Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)

Registration No. 333-221493

 

Prospectus Supplement

(to Prospectus dated December 1, 2017)

 

13,400,000 shares

 

 

Common Stock

 

We are offering 13,400,000 shares of our common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, in this offering.

  

Our common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol CKPT.On November 19, 2019, the last reported sale price of our common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market was $1.53 per share.

 

   Per share   Total 
         
Public offering price   $1.27   $17,018,000 
Underwriting discount and commissions(1)   $0.09525   $1,276,350 
Proceeds to Checkpoint, before expenses   $1.17475   $15,741,650 

 

(1)See “Underwriting” beginning on page S-17 of this prospectus supplement for additional information regarding underwriting compensation.

 

We have granted the underwriters an option for a period of 45 days from the date of this prospectus supplement to purchase up to 2,010,000 additional shares of our common stock at the price per share set forth above. If the underwriters exercise the option in full, the total proceeds to us, before expenses, will be approximately $18.1 million.

 

Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. See Risk Factorsbeginning on page S-6 of this prospectus supplement and in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement.

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

The underwriters expect to deliver the common stock on or about November 22, 2019 only in book-entry form through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company.

  

Sole Book-Running Manager

 

National Securities Corporation

 

Lead Manager

 

H.C. Wainwright & Co.

 

The date of this prospectus supplement is November 20, 2019

 

 

 

 

Table of Contents

 

Prospectus Supplement

  Page
About this prospectus supplement ii
Special cautionary notice regarding forward-looking statements iii
Summary S-1
Risk factors S-6
Use of proceeds S-9
Dividend Policy S-10
Capitalization S-11
Dilution S-12
Tax considerations S-13
Underwriting S-17
Legal matters S-20
Experts S-20
Where you can find more information S-20
Incorporation of certain information by reference S-20

 

Prospectus

  Page
Checkpoint Therapeutics, Inc. 1
The Offering 2
Where You Can Find More Information 2
Important Information About This Prospectus 3
Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference 4
Description of Capital Stock 5
Description of Warrants 7
Description of Debt Securities 8
Description of Units 11
Plan of Distribution 12
Legal Matters 13
Experts 14

 

i

 

 

About this prospectus supplement

 

This document is in two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes the specific terms of this common stock offering and also adds to and updates information contained in the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein. The second part, the accompanying prospectus, provides more general information. Generally, when we refer to this prospectus, we are referring to both parts of this document combined. To the extent there is a conflict between the information contained in this prospectus supplement and the information contained in the accompanying prospectus or any document incorporated by reference therein filed prior to the date of this prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in this prospectus supplement; provided that if any statement in one of these documents is inconsistent with a statement in another document having a later date for example, a document incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus the statement in the document having the later date modifies or supersedes the earlier statement.

 

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 herein 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.

 

Neither we nor the underwriters have authorized anyone to provide information different from that contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in this offering.  When you make a decision about whether to invest in our common stock, you should not rely upon any information other than the information in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, including any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in this offering.  Neither the delivery of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, including any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in this offering, nor the sale of our common stock means that information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in this offering, is correct after their respective dates. It is important for you to read and consider all information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including the information incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, and any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering in making your investment decision. You should also read and consider the information in the documents to which we have referred you in the sections entitled Where You Can Find More Informationand Incorporation of Certain Information by Referencein this prospectus supplement.

 

We are offering to sell, and seeking offers to buy, shares of our common stock only in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted. The distribution of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and the offering of the common stock in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law. Persons outside the United States who come into possession of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus must inform themselves about, and observe any restrictions relating to, the offering of the common stock and the distribution of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus outside the United States. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus do not constitute, and may not be used in connection with, an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus by any person in any jurisdiction in which it is unlawful for such person to make such an offer or solicitation.

 

Unless otherwise stated, all references in this prospectus to “we,” “us,” “our,” “Checkpoint,” the “Company” and similar designations refer to Checkpoint Therapeutics, Inc. This prospectus supplement contains trademarks and trade names of Checkpoint Therapeutics, Inc., including our name and logo. Other service marks, trademarks and trade names referred to in this document are the property of their respective owners.

 

ii

 

 

Special cautionary notice regarding forward-looking statements

 

Certain matters discussed in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus may constitute forward-looking statements for purposes of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The words anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “may,” “expect,” “will,” “could,” “project,” “intend” and similar expressions are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. Our actual results may differ materially from the results anticipated in these forward-looking statements due to a variety of factors, including, without limitation, those discussed under the caption Risk Factorscontained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, any applicable free writing prospectus and under similar headings in other documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus. All written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to us are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about our:

 

·expectations for increases or decreases in expenses;
·expectations for the clinical and preclinical development, manufacturing, regulatory approval, and commercialization of our pharmaceutical product candidates or any other products we may acquire or in-license;
·use of clinical research centers and other contractors;
·expectations as to the timing of commencing or completing preclinical and clinical trials and the expected outcomes of those trials;
·intention to use data from our ongoing Phase 1 clinical trial of cosibelimab to support the submissions of one or more U.S. Biologics License Applications and relatedly, our assumption that exclusively foreign clinical data may be acceptable to support marketing approval under Food and Drug Administration regulations;
·expectations for incurring capital expenditures to expand our research and development and manufacturing capabilities;
·expectations for generating revenue or becoming profitable on a sustained basis;
·expectations or ability to enter into marketing and other partnership agreements;
·expectations or ability to enter into product acquisition and in-licensing transactions;
·expectations or ability to build our own commercial infrastructure to manufacture, market and sell our product candidates;
·expectations for the acceptance of our products by doctors, patients or payors;
·ability to compete against other companies, similarly marketed products and research institutions;
·ability to secure adequate protection for our intellectual property;
·ability to attract and retain key personnel;
·availability of reimbursement for our products;
·estimates of the sufficiency of our existing cash and cash equivalents and investments to finance our operating requirements, including expectations regarding the value and liquidity of our investments;
·expectations for the volatility of our stock price;
·expected losses; and
·expectations for future capital requirements.

 

The forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus reflect our views and assumptions only as of the date of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, respectively. New risks and uncertainties arise from time to time, and it is impossible for us to predict these events or how they may affect us. Except as required by law, we assume no responsibility for updating any forward-looking statements. You should, however, review the factors and risks we describe in the reports we will file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, after the date of this prospectus supplement. See “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference.”

 

We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements. In addition, with respect to all of our forward-looking statements, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

 

iii

 

 

 

Summary

 

This summary highlights information contained elsewhere or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and in the documents we incorporate by reference. This summary does not contain all of the information that you should consider before deciding to invest in our common stock. You should read this entire prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus carefully, including the ‘‘Risk Factors’’ sections contained in this prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated by reference herein, our consolidated financial statements and the related notes and the other documents incorporated by reference herein.

 

Our business

 

We are a clinical-stage immunotherapy and targeted oncology company focused on the acquisition, development and commercialization of novel treatments for patients with solid tumor cancers. We are evaluating our lead antibody product candidate, cosibelimab, a potentially differentiated anti-PD-L1 antibody licensed from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, in an ongoing Phase 1 clinical trial in checkpoint therapy-naïve patients with selected recurrent or metastatic cancers, including ongoing cohorts intended to support one or more Biologics License Application (“BLA”) submissions. In addition, we are evaluating our lead small-molecule, targeted anti-cancer agent, CK-101, a third-generation epidermal growth factor receptor (“EGFR”) inhibitor, in a Phase 1 clinical trial for the treatment of patients with EGFR mutation-positive non-small cell lung cancer (“NSCLC”).

 

We have also entered into various collaboration agreements with TG Therapeutics, Inc. (“TGTX”), a related party, to develop and commercialize certain assets in connection with our licenses in the field of hematological malignancies, while we retain the right to develop and commercialize these assets in solid tumors. 

 

In September 2018, we announced preliminary interim data from our ongoing Phase 1/2 clinical trial of CK-101. The data were presented in an oral presentation at the IASLC 19th World Conference on Lung Cancer in Toronto. Enrollment in the trial is ongoing to identify the optimal dose with a new softgel capsule formulation to maximize therapeutic effect, following which a Phase 3 trial is planned to initiate in treatment-naïve EGFR mutation-positive NSCLC patients.

 

In September 2019, we announced updated interim results from our ongoing multicenter Phase 1 clinical trial of anti-PD-L1 antibody cosibelimab. The data were presented in a poster presentation at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2019 in Barcelona, Spain. We continue to enroll cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (“CSCC”) patients to support an initial BLA submission for cosibelimab based on this ongoing clinical trial.

 

To date, we have not received approval for the sale of any product candidate in any market and, therefore, have not generated any product sales from any product candidates. In addition, we have incurred substantial operating losses since our inception, and expect to continue to incur significant operating losses for the foreseeable future and may never become profitable. As of September 30, 2019, we have an accumulated deficit of $111.3 million.

 

We are a majority-controlled subsidiary of Fortress Biotech, Inc. (“Fortress”).

 

Our products under development

 

Immuno-Oncology Agents

 

Cosibelimab (Anti-PD-L1) Program

 

Cosibelimab (formerly referred to as CK-301) is a fully-human monoclonal antibody of IgG1 subtype that directly binds to Programmed Death Ligand-1 (“PD-L1”) and blocks the PD-L1 interaction with the Programmed Death Receptor-1 (“PD-1”) and B7.1 receptors. PD-L1 is an immune-inhibitory checkpoint molecule expressed on epithelial and vascular endothelial cells, as well as by a number of immune cells, and is utilized by tumor cells as an immune escape mechanism. CK-301’s primary mechanism of action is based on the inhibition of the interaction between PD-L1 and its receptors PD-1 and B7.1, which removes the suppressive effects of PD-L1 on anti-tumor CD8+ T-cells to restore the cytotoxic T cell response.

 

 

S-1

 

 

 

Numerous preclinical and clinical studies of third-parties have demonstrated that antibodies that block the interaction of PD-1 with its ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2, or those that block only the interaction of PD-L1 with PD-1 can augment anti-tumor T-cell responses and lead to complete and lasting tumor eradication in a certain proportion of patients. Confirmed overall response rates (“ORRs”) in the labels for the FDA approved PD-1 and PD-L1 blocking antibodies were cited in the 20-45% range based on clinical trials in patients with metastatic melanoma and NSCLC. Potent therapeutic anti-tumor responses due to blocking of PD-1/PD-L1 interaction have been demonstrated by these approved products in patients with various solid tumors including, but not limited to, NSCLC, melanoma, RCC, head and neck cancer, cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma and urothelial carcinoma.

 

We are developing cosibelimab in solid tumor oncology indications where studies of other PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies have shown to be effective. We licensed the exclusive worldwide rights to certain anti-PD-L1 antibodies from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in March 2015. Also in March 2015, we entered into a Global Collaboration Agreement with TGTX, a related party, to develop and commercialize anti-PD-L1 antibodies in the field of hematological malignancies. We retain the right to develop and commercialize our anti-PD-L1 antibodies in solid tumors. We believe that cosibelimab has the potential to be effective in many oncological indications as a monotherapy or in combination with other anti-tumor immune response potentiating compounds and targeted therapies.

 

We commenced a Phase 1 multi-center clinical study for cosibelimab in October 2017. The study is evaluating the safety and tolerability of ascending doses of cosibelimab in checkpoint therapy-naïve patients with selected recurrent or metastatic cancers. Following completion of dose escalation in March 2018, multiple dose expansion cohorts were initiated. In January 2019, we announced the expansion of the ongoing study to enroll patients in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma which we believe could support an initial BLA submission to the FDA for cosibelimab. The primary endpoint is ORR, and secondary endpoints include duration of response, PFS, and overall survival.

 

CK-302 (Anti-GITR) Program

 

Our anti-GITR monoclonal antibody, CK-302, is a fully human agonistic antibody that is designed to bind to and trigger signaling in GITR expressing cells. Scientific literature indicates that GITR is a co-stimulatory molecule of the TNF receptor family and is expressed on activated T cells, B cells, natural killer (“NK”) and regulatory T-cells (“Treg”). As a co-stimulatory molecule, GITR engagement increases proliferation, activation, and cytokine production of CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells. We believe our anti-GITR monoclonal antibody has the potential to abrogate immunosuppressive activity of natural Treg on expansion of T-effector cells. GITR-specific agonistic monoclonal antibodies under development by third parties have been shown to induce tumor regression in vivo through the activation of CD4+ T-cells, CD8+ T-cells and NK cells in a number of tumor models.

 

We are developing CK-302 for oncology indications where scientific literature supports the potential for an anti-GITR to be effective. We licensed the exclusive worldwide rights to anti-GITR antibodies from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in March 2015. Also in March 2015, we entered into a Global Collaboration Agreement with TGTX to develop and commercialize anti-GITR antibodies in the field of hematological malignancies. We retain the right to develop and commercialize anti-GITR antibodies in solid tumors. We believe that an anti-GITR antibody has the potential to be effective in many oncological indications as a monotherapy or in combination with an anti-PD-L1 or anti-CAIX antibody as well as other anti-tumor immune response potentiating compounds and targeted therapies.

 

Currently, we are in preclinical development for this program. In late 2016, we commenced CMC development activities, which include the construction and testing of a production cell line, the development of a manufacturing process for production of the antibody, as well as the development of suitable analytical methods to characterize the antibody. We plan to develop control mechanisms to satisfy GMP requirements and scale-up manufacturing in order to conduct the required pharmacology and toxicology studies to support a potential IND application.

 

Targeted Anti-Cancer Agents 

 

CK-101 (also known as RX518) EGFR Inhibitor Program

 

We are developing CK-101 as an oral, third-generation, irreversible kinase inhibitor against selective mutations of EGFR. Activating mutations in the tyrosine kinase domain of EGFR such as L858R and exon 19 deletion are found in approximately 20% of patients with advanced NSCLC. Compared to chemotherapy, first-generation EGFR inhibitors significantly improved ORR and progression-free survival in previously untreated NSCLC patients carrying EGFR mutations. However, tumor progression could develop due to resistance mutations, often within months of treatment with first-generation EGFR inhibitors. 

 

 

S-2

 

 

 

The EGFR T790M “gatekeeper” mutation is the most common resistance mutation found in patients treated with first-generation EGFR inhibitors. The mutation decreases the affinity of first-generation inhibitors to EGFR kinase domain, rendering the drugs ineffective. Second-generation EGFR inhibitors have improved in vitro potency against the T790M mutation, but have not provided meaningful benefits in NSCLC patients due to toxicity from also inhibiting wild-type EGFR. 

 

Third-generation EGFR inhibitors are designed to be highly selective against the EGFR T790M mutation with minimal inhibition of wild-type EGFR, thereby improving tolerability and safety profiles. In November 2015, Tagrisso ® (osimertinib), a third-generation EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor ("TKI") developed by AstraZeneca plc that specifically targets the EGFR activating and T790M resistance mutations, received accelerated Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) approval for the treatment of patients with metastatic EGFR T790M mutation-positive NSCLC who have progressed on or after receiving EGFR TKI therapy. Tagrisso received full approval from the FDA in 2017 based on data from a randomized, Phase 3 trial, in which Tagrisso significantly improved progression-free survival (“PFS”) versus platinum-based doublet chemotherapy, providing 10.1 months of median PFS compared to 4.4 months from chemotherapy.

 

In addition, third-generation inhibitors may also inhibit EGFR activating mutations seen in first-line NSCLC patients and have shown efficacy in monotherapy studies. In April 2018, Tagrisso received FDA approval for the first-line treatment of NSCLC patients with EGFR mutations based on data from a randomized, Phase 3 trial, in which Tagrisso significantly improved PFS versus first-generation EGFR inhibitors, providing 18.9 months of median PFS compared to 10.2 months from EGFR TKI comparators erlotinib or gefitinib.

  

We are developing CK-101 for the treatment of NSCLC patients carrying the susceptible EGFR mutations. These include EGFR L858R and exon 19 deletion mutations in first-line NSCLC patients as well as the EGFR T790M mutation in second-line NSCLC patients. We believe that CK-101 has the potential to be effective in these oncological indications as a monotherapy or in combination with other anti-tumor immune response potentiating compounds. Existing preclinical and clinical data from third-party programs support the potential combination of third-generation EGFR inhibitors with checkpoint inhibitors (anti-PD-1 or anti-PD-L1). 

 

In March 2015, Fortress entered into an exclusive license agreement with NeuPharma, Inc. (“NeuPharma”), which agreement was assigned to us by Fortress on the same date, to develop and commercialize novel covalent third-generation EGFR inhibitors on a worldwide basis outside of certain Asian countries. In August 2016, the FDA accepted our IND application and we initiated a Phase 1/2 clinical trial in September 2016. The trial is evaluating the safety and tolerability of ascending doses of CK-101 in patients with advanced solid tumors to determine the maximum tolerated dose and the safety and efficacy of CK-101 in patients with EGFR mutation-positive NSCLC. In September 2018, we announced preliminary interim data from our ongoing clinical trial of CK-101. The data were presented in an oral presentation at the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (“IASLC”) 19th World Conference on Lung Cancer in Toronto. Enrollment in the trial is ongoing to identify the optimal dose with a new softgel capsule formulation to potentially maximize therapeutic effect, following which a Phase 3 trial is planned to initiate in treatment-naïve EGFR mutation-positive NSCLC patients.

 

CK-103 BET Inhibitor Program

 

We are developing CK-103, a novel, selective and potent small molecule inhibitor of BET bromodomains. CK-103 binds to the first and second bromodomains (BD1, BD2) of the BET protein family, BRD2, BRD3, BRD4, and BRDT. A bromodomain is an amino acid protein domain that recognizes acetylated-lysine. The binding of the drug prevents interaction between BET proteins and both acetylated histones and transcription factors. Therefore, BET proteins, such as BRD4, are considered potential therapeutic targets in cancer, as they may play a pivotal role in regulating the transcription of key regulators of cancer cell growth and survival, including the c-Myc oncogene. BRD4 is often required for expression of c-Myc. Scientific literature has shown that small molecule inhibition of BET bromodomains may lead to selective killing of tumor cells across a broad range of hematologic malignancies and certain targeted solid tumors. We plan to develop CK-103 for the treatment of various advanced and metastatic solid tumor cancers, including, but not limited to, those associated with elevated c-Myc expression.

 

 

S-3

 

 

 

In May 2016, we entered into an exclusive license agreement with Jubilant Biosys Limited (“Jubilant”) to develop and commercialize novel compounds that inhibit BET bromodomains on a worldwide basis. Also in May 2016, we entered into a Sublicense Agreement with TGTX to develop and commercialize CK-103 in the field of hematological malignancies. We retain the right to develop and commercialize CK-103 in solid tumors. In 2018, we completed the required CMC, pharmacology and toxicology activities that we believe will support an IND application filing.

 

Anti-CAIX Research Program

 

Our anti-carbonic anhydrase IX (“CAIX”) antibody is a fully human preclinical antibody designed to recognize CAIX expressing cells and kill them via antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (“ADCC”) and complement-dependent cytotoxicity (“CDC”). Scientific literature indicates that CAIX is a well characterized tumor associated antigen with expression almost exclusively limited to the cells of renal cell carcinoma (“RCC”). More than 85% of RCC cases have been demonstrated to express high levels of CAIX expression. There is very limited expression of this antigen on healthy tissue which we believe will limit reactivity of this antibody against healthy tissues.

 

In 2015, preclinical data were published in the peer-reviewed journal, Molecular Cancer, that demonstrated that our anti-CAIX antibodies could trigger killing of CAIX-positive human RCC cell lines in tissue culture via ADCC and CDC. The killing activity correlated positively with the level of CAIX expression on RCC tumor cell lines. In addition, the study demonstrated that our anti-CAIX antibodies inhibited growth of CAIX-positive tumors in a mouse xenograft model as well as led to the activation of T-cells and NK cells. 

 

We plan to develop an anti-CAIX antibody for the treatment of patients with RCC in combination with an anti-PD-L1 and/or anti-GITR antibody as well as potentially other anti-tumor immune response potentiating compounds and/or targeted therapies.

 

We licensed the exclusive worldwide rights to certain anti-CAIX antibodies from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in March 2015. Currently, we are in preclinical development for this program. We will need to identify and optimize a lead anti-CAIX antibody to select as a clinical candidate, following which we plan to commence CMC development, pharmacology and toxicology activities in order to potentially submit an IND application in the future.

 

Company information

 

Our principal executive offices are located at 2 Gansevoort St., 9th Floor, New York, New York 10014, and our telephone number is (781) 652-4500. We maintain a website on the Internet at www.checkpointtx.com and our e-mail address is ir@checkpointtx.com. Our internet website, and the information contained on it, are not to be considered part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. For further information regarding us and our financial information, you should refer to our recent filings with the SEC. See “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference.

 

 

S-4

 

 

 

The offering

 

Issuer Checkpoint Therapeutics, Inc.
Common stock offered by us 13,400,000 shares
Common stock to be outstanding after the offering 51,566,033 shares
Option to purchase additional shares

We have granted the underwriters an option for a period of up to 45 days from the date of this prospectus supplement to purchase up to an aggregate of 2,010,000 additional shares of our common stock at the price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement.

Use of Proceeds We intend to use the net proceeds of this offering to support the continued development of cosibelimab, including an ongoing Phase 1 clinical trial in checkpoint therapy-naïve patients with selected recurrent or metastatic cancers, including ongoing cohorts intended to support one or more BLA submissions, and for general corporate purposes.  See Use of Proceedson page S-9.
Risk Factors See Risk Factorsbeginning on page S-6 and in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement for a discussion of factors that you should consider before buying shares of our common stock.
Nasdaq Capital Market Symbol CKPT

The number of shares of common stock to be outstanding after the offering assumes no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares of common stock and is based on 38,166,033 shares of common stock and Class A common stock outstanding as of September 30, 2019.

 

The number of shares of common stock to be outstanding after this offering does not take into account:

 

·4,207,447 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants with a weighted average exercise price of $6.81 per share;

 

·110,000 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options with a weighted average exercise price of $4.44 per share;

 

·an aggregate of 1,525,805 shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under our incentive plan; and

 

·335,000 shares of common stock, representing 2.5% of the gross amount of the offering, which will be issued to Fortress immediately following the offering under the terms of the Founder’s Agreement between the Company and Fortress.

 

 

S-5

 

 

Risk factors

 

Investment in our common stock involves risks. Before deciding whether to invest in our common stock, you should consider carefully the risk factors discussed below and those contained in the section entitled “Risk Factors” contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, as filed with the SEC on March 18, 2019, and our Quarterly Reports, as filed with the SEC on May 10, 2019, August 8, 2019 and November 12, 2019 respectively, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety, as well as any amendment or update to our risk factors reflected in subsequent filings with the SEC. If any of the risks or uncertainties described in our SEC filings actually occurs, our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flow could be materially and adversely affected. This could cause the trading price of our common stock to decline, resulting in a loss of all or part of your investment. The risks and uncertainties we have described are not the only ones facing our company. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also affect our business operations.

 

Risks related to this offering

 

Future sales or other issuances of our common stock could depress the market for our common stock.

 

Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock, or the perception by the market that those sales could occur, could cause the market price of our common stock to decline or could make it more difficult for us to raise funds through the sale of equity in the future.

 

In connection with this offering, we, our directors and officers, and certain of our significant stockholders have entered into lock-up agreements for a period of 90 days following this offering (which period may be extended under certain circumstances). We and our directors, officers and certain of our significant stockholders may be released from lock-up prior to the expiration of the lock-up period at the sole discretion of National Securities Corporation. See “Underwriting.” Upon expiration or earlier release of the lock-up, we and our directors and officers may sell shares into the market, which could adversely affect the market price of shares of our common stock.

 

Future issuances of common stock could further depress the market for our common stock.

 

If we make one or more significant acquisitions in which the consideration includes stock or other securities, our stockholders’ holdings may be significantly diluted. In addition, stockholders’ holdings may also be diluted if we enter into arrangements with third parties permitting us to issue shares of common stock in lieu of certain cash payments upon the achievement of milestones.

 

Our stock price can be volatile, which increases the risk of litigation, and may result in a significant decline in the value of your investment.

 

The trading price of our common stock has been and is likely to continue to be highly volatile and subject to wide fluctuations in price in response to various factors, many of which are beyond our control. These factors include:

 

·announcements relating to the clinical development of our product candidates;

 

·announcements concerning the progress of our efforts to obtain regulatory approval for and commercialize our product candidates or any future product candidate, including any requests we receive from the FDA, or comparable regulatory authorities outside the United States, for additional studies or data that result in delays in obtaining regulatory approval or launching these product candidates, if approved;

 

·the depth and liquidity of the market for our common stock;

 

·investor perceptions about us and our business;

 

·market conditions in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors or the economy as a whole;

 

·price and volume fluctuations in the overall stock market;

 

·the failure of one or more of our product candidates or any future product candidate, if approved, to achieve commercial success;

 

S-6

 

 

·developments concerning product development results or intellectual property rights of others;

 

·litigation or public concern about the safety of our potential products;

 

·announcements of the introduction of new products by us or our competitors;

 

·actual fluctuations in our quarterly operating results, and concerns by investors that such fluctuations may occur in the future;

 

·deviations in our operating results from the estimates of securities analysts or other analyst comments;

 

·developments concerning current or future strategic collaborations;

 

·discussion of us or our stock price by the financial and scientific press and in online investor communities;

 

·health care reform legislation, including measures directed at controlling the pricing of pharmaceutical products, and third-party coverage and reimbursement policies; and

 

·additions to or departures of key personnel.

 

In addition, equity markets in general, and the market for biotechnology and life sciences companies in particular, have experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of companies traded in those markets. These broad market and industry factors may materially affect the market price of our common stock, regardless of our development and operating performance. In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a companys securities, securities class-action litigation has often been instituted against that company. Such litigation, if instituted against us, could cause us to incur substantial costs to defend such claims and divert managements attention and resources, which could seriously harm our business.

 

We have broad discretion to use the net proceeds from this offering and our investment of these proceeds pending any such use may not yield a favorable return.

 

We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering for general corporate purposes and the continued development of cosibelimab. However, our management will have broad discretion in the application of the net proceeds from this offering and could spend the proceeds in ways that do not improve our results of operations or enhance the value of our common stock. The failure by management to apply these funds effectively could result in financial losses that could have a material adverse effect on our business, cause the price of our common stock to decline and delay the development of our product candidates. Pending any such uses, we plan to invest the net proceeds of this offering in short-term and long-term, investment-grade, interest-bearing securities. These investments may not yield a favorable return to our stockholders.

 

You will experience immediate and substantial dilution.

 

Since the public offering price of the shares of common stock offered pursuant to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is higher than the net tangible book value per share of our common stock, you will suffer substantial dilution in the net tangible book value of the common stock you purchase in this offering. See “Dilution” in this prospectus supplement for a more detailed discussion of the dilution you will incur if you purchase shares of our common stock in this offering.

 

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.

 

S-7

 

 

Fortress will continue to control a voting majority of our common stock following the offering.

 

Pursuant to the terms of the Class A common stock held by Fortress, Fortress is entitled to cast, for each share of Class A common stock held by Fortress, the number of votes that is equal to one and one-tenth (1.1) times a fraction, the numerator of which is the sum of the shares of outstanding common stock and the denominator of which is the number of shares of outstanding Class A common stock. Accordingly, as long as Fortress owns any shares of Class A common stock, it will be able to control or significantly influence all matters requiring approval by our stockholders, including the election of directors and the approval of mergers or other business combination transactions. The consummation of this offering will not impact Fortress’s holdings of Class A Common Stock, so Fortress will continue to be able to exercise such control and influence over the Company. The interests of Fortress may not always coincide with the interests of other stockholders, and Fortress may take actions that advance its own interests and are contrary to the desires of our other stockholders. Moreover, this concentration of voting power may delay, prevent or deter a change in control of us even when such a change may be in the best interests of all stockholders, could deprive our stockholders of an opportunity to receive a premium for their common stock as part of a sale of Checkpoint or our assets, and might affect the prevailing market price of our common stock.

 

Fortress has the right to receive a significant grant of shares of our common stock annually and upon the closing of this offering, which will result in the dilution of your holdings of common stock, which could reduce their value.

 

Under the terms of a founders agreement between us and Fortress, Fortress has the right to receive (i) an annual grant of shares of our common stock equal to 2.5% of the fully-diluted outstanding equity at the time of issuance, on January 1 of each year and (ii) a grant of shares of our common stock equal to 2.5% of the gross amount of any equity or debt financing, payable within five business days of closing of such financing. Both the annual issuance of shares to Fortress and the issuance of 335,000 shares to Fortress due within five days of the closing of this offering may result in a reduction in the value of your shares.

 

S-8

 

 

Use of proceeds

 

The net proceeds to us from the sale of 13,400,000 shares of our common stock will be approximately $15.5 million after deducting underwriting discounts and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

  

We expect to use the net proceeds from this offering:

 

·to support the continued development of cosibelimab, including an ongoing Phase I clinical trial in checkpoint therapy-naïve patients with selective recurrent or metastatic cancers, including ongoing cohorts intended to support one or more BLA submissions; and

 

·for general corporate purposes.

 

The timing and amounts of our actual expenditures will depend on several factors, including the progress of and results from our research and development programs, the results of other pre-clinical and clinical studies and the timing, costs of regulatory approvals and the costs of establishing a commercial organization to sell, market and distribute our product candidates. Pending the uses described above, we will invest the net proceeds in short-term and long-term, investment grade, interest-bearing securities.

 

S-9

 

 

Dividend Policy

 

We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our common stock and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Any future determination to pay dividends will be at the discretion of our board of directors.

 

S-10

 

 

Capitalization

 

The following table sets forth our capitalization as of September 30, 2019:

 

·on an actual basis; and

 

·on an as adjusted basis to reflect the sale of the 13,400,000 shares of common stock offered by us in this offering after deducting underwriting discounts and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

 

You should read this information together with our financial statements and the notes to those statements incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the related prospectus.

 

September 30, 2019 (unaudited)
(in thousands, except share data)
  Actual   As Adjusted 
Cash and cash equivalents    13,060    28,527 
           
Stockholders’ equity:          
Class A Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share, 7,000,000 shares authorized; 7,000,000 issued and outstanding, actual and as adjusted    1    1 
Common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, 53,000,000 shares authorized; 31,166,033 shares actual and 44,566,033 shares as adjusted, issued and outstanding   3    4 
Additional paid-in capital    117,550    133,016 
Common Stock Issuable, 0 shares actual and as adjusted         
Accumulated deficit    (111,285)   (111,285)
Total stockholders’ equity    6,269    21,736 
Total capitalization    6,269    21,736 

  

The table assumes no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares of common stock and excludes the following shares:

 

·4,207,447 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants with a weighted average exercise price of $6.81 per share;

 

·110,000 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options with a weighted average exercise price of $4.44 per share;

 

·an aggregate of 1,525,805 shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under our incentive plan; and

 

·335,000 shares of common stock, representing 2.5% of the gross amount of the offering, which will be issued to Fortress immediately following the offering under the terms of the Founder’s Agreement between the Company and Fortress.

  

S-11

 

 

Dilution

 

Purchasers of the shares offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus will suffer immediate and substantial dilution in the net tangible book value per share of the common stock they purchase. Net tangible book value per share represents the amount of total tangible assets less total liabilities, divided by the number of shares of our common stock outstanding as of September 30, 2019. Our net tangible book value as of September 30, 2019 was approximately $6,269,000, or approximately $0.16 per share of our common stock.

 

Dilution in net tangible book value per share represents the difference between the amount per share paid by purchasers in this offering and the net tangible book value per share of our common stock immediately after this offering. After giving effect to the sale of 13,400,000 shares of common stock in this offering at the public offering price of $1.27 per share, and after deducting the underwriting discount and the estimated offering expenses payable by us, our as adjusted net tangible book value as of September 30, 2019 would have been approximately $0.42 per share of common stock. This represents an immediate increase in net tangible book value of $0.26 per share of common stock to our existing stockholders and an immediate dilution in net tangible book value of $0.85 per share of common stock to purchasers in this offering. The following table illustrates this per share dilution:

 

 

 

Public offering price per share  $1.27 
Net tangible book value per share as of September 30, 2019  $0.16 
Increase per share attributable to this offering  $0.26 
As adjusted net tangible book value per share as of September 30, 2019 after this offering  $0.42 
Dilution per share to new investors participating in this offering  $0.85 

 

The above table is based on 38,166,033 shares of common stock and Class A common stock outstanding as of September 30, 2019, assumes no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares of common stock and excludes, as of that date:

 

·4,207,447 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants with a weighted average exercise price of $6.81 per share;
   
·110,000 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options with a weighted average exercise price of $4.44 per share;
   
·an aggregate of 1,525,805 shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under our incentive plan; and
   
·335,000 shares of common stock, representing 2.5% of the gross amount of the offering, which will be issued to Fortress immediately following the offering under the terms of the Founder’s Agreement between the Company and Fortress.

 

If the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase 2,010,000 additional shares of our common stock, the as adjusted net tangible book value after this offering would be $0.45 per share, representing an increase in net tangible book value of $0.29 per share to existing stockholders and immediate dilution in net tangible book value of $0.82 per share to purchasers in this offering.

  

The foregoing table does not give effect to the exercise of any outstanding options or warrants or the issuance to Fortress. To the extent options and warrants are exercised, there may be further dilution to new investors. The issuance to Fortress will cause further dilution to new investors.

 

S-12

 

 

Certain Material U.S. Federal Tax Consequences for Non-U.S. Holders

 

The following is a summary of material U.S. federal income tax consequences relating to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our common stock issued pursuant to this offering as of the date hereof. Except where noted, this summary deals only with our common stock that is held as a capital asset within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), by a “non-U.S. holder” (as defined below).

 

For purposes of this summary, a “non-U.S. holder” means a person (other than a partnership or any other entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes) that is not for U.S. federal income tax purposes any of the following:

 

·an individual citizen or resident of the United States;
   
·a corporation (or any other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;
   
·an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or
   
·a trust if it (1) is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (2) has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations (“Treasury Regulations”) to be treated as a U.S. person.

 

This summary is based upon provisions of the Code and Treasury Regulations, administrative rulings and judicial decisions currently in effect, all as of the date hereof and all subject to change at any time, possibly with retroactive effect, or to different interpretation by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”). This summary does not address all aspects of U.S. federal taxes, including the alternative minimum tax, or the Medicare tax on net investment income, and does not address any foreign, state, local, estate or other tax considerations that may be relevant to non-U.S. holders in light of their personal circumstances. In addition, this summary does not represent a detailed description of the U.S. federal income tax consequences applicable to holders that are subject to special treatment under the U.S. federal income tax laws (including a holder that is a U.S. expatriate, “controlled foreign corporation,” “passive foreign investment company,” “real estate investment trust,” “regulated investment company,” broker or dealer in securities or currencies, financial institution, tax-exempt entity, governmental organization, pension plan, insurance company, person holding our common stock as part of a hedging, integrated, conversion or constructive sale transaction or a straddle, person who has a functional currency other than the U.S. dollar, person that owns, or has owned, actually or constructively, more than 5% of our common stock, trader in securities that elects to use a mark-to-market method of accounting, person who acquired our common stock as compensation for services, person required to recognize any items of gross income with respect to our common stock being taken into account in an applicable financial statement, or a partnership or other pass-through entity, or partner in a partnership or beneficial owner of a pass-through entity that holds our common stock for U.S. federal income tax purposes). We cannot provide assurance that a change in law will not alter significantly the tax considerations that we describe in this summary.

 

If a partnership or other entity or arrangement classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds our common stock, the tax treatment of a partner will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Non-U.S. holders that are partners of a partnership or other entity or arrangement classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holding our common stock should consult their tax advisors.

 

Non-U.S. holders considering the purchase of our common stock should consult their own tax advisors concerning the particular United States federal income and estate tax consequences of the ownership of our common stock, as well as the consequences arising under the laws of any other taxing jurisdiction.

 

S-13

 

 

Dividends

 

Distributions paid on our common stock will be taxable as dividends to the extent paid out of current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. If a distribution exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits, the excess will be treated as a tax-free return of the non-U.S. holder’s investment, up to such holder’s tax basis in the common stock. Any remaining excess will be treated as capital gain, subject to the tax treatment described below in “Gain on a disposition of our common stock.” Any such distributions will also be subject to the discussions below under the sections titled “Information reporting and backup withholding” and “FATCA withholding requirements.”

 

Dividends paid to a non-U.S. holder of our common stock generally will be subject to withholding of United States federal income tax at a 30% rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty. However, dividends that are effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business by the non-U.S. holder within the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, are attributable to a United States permanent establishment) are not subject to withholding tax, provided certain certification and disclosure requirements are satisfied. To claim the exemption, the non-U.S. holder must generally furnish to the applicable withholding agent a properly executed IRS Form W-8ECI (or applicable successor form). Instead, such dividends are subject to United States federal income tax on a net income basis in the same manner as if the non-U.S. holder were a U.S. person as defined under the Code. Any such effectively connected dividends received by a non-U.S. holder that is a corporation may be subject to an additional “branch profits tax” at a 30% rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty.

 

A non-U.S. holder of our common stock who wishes to claim the benefit of an applicable treaty rate and avoid backup withholding, as discussed below, for dividends will be required (a) to complete IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E (or other applicable form) and certify under penalty of perjury that such holder is not a United States person as defined under the Code and is eligible for treaty benefits or (b) if the common stock is held through certain foreign intermediaries, to satisfy the relevant certification requirements of applicable Treasury Regulations. Special certification and other requirements apply to certain non-U.S. holders that are pass-through entities rather than corporations or individuals. This certification must be provided to the withholding agent prior to the payment of dividends and must be updated periodically. If the non-U.S. holder holds the stock through a financial institution or other agent acting on the non-U.S. holder’s behalf, the non-U.S. holder will be required to provide appropriate documentation to the agent, which then will be required to provide certification to us or our paying agent, either directly or through other intermediaries.

 

A non-U.S. holder of our common stock eligible for a reduced rate of United States withholding tax pursuant to an income tax treaty may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS.

 

Gain on a disposition of our common stock

 

Any gain realized on the disposition of our common stock by a non-U.S. holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax unless:

 

·the gain is effectively connected with a trade or business of the non-U.S. holder in the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a United States permanent establishment of the non-U.S. holder);
   
·the non-U.S. holder is an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of that disposition, and certain other conditions are met; or
   
·we are or have been a “United States real property holding corporation” for United States federal income tax purposes at any time during the shorter of the five-year period ending on the date of the disposition or such non-U.S. holder’s holding period for our common stock and such non-U.S. holder held (at any time during the shorter of the five-year period ending on the date of the disposition or such non-U.S. holder’s holding period) more than 5% of our common stock. An individual non-U.S. holder described in the first bullet point immediately above will be subject to tax on the net gain derived from the sale under regular graduated United States federal income tax rates. If a non-U.S. holder that is a foreign corporation falls under the first bullet point immediately above, it will be subject to tax on its net gain in the same manner as if it were a United States person as defined under the Code and, in addition, may be subject to a branch profits tax equal to 30% of its effectively connected earnings and profits or at such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty.

 

S-14

 

 

An individual non-U.S. holder described in the first bullet point immediately above will be subject to tax on the net gain derived from the sale under regular U.S. federal income tax rates applicable to U.S. persons. If a non-U.S. holder that is a corporation falls under the first bullet point immediately above, it will be subject to tax on its net gain in the same manner as if it were a United States person as defined under the Code and, in addition, may be subject to a branch profits tax equal to 30% of its effectively connected earnings and profits or at such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty.

 

We believe we have not been and are not currently a “United States real property holding corporation” for United States federal income tax purposes; however, no assurance can be given that we will not become one in the future. If, however, we are or become a “United States real property holding corporation,” so long as our common stock continues to be regularly traded on an established securities market, only a non-U.S. holder who holds, or held (at any time during the shorter of the five-year period ending on the date of disposition or the non-U.S. holder’s holding period) more than 5% of our common stock will be subject to United States federal income tax on the disposition of the common stock. Such non-U.S. holder will generally be taxed on any gain in the same manner as gain that is effectively connected with the conduct of a U.S. trade or business, except that the branch profits tax generally will not apply. If we are a United States real property holding corporation and our common stock is not regularly traded on an established securities market, a non-U.S. holder’s proceeds received on the disposition of shares will also generally be subject to withholding at a rate of 15%. Non-U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisors about the consequences that could result if we are, or become, a “United States real property holding corporation.”

 

Information reporting and backup withholding

 

We must report annually to the IRS and to each non-U.S. holder the amount of dividends paid to such holder and the tax withheld with respect to such dividends, regardless of whether withholding was required. Copies of the information returns reporting such dividends and withholding may also be made available to the tax authorities in the country in which the non-U.S. holder resides under the provisions of an applicable income tax treaty.

 

A non-U.S. holder will be subject to backup withholding for dividends paid to such holder unless such holder certifies under penalty of perjury that it is a non-U.S. holder (and the payor does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that such holder is a United States person as defined under the Code), or such holder otherwise establishes an exemption.

 

Information reporting and, depending on the circumstances, backup withholding will apply to the proceeds of a sale of our common stock within the United States or conducted through certain United States-related financial intermediaries, unless the beneficial owner certifies under penalty of perjury that it is a non-U.S. holder (and the payor does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that the beneficial owner is a United States person as defined under the Code), or such owner otherwise establishes an exemption.

 

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be allowed as a refund or a credit against a non-U.S. holder’s United States federal income tax liability provided the required information is furnished to the IRS.

 

S-15

 

 

FATCA withholding requirements

 

Withholding taxes may be imposed under Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code (such Sections commonly referred to as the “Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act,” or “FATCA”) on certain types of payments made to non-U.S. financial institutions and certain other non-U.S. entities. Specifically, a 30% withholding tax may be imposed on dividends on, or (subject to the proposed Treasury Regulations discussed below) gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of, our common stock paid to a “foreign financial institution” or a “non-financial foreign entity” (each as defined in the Code), unless (1) the foreign financial institution undertakes certain diligence and reporting obligations, (2) the non-financial foreign entity either certifies it does not have any “substantial United States owners” (as defined in the Code) or furnishes identifying information regarding each substantial United States owner, or (3) the foreign financial institution or non-financial foreign entity otherwise qualifies for an exemption from these rules. If the payee is a foreign financial institution and is subject to the diligence and reporting requirements in (1) above, it must enter into an agreement with the U.S. Department of the Treasury requiring, among other things, that it undertake to identify accounts held by certain “specified United States persons” or “United States-owned foreign entities” (each as defined in the Code), annually report certain information about such accounts, and withhold 30% on certain payments to non-compliant foreign financial institutions and certain other account holders. Foreign financial institutions located in jurisdictions that have an intergovernmental agreement with the United States governing FATCA may be subject to different rules.

 

Under the applicable Treasury Regulations and administrative guidance, withholding under FATCA generally applies to payments of dividends on our common stock. While, beginning on January 1, 2019, withholding under FATCA also applies to payments of gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of our common stock, the U.S. Treasury recently released proposed Treasury Regulations which, if finalized in their present form, would eliminate the federal withholding tax of 30% applicable to the gross proceeds of a sale or other disposition of our common stock. In its preamble to such proposed Treasury Regulations, the U.S. Treasury stated that taxpayers may generally rely on the proposed regulations until final regulations are issued.

 

Prospective investors are encouraged to consult with their independent tax advisers as to the potential impact of FATCA on their acquisition, ownership and disposition of our common stock based on their particular situations.

 

S-16

 

 

Underwriting

 

National Securities Corporation is acting as sole book-running manager for this offering and acting as representative of the underwriters named below (the “underwriters”). Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the underwriting agreement between us and the underwriters, we have agreed to sell to the underwriters, and the underwriters have agreed to purchase from us, shares of common stock. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the underwriting agreement, the underwriters have agreed to purchase all of the shares sold under the underwriting agreement if any of the shares are purchased.

 

Underwriters  Number of Shares 
National Securities Corporation   12,060,000 

H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC

   1,340,000 
Total   13,400,000 

  

We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters, their affiliates, their respective officers, directors, employees and agents, and each person, if any, who controls the underwriters within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act, against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make in respect of those liabilities.

 

The underwriters are offering the shares, subject to prior sale, when, as and if issued to and accepted by them, subject to approval of legal matters by their counsel, including the validity of the shares, and other conditions contained in the underwriting agreement, such as the receipt by National Securities Corporation of officers’ certificates and legal opinions.

 

National Securities Corporation has advised us that it proposes initially to offer the shares to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement and to certain dealers that are members of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. Any securities sold by the underwriters to such securities dealers will be sold at the public offering price less a selling concession not in excess of $0.04763 per share. After the initial offering of the shares, the public offering price or any other term of the offering may be changed by the underwriters.

 

The Company engaged Lake Street Capital Markets, LLC (“Lake Street”) to serve as its financial advisor in connection with this offering. Lake Street provided general financial advisory services to the Company related to this registration statement and this offering and is not engaging in the solicitation or distribution of the shares or otherwise “participating” in the offering within the meaning of FINRA Rule 5110. As compensation for its financial advisory services, the Company agreed to pay Lake Street a cash fee equal to $50,000.

 

Underwriting Discount and Expenses

 

The following table summarizes the per-share underwriting discount to the public offering price of the shares offered pursuant to this prospectus supplement. These amounts are shown assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the option to purchase additional shares described below. We have also agreed to pay up to $75,000 of the out-of-pocket fees and expenses of the underwriters, which includes the fees and expenses of counsel to the underwriters. The fees and expenses of the underwriters that we have agreed to reimburse are not included in the underwriting discount set forth in the table below. The underwriting discount was determined through arms’ length negotiations between us and the underwriters.

 

       Total 
       Without Exercise   With Exercise 
       of Option to   of Option to 
       Purchase   Purchase 
   Per Share   Additional Shares   Additional Shares 
Public offering price  $1.27   $17,018,000   $19,570,700 
Underwriting discount for common stock to be paid by us  $          0.09525  $1,276,350   $1,467,803 
Proceeds to us, before expenses  $1.17475   $15,741,650   $                 18,102,897 

 

*Represents the per share underwriting discount for the firmly committed shares. The underwriting discount for the shares subject to the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares is $0.09525 per share.

 

S-17

 

 

We estimate that the total expenses of the offering, excluding the underwriting discount, will be approximately $275,000. This includes $75,000 of the out-of-pocket fees and expenses of the underwriters. These expenses are payable by us.

 

After deducting fees due to the underwriters and our estimated offering expenses, we expect our net proceeds from this offering to be approximately $15.5 million.

 

Option to Purchase Additional Shares

 

We have granted to the underwriters an option, exercisable not later than 45 days after the date of this prospectus, to purchase up to an additional 2,010,000 shares of our common stock (up to 15% of the shares firmly committed in this offering) at the public offering price, less an underwriting discount of $0.09525 per share. If any additional shares of our common stock are purchased pursuant to the option, the underwriters will offer these additional shares of our common stock on the same terms as those on which the other shares of common stock are being offered hereby.

 

No Sales of Similar Securities

 

Our executive officers and directors and certain of our existing security holders have agreed not to sell or transfer any common stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for common stock, for 90 days after the date of this prospectus supplement, subject to specified exceptions, without first obtaining the written consent of National Securities Corporation. Specifically, these persons have agreed, with certain limited exceptions, not to directly or indirectly:

 

·offer, pledge, sell, assign, transfer, lend, contract to sell any common stock;

 

·sell any option or contract to purchase any common stock;

 

·purchase any option or contract to sell any common stock;

 

·grant any option, right or warrant to purchase any common stock;

 

·otherwise transfer or dispose of any common stock;

 

·exercise any right with respect to the registration of any, or file or cause to be filed any registration statement in connection with common stock;

 

·enter into any swap, hedge or any other agreement or any transaction that transfers, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, the economic consequence of ownership of common stock, whether any such swap or transaction is to be settled by delivery of common stock or other securities, in cash or otherwise; or

 

·engage in any short selling of any common stock.

 

This lock-up provision applies to common stock and to securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for common stock. It also applies to common stock owned now or acquired later by the person executing the agreement or for which the person executing the agreement later acquires the power of disposition.

 

Listing

 

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

 

Stabilization

 

Until the distribution of the shares is completed, SEC rules may limit underwriters and selling group members from bidding for and purchasing our common stock. However, National Securities Corporation may engage in transactions that stabilize the price of the common stock, such as bids or purchases to peg, fix or maintain that price.

 

In connection with the offering, the underwriters may purchase and sell our common stock in the open market. These transactions may include short sales, purchases on the open market to cover positions created by short sales and stabilizing transactions. Short sales involve the sale by an underwriter of a greater number of shares than it is required to purchase in the offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of various bids for or purchases of shares of common stock made by an underwriter in the open market prior to the closing of the offering.

 

Similar to other purchase transactions, an underwriter’s purchases to cover the syndicate short sales may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our common stock or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of our common stock. As a result, the price of our common stock may be higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the open market. The underwriters may conduct these transactions on the NASDAQ Capital Market, in the over-the-counter market or otherwise.

 

S-18

 

 

Neither we nor the underwriters make any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of our common stock. In addition, neither we nor National Securities Corporation make any representation that the underwriters will engage in these transactions or that these transactions, once commenced, will not be discontinued without notice.

 

Electronic Distribution

 

In connection with the offering, the underwriters or certain securities dealers may distribute prospectuses by electronic means, such as e-mail.

 

Other Relationships

 

The underwriters and certain of their affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, financing and brokerage activities. The underwriters and certain of their affiliates may in the future engage in investment banking and other commercial dealings in the ordinary course of business with us and our affiliates, for which they may in the future receive customary fees, commissions and expenses.

 

In addition, in the ordinary course of its business activities, the underwriters and their affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of its customers. Such investments and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of ours or our affiliates. The underwriters and their affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or financial instruments and may hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.

  

S-19

 

 

Legal matters

 

Alston & Bird LLP, New York, New York, has passed upon certain legal matters regarding the shares offered by this prospectus supplement. The underwriters are being represented in connection with this offering by McGuireWoods LLP, New York, New York.

 

Experts

 

The balance sheet of Checkpoint Therapeutics, Inc. as of December 31, 2018 and the related statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2018 have been audited by BDO USA, LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which is incorporated herein. Such financial statements have been incorporated herein in reliance on the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

Where you can find more information

 

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements, and other information with the SEC. You can access the electronic versions of these filings on the SECs Internet website found at http://www.sec.gov. You can also obtain copies of materials we file with the SEC, free of charge, from our Internet website found at www.checkpointtx.com. Information contained on our website does not constitute part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. Our stock is quoted on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol CKPT.

 

Incorporation of certain information by reference

 

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we file with them which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents instead of having to repeat the information in this prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus, and later information that we file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings made with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act between the date of this prospectus supplement and the termination of the offering (other than, unless otherwise specifically indicated, 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):

 

·Our Description of Securities on Form 8-A filed on June 22, 2017;
   
·Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, filed with the SEC on March 18, 2019;
   
·The information contained in our definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A for our 2019 annual meeting of stockholders, filed with the SEC on April 30, 2019, to the extent incorporated by reference in Part III of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, filed with the SEC on March 18, 2019;
   
·Our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2019, June 30, 2019 and September 30, 2019, filed with the SEC on May 10, 2019, August 8, 2019, and November 12, 2019 respectively; and
   
·Our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 1, 2019, June 12, 2019 and November 20, 2019.

 

We will provide to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a copy of this prospectus supplement and the related prospectus is delivered, a copy of any or all of the information that we have incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the related prospectus, but not delivered with this prospectus supplement and the related prospectus (see Item 12(c)(1)(i) of Form S-3). We will provide this information upon written or oral request at no cost to the requester. You may request this information by contacting our corporate headquarters at the following address: 2 Gansevoort St., 9th Floor, New York, New York 10014, Attn: Chief Financial Officer, or by calling (718) 652-4500.

 

S-20

 

 

The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and we are not soliciting offers to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

Subject To Completion, Dated November 9, 2017

 

PROSPECTUS

 

$100,000,000

 

 

 

Common Stock

Warrants

Debt Securities

Units

 

 

 

We may offer and sell an indeterminate number of shares of our common stock from time to time under this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and any prospectus supplement carefully before you invest.

 

We may offer our common stock in one or more offerings in amounts, at prices, and on terms determined at the time of the offering. We may sell our common stock through agents we select or through underwriters and dealers we select. If we use agents, underwriters or dealers, we will name them and describe their compensation in a prospectus supplement.

 

This prospectus provides a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide specific terms of the securities offered in a supplement to this prospectus. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement carefully before you invest in any securities. This prospectus may not be used to consummate a sale of securities unless accompanied by the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

Our common stock are listed for trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol CKPT.

 

We are an “emerging growth company” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act and will therefore be subject to reduced reporting requirements.

 

Investing in our common stock involves risks.

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

The date of this prospectus is __________, 2017

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

  Page
   
CHECKPOINT THERAPEUTICS, INC. 1
   
THE OFFERING 2
   
Where You Can Find More Information 2
   
Important information About This Prospectus 3
   
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE 4
   
Description Of Capital Stock 5
   
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS 7
   
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES 8
   
DESCRIPTION OF UNITS 11
   
Plan Of Distribution 12
   
Legal Matters 13
   
Experts 14

 

i

 

 

CHECKPOINT THERAPEUTICS, INC.

 

We are a clinical-stage, immuno-oncology biopharmaceutical company focused on the acquisition, development and commercialization of novel, non-chemotherapy, immune-enhanced combination treatments for patients with solid tumor cancers. We aim to acquire rights to these technologies by licensing the rights or otherwise acquiring an ownership interest in the technologies, funding their research and development and eventually either out-licensing or bringing the technologies to market. Our broad pipeline consists of fully-human, immuno-oncology and checkpoint inhibitor antibodies licensed from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (“Dana-Farber”) that target programmed death-ligand 1 (“PD-L1”); glucocorticoid-induced TNFR-related protein (“GITR”); and carbonic anhydrase IX (“CAIX”). We commenced a Phase 1 clinical study for our anti-PD-L1 antibody in October 2017, and our anti-GITR and anti-CAIX antibodies are in preclinical development. In addition, we are developing three oral, small-molecule, targeted anti-cancer agents that inhibit epidermal growth-factor receptor (“EGFR”) mutations, the bromodomain and extra-terminal (“BET”) protein BRD4, and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (“PARP”). We submitted an investigational new drug (“IND”) application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) for our EGFR inhibitor, CK-101, which was accepted in August 2016, and in September 2016 we dosed the first patient in a Phase 1/2 clinical trial. The Phase 1 portion of the study is evaluating the safety and tolerability of ascending doses of CK-101 in patients with advanced solid tumors to determine the maximum tolerated dose and / or recommended dose for the Phase 2 portion of the study. The Phase 2 portion will evaluate the safety and efficacy of CK-101 in patients with EGFR T790M mutation-positive non-small cell lung cancer (“NSCLC”). In September 2017, we received Orphan Drug Designation for the treatment of EGFR mutation-positive NSCLC. Our BET inhibitor is in preclinical development. We are currently developing a clinical program for our PARP inhibitor. We will also seek to expand our pipeline to create additional proprietary combination therapies that leverage the immune system and complimentary mechanisms. We have also entered into various collaboration agreements with TG Therapeutics, Inc. (“TGTX”), a related party, to develop and commercialize certain assets in connection with our licenses in the field of hematological malignancies, while we retain the right to develop and commercialize these assets in solid tumors. To date, we have not received approval for the sale of any product candidate in any market and, therefore, have not generated any product sales from any product candidates. In addition, we have incurred substantial operating losses since our inception, and expect to continue to incur significant operating losses for the foreseeable future and may never become profitable. As of September 30, 2017, we have an accumulated deficit of $53.1 million.

 

We are a majority controlled subsidiary of Fortress Biotech, Inc. (“Fortress”).

 

Our principal executive offices are located at 2 Gansevoort Street, 9th Floor, New York, New York 10014, and our telephone number is 781-652-4500. We maintain a website on the Internet at www.checkpointtx.com and our e-mail address is info@checkpointtx.com. Our Internet website, and the information contained on it, are not to be considered part of this prospectus.

 

1

 

 

THE OFFERING
Use of proceeds We intend to use the net proceeds of any offering as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

Where You Can Find More Information

 

We have filed with the SEC, Washington, D.C. 20549, a registration statement on Form S-3 under the Securities Act with respect to the common stock offered hereby. This prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules thereto. For further information with respect to the Company and its common stock, reference is made to the registration statement and the exhibits and any schedules filed therewith. Statements contained in this prospectus as to the contents of any contract or other document referred to are not necessarily complete and in each instance, if such contract or document is filed as an exhibit, reference is made to the copy of such contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, each statement being qualified in all respects by such reference. A copy of the registration statement, including the exhibits and schedules thereto, may be read and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. In addition, the SEC maintains an Internet site at www.sec.gov, from which interested persons can electronically access the registration statement, including the exhibits and any schedules thereto.

 

We are subject to the information reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, and we file periodic reports and other information with the SEC. All documents filed with the SEC are available for inspection and copying at the addresses set forth above. We also maintain an Internet site at www.checkpointtx.com. Our website and the information contained therein or connected thereto shall not be deemed to be incorporated into this prospectus or the registration statement of which it forms a part.

 

2

 

 

Important information About This Prospectus

 

In this prospectus, unless the context suggests otherwise, references to “Checkpoint Therapeutics,” “Checkpoint,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Checkpoint Therapeutics, Inc.

 

This prospectus is part of a “shelf” registration statement that we filed with the SEC. By using a shelf registration statement, we may sell our securities, as described in this prospectus, from time to time in one or more offerings. We may use the shelf registration statement to offer and sell securities described in this prospectus. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus or prospectus supplement to this prospectus that contains specific information about the terms of such offering. The prospectus or prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. Before purchasing any securities, you should carefully read both this prospectus and any supplement, together with the additional information incorporated into this prospectus or described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus or prospectus supplement. We have not authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We will not make an offer to sell securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus, as well as information we previously filed with the SEC and have incorporated by reference, is accurate as of the date on the front cover of this prospectus only, or when such document was filed with the SEC. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since the relevant date.

 

Neither we, nor any of our officers, directors, agents or representatives or underwriters, make any representation to you about the legality of an investment. You should not interpret the contents of this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, or any free writing prospectus to be legal, business, investment or tax advice. You should consult with your own advisors for that type of advice and consult with them about the legal, tax, business, financial and other issues that you should consider before investing in our common stock.

 

We will not use this prospectus to offer and sell securities unless it is accompanied by a prospectus or prospectus supplement that more fully describes the terms of the offering.

 

3

 

 

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

 

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we file with them which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents instead of having to repeat the information in this prospectus and accompanying prospectus. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus and accompanying prospectus, and later information that we file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. This prospectus incorporates by reference the documents listed below (other than, unless otherwise specifically indicated, 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):

 

  a) Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016;
     
  b) Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2017;
     
  c) Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2017;
     
  d) Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2017;
     
  e) Our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 6, 2017, June 20, 2017, June 27, 2017 and October 5, 2017;
     
  f) Our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed with the SEC on April 28, 2017; and
     
  g) The description of our common stock contained in our registration statement on Form 8-A filed with the SEC on June 22, 2017.

 

All reports and other documents we subsequently file pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the termination of this offering, including all such documents we may file with the SEC after the date of the initial registration statement and prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement, but excluding any information furnished to, rather than filed with, the SEC, will also be incorporated by reference into this prospectus and deemed to be part of this prospectus from the date of the filing of such reports and documents.

 

4

 

 

Description Of Capital Stock

 

The following description summarizes the material terms of Checkpoint capital stock as of the date of this registration statement. Because it is only a summary, it does not contain all the information that may be important to you. For a complete description of our capital stock, you should refer to our certificate of incorporation, our bylaws and to the provisions of applicable Delaware law.

 

Our common stock is traded on The Nasdaq Capital Market, or the Exchange, under the symbol “CKPT.” The last reported sale price of our common stock on November 7, 2017 was $5.50 per share.

 

The authorized capital stock of Checkpoint consists of 50,000,000 shares of common stock, of which 15,000,000 shares have been designated as Class A common stock. The description of our Class A Common Stock in this item is for information purposes only. All of the Class A common stock has been issued to Fortress. Class A common stock is identical to common stock other than as to voting rights, the election of directors for a definite period, and conversion rights. On any matter presented to our stockholders for their action or consideration at any meeting of our stockholders (or by written consent of stockholders in lieu of meeting), each holder of outstanding shares of Class A common stock will be entitled to cast for each share of Class A common stock held by such holder as of the record date for determining stockholders entitled to vote on such matter, the number of votes that is equal to one and one-tenth (1.1) times a fraction, the numerator of which is the sum of the shares of outstanding common stock and the denominator of which is the number of shares of outstanding Class A common stock. Thus, the Class A common stock will at all times constitute a voting majority. For a period of ten (10) years from the date of the first issuance of shares of Class A common stock (the “Class A Director Period”), the holders of record of the shares of Class A common stock (or other capital stock or securities issued upon conversion of or in exchange for the Class A common stock), exclusively and as a separate class, will be entitled to appoint or elect the majority of the directors of Checkpoint (the “Class A Directors”). Finally, each share of Class A common stock is convertible, at the option of the holder, into one fully paid and nonassessable share of common stock (the “Conversion Ratio”), subject to certain adjustments.

 

If Checkpoint at any time effects a subdivision of the outstanding common stock (or other capital stock or securities at the time issuable upon conversion of the Class A common stock) by any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization or otherwise, the applicable Conversion Ratio in effect immediately before that subdivision will be proportionately decreased so that the number of shares of common stock (or other capital stock or securities at the time issuable upon conversion of the Class A common stock) issuable on conversion of each share of Class A common stock will be increased in proportion to such increase in the aggregate number of shares of common stock (or other capital stock or securities at the time issuable upon conversion of the Class A common stock) outstanding. If Checkpoint at any time combines the outstanding shares of common stock, the applicable Conversion Ratio in effect immediately before the combination will be proportionately increased so that the number of shares of common stock (or other capital stock or securities at the time issuable upon conversion of the Class A common stock) issuable on conversion of each share of Class A common stock will be decreased in proportion to such decrease in the aggregate number of shares of common stock (or other capital stock or securities at the time issuable upon conversion of the Class A common stock) outstanding. Additionally, if any reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, consolidation or merger involving Checkpoint occurs in which the common stock (but not the Class A common stock) is converted into or exchanged for securities, cash or other property (other than a transaction involving the subdivision or combination of the common stock), then, following any such reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, consolidation or merger, each share of Class A common stock becomes convertible into the kind and amount of securities, cash or other property which such Class A Stockholder would have been entitled to receive had he or she converted the Class A Shares immediately before said transaction. In such case, appropriate adjustment (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of Checkpoint) will be made in the application of the provisions of Checkpoint’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation relating the subdivision or combination of the common stock with respect to the rights and interests thereafter of the holders of the Class A common stock, such that the provisions set forth in of Checkpoint’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation relating to the subdivision or combination of the common stock (including the provisions with respect to changes in and other adjustments of the applicable Conversion Ratio) will thereafter be applicable, as nearly as reasonably may be, in relation to any securities or other property thereafter deliverable upon the conversion of the Class A common stock. Checkpoint is not authorized to issue preferred stock.

 

5

 

 

Other features of our common stock include:

 

·Dividend Rights. The holders of outstanding shares of our common stock, including Class A common stock, are entitled to receive dividends out of funds legally available at the times and in the amounts that our board of directors may determine. All dividends are non-cumulative.

 

·Voting Rights. The holders of our common stock are 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, except as to the Class A Directors during the Class A Director Period. Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws do not provide for cumulative voting rights.

 

·No Preemptive or Similar Rights. The holders of our common stock have no preemptive, conversion, or subscription rights, and there are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to our common stock.

 

·Right to Receive Liquidation Distributions. Upon our liquidation, dissolution, or winding-up, the assets legally available for distribution to our stockholders would be distributable ratably among the holders of our common stock, including Class A common stock, outstanding at that time after payment of other claims of creditors, if any.

 

·Fully Paid and Non-Assessable. All of the outstanding shares of our common stock, including Class A common stock, are, and the shares of our common stock to be issued pursuant to this offering will be, duly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

 

6

 

 

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

 

We may issue warrants to purchase shares of our common stock in one or more series together with other securities or separately, as described in each applicable prospectus supplement.

 

The prospectus supplement relating to any warrants we offer will include specific terms relating to the offering. These terms will include some or all of the following:

 

·the title of the warrants;

 

·the aggregate number of warrants offered;

 

·the designation, number and terms of the shares of common stock purchasable upon exercise of the warrants and procedures by which those numbers may be adjusted;

 

·the exercise price of the warrants;

 

·the dates or periods during which the warrants are exercisable;

 

·the designation and terms of any securities with which the warrants are issued;

 

·if the warrants are issued as a unit with another security, the date on and after which the warrants and the other security will be separately transferable;

 

·if the exercise price is not payable in U.S. dollars, the foreign currency, currency unit or composite currency in which the exercise price is denominated;

 

·any minimum or maximum amount of warrants that may be exercised at any one time;

 

·any terms relating to the modification of the warrants;

 

·any terms, procedures and limitations relating to the transferability, exchange or exercise of the warrants; and

 

·any other specific terms of the warrants.

 

7

 

 

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

 

We may offer debt securities which may be senior, subordinated or junior subordinated and may be convertible. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, our debt securities will be issued in one or more series under an indenture to be entered into between us and a trustee. We will issue the debt securities offered by this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement under an indenture to be entered into between us and the trustee identified in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms of the debt securities will include those stated in the indenture and those made part of the indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as in effect on the date of the indenture. We have filed a copy of the form of indenture as an exhibit to the registration statement in which this prospectus is included. The indenture will be subject to and governed by the terms of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.

 

The following description briefly sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the debt securities that we may offer. The particular terms of the debt securities offered by any prospectus supplement and the extent, if any, to which these general provisions may apply to the debt securities, will be described in the related prospectus supplement. Accordingly, for a description of the terms of a particular issue of debt securities, reference must be made to both the related prospectus supplement and to the following description.

 

Debt Securities

 

The aggregate principal amount of debt securities that may be issued under the indenture is unlimited. The debt securities may be issued in one or more series as may be authorized from time to time pursuant to a supplemental indenture entered into between us and the trustee or an order delivered by us to the trustee. For each series of debt securities we offer, a prospectus supplement accompanying this prospectus will describe the following terms and conditions of the series of debt securities that we are offering, to the extent applicable:

 

·title and aggregate principal amount;

 

·whether the debt securities will be senior, subordinated or junior subordinated;

 

·applicable subordination provisions, if any;

 

·provisions regarding whether the debt securities will be convertible or exchangeable into other securities or property of the Company or any other person;

 

·percentage or percentages of principal amount at which the debt securities will be issued;

 

·maturity date(s);

 

·interest rate(s) or the method for determining the interest rate(s);

 

·whether interest on the debt securities will be payable in cash or additional debt securities of the same series;

 

·dates on which interest will accrue or the method for determining dates on which interest will accrue and dates on which interest will be payable;

 

·whether the amount of payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the debt securities may be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method;

 

·redemption, repurchase or early repayment provisions, including our obligation or right to redeem, purchase or repay debt securities under a sinking fund, amortization or analogous provision;

 

·if other than the debt securities’ principal amount, the portion of the principal amount of the debt securities that will be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity;

 

·authorized denominations;

 

·form;

 

8

 

 

·amount of discount or premium, if any, with which the debt securities will be issued, including whether the debt securities will be issued as “original issue discount” securities;

 

·the place or places where the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the debt securities will be payable;

 

·where the debt securities may be presented for registration of transfer, exchange or conversion;

 

·the place or places where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the debt securities may be made;

 

·whether the debt securities will be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities;

 

·if the debt securities will be issued in whole or in part in the form of a book-entry security, the depository or its nominee with respect to the debt securities and the circumstances under which the book-entry security may be registered for transfer or exchange or authenticated and delivered in the name of a person other than the depository or its nominee;

 

·whether a temporary security is to be issued with respect to such series and whether any interest payable prior to the issuance of definitive securities of the series will be credited to the account of the persons entitled thereto;

 

·the terms upon which beneficial interests in a temporary global security may be exchanged in whole or in part for beneficial interests in a definitive global security or for individual definitive securities;

 

·the guarantors, if any, of the debt securities, and the extent of the guarantees and any additions or changes to permit or facilitate guarantees of such debt securities;

 

·any covenants applicable to the particular debt securities being issued;

 

·any defaults and events of default applicable to the debt securities, including the remedies available in connection therewith;

 

·currency, currencies or currency units in which the purchase price for, the principal of and any premium and any interest on, such debt securities will be payable;

 

·time period within which, the manner in which and the terms and conditions upon which the Company or the purchaser of the debt securities can select the payment currency;

 

·securities exchange(s) on which the debt securities will be listed, if any;

 

·whether any underwriter(s) will act as market maker(s) for the debt securities;

 

·extent to which a secondary market for the debt securities is expected to develop;

 

·provisions relating to defeasance;

 

·provisions relating to satisfaction and discharge of the indenture;

 

·any restrictions or conditions on the transferability of the debt securities;

 

·provisions relating to the modification of the indenture both with and without the consent of holders of debt securities issued under the indenture;

 

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

 

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

 

·whether the debt securities will be secured or unsecured, and, if secured, the terms upon which the debt securities will be secured and any other additions or changes relating to such security; and

 

·any other terms of the debt securities that are not inconsistent with the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act (but may modify, amend, supplement or delete any of the terms of the indenture with respect to such series of debt securities).

 

9

 

 

General

 

One or more series of debt securities may be sold as “original issue discount” securities. These debt securities would be sold at a substantial discount below their stated principal amount, bearing no interest or interest at a rate which at the time of issuance is below market rates. One or more series of debt securities may be variable rate debt securities that may be exchanged for fixed rate debt securities.

 

United States federal income tax consequences and special considerations, if any, applicable to any such series will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

Debt securities may be issued where the amount of principal and/or interest payable is determined by reference to one or more currency exchange rates, commodity prices, equity indices or other factors. Holders of such debt securities may receive a principal amount or a payment of interest that is greater than or less than the amount of principal or interest otherwise payable on such dates, depending upon the value of the applicable currencies, commodities, equity indices or other factors. Information as to the methods for determining the amount of principal or interest, if any, payable on any date, the currencies, commodities, equity indices or other factors to which the amount payable on such date is linked and certain additional United States federal income tax considerations will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

The term “debt securities” includes debt securities denominated in U.S. dollars or, if specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, in any other freely transferable currency or units based on or relating to foreign currencies.

 

We expect most debt securities to be issued in fully registered form without coupons and in denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiples thereof. Subject to the limitations provided in the indenture and in the prospectus supplement, debt securities that are issued in registered form may be transferred or exchanged at the principal corporate trust office of the trustee, without the payment of any service charge, other than any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

 

Global Securities

 

The debt securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a depositary identified in the prospectus supplement. Global securities will be issued in registered form and in either temporary or definitive form. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for the individual debt securities, a global security may not be transferred except as a whole by the depositary for such global security to a nominee of such depositary or by a nominee of such depositary to such depositary or another nominee of such depositary or by such depositary or any such nominee to a successor of such depositary or a nominee of such successor. The specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any debt securities of a series and the rights of and limitations upon owners of beneficial interests in a global security will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

Governing Law

 

The indenture and the debt securities shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of New York.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

 

We may issue, in one more series, units comprised of shares of our common stock, warrants to purchase common stock, debt securities or any combination of those securities. Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. The unit agreement under which a unit is issued may provide that the securities included in the unit may not be held or transferred separately, at any time or at any time before a specified date.

 

We may evidence units by unit certificates that we issue under a separate agreement. We may issue the units under a unit agreement between us and one or more unit agents. If we elect to enter into a unit agreement with a unit agent, the unit agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the units and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any registered holders of units or beneficial owners of units. We will indicate the name and address and other information regarding the unit agent in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of units if we elect to use a unit agent.

 

We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms of the series of units being offered, including:

 

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

 

·any provisions of the governing unit agreement that differ from those described herein; and

 

·any provisions for the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units or of the securities comprising the units.

 

The other provisions regarding our common stock, warrants and debt securities as described in this section will apply to each unit to the extent such unit consists of shares of our common stock, warrants and/or debt securities.

 

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Plan Of Distribution

 

We may sell the securities covered in this prospectus in any of three ways (or in any combination):

 

·through underwriters or dealers;

 

·directly to a limited number of purchasers or to a single purchaser; or

 

·through agents.

 

Each time that we use this prospectus to sell securities, we will also provide a prospectus supplement that contains the specific terms of the offering. The prospectus supplement will set forth the terms of the offering of the securities, including:

 

·the name or names of any underwriters, dealers or agents and the amounts of any securities underwritten or purchased by each of them; and

 

·the public offering price of the common stock and the proceeds to us and any discounts, commissions or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers.

 

Any public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.

 

If underwriters are used in the sale of any securities, the securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. The securities may be either offered to the public through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters, or directly by underwriters. Generally, the underwriters’ obligations to purchase the securities will be subject to certain conditions precedent. The underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the securities if they purchase any of securities.

 

We may sell the securities through agents from time to time. The prospectus supplement will name any agent involved in the offer or sale of the securities and any commissions we pay to them. Generally, any agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment.

 

We may authorize underwriters, dealers or agents to solicit offers by certain purchasers to purchase the 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. The contracts will be subject only to those conditions set forth in the prospectus supplement, and the prospectus supplement will set forth any commissions we pay for solicitation of these contracts.

 

Agents and underwriters may be entitled to indemnification by us against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or to contribution with respect to payments which the agents or underwriters may be required to make in respect thereof. Agents and underwriters may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services for us in the ordinary course of business.

 

We may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third party may use securities pledged by us or borrowed from us or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of securities, and may use securities received from us in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of securities. The third party in such sale transactions will be an underwriter and will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement (or a post-effective amendment).

 

12

 

 

Legal Matters

 

Certain legal matters will be passed upon for us by Alston & Bird LLP, New York, New York. Additional legal matters may be passed upon for us or any underwriters, dealers or agents, by counsel that we will name in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

13

 

 

Experts

 

The balance sheet of Checkpoint Therapeutics, Inc. as of December 31, 2016 and the related statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2016 have been audited by BDO USA, LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which is incorporated herein. Such financial statements have been incorporated herein in reliance on the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

The balance sheet of Checkpoint Therapeutics, Inc. as of December 31, 2015 and the related statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2015, and for the period from November 10, 2014 (inception) to December 31, 2014 have been audited by EisnerAmper LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which is incorporated herein. Such financial statements have been incorporated herein in reliance on the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

14

 

 

13,400,000 shares

 

 

 

Checkpoint Therapeutics, Inc.

 

Common Stock

 

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Prospectus Supplement

 

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Sole Book-Running Manager

 

National Securities Corporation

 

Lead Manager

 

H.C. Wainwright & Co.

 

November 20, 2019