Attached files

file filename
EX-32.2 - EX-32.2 - Axsome Therapeutics, Inc.axsm-20191231ex322d3cf29.htm
EX-32.1 - EX-32.1 - Axsome Therapeutics, Inc.axsm-20191231ex321894c95.htm
EX-31.2 - EX-31.2 - Axsome Therapeutics, Inc.axsm-20191231ex312ca5bff.htm
EX-31.1 - EX-31.1 - Axsome Therapeutics, Inc.axsm-20191231ex311b2ca87.htm
EX-23.1 - EX-23.1 - Axsome Therapeutics, Inc.axsm-20191231ex231cb779c.htm
EX-10.17 - EX-10.17 - Axsome Therapeutics, Inc.axsm-20191231ex101740c34.htm
EX-10.15 - EX-10.15 - Axsome Therapeutics, Inc.axsm-20191231ex1015f938b.htm
10-K - 10-K - Axsome Therapeutics, Inc.axsm-20191231x10k.htm

Exhibit 4.13

DESCRIPTION OF THE REGISTRANT’S SECURITIES

REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12 OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

The following description sets forth certain material terms and provisions of our securities that are registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). This description also summarizes relevant provisions of the General Corporation Law of Delaware (the “DGCL”). The following description is a summary and does not purport to be complete. It is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the applicable provisions of the DGCL and our amended and restated certificate of incorporation (our “Certificate of Incorporation”), and our amended and restated bylaws (our “Bylaws”), each of which is incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of which this Exhibit 4.13 is a part. We encourage you to read our Certificate of Incorporation, our Bylaws, and the applicable provisions of the DGCL for additional information.

 

DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK

 

Our Certificate of Incorporation provides the authority to issue 150,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share. As December 31, 2019, there were 36,933,217 shares of common stock outstanding. Each share of our common stock has the same relative rights and is identical in all respects to each other share of our common stock. The rights, preferences and privileges of holders of our common stock are subject to the rights, preferences and privileges of the holders of shares of any series of preferred stock that we have issued or may issue in the future.

 

 Voting Rights

 

The holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote per share on any matter to be voted upon by our stockholders. Our Certificate of Incorporation does not permit cumulative voting in connection with the election of directors.

 

Dividends

 

The holders of our common stock are entitled to dividends, if any, as our board of directors may declare from time to time from funds legally available for that purpose, subject to the holders of other classes of stock, if any, at the time outstanding having prior rights as to dividends, if any.

 

Liquidation Rights

 

Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of our affairs, the holders of our common stock are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining after the payment of creditors, subject to any prior liquidation distribution rights of holders of other classes of stock, if any, at the time outstanding.

 

Miscellaneous

 

Holders of our common stock have no preemptive, conversion, redemption or sinking fund rights. The outstanding shares of our common stock are, and the shares of common stock to be offered hereby when issued will be, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

 

Nasdaq Listing

 

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

 

Transfer Agent and Registrar

 

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC.

 

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK

 

Our Certificate of Incorporation authorizes the issuance of up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share, none of which are issued and outstanding as of the date of this prospectus. We may issue, from time to time in one or more series, the terms of which may be determined at the time of issuance by our board of directors, without further action by our stockholders, shares of preferred stock and such shares may include voting rights, preferences as to dividends and liquidation, conversion rights, redemption rights and sinking fund provisions. The shares of each series of preferred stock shall have preferences, limitations and relative rights, including voting rights, identical with those of other shares of the same series and, except to the extent provided in the description of such series, of those of other series of preferred stock.

 

The issuance of any preferred stock could adversely affect the rights of the holders of common stock and, therefore, reduce the value of the common stock. The ability of our board of directors to issue preferred stock could discourage, delay or prevent a takeover or change in control.

 

The description of the terms of a particular series of preferred stock in the applicable prospectus supplement will not be complete. You should refer to the applicable certificate of designation for complete information regarding a series of preferred stock. The prospectus supplement will also contain a description of U.S. federal income tax consequences relating to the preferred stock, if material.

 

The terms of any particular series of preferred stock will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to that particular series of preferred stock, including, where applicable:

 

·

the series designation, stated value and liquidation preference of such preferred stock and the number of shares offered;

·

the offering price;

·

the dividend rate or rates (or method of calculation), the date or dates from which dividends shall accrue, and whether such dividends shall be cumulative or noncumulative and, if cumulative, the dates from which dividends shall commence to cumulate;

·

any redemption or sinking fund provisions;

·

the amount that shares of such series shall be entitled to receive in the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding-up;

·

the terms and conditions, if any, on which shares of such series shall be convertible or exchangeable for shares of our stock of any other class or classes, or other series of the same class;

·

he voting rights, if any, of shares of such series in addition to those set forth under the caption entitled, “Voting Rights” below;

·

the status as to reissuance or sale of shares of such series redeemed, purchased or otherwise reacquired, or surrendered to us on conversion or exchange;

·

e conditions and restrictions, if any, on the payment of dividends or on the making of other distributions on, or the purchase, redemption or other acquisition by us, of our common stock or of any other class of our stock ranking junior to the shares of such series as to dividends or upon liquidation (including, but not limited to, at such times as there are arrearages in the payment of dividends or sinking fund installments);

·

the conditions and restrictions, if any, on the creation of Company indebtedness, or on the issue of any additional stock ranking on a parity with or prior to the shares of such series as to dividends or upon liquidation; and

·

any additional dividend, liquidation, redemption, sinking or retirement fund and other rights, preferences, privileges, limitations and restrictions of such preferred stock.

 

Voting Rights

 

The General Corporation Law of Delaware, or the DGCL provides that the holders of preferred stock will have the right to vote separately as a class on any proposal involving fundamental changes in the rights of holders of that preferred stock. This right is in addition to any voting rights that may be provided for in the applicable certificate of designation.

 

Transfer Agent and Registrar

 

The transfer agent and registrar for any series of preferred stock will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

Other

 

Our issuance of preferred stock could decrease the amount of earnings and assets available for distribution to the holders of common stock or could adversely affect the rights and powers, including voting rights, of the holders of common stock. The issuance of preferred stock could have the effect of decreasing the market price of our common stock.

 

 Delaware Law and Certain Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws Provisions

 

Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws contain provisions that could delay or prevent a change of control of our company or changes in our board of directors that our stockholders might consider favorable. Some of these provisions:

 

·

Authorize the issuance of preferred stock which can be created and issued by the board of directors without prior stockholder approval, with rights senior to those of our common stock;

·

Provide for a classified board of directors, with each director serving a staggered three-year term;

·

Prohibit our stockholders from filling board vacancies, calling special stockholder meetings or taking action by written consent;

·

Provide for the removal of a director only with cause and by the affirmative vote of the holders of 66 2/3 % or more of the shares then entitled to vote at an election of our directors;

·

Require advance written notice of stockholder proposals and director nominations; and

·

Require any action instituted against our officers or directors in connection with their service to us to be brought in the state of Delaware.

 

In addition, we are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the DGCL, which may prohibit certain business combinations with stockholders owning 15% or more of our outstanding voting stock. These and other provisions in our Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws and the DGCL could make it more difficult for stockholders or potential acquirors to obtain control of our board of directors or initiate actions that are opposed by our then-current board of directors, including a merger, tender offer or proxy contest involving our company. This provision could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control, whether or not it is desired by or beneficial to our stockholders. Any delay or prevention of a change of control transaction or changes in our board of directors could cause the market price of our common stock to decline.

 

Further, our Certificate of Incorporation provides that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall be the sole and exclusive forum for (1) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of our company, (2) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any of our directors, officers, employees or agents to our company or our stockholders, (3) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL, or (4) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine, in each such case subject to such Court of Chancery having personal jurisdiction over the indispensable parties named as defendants therein.

 

Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of our capital stock shall be deemed to have notice of and to have consented to the provisions of our Certificate of Incorporation described above. This choice of forum provision may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with us or our directors, officers, or other employees or agents, which may discourage such lawsuits against us and our directors, officers, employees and agents. Further, this choice of forum provision does not preclude or contract the scope of exclusive federal or concurrent jurisdiction for any actions brought under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) or the Exchange Act. Section 27 of the Exchange Act creates exclusive federal jurisdiction over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Exchange

Act or the rules and regulations thereunder. As a result, the exclusive forum provision will not apply to suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction. In addition, Section 22 of the Securities Act creates concurrent jurisdiction for federal and state courts over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Securities Act or the rules and regulations thereunder. As a result, the exclusive forum provision will not apply to suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Securities Act or any other claim for which the federal and state courts have concurrent jurisdiction. Accordingly, our exclusive forum provision will not relieve us of our duties to comply with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder, and our stockholders will not be deemed to have waived our compliance with these laws, rules and regulations.

 

Indemnification

 

Our Certificate of Incorporation contains provisions permitted under the DGCL relating to the liability of directors. The provisions eliminate, to the extent legally permissible, a director’s liability for monetary damages for a breach of fiduciary duty, except in circumstances involving wrongful acts, such as the breach of a director’s duty of loyalty or acts or omissions that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law. The limitation of liability described above does not alter the liability of our directors and officers under federal securities laws. Furthermore, our certificate of incorporation contains provisions to indemnify our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL. These provisions do not limit or eliminate our right or the right of any stockholder of ours to seek non-monetary relief, such as an injunction or rescission in the event of a breach by a director or an officer of his duty of care to us. We believe that these provisions assist us in attracting and retaining qualified individuals to serve as directors.