shares covered by the option described below unless and until this option is exercised. If an underwriter defaults, the underwriting agreement provides that the purchase commitments of the non-defaulting underwriters may be increased or the underwriting agreement may be terminated.

 

Commissions and Expenses

The representative has advised us that the underwriters propose initially to offer the common stock to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement and to securities dealers at the public offering price less a concession not in excess of $0.1719 per share. The shares of common stock are offered by the underwriters as stated in this prospectus supplement, subject to receipt and acceptance and subject to their right to reject any order in whole or in part. If all the shares are not sold at the public offering price, the underwriters may change the offering price and selling terms. The underwriters do not intend to confirm sales of the shares to any accounts over which they have discretionary authority.

 

The following table shows the per share and total public offering price, underwriting discount and proceeds before expenses to us. The amounts are shown assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase up to 589,005 additional shares of common stock.

 

 

Per Share

No Exercise

Full Exercise

Public offering price

$3.82

$15,000,002

$17,250,001

Underwriting discount and commissions

$0.29

$1,125,000

$1,293,750

Proceeds to us, before expenses

$3.53

$13,875,002

$15,956,251

 

S-12


 

The estimated offering expenses payable by us, exclusive of the underwriting discounts and commissions, are approximately $0.5 million. As part of the foregoing offering expenses, we have agreed to pay the legal fees and expenses of the representative, in the sum of up to $100,000 in connection with this offering, $50,000 for non-accountable expenses and clearing fees of $15,950. We have also agreed to pay the representative as part of the foregoing offering expenses a management fee equal to 1.0% of the aggregate gross proceeds from this offering.

 

Option to Purchase Additional Shares

We have granted to the underwriters an option to purchase up to an additional 589,005 shares of common stock at the public offering price, less the underwriting discount and commission. This option is exercisable for a period of 30 days from the date of this prospectus supplement.

 

Tail

 

We have also agreed to pay the representative a tail fee equal to the cash compensation in this offering, if any investor, who was contacted or introduced to us by the representative during the term of its engagement, provides us with capital in any public or private offering or other financing or capital raising transaction during the 12-month period following the termination or expiration of our engagement agreement with the representative, except the foregoing does not apply to certain enumerated parties and their affiliates.

 

Right of First Refusal  

We have granted the representative or its affiliates a right of first refusal to act as our exclusive financial advisor for any acquisition of business units or outstanding securities or any exchange or tender offer, merger, consolidation or other business combination or any recapitalization, reorganization, restricting or other similar transaction, including, without limitation, an extraordinary dividend or distributions or a spin-off or split-off or to act as sole book-running manager, sole underwriter or sole placement agent for any public offering, private placement or any other capital-raising financing of equity, equity-linked or debt securities of our company during the 6-month period following the consummation of this offering, except the foregoing does not apply to the Sales Agreement.

 

Lock-Up Agreements

We and each of our directors and executive officers have agreed, subject to limited exceptions, for a period of 90 days from the date of this prospectus supplement, not to offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of common stock or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for shares of common stock. The representative, in its sole discretion, may release the common stock and other securities subject to the lock-up agreements described above in whole or in part at any time.

 

Indemnification

We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act and liabilities arising from breaches of representations and warranties contained in the underwriting agreement, or to contribute to payments that the underwriters may be required to make in respect of those liabilities.

 

Price Stabilization, Short Positions and Penalty Bids

In connection with the offering, the underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of our common stock. These transactions may include short sales, stabilizing transactions, and purchases to cover positions created by short sales. Short sales involve the sale by the underwriters of a greater number of shares than it is required to purchase in the offering, and a short position represents the amount of such sales that have not been covered by subsequent purchases. The underwriters must cover any such short position by purchasing shares in the open market. A short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of our common stock in the open market after pricing that could

S-13


adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of various bids for or purchases of our common stock made by the underwriters in the open market prior to the closing of the offering. Purchases to cover a short position and stabilizing transactions, as well as other purchases by an underwriter for its own account, may have the effect of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of our common stock, and may stabilize, maintain, or otherwise affect the market price of our common stock. As a result, the price of our common stock may be higher than the price that otherwise might exist in the open market. The underwriters are not required to engage in these activities and may end any of these activities at any time. These transactions may be effected on Nasdaq, in the over-the-counter market, or otherwise.

 

In connection with the offering, the underwriters may engage in passive market making transactions in the common stock on Nasdaq in accordance with Rule 103 of Regulation M under the Exchange Act during the period before the commencement of offers or sales of the common stock and extending through the completion of distribution. A passive market maker must display its bids at a price not in excess of the highest independent bid of the security. However, if all independent bids are lowered below the passive market maker’s bid that bid must be lowered when specified purchase limits are exceeded. If passive market making is commenced, it may be discontinued at any time.

 

Electronic Offer, Sale and Distribution of Common Stock

A prospectus in electronic format may be made available on the websites maintained by one or more of the underwriters participating in this offering and one or more of underwriters participating in this offering may distribute prospectuses electronically. The representative may agree to allocate a number of shares to underwriters for sale to their online brokerage account holders. Internet distributions will be allocated by the underwriters that will make internet distributions on the same basis as other allocations. Other than the prospectus in electronic format, the information on these websites is not part of this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or the registration statement of which the accompanying prospectus forms a part, has not been approved or endorsed by us or any underwriter in its capacity as underwriter, and should not be relied upon by investors.

 

Listing

Our common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “TCON.”

 

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent for our common stock is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC.  The transfer agent and registrar’s address is 6201 15th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11219.

 

Other Activities and Relationships

The underwriters and certain of their affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in a wide range of activities for their own accounts and the accounts of customers, which may include, among other things, corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, merchant banking, equity and fixed income sales, trading and research, derivatives, foreign exchange, futures, asset management, custody, clearance and securities lending.

 

The underwriters and certain of their affiliates have, from time to time, performed, and may in the future perform, various investment banking and financial advisory services for us and our affiliates, for which they received or will receive customary fees and expenses.

 

In addition, in the ordinary course of its business, the underwriters and their affiliates may, directly or indirectly, hold long or short positions, trade and otherwise conduct such activities in or with respect to debt or equity securities and/or bank debt of, and/or derivative products. Such investment and securities activities may involve our securities and instruments. The underwriters and their affiliates may also make investment recommendations or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or instruments and may at any time hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long or short positions in such securities and instruments.

 

S-14


 

Offers outside the United States

 

Other than in the United States, no action has been taken by us or the underwriters that would permit a public offering of the shares offered by this prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. The shares offered by this prospectus may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, nor may this prospectus or any other offering material or advertisements in connection with the offer and sale of any such shares be distributed or published in any jurisdiction, except under circumstances that will result in compliance with the applicable rules and regulations of that jurisdiction. Persons into whose possession this prospectus comes are advised to inform themselves about and to observe any restrictions relating to the offering and the distribution of this prospectus. This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any shares offered by this prospectus in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or a solicitation is unlawful.

 

 

 

 

S-15


 

LEGAL MATTERS

Cooley LLP, San Diego, California, will pass upon the validity of the issuance of the shares being sold in this offering. Certain legal matters relating to this offering will be passed upon for the underwriters by Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP, New York, New York.

EXPERTS

Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, has audited our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, as set forth in their report, which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and elsewhere in the registration statement. Our financial statements are incorporated by reference in reliance on Ernst & Young LLP’s report, given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are part of the registration statement on Form S-3 we filed with the SEC under the Securities Act and do not contain all the information set forth in the registration statement. Whenever a reference is made in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus to any of our contracts, agreements or other documents, the reference may not be complete and you should refer to the exhibits that are a part of the registration statement or the exhibits to the reports or other documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus for a copy of such contract, agreement or other document. Because we are subject to the information and reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, we file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference information into this prospectus supplement, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement contain important information that you should read about us.

The following documents are incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement:

 

our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, filed with the SEC on February 25, 2021;

 

 

the information specifically incorporated by reference into our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December  31, 2020 from our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed with the SEC on April 23, 2021;

 

 

our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2021, filed with the SEC on May 5, 2021;

 

 

our Current Reports on Form 8-K (other than information furnished rather than filed) filed with the SEC on February 2, 2021, March 8, 2021, March 15, 2021, June 11, 2021, and June 30, 2021; and

 

 

the description of our common stock, which is registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, in our registration statement on Form 8-A, filed with the SEC on January 27, 2015, including any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description.

 

We also incorporate by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus all documents (other than current reports furnished under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K and exhibits filed on such form that are related to such items) that are filed by us with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus supplement but prior to the termination of the offering.

We will provide to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a prospectus is delivered, without charge upon written or oral request, a copy of any or all of the documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus but not delivered with the prospectus, including exhibits which are specifically incorporated by reference into such documents. You should direct any requests for documents by writing us at 4350 La Jolla Village Drive, Suite 800, San Diego, California 92122 or telephoning us at (858) 550-0780.

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

S-16


 

PROSPECTUS

 

$100,000,000

 

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Warrants

 

From time to time, we may offer up to $100,000,000 of any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. We may also offer securities as may be issuable upon conversion, redemption, repurchase, exchange or exercise of any securities registered hereunder, including any applicable anti-dilution provisions.

 

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

 

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

 

Our common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “TCON.” On August 29, 2019, the last reported sales price of our common stock was $0.57 per share. The applicable prospectus supplement will contain information, where applicable, as to any other listing on the Nasdaq Global Market or any securities market or other exchange of the securities, if any, covered by the prospectus supplement.

 

As of August 29, 2019, the aggregate market value of our outstanding common stock held by non-affiliates, or public float, was approximately $12.3 million, based on 21,502,906 shares of outstanding common stock held by non-affiliates as of such date, at a price of $0.57 per share, which was the last reported sale price of our common stock on the Nasdaq Global Market on August 29, 2019. Pursuant to General Instruction I.B.6 of Form S-3, in no event will we sell securities registered on the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part in a public primary offering with a value exceeding more than one-third of our public float in any 12-month period so long as our public float remains below $75.0 million. We have not sold any securities pursuant to General Instruction I.B.6 of Form S-3 during the 12 calendar months prior to and including the date of this prospectus.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

The date of this prospectus is October 8, 2019.

 

 


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

ii

SUMMARY

1

RISK FACTORS

4

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

4

USE OF PROCEEDS

5

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

5

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

9

LEGAL OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES

11

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

14

LEGAL MATTERS

15

EXPERTS

16

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

16

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

16

DISCLOSURE OF COMMISSION POSITION ON INDEMNIFICATION FOR SECURITIES ACT LIABILITY

17

 

i


 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is a part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings up to a total aggregate offering price of $100,000,000. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer.

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

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

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

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

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

 

 

ii


 

SUMMARY

 

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

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

Company Overview

We are a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of novel targeted therapeutics for cancer, wet age-related macular degeneration, or wet AMD, through our license to Santen Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. (Santen), and utilizing our product development platform to partner with ex-U.S. companies to develop and commercialize innovative products in the United States. In April, we announced the termination of enrollment in trials of TRC105 (carotuximab) in oncology following the Independent Data Monitoring Committee (IDMC) recommendation that the Phase 3 TAPPAS trial be terminated for futility. We continue to terminate activities, including manufacturing, related to TRC105 development in oncology and are working with investigators to appropriately conclude the clinical studies in a manner consistent with the best interest of patients.

Other clinical stage product candidates include TRC102, which is a small molecule that is in Phase 1 and Phase 2 clinical development for the treatment of mesothelioma, lung cancer and solid tumors, TRC253, which is a small molecule that is in a Phase 1/2 clinical trial for the treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, that we licensed from Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V. (Janssen) in September 2016, and TJ004309, which is a CD73 antibody in Phase 1 clinical development for the treatment of solid tumors, that we licensed from I-Mab Biopharma (I-Mab) in November 2018.

TRC102 is a small molecule in clinical development to reverse resistance to specific chemotherapeutics by inhibiting base excision repair, or BER. In initial clinical trials of more than 100 patients, TRC102 has shown good tolerability and promising anti-tumor activity in combination with alkylating and antimetabolite chemotherapy in the treatment of cancer patients. TRC102 began Phase 2 testing in mesothelioma in combination with the approved chemotherapeutic Alimta in 2015. TRC102 is also being studied in three Phase 1 clinical trials: in combination with Alimta and cisplatin in mesothelioma patients, in combination with chemoradiation in lung cancer patients, and in combination with Temodar in ovarian, lung and colorectal cancer patients. All current TRC102 trials are sponsored and funded by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). We retain global rights to develop and commercialize TRC102 in all indications.

TRC253 is being developed for the treatment of men with prostate cancer and is a novel small molecule high affinity competitive inhibitor of wild type androgen receptor (AR) and multiple AR mutant receptors containing point mutations that cause drug resistance to currently approved treatments. We expect top-line data from the Phase 2 portion of the study by the end of 2020.  Until 90 days after we complete the initial Phase 1/2 study, Janssen has an exclusive option to reacquire full rights to TRC253 for an upfront payment of $45.0 million to us, and obligations to make regulatory and commercialization milestone payments totaling up to $137.5 million upon achievement of specified events and a low single-digit royalty. If Janssen does not exercise its exclusive option to reacquire the program, we would then retain worldwide development and commercialization rights, in which case we would be

1

 


obligated to pay Janssen a total of up to $45.0 million in development and regulatory milestones upon achievement of specified events, in addition to a low single digit royalty.  

TJ004309, also known as TJD5, is a novel humanized antibody against CD73 expressed on stromal cells and tumors that converts extracellular adenosine monophosphate (AMP) to highly immunosuppressive adenosine. We are developing TJ004309 in collaboration with I-Mab under a strategic collaboration and clinical trial agreement that we entered into in November 2018 (the TJ004309 Agreement). In July 2019, we began enrollment in a Phase 1 clinical study to assess safety and preliminary efficacy of TJ004309 as a single agent and when combined with the PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitor Tecentriq® (atezolizumab) in patients with advanced solid tumors. We also entered into a separate strategic collaboration and clinical trial agreement (the Bispecific Agreement) which allows for the development of up to five of I-Mab’s proprietary bispecific antibody product candidates to be nominated within a five-year period for development and commercialization in North America, with the option to opt-in and acquire product rights outside of Greater China and Korea prior to completing the first pivotal clinical study for a product candidate.

We utilize a product development platform that emphasizes capital efficiency. Our experienced clinical operations, data management, quality assurance, product development and regulatory affairs groups manage significant aspects of our clinical trials with internal resources. We use these internal resources to minimize the costs associated with utilizing contract research organizations, or CROs. In our experience, this model has resulted in capital efficiencies and improved communication with clinical trial sites, which expedites patient enrollment and improves the quality of patient data as compared to a CRO-managed model. We have leveraged this platform in all of our ongoing clinical trials. We have also leveraged our product development platform to diversify our product pipeline without payment of upfront license fees through license agreements with Janssen and I-Mab. We continue to evaluate ex-U.S. companies who are in need of a rapid and capital-efficient U.S. drug development solution that includes U.S. and European Union (EU) clinical development expertise. We believe we can become a preferred U.S. clinical development partner through a cost- and risk-sharing partnership structure which may include U.S. commercialization.

Corporate Information

We were incorporated in the state of Delaware in October 2004 as Lexington Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and we subsequently changed our name to TRACON Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in March 2005, at which time we relocated to San Diego, California. Our principal executive offices are located at 4350 La Jolla Village Drive, Suite 800, San Diego, California 92122, and our telephone number is (858) 550‑0780. Our corporate website is www.traconpharma.com. The information on, or that can be accessed through, our website is not part of this prospectus.

We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012. We will cease to be an emerging growth company on the date that is the earliest of (i) the last day of the fiscal year in which we have total annual gross revenues of $1.07 billion or more; (ii) December 31, 2020; (iii) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt during the previous three years; or (iv) the last day of the fiscal year in which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer under the rules of the SEC.

The Securities We May Offer

We may offer shares of our common stock and preferred stock, and warrants to purchase any of such securities, up to a total aggregate offering price of $100,000,000 from time to time in one or more offerings under this prospectus, together with any applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, at prices and on terms to be determined by market conditions at the time of the relevant offering. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we offer a type or series of securities under this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will describe the specific amounts, prices and other important terms of the securities, including, to the extent applicable:

 

designation or classification;

 

aggregate offering price;

2

 


 

 

rates and times of payment of dividends, if any;

 

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

 

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

 

ranking, if applicable;

 

restrictive covenants, if any;

 

voting or other rights, if any; and

 

important United States federal income tax considerations.

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

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

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

 

the names of those underwriters or agents;

 

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

 

details regarding options to purchase additional securities, if any; and

 

the estimated net proceeds to us.

Common Stock.  We may issue shares of our common stock from time to time. The holders of our common stock 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 preferences that may be applicable to any outstanding shares of preferred stock, the holders of our common stock are entitled to receive ratably such dividends as may be declared by our board of directors out of legally available funds. Upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, holders of our common stock are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining after payment of liabilities and the liquidation preferences of any then outstanding shares of preferred stock. Our common stock does not carry any preemptive rights enabling a holder to subscribe for, or receive shares of, any class of our common stock or any other securities convertible into shares of any class of our common stock, or any redemption rights.

Preferred Stock.  We may issue shares of our preferred stock from time to time, in one or more series. Under our amended and restated 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 the rules of any stock exchange or market on which our securities are then traded), to designate up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series and to determine the designations, voting powers, preferences and rights of each series of the preferred stock, as well as the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, including dividend rights, conversion rights, preemptive rights, terms of redemption or repurchase, liquidation preferences, sinking fund terms and the number of shares constituting any series or the designation of any series, any or all of which may be greater than the rights of the common stock. Any convertible preferred stock we may issue will be convertible into our common stock or our other securities. Conversion may be mandatory or at the holder’s option and would be at prescribed conversion rates.

If we sell any series of preferred stock under this prospectus, we will fix the designations, voting powers, preferences and rights of such series of preferred stock, as well as the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof,

3

 


in a 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 that we are offering before the issuance of the related series of preferred stock. We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplement (and any free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you) related to the series of preferred stock being offered, as well as the complete certificate of designation that contains the terms of the applicable series of preferred stock.

Warrants. We may issue warrants for the purchase of common stock and/or preferred stock in one or more series. We may issue warrants independently or together with common stock and/or preferred stock and the warrants may be attached to or separate from these securities. In this prospectus, we have summarized certain general features of the warrants. We urge you, however, to read the applicable prospectus supplement (and any free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you) related to the particular series of warrants being offered, as well as the complete warrant agreements and warrant certificates that contain the terms of the warrants. Forms of the warrant agreements and forms of warrant certificates containing the terms of the warrants being offered have been filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and supplemental warrant agreements and forms of warrant certificates will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part or will be incorporated by reference from reports that we file with the SEC.

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

RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully review the risks and uncertainties described under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, and under similar headings in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, as updated by our subsequent annual, quarterly and other reports and documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus, before deciding whether to purchase any of the securities being registered pursuant to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. Each of the risk factors could adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition, as well as adversely affect the value of an investment in our securities, and the occurrence of any of these risks might cause you to lose all or part of your investment. Additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently believe are immaterial may also significantly impair our business operations.

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus, each prospectus supplement and the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus and each prospectus supplement contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Although our forward-looking statements reflect the good faith judgment of our management, these statements can only be based on facts and factors currently known by us. Consequently, these forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results and outcomes may differ materially from results and outcomes discussed in the forward-looking statements.

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

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financial condition and that if any of these events occurs, it could adversely affect the value of an investment in our securities.

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

USE OF PROCEEDS

We will retain broad discretion over the use of the net proceeds from the sale of the securities offered hereby. Unless otherwise indicated in any prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities under this prospectus for general corporate purposes, which may include clinical trial and other research and development expenses, expenses in connection with pre-commercial and commercial activities, capital expenditures, working capital and general and administrative expenses, repayment of outstanding debt, and potential acquisitions of or investments in businesses, products and technologies that complement our business, although we have no present commitments or agreements to make any such acquisitions or investments. We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus our intended use for the net proceeds received from the sale of any securities sold pursuant to the prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus. Pending these uses, we intend to invest the net proceeds in short- and intermediate-term, interest-bearing obligations, investment-grade instruments, certificates of deposit or direct or guaranteed obligations of the U.S. government.

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

As of the date of this prospectus, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation authorizes us to issue 200,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share. As of August 29, 2019, there were 29,937,457 shares of our common stock outstanding and no shares of our preferred stock outstanding.

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

Common Stock

Each holder of common stock is entitled to one vote for each share of common stock held on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders, including the election of directors. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws do not provide for cumulative voting rights. Other than as described below, holders of our common stock have no preemptive, conversion or subscription rights, and there are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the common stock. 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 our preferred stock that are outstanding or that we may designate and issue in the future. All of our outstanding shares of common stock are fully paid and nonassessable.

Preferred Stock

Pursuant to our amended and restated 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 stock exchange listing rules), to designate and issue up to 10,000,000 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, preferences,

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privileges and relative participating, optional or special rights and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, including dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption and liquidation preferences, 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.

The preferred shares may have voting or conversion rights that could have the effect of restricting dividends on our shares of common stock, diluting the voting power of our shares of common stock, impairing the rights of our shares of common stock in the event of our dissolution, liquidation or winding-up or otherwise adversely affect the rights of holders of our shares of common stock. The issuance of preferred shares, while providing flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions and other corporate purposes, could, among other things, have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change of control and may adversely affect the market price of our shares of common stock and may preclude stockholders from realizing a potential premium over the market value of their shares.

Our board of directors will fix the designations, voting powers, preferences and rights of the each series, as well as the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, of the preferred stock of each series that we offer under this prospectus and applicable prospectus supplements 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. This description will include:

 

the title and stated value;

 

the number of shares we are offering;

 

the liquidation preference per share;

 

the purchase price per share;

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

the procedures for any auction and remarketing, if any;

 

the provisions for a sinking fund, if any;

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

voting rights, if any, of the preferred stock;

 

preemption rights, if any;

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

 

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

 

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

The General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, the state of our incorporation, 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 amended and restated certificate of incorporation if the amendment would change the par value or, unless the amended and restated certificate of incorporation provided otherwise, the number of authorized shares of the class or change 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 for in the applicable certificate of designation.

Anti-takeover Effects of Provisions of Delaware Law and Charter Documents

Delaware Anti-Takeover Law

We are subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or Section 203. Section 203 generally prohibits a public Delaware corporation from engaging in a “business combination” with an “interested stockholder” for a period of three years after the date of the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder, unless:

 

prior to the date of the transaction, the board of directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;

 

the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding upon consummation of the transaction, excluding for purposes of determining the number of shares outstanding (1) shares owned by persons who are directors and also officers and (2) shares owned by employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or

 

on or subsequent to the consummation of the transaction, the business combination is approved by the board and authorized at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least 662/3% of the outstanding voting stock which is not owned by the interested stockholder.

Section 203 defines a business combination to include:

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

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Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws

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

 

permit our board of directors to issue up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, with any rights, preferences and privileges as they may designate (including the right to approve an acquisition or other change in our control);

 

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

 

provide that the board of directors or any individual director may only be removed with cause and the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 662/3% of the voting power of all of our then outstanding common stock;

 

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

 

divide our board of directors into three classes;

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

provide that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will be the sole and exclusive forum for (1) any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf, (2) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any of our directors or officers to us or our stockholders, (3) any action asserting a claim against us arising pursuant to any provision of the Delaware General Corporation Law or our certificate of incorporation or bylaws, or (4) any action asserting a claim against us governed by the internal affairs doctrine. This choice of forum provision does not apply to suits brought to enforce a duty or liability created by the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction. This choice of forum provision may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring certain claims in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with us or any of our directors, officers, other employees or stockholders, which may discourage lawsuits with respect to such claims, although our stockholders will not be deemed to have waived our compliance with federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. If a court were to find this choice of forum provision to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions, which could adversely affect our business and financial condition.

The amendment of any of these provisions, with the exception of the ability of our board of directors to issue shares of preferred stock and designate any rights, preferences and privileges thereto, would require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 662/3% of the voting power of all of our then outstanding common stock.

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Transfer Agent and Registrar

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

Listing on the Nasdaq Global Market

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

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

The following description, together with the additional information we may include in any applicable prospectus supplements and free writing prospectuses, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the warrants that we may offer under this prospectus, which may consist of warrants to purchase common stock or preferred stock and may be issued in one or more series. Warrants may be issued independently or together with common stock or preferred stock offered by any prospectus supplement, and may be attached to or separate from those securities. While the terms we have summarized below will apply generally to any warrants that we may offer under this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any series of warrants that we may offer in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement and any applicable free writing prospectus. The terms of any warrants offered under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below. However, no prospectus supplement will fundamentally change the terms that are set forth in this prospectus or offer a security that is not registered and described in this prospectus at the time of its effectiveness.

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

General

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

 

the title of such securities;

 

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

 

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

 

if applicable, the designation and terms of the securities with which the warrants are issued and the number of warrants issued with each such security;

 

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

 

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

 

in the case of warrants to purchase common stock or preferred stock, the number of shares of common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, purchasable upon the exercise of one warrant and the price at which, and the currency in which, these shares may be purchased upon such exercise;

 

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

a discussion of any material or special United States federal income tax consequences of holding or exercising the warrants;

 

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

 

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

Before exercising their warrants, holders of warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities purchasable upon such exercise, including the right to receive dividends, if any, or, payments upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up or to exercise voting rights, if any.

Exercise of Warrants

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

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

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

Governing Law

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

Enforceability of Rights by Holders of Warrants

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

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consent of the related warrant agent or the holder of any other warrant, enforce by appropriate legal action its right to exercise, and receive the securities purchasable upon exercise of, its warrants.

Outstanding Warrants to Purchase Common Stock

As of June 30, 2019, there were warrants to purchase 15,619,113 shares of common stock outstanding, which expire between May 2022 and May 2025. Each of these warrants entitles the holder to purchase one share of common stock at prices ranging between $0.01 and $10.86 per share of common stock. Each of these warrants has a net exercise provision under which its holder may, in lieu of payment of the exercise price in cash, surrender the warrant and receive a net amount of shares based on the fair market value of our shares of common stock at the time of exercise of the warrant after deduction of the aggregate exercise price. Each of these warrants also contains provisions for the adjustment of the exercise price and the aggregate number of shares issuable upon the exercise of the warrant in the event of dividends, stock splits, reorganizations and reclassifications and consolidations. Certain of these warrants may be subject to an acceleration of their expiration dates if certain conditions are met.

LEGAL OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES

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

Book-Entry Holders

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

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

As a result, investors in a global security will not own securities directly. Instead, they will own beneficial interests in a global security, through a bank, broker or other financial institution that participates in the depositary’s book-entry system or holds an interest through a participant. As long as the securities are issued in global form, investors will be indirect holders, and not legal holders, of the securities.

Street Name Holders

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

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

Legal Holders

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

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

Special Considerations for Indirect Holders

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

 

how it handles securities payments and notices;

 

whether it imposes fees or charges;

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

Global Securities

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

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

A global security may not be transferred to or registered in the name of anyone other than the depositary, its nominee or a successor depositary, unless special termination situations arise. We describe those situations below under “Special Situations When A Global Security Will Be Terminated.” As a result of these arrangements, the depositary, or its nominee, will be the sole registered owner and legal holder of all securities represented by a global security, and investors will be permitted to own only beneficial interests in a global security. Beneficial interests must

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be held by means of an account with a broker, bank or other financial institution that in turn has an account with the depositary or with another institution that does. Thus, an investor whose security is represented by a global security will not be a legal holder of the security, but only an indirect holder of a beneficial interest in the global security.

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

Special Considerations for Global Securities

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

Special Situations When a Global Security Will Be Terminated

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

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

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

 

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

 

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

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

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

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

 

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

 

at market prices prevailing at the time of sale;

 

at prices related to such prevailing market prices; or

 

at negotiated prices.

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

 

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

 

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

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

any public offering price;

 

any discounts or concessions allowed or re-allowed or paid to dealers; and

 

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

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

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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. Subject to certain conditions, the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the securities offered by the prospectus supplement. Any public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or re-allowed or paid to dealers may change from time to time. We may use underwriters with whom we have a material relationship. We will describe in the prospectus supplement, naming the underwriter, the nature of any such relationship.

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

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

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

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

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

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

LEGAL MATTERS

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

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EXPERTS

Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, has audited our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, as set forth in their report (which contains an explanatory paragraph describing conditions that raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern as described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements), which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement. Our financial statements are incorporated by reference in reliance on Ernst & Young LLP’s report, given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

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

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. The SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC, including TRACON. The address of the SEC website is www.sec.gov.

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

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

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

The following documents are incorporated by reference into this prospectus:

 

our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 filed with the SEC on February 28, 2019;

 

the information specifically incorporated by reference into our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 from our definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A (other than information furnished rather than filed) filed with the SEC on April 25, 2019;

 

our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2019 and June 30, 2019 filed with the SEC on May 14, 2019 and August 7, 2019, respectively;

 

our Current Reports on Form 8-K (other than information furnished rather than filed) filed with the SEC on April 10, 2019, April 12, 2019, May 31, 2019, June 14, 2019, August 16, 2019, September 6, 2019 and September 20, 2019; and

 

the description of our common stock which is registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, in our registration statement on Form 8-A, filed with the SEC on January 27, 2015, including any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description.

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We also incorporate by reference into this prospectus all documents (other than current reports furnished under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K and exhibits filed on such form that are related to such items) that are filed by us with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (i) after the date of the initial filing of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part and prior to effectiveness of the registration statement, and (ii) after the date of this prospectus but prior to the termination of the offering. These documents include, without limitation, Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, as well as proxy statements.

We will provide to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a prospectus is delivered, without charge upon written or oral request, a copy of any or all of the documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus but not delivered with the prospectus, including exhibits which are specifically incorporated by reference into such documents. You should direct any requests for documents by writing us at 4350 La Jolla Village Drive, Suite 800, San Diego, California 92122 or telephoning us at (858) 550-0780.

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

DISCLOSURE OF COMMISSION POSITION ON INDEMNIFICATION FOR SECURITIES ACT LIABILITY

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

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3,926,702 Shares

 

 

Common Stock

 

 

________________________________________

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

__________________________________

 

H.C. Wainwright & Co.

 

 

 

July 21, 2021