424B5 1 a2241733z424b5.htm 424B5

Use these links to rapidly review the document
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table of Contents

Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration No. 333-221243

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(To Prospectus dated December 1, 2017)

16,000,000 Shares

LOGO

Common Stock

We are offering 16,000,000 shares of our common stock.

Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol "MRNS." On May 28, 2020, the last reported sale price of our common stock on the Nasdaq Global Market was $2.80 per share.

Investing in our securities involves significant risks. Please read the information contained in or incorporated by reference under the heading "Risk Factors" beginning on page S-6 of this prospectus supplement, and under similar headings in other documents filed after the date hereof and incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

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


 
  Per Share   Total  

Public offering price

  $ 2.50   $ 40,000,000  

Underwriting discounts and commissions(1)

  $ 0.15   $ 2,400,000  

Proceeds, before expenses, to us

  $ 2.35   $ 37,600,000  

(1)
We have agreed to reimburse the underwriters for certain expenses. We refer you to "Underwriting" beginning on page S-19 of this prospectus supplement for additional information regarding total underwriting compensation.

Delivery of the shares of common stock is expected to be made on or about June 2, 2020.

We have granted the underwriters an option for a period of 30 days to purchase an additional 2,400,000 shares of our common stock. If the underwriters exercise the option in full, the total underwriting discounts and commissions payable by us will be $2,760,000, and the total proceeds to us, before expenses, will be $43,240,000.


Joint Book-Running Managers

Cowen   Cantor   SunTrust Robinson Humphrey



Lead Manager

Oppenheimer & Co.



Co-Manager

H.C. Wainwright & Co.

   

The date of this prospectus supplement is May 28, 2020.


Table of Contents


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prospectus Supplement

Prospectus

S-1


Table of Contents


ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are part of a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-221243) that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, on October 31, 2017 and was declared effective by the SEC on December 1, 2017, pursuant to which we may from time to time offer various securities in one or more offerings.

This document is in two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes the terms of this offering and also adds to and updates information contained in the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein or therein. The second part, the accompanying prospectus, including the documents incorporated by reference into 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 herein or 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.

Neither we nor the underwriters have authorized anyone to provide information different from that contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in this offering. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. Neither we nor the underwriters take any responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. Neither the delivery of this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and 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, the accompanying prospectus and 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, the accompanying prospectus and any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering in making your investment decision.

This prospectus supplement does not contain all of the information that is important to you. 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 Information" and "Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference" in this prospectus supplement. You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this document. You should assume that the information in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, as well as the information we have filed with the SEC and incorporated by reference in this document, is accurate only as of its date or the date which is specified in those documents.

We are offering to sell, and seeking offers to buy, and the underwriters are soliciting offers to buy, these securities only in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted. The distribution of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and the offering of the securities 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 securities 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

S-2


Table of Contents

accompanying prospectus by any person in any jurisdiction in which it is unlawful for such person to make such an offer or solicitation.

This prospectus supplement and the information incorporated herein by reference include trademarks, service marks and trade names owned by us or other companies. All trademarks, service marks and trade names included or incorporated by reference herein are the property of their respective owners.

Unless the context otherwise requires, in this prospectus supplement the "Company," "Marinus," "we," "us," "our" and similar names refer to Marinus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

S-3


Table of Contents



PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY

This summary highlights certain information about us, this offering and selected information contained elsewhere in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. This summary is not complete and does not contain all of the information that you should consider before deciding whether to invest in our common stock. For a more complete understanding of Marinus and this offering, we encourage you to read and consider carefully the more detailed information in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, and the information included in any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering, including the information referred to under the heading "Risk Factors" in this prospectus supplement beginning on page S-6.

Our Company

We are a clinical stage pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing innovative therapeutics to treat patients suffering from rare seizure disorders. Our clinical stage product candidate, ganaxolone, is a positive allosteric modulator of GABAA that is being developed in formulations for two different routes of administration: intravenous (IV) and oral. Ganaxolone is a synthetic analog of allopregnanolone, an endogenous neurosteroid. The different formulations are intended to maximize potential therapeutic applications of ganaxolone for adult and pediatric patient populations, in both acute and chronic care, and for both inpatient and self-administered settings. Ganaxolone acts at both synaptic and extrasynaptic GABAA receptors, a target known for its anti-seizure, antidepressant and anxiolytic properties.

Corporate Information

We were incorporated in Delaware in August 2003. Our principal executive offices are located at 5 Radnor Corporate Center, Suite 500, 100 Matsonford Rd, Radnor, Pennsylvania 19087 and our telephone number is (484) 801-4670. Our website address is www.marinuspharma.com. The inclusion of our website address in this prospectus is, in each case, intended to be an inactive textual reference only and not an active hyperlink to our website. The information contained in, or that can be accessed through, our website is not part of this prospectus. We make available free of charge on our website Form 10-Ks, Form 10-Qs, Form 8-Ks and amendments to those reports as soon as reasonably practicable after filing with or furnishing to the SEC.

S-4


Table of Contents

 


THE OFFERING

Common stock offered by us

  16,000,000 shares.

Option to purchase additional shares

 

We have granted the underwriters an option for a period of up to 30 days from the date of this prospectus supplement to purchase up to an additional 2,400,000 shares of our common stock at the public offering price less the underwriting discounts and commissions.

Common stock to be outstanding after this offering

 

102,732,035 shares (105,132,035 shares assuming the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares).

Use of proceeds

 

We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering for the development of our product candidates and for general corporate purposes, which may include capital expenditures and other operating expenses. See "Use of Proceeds."

Risk factors

 

An investment in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. See "Risk Factors" beginning on page S-6 of this prospectus supplement, and under similar headings in other documents filed after the date hereof and incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

Nasdaq Global Market symbol

 

MRNS

Outstanding Shares

The number of shares of our common stock to be outstanding after this offering is based on 86,732,035 shares of our common stock outstanding as of March 31, 2020, and excludes:

    13,056,165 shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of stock options outstanding as of March 31, 2020 at a weighted-average exercise price of $3.25 per share;

    24,000,000 shares of our common stock issuable upon conversion of shares of our Series A Preferred Stock outstanding as of March 31, 2020 (of which 16,557,600 were issued upon conversion of shares of our Series A Preferred Stock through May 21, 2020);

    21,000 shares of our common stock underlying restricted stock units outstanding as of March 31, 2020;

    615,008 shares of our common stock available for future issuance under our 2014 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended, as of March 31, 2020; and

    315,229 shares of our common stock issued under our Equity Distribution Agreement with JMP Securities LLC since March 31, 2020.

Except as otherwise indicated herein, all information in this prospectus supplement, including the number of shares that will be outstanding after this offering, does not assume or give effect to the exercise of the underwriters' option to purchase additional shares in this offering.

S-5


Table of Contents


RISK FACTORS

Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider and evaluate all of the information contained in this prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus before you decide to purchase our common stock. In particular, you should carefully consider and evaluate the risks and uncertainties described in "Part I – Item 1A. Risk Factors" of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and "Part II – Item 1A. Risk Factors" of our most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as updated by any additional risks and uncertainties included or incorporated by reference herein. Additional risks and uncertainties that we are unaware of or that we believe are not material at this time could also materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. Any of these risks and uncertainties could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition, which in turn could materially and adversely affect the trading price or value of our common stock. As a result, you could lose all or part of your investment.

This prospectus also contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including the risks faced by us described below and elsewhere in this prospectus. See "Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" for information relating to these forward-looking statements.

Risks Related to this Offering

You will experience immediate and substantial dilution in the net tangible book deficit per share of the common stock you purchase in this offering.

The offering price per share of our common stock being offered is substantially higher than the net tangible book value per share of our outstanding common stock. As a result, investors purchasing shares of our common stock in this offering will incur immediate dilution of $1.72 per share, after giving effect to the sale of an aggregate of 16,000,000 shares of our common stock at an offering price of $2.50 per share, and after deducting underwriting fees and estimated offering expenses payable by us. As a result of the dilution to investors purchasing shares in this offering, investors may receive significantly less than the purchase price paid in this offering, if anything, in the event of our liquidation. See "Dilution" on page S-12 of 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.

In addition, as of March 31, 2020, we had outstanding options to acquire approximately 13.1 million shares of our common stock, outstanding restricted stock units to acquire approximately 21,000 shares of our common stock, and outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock convertible into 24,000,000 shares of our common stock (of which 16,557,600 were issued upon conversion of shares of our Series A Preferred Stock through May 21, 2020). The issuance of shares of our common stock upon exercise of the stock options, settlement of the restricted stock units or conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock would result in dilution to the interests of other holders of our common stock and could adversely affect our stock price.

S-6


Table of Contents

Substantial 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 and our directors, executive officers and certain of our significant stockholders have entered into lock-up agreements for a period of 60 days following this offering (which period may be extended under certain circumstances). We and our directors, executive officers and certain of our significant stockholders may be released from such lock-up agreements prior to the expiration of the lock-up period at the sole discretion of Cowen and Company, LLC and Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. (See "Underwriting" beginning on page S-19 of this prospectus supplement). Upon expiration or earlier release of the lock-up, we and our directors, executive officers and certain of our significant stockholders may sell shares into the market, which could adversely affect the market price of shares of our common stock.

Future issuances of our common stock or our other equity securities could further depress the market for our common stock. We expect to continue to incur clinical development and selling, general and administrative costs, and to satisfy our funding requirements, we may need to sell additional equity securities. The sale or the proposed sale of substantial amounts of our common stock or our other equity securities may adversely affect the market price of our common stock and our stock price may decline substantially. Our stockholders may experience substantial dilution and a reduction in the price that they are able to obtain upon sale of their shares. New equity securities issued may have greater rights, preferences or privileges than our existing common stock.

We have broad discretion in the use of the net proceeds of this offering and, despite our efforts, we may use the net proceeds in a manner that does not increase the value of your investment.

We currently intend to use the net proceeds from this offering to continue to fund the development of our product candidates and for general corporate purposes, which may include working capital, capital expenditures, research and development expenditures, clinical trial expenditures, acquisitions of new technologies, products or businesses, and investments. However, we have not determined the specific allocation of the net proceeds among these potential uses. Our management will have broad discretion over the use and investment of the net proceeds of this offering, and, accordingly, investors in this offering will need to rely upon the judgment of our management with respect to the use of proceeds, with only limited information concerning our specific intentions. These proceeds could be applied in ways that do not improve our operating results or increase the value of your investment. Please see the section entitled "Use of Proceeds" on page S-11 of this prospectus supplement for further information.

We do not currently intend to pay dividends on our common stock, and any return to investors is expected to come, if at all, only from potential increases in the price of our common stock.

We have never declared or paid cash dividends on our capital stock, and you should not rely on an investment in our common stock to provide dividend income. We currently intend to retain all of our future earnings, if any, to finance the growth and development of our business and do not anticipate declaring or paying any cash dividends for the foreseeable future. In addition, our term loan agreement contains certain covenants that limit our ability to pay or make any dividend and the terms of any future debt agreements may further preclude us from paying dividends. As a result, capital appreciation, if any, of our common stock will be your sole source of gain for the foreseeable future.

S-7


Table of Contents

Risks Related to Ownership of our Common Stock

Our fourth amended and restated certificate of incorporation contains exclusive forum provisions, which could limit our stockholders' ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers, employees or agents.

Our fourth amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall be the sole and exclusive forum for (a) any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf, (b) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any of our directors, officers, employees or agents to us or our stockholders, (c) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or (d) any action asserting a claim that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine, in each such case subject to such Court of Chancery's having personal jurisdiction over the indispensable parties named as defendants therein.

For the avoidance of doubt, the exclusive forum provisions described above do not apply to any claims arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, or under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. Section 27 of the Exchange Act creates exclusive federal jurisdiction over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations thereunder, and Section 22 of the Securities Act creates concurrent jurisdiction for federal and state courts over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Securities Act or the rules and regulations thereunder.

The choice of forum provisions in our fourth amended and restated certificate of incorporation may limit our stockholders' ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that they find favorable for disputes with us or our directors, officers, employees or agents, which may discourage such lawsuits against us and our directors, officers, employees and agents even though an action, if successful, might benefit our stockholders. The applicable courts may also reach different judgments or results than would other courts, including courts where a stockholder considering an action may be located or would otherwise choose to bring the action, and such judgments or results may be more favorable to us than to our stockholders. With respect to the provision making the Court of Chancery the sole and exclusive forum for certain types of actions, stockholders who do bring a claim in the Court of Chancery could face additional litigation costs in pursuing any such claim, particularly if they do not reside in or near Delaware. Finally, if a court were to find these provisions of our fourth amended and restated certificate of incorporation inapplicable to, or unenforceable in respect of, one or more of the specified types of actions or proceedings, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such matters in other jurisdictions, which could have a material adverse effect on the company.

S-8


Table of Contents


NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Various statements made in this prospectus supplement are forward-looking and involve risks and uncertainties. All statements that address activities, events or developments that we intend, expect or believe may occur in the future are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Such statements give our current expectations or forecasts of future events and are not statements of historical or current facts. These statements include, among others, statements about:

    our ability to develop and commercialize ganaxolone;

    the status, timing and results of preclinical studies and clinical trials;

    the design of and enrollment in clinical trials, availability of data from ongoing clinical trials, expectations for regulatory approvals, or the attainment of clinical trial results that will be supportive of regulatory approvals;

    the potential benefits of ganaxolone;

    the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic and measures to prevent its spread may have on our business operations, access to capital, research and development activities, and preclinical and clinical trials for ganaxolone and any other product candidates;

    the timing of seeking marketing approval of ganaxolone;

    our ability to obtain and maintain marketing approval;

    our estimates of expenses and future revenue and profitability;

    our estimates regarding our capital requirements and our needs for additional financing;

    our plans to develop and market ganaxolone and the timing of our development programs;

    our estimates of the size of the potential markets for ganaxolone;

    our selection and licensing of ganaxolone;

    our ability to attract collaborators with acceptable development, regulatory and commercial expertise;

    the benefits to be derived from corporate collaborations, license agreements, and other collaborative or acquisition efforts, including those relating to the development and commercialization of ganaxolone;

    sources of revenue, including contributions from corporate collaborations, license agreements, and other collaborative efforts for the development and commercialization of ganaxolone and our product candidates;

    our ability to create an effective sales and marketing infrastructure if we elect to market and sell ganaxolone directly;

    the rate and degree of market acceptance of ganaxolone;

    the timing and amount or reimbursement for ganaxolone;

    the success of other competing therapies that may become available;

    the manufacturing capacity for ganaxolone;

    our intellectual property position;

S-9


Table of Contents

    our ability to maintain and protect our intellectual property rights;

    our results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, prospects, and growth strategies;

    the industry in which we operate;

    the enforceability of the exclusive forum provisions in our fourth amended and restated certificate of incorporation;

    the trends that may affect the industry or us; and

    our use of proceeds from this offering.

Forward-looking statements also include statements other than statements of current or historical fact, including, without limitation, all statements related to any expectations of revenues, expenses, cash flows, earnings or losses from operations, cash required to maintain current and planned operations, capital or other financial items; any statements of the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations; any plans or expectations with respect to product research, development and commercialization, including regulatory approvals; any other statements of expectations, plans, intentions or beliefs; and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. We often, although not always, identify forward-looking statements by using words or phrases such as "likely", "expect", "intend", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "plan", "project", "forecast" and "outlook".

We cannot guarantee that the results and other expectations expressed, anticipated or implied in any forward-looking statement will be realized. The risks set forth under Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, as revised or supplemented by our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other documents we file with the SEC, describe major risks to our business, and you should read and interpret any forward-looking statements together with these risks. A variety of factors, including these risks, could cause our actual results and other expectations to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed, anticipated or implied in our forward-looking statements. Should known or unknown risks materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove inaccurate, actual results could differ materially from past results and those anticipated, estimated or projected in the forward-looking statements. You should bear this in mind as you consider any forward-looking statements.

Our forward-looking statements speak only as of the dates on which they are made. We do not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise our forward-looking statements even if experience or future changes makes it clear that any projected results expressed or implied in such statements will not be realized.

Before deciding to purchase our securities, you should carefully consider the risk factors discussed and incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and in the registration statement of which this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus form a part.

S-10


Table of Contents


USE OF PROCEEDS

We estimate that the net proceeds from our issuance and sale of 16,000,000 shares of our common stock in this offering will be approximately $37.4 million, or approximately $43.0 million if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full, after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and the estimated offering expenses payable by us.

We currently intend to use the net proceeds from this offering to continue to fund the development of our product candidates and for general corporate purposes, which may include working capital, capital expenditures, research and development expenditures, clinical trial expenditures, acquisitions of new technologies, products or businesses, and investments.

The amounts and timing of our use of the net proceeds from this offering will depend on a number of factors, such as the timing and progress of our research and development efforts, the timing and progress of any partnering efforts, technological advances and the competitive environment for our products. As of the date of this prospectus supplement, we cannot specify with certainty all of the particular uses for the net proceeds to us from the sale of the shares of our common stock offered by us hereunder. Accordingly, our management will have broad discretion in the timing and application of these proceeds. Pending application of the net proceeds as described above, we intend to temporarily invest the proceeds in short-term, interest-bearing instruments.

S-11


Table of Contents


DILUTION

Purchasers of our common stock in this offering will experience immediate dilution to the extent of the difference between the public offering price per share of our common stock, and the as adjusted net tangible book value per share of our common stock immediately after this offering.

Our net tangible book value as of March 31, 2020 was approximately $43.1 million, or $0.50 per share of our common stock. Net tangible book value per share of our common stock is determined by dividing total tangible assets less total liabilities, excluding items such as intangibles, by the aggregate number of shares of our common stock outstanding as of March 31, 2020. Dilution per share to new investors represents the difference between the amount per share paid by purchasers for our common stock in this offering and the as adjusted net tangible book value per share of our common stock immediately following the completion of this offering.

After giving effect to the sale of 16,000,000 shares of our common stock in this offering at the public offering price of $2.50 per share, and after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and the estimated offering expenses payable by us, our as adjusted net tangible book value as of March 31, 2020 would have been approximately $80.5 million, or approximately $0.78 per share of our common stock. This represents an immediate increase in net tangible book value of $0.28 per share of our common stock to our existing stockholders and an immediate dilution in net tangible book value of $1.72 per share of our common stock to purchasers in this offering.

The following table illustrates this calculation on a per share basis:

 

Offering price per share in this offering

        $ 2.50  
 

Net tangible book value per share as of March 31, 2020

  $ 0.50        
 

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

    0.28        
 

As adjusted net tangible book value per share immediately after this offering

          0.78  
 

Dilution per share to purchasers in this offering

        $ 1.72  

If the underwriters exercise their option in full to purchase additional shares of our common stock in this offering at the public offering price of $2.50 per share, the as adjusted net tangible book value per share after the offering would be $0.82 per share, the increase in the net tangible book value per share to our existing stockholders would be $0.32 per share and the dilution to purchasers in this offering would be $1.68 per share.

The above table is based on 86,732,035 shares of our common stock outstanding as of March 31, 2020. Unless specifically stated otherwise, the information in this prospectus supplement is as of March 31, 2020 and excludes:

    13,056,165 shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of stock options outstanding as of March 31, 2020 at a weighted-average exercise price of $3.25 per share;

    24,000,000 shares of our common stock issuable upon conversion of shares of our Series A Preferred Stock outstanding as of March 31, 2020 (of which 16,557,600 were issued upon conversion of shares of our Series A Preferred Stock through May 21, 2020);

    21,000 shares of our common stock underlying restricted stock units outstanding as of March 31, 2020;

    615,008 shares of our common stock available for future issuance under our 2014 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended, as of March 31, 2020; and

S-12


Table of Contents

    315,229 shares of our common stock issued under our Equity Distribution Agreement with JMP Securities LLC since March 31, 2020.

Except as otherwise indicated herein, all information in this prospectus supplement, including the number of shares that will be outstanding after this offering, does not assume or give effect to the exercise of the underwriters' option to purchase additional shares in this offering.

To the extent that options are exercised, other equity awards vest, new equity awards are issued under our 2014 Equity Incentive Plan or pursuant to inducement awards, shares of Series A Preferred Stock are converted into common stock, or we issue additional shares of common stock or other securities convertible into or exercisable for common stock in the future, there may be further dilution to investors participating in this offering. In addition, we may choose to raise additional capital because of market conditions or strategic considerations, even if we believe that we have sufficient funds for our current or future operating plans. If we raise additional capital through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, the issuance of these securities could result in further dilution to our stockholders.

S-13


Table of Contents


MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES TO NON-U.S. HOLDERS

The following discussion is a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of shares of our common stock issued pursuant to this offering, but does not purport to be a complete analysis of all potential tax effects. The effects of other U.S. federal tax laws, such as estate and gift tax laws, and any applicable state, local or foreign tax laws are not discussed. This discussion is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, judicial decisions, and published rulings and administrative pronouncements of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, in effect as of the date of this offering. These authorities may change or be subject to differing interpretations. Any such change or differing interpretation may be applied retroactively in a manner that could adversely affect a holder of our common stock. We have not sought and will not seek any rulings from the IRS regarding the matters discussed below. There can be no assurance the IRS or a court will not take a contrary position regarding the tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of our common stock.

This discussion is limited to holders that hold our common stock as a "capital asset" within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (property held for investment). This discussion does not address all U.S. federal income tax consequences relevant to a holder's particular circumstances, including the impact of the alternative minimum tax or the unearned income Medicare contribution tax. In addition, it does not address consequences relevant to holders subject to particular rules, including, without limitation:

    U.S. expatriates and certain former citizens or long-term residents of the U.S.;

    persons holding our common stock as part of a hedge, straddle or other risk reduction strategy or as part of a conversion transaction or other integrated investment;

    banks, insurance companies, and other financial institutions;

    brokers, dealers or traders in securities;

    controlled foreign corporations, "passive foreign investment companies," and corporations that accumulate earnings to avoid U.S. federal income tax;

    partnerships or other entities or arrangements treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes (and investors therein);

    tax-exempt organizations or governmental organizations;

    persons deemed to sell our common stock under the constructive sale provisions of the Code;

    persons for whom our stock constitutes "qualified small business stock" within the meaning of Section 1202 of the Code;

    persons who hold or receive our common stock pursuant to the exercise of any employee stock option or otherwise as compensation;

    tax-qualified retirement plans; and

    "qualified foreign pension funds" as defined in Section 897(1)(2) of the Code and entities, all of the interests of which are held by qualified foreign pension funds.

If a partnership (or other entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds our common stock, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will depend on the status of the partner, the activities of the partnership and certain determinations made at the partner level.

S-14


Table of Contents

Accordingly, partnerships holding our common stock and the partners in such partnerships should consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences to them.

THIS DISCUSSION IS FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT INTENDED AS TAX ADVICE. INVESTORS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO THE APPLICATION OF THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX LAWS TO THEIR PARTICULAR SITUATIONS AS WELL AS ANY TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF OUR COMMON STOCK ARISING UNDER THE U.S. FEDERAL ESTATE OR GIFT TAX LAWS OR UNDER THE LAWS OF ANY STATE, LOCAL OR NON-U.S. TAXING JURISDICTION OR UNDER ANY APPLICABLE INCOME TAX TREATY.

For purposes of this discussion, a "U.S. holder" is any beneficial owner of our common stock that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is:

    an individual who is a citizen or resident of the U.S.;

    a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized under the laws of the U.S., any state thereof, or the District of Columbia;

    an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of its source; or

    a trust that (1) is subject to the primary supervision of a U.S. court and the control of one or more U.S. persons (within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code), or (2) has made a valid election under applicable Treasury Regulations to continue to be treated as a U.S. person.

For purposes of this discussion, a "Non-U.S. holder" is a beneficial owner of our common stock that is neither a U.S. holder nor an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Distributions

We do not anticipate declaring or paying distributions to holders of our common stock in the foreseeable future. However, if we do make distributions on our common stock, such distributions of cash or property will constitute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent paid from our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. Amounts not treated as dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes will constitute a return of capital and first be applied against and reduce a non-U.S. holder's adjusted tax basis in its common stock, but not below zero. Any excess will be treated as capital gain and will be treated as described below in the section relating to the sale or disposition of our common stock. Because we may not know the extent to which a distribution is a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes at the time it is made, for purposes of the withholding rules discussed below we or the applicable withholding agent may treat the entire distribution as a dividend.

Subject to the discussion below on backup withholding and the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, or FATCA, dividends paid to a non-U.S. holder of our common stock that are not effectively connected with the non-U.S. holder's conduct of a trade or business within the U.S. will be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax at a rate of 30% of the gross amount of the dividends (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty).

Non-U.S. holders may be entitled to a reduction in or an exemption from withholding on dividends as a result of either (a) an applicable income tax treaty or (b) the non-U.S. holder holding our common stock in connection with the conduct of a trade or business within the U.S. and dividends being effectively connected with that trade or business. To claim such a reduction in or exemption from withholding, the non-U.S. holder must provide the applicable withholding agent with a properly executed (a) IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E (or other applicable documentation) claiming an exemption from or reduction of the withholding tax under the benefit of an income tax treaty between

S-15


Table of Contents

the U.S. and the country in which the non-U.S. holder resides or is established, or (b) IRS Form W-8ECI stating that the dividends are not subject to withholding tax because they are effectively connected with the conduct by the non-U.S. holder of a trade or business within the U.S., as may be applicable. These certifications must be provided to the applicable withholding agent prior to the payment of dividends and must be updated periodically. Non-U.S. holders that do not timely provide the applicable withholding agent with the required certification, but that qualify for a reduced rate under an applicable income tax treaty, may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by timely filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS.

If dividends paid to a non-U.S. holder are effectively connected with the non-U.S. holder's conduct of a trade or business within the U.S. (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, the non-U.S. holder maintains a permanent establishment in the U.S. to which such dividends are attributable), then, although exempt from U.S. federal withholding tax (provided the non-U.S. holder provides appropriate certification, as described above), the non-U.S. holder will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on such dividends on a net income basis at the regular graduated U.S. federal income tax rates. In addition, a non-U.S. holder that is a corporation may be subject to a branch profits tax at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty) on its effectively connected earnings and profits for the taxable year that are attributable to such dividends, as adjusted for certain items. Non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding their entitlement to benefits under any applicable income tax treaty.

Sale or Other Disposition of Common Stock

Subject to the discussions below on backup withholding and foreign accounts, a non-U.S. holder will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any gain realized upon the sale or other disposition of our common stock unless:

    the gain is effectively connected with the non-U.S. holder's conduct of a trade or business within the U.S. (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, the non-U.S. holder maintains a permanent establishment in the U.S. to which such gain is attributable);

    the non-U.S. holder is a nonresident alien individual present in the U.S. for 183 days or more during the taxable year of the disposition and certain other requirements are met; or

    our common stock constitutes U.S. real property interests, or USRPIs, by reason of our status as a U.S. real property holding corporation, or USRPHC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Gain described in the first bullet point above will generally be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis at the regular graduated U.S. federal income tax rates. A non-U.S. holder that is a foreign corporation also may be subject to a branch profits tax at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty) on such effectively connected gain, as adjusted for certain items.

A non-U.S. holder described in the second bullet point above will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty) on any gain derived from the disposition, which may be offset by certain U.S. source capital losses of the non-U.S. holder (even though the individual is not considered a resident of the U.S.) provided the non-U.S. holder has timely filed U.S. federal income tax returns with respect to such losses.

With respect to the third bullet point above, we believe we are not currently and do not anticipate becoming a USRPHC. Because the determination of whether we are a USRPHC depends on the fair market value of our USRPIs relative to the fair market value of our other business assets and our non-U.S. real property interests, however, there can be no assurance we are not a USRPHC or will not become one in the future. Even if we are or were to become a USRPHC, gain arising from the sale or

S-16


Table of Contents

other taxable disposition by a non-U.S. holder of our common stock will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax if our common stock is "regularly traded," as defined by applicable Treasury Regulations, on an established securities market such as the Nasdaq Global Market, and such non-U.S. Holder owned, actually and constructively, 5% or less of our common stock throughout the shorter of the five-year period ending on the date of the sale or other taxable disposition or the non-U.S. Holder's holding period.

Non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding potentially applicable income tax treaties that may provide for different rules.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

Subject to the discussion below on foreign accounts, a non-U.S. holder will not be subject to backup withholding with respect to distributions on our common stock we make to the non-U.S. holder, provided the applicable withholding agent does not have actual knowledge or reason to know such holder is a U.S. person and the holder certifies its non-U.S. status, such as by providing a valid IRS Form W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E or W-8ECI, or other applicable certification. However, information returns generally will be filed with the IRS in connection with any distributions (including deemed distributions) made on our common stock to the non-U.S. holder, regardless of whether any tax was actually withheld. Copies of these information returns may also be made available under the provisions of a specific treaty or agreement to the tax authorities of the country in which the non-U.S. holder resides or is established.

Information reporting and backup withholding may apply to the proceeds of a sale or other taxable disposition of our common stock within the U.S., and information reporting may (although backup withholding generally will not) apply to the proceeds of a sale or other taxable disposition of our common stock outside the U.S. conducted through certain U.S.-related financial intermediaries, in each case, unless the beneficial owner certifies under penalty of perjury that it is a non-U.S. holder on IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, or other applicable form (and the payor does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that the beneficial owner is a U.S. person) or such owner otherwise establishes an exemption. Proceeds of a disposition of our common stock conducted through a non-U.S. office of a non-U.S. broker generally will not be subject to backup withholding or information reporting.

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 U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

Additional Withholding Tax on Payments Made to Foreign Accounts

Withholding taxes may be imposed under 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 (including deemed dividends) paid on our common stock, 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 U.S. owner, or (3) the foreign financial institution or non-financial foreign entity otherwise qualifies for an exemption from these rules, in each case subject to the proposed Treasury Regulations discussed below. 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.

S-17


Table of Contents

Because we may not know the extent to which a distribution is a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes at the time it is made, for purposes of these withholding rules we or the applicable withholding agent may treat the entire distribution as a dividend. While withholding under FATCA would have applied also to payments of gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of stock on or after January 1, 2019, recently proposed Treasury Regulations eliminate FATCA withholding on payments of gross proceeds entirely. Taxpayers generally may rely on these proposed Treasury Regulations until final Treasury Regulations are issued. Prospective investors should consult their tax advisors regarding the potential application of these withholding provisions. Foreign financial institutions located in jurisdictions that have an intergovernmental agreement with the U.S. governing FATCA may be subject to different rules.

S-18


Table of Contents


UNDERWRITING

We are offering the shares of common stock described in this prospectus supplement through the underwriters named below. We have entered into an underwriting agreement with Cowen and Company, LLC and Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. as representatives of the several underwriters named below. Subject to the terms and conditions of the underwriting agreement, we have agreed to sell to the underwriters, and each underwriter has severally agreed to purchase, at the public offering price less the underwriting discounts and commissions set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement, the number of shares of common stock listed next to its name in the following table:

 
Name
  Number of
Shares
 
 

Cowen and Company, LLC

    6,800,000  
 

Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. 

    4,400,000  
 

SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc. 

    2,080,000  
 

Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. 

    1,760,000  
 

H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC

    960,000  
 

Total

    16,000,000  

The underwriters are committed to purchase all the shares of common stock offered by us if they purchase any shares. The underwriting agreement also provides that if an underwriter defaults, the purchase commitments of non-defaulting underwriters may also be increased or the offering may be terminated. The offering of the shares by the underwriters is subject to receipt and acceptance and subject to the underwriters' right to reject any order in whole or in part.

The underwriters propose to offer the shares of common stock directly to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement. After the public offering of the shares, the offering price and other selling terms may be changed by the underwriters.

The underwriters have a 30 day option to purchase up to 2,400,000 additional shares of common stock from us. If any shares are purchased with this option, the underwriters will purchase shares in approximately the same proportion as shown in the table above. If any additional shares of common stock are purchased, the underwriters will offer the additional shares on the same terms as those on which the shares are being offered.

The underwriting fee is equal to the public offering price per share of common stock less the amount paid by the underwriters to us per share of common stock. The underwriting fee is $0.15 per share. The underwriters have advised us that they propose to offer the shares of common stock to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement and to certain dealers, which may include the underwriters, at that price less a concession not in excess of $0.09 per share of common stock. The following table shows the per share and total underwriting discounts we will pay to the underwriters assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters' option to purchase additional shares.

   
  No Exercise   Full Exercise  
 

Per share

  $ 0.15   $ 0.15  
 

Total to be paid by us

  $ 2,400,000   $ 2,760,000  

We estimate that the total expenses of this offering, including registration, filing and listing fees, printing fees and legal and accounting expenses, but excluding the underwriting discounts, will be approximately $220,000. We have agreed to reimburse the underwriters for certain of their expenses, including underwriter counsel fees in an amount not to exceed $20,000.

S-19


Table of Contents

We have agreed not to issue any shares of our common stock or any securities convertible or exchangeable for shares of our common stock without the prior written consent of Cowen and Company, LLC and Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. for a period of 60 days. We may issue shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of securities outstanding as of the date of this prospectus supplement, provided however that the securities issued upon such conversion shall remain subject to the lock-up provisions. Our directors and executive officers have entered into lock-up agreements with Cowen and Company, LLC and Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. prior to the commencement of this offering pursuant to which they have agreed for a period of 60 days, without the prior written consent of Cowen and Company, LLC and Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., and subject to certain exceptions, not to (i) sell or offer to sell any shares or related securities currently or hereafter owned either of record or beneficially (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) by the undersigned or such family member, (ii) enter into any swap (iii) make any demand for, or exercise any right with respect to, the registration under the Securities Act of the offer and sale of any shares or related securities, or cause to be filed a registration statement, prospectus supplement (or an amendment or supplement thereto) with respect to any such registration, or (iv) publicly announce any intention to do any of the foregoing.

We have agreed to indemnify the several underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol "MRNS."

In connection with this offering, the underwriters may engage in stabilizing transactions, which involves making bids for, purchasing and selling shares of common stock in the open market for the purpose of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the common stock while this offering is in progress. These stabilizing transactions may include making short sales of the common stock, which involves the sale by the underwriters of a greater number of shares of common stock than they are required to purchase in this offering, and purchasing shares of common stock on the open market to cover positions created by short sales. Short sales may be "covered" shorts, which are short positions in an amount not greater than the underwriters' option referred to above, or may be "naked" shorts, which are short positions in excess of that amount. The underwriters may close out any covered short position either by exercising their option, in whole or in part, or by purchasing shares in the open market. In making this determination, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of shares available for purchase in the open market compared to the price at which the underwriters may purchase shares through the option. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the common stock in the open market that could adversely affect investors who purchase in this offering. To the extent that the underwriters create a naked short position, they will purchase shares in the open market to cover the position.

The underwriters have advised us that, pursuant to Regulation M of the Securities Act, they may also engage in other activities that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the common stock, including the imposition of penalty bids. This means that if the representatives of the underwriters purchase common stock in the open market in stabilizing transactions or to cover short sales, the representatives can require the underwriters that sold those shares as part of this offering to repay the underwriting discount received by them.

These activities may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of the common stock or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the common stock, and, as a result, the price of the common stock may be higher than the price that otherwise might exist in the open market. If the underwriters commence these activities, they may discontinue them at any time. The underwriters may carry out these transactions on the Nasdaq Global Market, in the over-the-counter market or otherwise.

S-20


Table of Contents

In addition, in connection with this offering certain of the underwriters (and selling group members) may engage in passive market making transactions in our common stock on the Nasdaq Global Market prior to the pricing and completion of this offering. Passive market making consists of displaying bids on the Nasdaq Global Market no higher than the bid prices of independent market makers and making purchases at prices no higher than these independent bids and effected in response to order flow. Net purchases by a passive market maker on each day are generally limited to a specified percentage of the passive market maker's average daily trading volume in the common stock during a specified period and must be discontinued when such limit is reached. Passive market making may cause the price of our common stock to be higher than the price that otherwise would exist in the open market in the absence of these transactions. If passive market making is commenced, it may be discontinued at any time.

A prospectus in electronic format may be made available on the web sites maintained by one or more underwriters, or selling group members, if any, participating in the offering. The underwriters may agree to allocate a number of shares to underwriters and selling group members for sale to their online brokerage account holders. Internet distributions will be allocated by the representatives to underwriters and selling group members that may make Internet distributions on the same basis as other allocations.

Other Relationships

The underwriters and their respective affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include sales and trading, commercial and investment banking, advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, market making, brokerage and other financial and non-financial activities and services. Certain of the underwriters and their respective affiliates have provided, and may in the future provide, a variety of these services to us and to persons and entities with relationships with us, for which they received or will receive customary fees and expenses.

In the ordinary course of their various business activities, the underwriters and their respective affiliates, officers, directors and employees may purchase, sell or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade securities, derivatives, loans, commodities, currencies, credit default swaps and other financial instruments for their own account and for the accounts of their customers, and such investment and trading activities may involve or relate to our assets, securities and/or instruments (directly, as collateral securing other obligations or otherwise) and/or persons and entities with relationships with us. The underwriters and their respective affiliates may also communicate independent investment recommendations, market color or trading ideas and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such assets, securities or instruments and may at any time hold, or recommend to clients that they should acquire, long and/or short positions in such assets, securities and instruments.

Selling Restrictions

European Economic Area and the United Kingdom

In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area and the United Kingdom, or a Member State, no shares have been offered or will be offered pursuant to this offering to the public in that Member State prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the shares which has been approved by the competent authority in that Member State or, where appropriate, approved in another Member State and notified to the competent authority in that Member State, all in accordance with the

S-21


Table of Contents

Prospectus Regulation, except that offers of shares may be made to the public in that Member State at any time under the following exemptions under the Prospectus Regulation:

    A.
    to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined under the Prospectus Regulation;

    B.
    to fewer than 150 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined under the Prospectus Regulation), subject to obtaining the prior consent of the underwriters; or

    C.
    in any other circumstances falling within Article 1(4) of the Prospectus Regulation,

provided that no such offer of shares shall require us or any underwriter to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Regulation or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 23 of the Prospectus Regulation and each person who initially acquires any shares or to whom any offer is made will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed to and with each of the underwriters and us that it is a "qualified investor" within the meaning of Article 2(e) of the Prospectus Regulation.

In the case of any shares being offered to a financial intermediary as that term is used in Prospectus Regulation, each such financial intermediary will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed that the shares acquired by it in the offer have not been acquired on a non-discretionary basis on behalf of, nor have they been acquired with a view to their offer or resale to, persons in circumstances which may give rise to an offer of any shares to the public other than their offer or resale in a Member State to qualified investors as so defined or in circumstances in which the prior consent of the underwriters have been obtained to each such proposed offer or resale.

For the purposes of this provision, the expression an "offer to the public" in relation to shares in any Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and any shares to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for any shares, and the expression "Prospectus Regulation" means Regulation (EU) 2017/1129.

References to the Prospectus Regulation includes, in relation to the United Kingdom, the Prospectus Regulation as it forms part of the United Kingdom domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act of 2018.

United Kingdom

In addition, in the United Kingdom, this document is being distributed only to, and is directed only at, and any offer subsequently made may only be directed at persons who are "qualified investors" (as defined in the Prospectus Regulation) (i) who have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended, or the Order, and/or (ii) who are high net worth companies (or persons to whom it may otherwise be lawfully communicated) falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order and/or (iii) to whom it may otherwise be lawfully communicated (all such persons together being referred to as "relevant persons") in circumstances which have not resulted and will not result in an offer to the public of the shares in the United Kingdom within the meaning of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.

Any person in the United Kingdom that is not a relevant person should not act or rely on the information included in this document or use it as basis for taking any action. In the United Kingdom, any investment or investment activity that this document relates to may be made or taken exclusively by relevant persons.

S-22


Table of Contents

Canada

The shares may be sold only to purchasers purchasing, or deemed to be purchasing, as principal that are accredited investors, as defined in National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions or subsection 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario), and are permitted clients, as defined in National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations. Any resale of the shares must be made in accordance with an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the prospectus requirements of applicable securities laws.

Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if this prospectus (including any amendment thereto) contains a misrepresentation, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser's province or territory. The purchaser should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser's province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal advisor.

Pursuant to section 3A.3 (or, in the case of securities issued or guaranteed by the government of a non-Canadian jurisdiction, section 3A.4) of National Instrument 33-105 Underwriting Conflicts (NI 33-105), the underwriters are not required to comply with the disclosure requirements of NI 33-105 regarding underwriter conflicts of interest in connection with this offering.

Hong Kong

The shares may not be offered or sold by means of any document other than (i) in circumstances which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32, Laws of Hong Kong), or (ii) to "professional investors" within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder, or (iii) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a "prospectus" within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32, Laws of Hong Kong), and no advertisement, invitation or document relating to the shares may be issued or may be in the possession of any person for the purpose of issue (in each case whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere), which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public in Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to shares which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to "professional investors" within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder.

Singapore

This prospectus has not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this prospectus and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the shares may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the shares be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore, or the SFA, (ii) to a relevant person, or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions, specified in Section 275 of the SFA or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA.

Where the shares are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 by a relevant person which is: (a) a corporation (which is not an accredited investor) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor; or (b) a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary is an accredited investor, shares, debentures and units of shares and

S-23


Table of Contents

debentures of that corporation or the beneficiaries' rights and interest in that trust shall not be transferable for 6 months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the shares under Section 275 except: (1) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the SFA or to a relevant person, or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions, specified in Section 275 of the SFA; (2) where no consideration is given for the transfer; or (3) by operation of law.

Japan

The securities have not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan, or the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law, and each underwriter has agreed that it will not offer or sell any securities, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of Japan (which term as used herein means any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan), or to others for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to a resident of Japan, except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of, and otherwise in compliance with, the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law and any other applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines of Japan.

Israel

In the State of Israel this prospectus shall not be regarded as an offer to the public to purchase shares of common stock under the Israeli Securities Law, 5728 - 1968, which requires a prospectus to be published and authorized by the Israel Securities Authority, if it complies with certain provisions of Section 15 of the Israeli Securities Law, 5728-1968, including, inter alia, if: (i) the offer is made, distributed or directed to not more than 35 investors, subject to certain conditions, or the Addressed Investors; or (ii) the offer is made, distributed or directed to certain qualified investors defined in the First Addendum of the Israeli Securities Law, 5728 - 1968, subject to certain conditions, or the Qualified Investors. The Qualified Investors shall not be taken into account in the count of the Addressed Investors and may be offered to purchase securities in addition to the 35 Addressed Investors. We have not and will not take any action that would require us to publish a prospectus in accordance with and subject to the Israeli Securities Law, 5728 - 1968. We have not and will not distribute this prospectus or make, distribute or direct an offer to subscribe for our common stock to any person within the State of Israel, other than to Qualified Investors and up to 35 Addressed Investors.

Qualified Investors may have to submit written evidence that they meet the definitions set out in of the First Addendum to the Israeli Securities Law, 5728 - 1968. In particular, we may request, as a condition to be offered common stock, that Qualified Investors will each represent, warrant and certify to us and/or to anyone acting on our behalf: (i) that it is an investor falling within one of the categories listed in the First Addendum to the Israeli Securities Law, 5728 - 1968; (ii) which of the categories listed in the First Addendum to the Israeli Securities Law, 5728 - 1968 regarding Qualified Investors is applicable to it; (iii) that it will abide by all provisions set forth in the Israeli Securities Law, 5728 - 1968 and the regulations promulgated thereunder in connection with the offer to be issued common stock; (iv) that the shares of common stock that it will be issued are, subject to exemptions available under the Israeli Securities Law, 5728 - 1968: (a) for its own account; (b) for investment purposes only; and (c) not issued with a view to resale within the State of Israel, other than in accordance with the provisions of the Israeli Securities Law, 5728 - 1968; and (v) that it is willing to provide further evidence of its Qualified Investor status. Addressed Investors may have to submit written evidence in respect of their identity and may have to sign and submit a declaration containing, inter alia, the Addressed Investor's name, address and passport number or Israeli identification number.

S-24


Table of Contents

LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the securities offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Hogan Lovells US LLP, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Certain legal matters will be passed upon for the underwriters by Goodwin Procter LLP, New York, New York.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of Marinus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and for the years then ended, and management's assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019 have been incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the reports of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing. The audit report covering the December 31, 2019 consolidated financial statements refers to a change in the method of accounting for leases.

The audit report on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, expresses an opinion that Marinus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. did not maintain effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019 because of the effect of a material weakness on the achievement of the objectives of the control criteria and contains an explanatory paragraph that states management identified ineffective information technology general controls related to segregation of duties within the Company's information technology systems which are part of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Process-level controls that were dependent upon information derived from these internal control systems were also determined to be ineffective.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We are a reporting company and file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy and information statements and other information with the SEC. This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we have filed with the SEC relating to the common stock to be offered under this prospectus. This prospectus supplement does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement and the exhibits to the registration statement. For further information with respect to us and the common stock to be offered under this prospectus supplement, we refer you to the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules filed as a part of the registration statement.

The SEC maintains an internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC, where you may read and copy the registration statement, as well as our reports, proxy and information statements and other information. The address of the SEC's web site is http://www.sec.gov.

Copies of certain information filed by us with the SEC are also available on our website at http://www.marinuspharma.com. Information contained in or accessible through our website does not constitute a part of this prospectus and is not incorporated by reference in this prospectus.


INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" information into this prospectus, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The SEC file number for each of the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus

S-25


Table of Contents

is 001-36576. The documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus contain important information that you should read.

The following documents are incorporated by reference into this document:

    our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, filed with the SEC on March 16, 2020;

    our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, filed with the SEC on May 4, 2020;

    our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 2, 2020, May 4, 2020 and May 27, 2020 (except information included pursuant to Items 2.02 or 7.01 and exhibits related to such items);

    our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on April 27, 2020 (other than the portions thereof that are furnished and not filed); and

    the description of our capital stock included under the caption "Description of Capital Stock" contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the SEC on July 28, 2014, including any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description.

We also incorporate by reference into this prospectus all documents (other than portions of documents that are either described in paragraph (e) of Item 201 of Regulation S-K or paragraphs (d)(1)-(3) and (e)(5) of Item 407 of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC and current reports furnished under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K and exhibits filed on such form that are related to such items) that are filed by us with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of the initial registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part but prior to the termination of the offering. These documents include periodic reports, such as Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, as well as proxy statements. Please see "Where You Can Find More Information" for additional information.

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

You may request, orally or in writing, a copy of any or all of the documents incorporated herein by reference. These documents will be provided to you at no cost, by contacting: Marinus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Attn: Corporate Secretary, 5 Radnor Corporate Center, Suite 500, 100 Matsonford Rd, Radnor, Pennsylvania 19087. Our corporate phone number is (484) 801-4670. In addition, copies of any or all of the documents incorporated herein by reference may be accessed at our website at www.marinuspharma.com. The information on such website is not incorporated by reference and is not a part of this prospectus.

S-26


Table of Contents

MARINUS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

$200,000,000
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Debt Securities
Warrants
Units

        From time to time, we may offer up to $200,000,000 of any combination of the securities described in this prospectus, either individually or in units. We may also offer common stock or preferred stock upon conversion of debt securities, common stock upon conversion of preferred stock, or common stock, preferred stock or debt securities upon the exercise of warrants. We will provide the specific terms of these offerings and securities in one or more supplements to this prospectus. We may also authorize the provision to you of one or more free writing prospectuses in connection with these offerings. The prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus may also add, update or change information we include in this prospectus. You should carefully read this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, as well as any documents we incorporate by reference, before buying any of the securities being offered.

        Our common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol "MRNS." On October 25, 2017, the last reported sale price of our common stock on the Nasdaq Global Market was $5.24. The applicable prospectus supplement will contain information, where applicable, as to any other listing, if any, on the Nasdaq Global Market or any securities market or other exchange of the securities covered by the applicable prospectus supplement. On October 25, 2017, the aggregate market value of our outstanding common stock our non-affiliates held was approximately $181.9 million.

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

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

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

        Neither the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, any state securities commission nor any other regulatory body 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.

This prospectus is dated December 1, 2017.


Table of Contents

        You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, including the information we incorporate by reference as described under "Where You Can Find More Information." We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. If you receive any other information, you should not rely on it. No dealer, salesperson or other person is authorized to give any information or to represent anything not contained in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you. You must not rely on any unauthorized information or representation. This prospectus is an offer to sell only the securities offered hereby, but only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so. You should assume that the information in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus is accurate only as of the date on the front of the document and that any information we have incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus, or any sale of a security.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

2


Table of Contents

RISK FACTORS

        Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the specific risks and uncertainties we describe under the caption "Risk Factors" or similar heading in our periodic reports referred to in "Where You Can Find More Information" below and, if included in an applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus under the caption "Risk Factors" or similar heading in the applicable prospectus supplement. Additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently believe are immaterial may also significantly impair our business operations.


ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

        All references in this prospectus to "Marinus," "Company," "we," "our" and "us" refer to Marinus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. unless the context otherwise requires.

        This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or "SEC", using a "shelf" registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we and certain holders of our securities may sell the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings, up to the total dollar amount of $200,000,000. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we or holders of our securities offer to sell securities under this shelf registration statement, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain more specific information about the terms of the offering and those securities. We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you that may contain material information relating to these offerings. The prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you may also modify, add to or supersede the information contained in this prospectus or in the documents we have incorporated by reference into this prospectus. You should read this prospectus together with the documents incorporated by reference, the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, to with the additional information referred to below under "Where You Can Find More Information," before buying any of the securities being offered.

        We have filed a registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC relating to the securities covered by this prospectus. This prospectus is a part of the registration statement and does not contain all of the information in the registration statement. Whenever we refer in this prospectus, including other documents we incorporate by reference, to a Company contract or other document, please be aware that the reference is only a summary and that you should refer to the exhibits that are a part of the registration statement for a copy of the applicable contract or other document. We qualify all of the summaries in their entirety by the actual documents. Copies of some of the documents referred to herein have been filed, will be filed or will be incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and you may obtain copies of those documents as described below under the heading "Where You Can Find Additional Information."


WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

        We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any documents we file with the SEC at the SEC's public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference room. Our filings with the SEC are also available to the public through the SEC's Internet site at http://www.sec.gov.

        The SEC's rules allow us to "incorporate by reference" information into this prospectus. Therefore, we can disclose important information to you by referring you to any of the SEC filings we reference in the list below. Any information we refer to in this way in this prospectus or the applicable prospectus supplement is considered part of this prospectus or the applicable prospectus supplement. Any reports we file with the SEC after the date of this prospectus and before the date that the offering

3


Table of Contents

of securities by means of this prospectus terminates will automatically update and, where applicable, supersede any information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or the applicable prospectus supplement.

        We incorporate by reference into this prospectus the following documents or information we file with the SEC, other than, in each case, documents or information deemed to have been furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules. The SEC file number for these documents is 000-36576.

        Any statement contained in a document incorporated by reference in this prospectus will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that any statement contained in this prospectus or in any subsequently filed document, which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement, modifies or supersedes this statement. Any statement modified or superseded in this way will not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus or any prospectus supplement. The information incorporated by reference contains information about us and our financial condition and performance and is an important part of this prospectus.

        We will provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom this prospectus is delivered, upon his or her written or oral request, a copy of any or all documents referred to above which have been or may be incorporated by reference into this prospectus, excluding exhibits to those documents unless they are specifically incorporated by reference into those documents. You can request those documents from Marinus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Attention: Investor Relations, 170 N. Radnor Chester Rd., Suite 250, Radnor, Pennsylvania, telephone (484) 801-4670.


CAUTIONARY STATEMENT ON FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

        This prospectus, including documents we incorporate by reference, any applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, contains forward-looking statements, as defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements relate to future events or our future financial performance. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as ""anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "might," "objective," "ongoing," "plan," "predict," "project," "potential," "should," "will," or "would," the negative of such terms or other comparable terminology intended to identify statements about the future. These statements involve known and

4


Table of Contents

unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from the information expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Although we believe that we have a reasonable basis for each forward-looking statement contained in this prospectus supplement and the information incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein, we caution you that these statements are based on a combination of facts and factors currently known by us and our expectations of the future, about which we cannot be certain.

        These risks and uncertainties include, among other things:

    our ability to develop and commercialize ganaxolone;

    status, timing and results of preclinical studies and clinical trials;

    enrollment in clinical trials, availability of data from ongoing clinical trials, expectations for regulatory approvals, the attainment of clinical trial results that will be supportive of regulatory approvals;

    the potential benefits of ganaxolone;

    the timing of seeking regulatory approval of ganaxolone;

    our ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approval;

    our estimates of expenses, future revenue and profitability;

    our estimates regarding our capital requirements and our needs for additional financing;

    our plans to develop and market ganaxolone and the timing of our development programs;

    our estimates of the size of the potential markets for ganaxolone;

    our selection and licensing of ganaxolone;

    our ability to attract collaborators with acceptable development, regulatory and commercial expertise;

    the benefits to be derived from corporate collaborations, license agreements, and other collaborative or acquisition efforts, including those relating to the development and commercialization of ganaxolone;

    sources of revenue, including contributions from corporate collaborations, license agreements, and other collaborative efforts for the development and commercialization of products;

    our ability to create an effective sales and marketing infrastructure if we elect to market and sell ganaxolone directly;

    the rate and degree of market acceptance of ganaxolone;

    the timing and amount or reimbursement for ganaxolone;

    the success of other competing therapies that may become available;

    the manufacturing capacity for ganaxolone;

    our intellectual property position;

    our ability to maintain and protect our intellectual property rights;

    our results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, prospects, and growth strategies;

    the industry in which we operate; and

5


Table of Contents

    the trends that may affect the industry or us.

        Ganaxolone is an investigational drug undergoing clinical development and has not been approved by the FDA, nor submitted to the FDA for approval. Ganaxolone has not been, nor may never be approved by any regulatory agency nor marketed anywhere in the world. Statements contained in this prospectus should not be deemed to be promotional.

        You should refer to "Risk Factors" beginning on page 2 of this prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement for a discussion of important factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements. As a result of these factors, we cannot assure you that the forward-looking statements in this prospectus will prove to be accurate. Furthermore, if our forward-looking statements prove to be inaccurate, the inaccuracy may be material. In light of the significant uncertainties in these forward-looking statements, you should not regard these statements as a representation or warranty by us or any other person that we will achieve our objectives and plans in any specified time frame or at all. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

        You should read this prospectus and the documents that we reference in this prospectus and have filed as exhibits to the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements.

6


Table of Contents


OUR COMPANY

Overview

        We are a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing innovative therapeutics to treat epilepsy and neuropsychiatric disorders. Our clinical stage product candidate, ganaxolone, is a positive allosteric modulator of GABAA being developed in three different dose forms: intravenous (IV), oral capsule and oral liquid. The multiple dose forms are intended to maximize the therapeutic range of ganaxolone for both adult and pediatric patient populations, in both acute and chronic care, and both in-patient and self-administered settings. Ganaxolone exhibits anti-seizure and anti-anxiety actions via its effects on synaptic and extrasynaptic GABAA receptors.

Our Clinical-Stage Programs

    CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD)

        CDD is a serious and rare genetic disorder that is caused by a mutation of the cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5) gene, located on the X chromosome. It predominantly affects girls and is characterized by early-onset, difficult-to-control seizures and severe neuro-developmental impairment. The CDKL5 gene encodes proteins essential for normal brain function. Most children affected by CDD cannot walk, talk, or care for themselves. Many also suffer from scoliosis, visual impairment, gastrointestinal difficulties, and sleeping disorders. Currently, there are no approved therapies for CDD. We believe that no previous formal clinical trials have been conducted in this patient population.

        In September 2017, we announced Phase 2 results in patients suffering from CDD. Patients in the CDD cohort of our ongoing Phase 2 open-label study in orphan pediatric epilepsies showed a median decrease of 43% (n=7) in 28-day seizure frequency from baseline in the ITT (intent-to-treat) population (primary endpoint). The median change from baseline in seizure-free days in the ITT population (key secondary endpoint) was an increase of 78% (n=5; two subjects cannot be calculated due to 0 baseline seizure-free days). Four patients continue to receive ganaxolone; three of which have entered the one-year extension of the study and one of which is still receiving treatment within the 26-week treatment period. Ganaxolone was generally safe and well-tolerated with no serious adverse events. To date, there have been no adverse event reports of somnolence or dizziness and two children discontinued prior to completing the 26-week treatment due to lack of efficacy. We are planning to meet with regulatory agencies to discuss the clinical development plan with the goal of commencing a clinical study in 2018.

        The U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted Orphan Drug Designation to ganaxolone for the treatment of CDD. Orphan Drug Designation is granted by the FDA Office of Orphan Products Development (OOPD) to novel drugs or biologics that treat a rare disease or condition affecting fewer than 200,000 patients in the U.S. The designation provides the drug developer with a seven-year period of U.S. marketing exclusivity, as well as tax credits for clinical research costs, the ability to apply for annual grant funding, clinical research trial design assistance and waiver of Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) filing fees.

    Postpartum Depression (PPD)

        PPD is a mood disorder that affects about 15% of women within the first year following childbirth. Common symptoms include feelings of extreme sadness, hopelessness, suicidal ideation, anxiety, and fatigue. PPD is thought to be linked to the rapid fluctuations in the levels of reproductive hormones and allopregnanolone (allo) after childbirth. Allo has shown early clinical evidence in treating patients with severe PPD. PPD can affect a mother's ability to care for her child and may negatively affect a child's cognitive development. There are no approved treatments for PPD but the most common

7


Table of Contents

treatments are psychotherapy and antidepressants. We believe that treatment with ganaxolone may provide benefit to women suffering from PPD.

        In June 2017, we initiated a Phase 2 double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial to evaluate the safety, efficacy and pharmacokinetics (PK) of ganaxolone IV in women diagnosed with severe PPD (Magnolia study). Patients randomized in the initial cohort(s) will undergo an infusion of either ganaxolone or placebo and will be followed for 30 days, with data expected in early 2018. Subsequent Magnolia study cohorts could include shorter- or higher-dose intravenous regimens alone or in sequential administration with oral ganaxolone. We are also initiating a Phase 2 study to evaluate the safety, tolerability and efficacy of ganaxolone oral capsules in moderate PPD patients (Amaryllis study). Data from this study are expected in 2018.

    Status Epilepticus (SE)

        SE is a life-threatening occurrence of continuous or intermittent seizures lasting more than five minutes in duration without full recovery. If SE is not treated immediately, permanent neuronal damage may occur, which contributes to high rates of morbidity and mortality. In refractory status epilepticus (RSE), certain synaptic GABAA receptors are internalized, thereby unavailable to drugs that target these receptors, such as benzodiazepines. According to LexisNexis, there are approximately 45,000 cases of hospitalized RSE treated in the United States annually. RSE patients who do not respond to additional antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), referred to as having super refractory status epilepticus (SRSE), are generally placed under IV anesthesia as a last resort to attempt to stop the seizures and prevent further damage to the brain and death.

        Allo has shown early clinical evidence in treating certain SRSE patients. Like allo, ganaxolone modulates both synaptic and extrasynaptic GABAA receptors, allowing a therapeutic pathway in situations where synaptic GABAA receptors are unavailable. Ganaxolone has shown activity at least comparable to allo in preclinical rat models of benzodiazepine-resistant SE. Another preclinical rat model of benzodiazepine refractory SE showed anti-epileptic synergy with the combination of ganaxolone and diazepam in blocking pilocarpine-induced seizures in rats. Ganaxolone and diazepam plasma levels were identical when measured both alone and in combination, indicating that neither drug affected the pharmacokinetic disposition of the other. These data may have clinical implications on the treatment and dosing of ganaxolone in patients with SE who are or have been treated with benzodiazepines.

        The Company is initiating its Phase 2 feasibility study with ganaxolone IV in patients with refractory status epilepticus (RSE). The Phase 2 trial is designed to treat patients in the SE treatment paradigm as second line when they have active brain function and potential for better outcomes. Data from this feasibility study is expected in 2018.

        The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Orphan Drug Designation to the IV formulation of ganaxolone for the treatment of SE.

Ganaxolone Safety and Tolerability

        In clinical trials, ganaxolone has been administered in approximately 1,500 subjects at therapeutically relevant dose levels and treatment regimens for up to two years. In these clinical trials, ganaxolone was generally well tolerated with no adverse effects on cardiovascular, liver, blood or other systems. In animal studies there was no evidence of reproductive toxicity or other toxicities after long-term administration of ganaxolone.

8


Table of Contents

Ganaxolone Mechanism of Action

        Ganaxolone is a synthetic analog of a naturally occurring neurosteroid, allopregnanolone, which exhibits potent anxiolytic, antidepressant, antiepileptic and sedative activity by virtue of its GABAA receptor modulating properties. While allopregnanolone's activities are well documented, allopregnanolone has the potential to convert back to its metabolic precursor progesterone, which could lead to hormonal side effects. Ganaxolone has been designed with an added methyl group that prevents back conversion to an active steroid which we believe unlocks ganaxolone's potential for chronic use. In preclinical studies, ganaxolone has exhibited potency and efficacy comparable to allopregnanolone.

        GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is the chief inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. One of the subclasses of receptors that respond to GABA is the GABAA receptor. When activated, these receptors selectively conduct chloride ions through a pore that results in the inhibitory effect of hyperpolarization of the neuron. Synaptic GABAA receptors respond quickly to inhibit neurotransmission, while extrasynaptic GABAA receptors provide ambient tonic inhibition.

        Ganaxolone and allopregnanolone interact with both synaptic and extrasynaptic GABAA receptors and at binding sites distinct from the benzodiazepines. Activity with extrasynaptic GABAA receptors may be of particular importance for treating patients who developed tolerance to benzodiazepines and barbiturates. Ganaxolone binds to the GABAA receptors, which opens the pore to allow chloride ions to move into the postsynaptic neuron, leading to the inhibition of neurotransmission.

Our Strategy

        Our goal is to maximize the value of ganaxolone as a first-in-class innovative neuropsychiatric therapy with a portfolio of diversified indications. The key elements of our strategy to achieve this goal include the following:

    Broadening dose forms to acute care setting.  To date, our clinical trials in patients have utilized our patented nanoparticulate composition administered in oral capsule and liquid suspension dose forms. As a complement to these orally administered dose forms, we have developed an IV dose form for the acute care setting and in patient populations, such as SE, that may benefit from both inpatient ganaxolone IV before transitioning to an outpatient oral dose form.

    Pursuing orphan, genetic epilepsy indications for ganaxolone.  Within epilepsy, there are several smaller patient populations, such as CDD, where a genetic marker associated with the syndrome has been linked to deficits in GABAergic signaling. Based on clinical data, we believe that increasing GABAergic tone with ganaxolone could provide benefit and that treatments for these small populations have the potential for more efficient paths to regulatory approval and commercialization. In addition to CDD, we may also explore development of ganaxolone in other rare genetic epilepsy indications.

    Expanding non-epilepsy indications for ganaxolone.  Due to its mechanism of action, we believe ganaxolone has potential for therapeutic benefit in a variety of neuropsychiatric disorders in addition to epilepsy. Evidence from preclinical and clinical studies demonstrates that treatment with an agent similar to naturally occurring allopregnanolone could be of benefit in patients with anxiety, mood, sleep and other neuropsychiatric disorders. We believe our top-line results from the Phase 2 proof-of-concept clinical trials in Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) patients and anecdotal reports from investigators who treated CDD and PCDH19 pediatric epilepsy patients support this hypothesis. We are also exploring development of ganaxolone in PPD, and we may explore development of ganaxolone in other neuropsychiatric disorders and rare disease neurology indications.

    Build on our intellectual property.  We believe that our intellectual property around nanotechnology and other formulation know-how creates significant barriers to competition. We

9


Table of Contents

      have developed most of our technology internally, which provides us with greater control and flexibility and reduces expense. We intend to further expand our intellectual property portfolio through internal development and opportunistic licensing or acquisition of complementary technologies.

Corporate Information

        We were incorporated in Delaware in August 2003. Our principal executive offices are located at 170 N. Radnor Chester Rd., Suite 250, Radnor, Pennsylvania 19087 and our telephone number is (484) 801-4670. Our website address is www.marinuspharma.com. The inclusion of our website address is, in each case, intended to be an inactive textual reference only and not an active hyperlink to our website. The information on our internet website is not incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and should not be considered to be part of this prospectus supplement.

Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company

        We are an "emerging growth company," as defined in the JOBS Act enacted in April 2012. For as long as we continue to be an "emerging growth company," we may choose to take advantage of exemptions from various public company reporting requirements. These exemptions include, but are not limited to:

    not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act;

    reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements; and

    exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.

        We can be an "emerging growth company" for up to five years after the first sale of our common equity securities pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, or the Securities Act, which occurred on July 31, 2014 when the SEC declared effective our Form S-1 registration statement. We would cease to be an "emerging growth company" if we have more than $1.0 billion in annual revenue, have more than $700 million in market value of our capital stock held by non-affiliates, or issue more than $1.0 billion of non-convertible debt over a three-year period.

10


Table of Contents


STATEMENT OF COMPUTATION OF RATIOS

        The following table sets forth our ratio of earnings (loss) to fixed charges and to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2017.

 
   
  Years ended December 31,  
 
  Nine months ended
September 30,
2017
 
(Dollars in thousands)
  2016   2015   2014  

Pre-tax loss

  $ (14,160 ) $ (28,643 ) $ (24,850 ) $ (10,833 )

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges

    N/A     N/A     N/A     N/A  

Deficiency of earnings available to cover fixed charges

  $ 14,160   $ 28,643   $ 24,850   $ 10,833  

Deficiency of earnings available to cover fixed charges and preferred stock dividend requirements

  $ 14,160   $ 28,643   $ 24,850   $ 13,378  

        We did not record earnings for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 or 2014, or for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. Accordingly, our earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges for such periods and we are unable to disclose a ratio of earnings to fixed charges for such periods.

        For purposes of computing the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, earnings consist of loss from continuing operations before income taxes plus fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of interest expense and an estimate of the interest within rental expense.

        For purposes of computing the ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends, earnings consist of loss from continuing operations before income taxes plus fixed charges. Combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends consist of interest expense, an estimate of interest within rental expense and preferred stock dividends.


USE OF PROCEEDS

        Except as described in any prospectus supplement or in any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you, we currently intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities offered hereby for general corporate purposes, research and development and clinical trial costs. We may also use a portion of the net proceeds to acquire or invest in businesses, products and technologies that are complementary to our own. Pending these uses, we expect to invest the net proceeds in short-term, investment-grade securities.


DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

        This prospectus contains summary descriptions of the common stock, preferred stock, warrants, debt securities and units that we may offer and sell from time to time. When we offer one or more of these securities in the future, a prospectus supplement will explain the particular terms of the securities and the extent to which these general provisions may apply. These summary descriptions and any summary descriptions in the applicable prospectus supplement do not purport to be complete descriptions of the terms and conditions of each security and are qualified in their entirety by reference to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated by-laws, the Delaware General Corporation Law, or DGCL, and any other documents referenced in such summary descriptions and from which such summary descriptions are derived. If any particular terms of a security described in the applicable prospectus supplement differ from any of the terms described in this prospectus, then the terms described in this prospectus will be deemed superseded by the terms set forth in that prospectus supplement.

11


Table of Contents

        We may issue securities in book-entry form through one or more depositaries, such as The Depository Trust Company, named in the applicable prospectus supplement. Each sale of a security in book-entry form will settle in immediately available funds through the applicable depositary, unless otherwise stated. We will issue the securities only in registered form, without coupons, although we may issue the securities in bearer form if so specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. If any securities are to be listed or quoted on a securities exchange or quotation system, the applicable prospectus supplement will so indicate.

Capital Stock

        Our authorized capital stock consists of 100,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.001 par value per share, and 25,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.001 par value per share. As of September 30, 2017, there were 40,430,196 shares of common stock outstanding.

Common Stock

        The holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders and do not have any cumulative voting rights. Any election at a meeting of stockholders is determined by a plurality of the votes cast by the stockholders entitled to vote at the election, and all other matters are generally determined by a majority of the votes cast on the matter. Holders of our common stock are entitled to receive ratably such dividends, if any, as may be declared by our board of directors out of funds legally available. In the event of we liquidate, dissolve or wind up, after payment of all of our debts and liabilities, and subject to the preferential rights, if any, of any outstanding preferred stock, the holders of our common stock are entitled to share ratably in all assets. Our common stock has no preemptive or conversion rights or other subscription rights, and there are no redemptive or sinking funds provisions applicable to our common stock. We have received full payment for all outstanding shares of our common stock and cannot require our stockholders to make further payments on the stock.

Preferred Stock

        Pursuant to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, our board of directors has the authority, without further action by the stockholders (unless such stockholder action is required by applicable law or Nasdaq Stock Market rules), to designate and issue up to 25,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series, to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each such series, to fix the designations, powers, preferences and rights of the shares of each wholly unissued series, and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereon, and to increase or decrease the number of shares of any such series, but not below the number of shares of such series then outstanding.

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

    the title and stated value;

    the number of shares we are offering;

    the liquidation preference per share;

    the purchase price;

12


Table of Contents

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

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

    the procedures for any auction and remarketing, if any;

    the provisions for a sinking fund, if any;

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

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

    whether the preferred stock will be convertible into our common stock, and, if applicable, the conversion price, or how it will be calculated, and the conversion period;

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

    voting rights, if any, of the preferred stock;

    preemptive rights, if any;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Stock Options

        As of September 30, 2017, we have reserved 3,732,664 shares of common stock for issuance under our equity compensation plans. Of this number, we have reserved 2,910,761 shares for issuance upon exercise of outstanding options that we previously granted under our stock option plans, and 1,258,825 shares for issuance upon exercise of options or other awards that we may grant in the future under our equity compensation plans.

Delaware Anti-Takeover Law and Certain Charter Provisions

        Delaware Section 203.    We are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. In general, the statute prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging

13


Table of Contents

in a "business combination" with an "interested stockholder" for a period of three years following the date that the stockholder became an interested stockholder unless:

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

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

    on or subsequent to such date, the board of directors approves the business combination and stockholders authorize the business combination at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock that the interested stockholder does not own.

        A "business combination" includes a merger, asset or stock sale or other transaction resulting in financial benefit to the stockholder. An "interested stockholder" is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns, or within three years prior, did own, 15% or more of a corporation's outstanding voting stock.

        Charter Provisions.    Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation includes the following provisions, among others:

    the authority of our board of directors to issue shares of undesignated preferred stock and to determine the rights, preferences and privileges of these shares, without stockholder approval;

    the division of our board of directors into three classes with staggered three-year terms;

    all stockholder actions must be effected at a duly called meeting of stockholders and not by written consent; and

    the elimination of cumulative voting.

        Indemnification.    Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws provide that we will indemnify officers and directors against losses as they incur in investigations and legal proceedings resulting from their services to us, which may include service in connection with takeover.

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

14


Table of Contents

Transfer Agent and Registrar

        The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC. Its address is 6201 15th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11219, and its telephone number is (718) 921-8200. The transfer agent for any series of preferred stock that we may offer under this prospectus will be named and described in the prospectus supplement for that series.


DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

        We may issue debt securities, in one or more series, as either senior or subordinated debt or as senior or subordinated convertible debt. While the terms we have summarized below will apply generally to any debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any debt securities that we may offer in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms of any debt securities offered under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below. Unless the context requires otherwise, whenever we refer to the indentures, we also are referring to any supplemental indentures that specify the terms of a particular series of debt securities.

        We will issue the senior debt securities under the senior indenture that we will enter into with the trustee named in the senior indenture. We will issue the subordinated debt securities under the subordinated indenture that we will enter into with the trustee named in the subordinated indenture. The indentures will be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. We use the term "debenture trustee" to refer to either the trustee under the senior indenture or the trustee under the subordinated indenture, as applicable. We have filed forms of indentures to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and supplemental indentures and forms of debt securities containing the terms of the debt securities being offered will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part or will be incorporated by reference from reports that we file with the SEC.

        The following summaries of material provisions of the senior debt securities, the subordinated debt securities and the indentures are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the indenture applicable to a particular series of debt securities. We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplements and any related free writing prospectuses related to the debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus, as well as the complete indentures that contains the terms of the debt securities. Except as we may otherwise indicate, the terms of the senior indenture and the subordinated indenture are identical.

General

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

    the title;

    the principal amount being offered, and if a series, the total amount authorized and the total amount outstanding;

    any limit on the amount that may be issued;

    whether or not we will issue the series of debt securities in global form, the terms and who the depositary will be;

    the maturity date;

    whether and under what circumstances, if any, we will pay additional amounts on any debt securities held by a person who is not a United States person for tax purposes, and whether we can redeem the debt securities if we have to pay such additional amounts;

15


Table of Contents

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

    whether or not the debt securities will be secured or unsecured, and the terms of any secured debt;

    the terms of the subordination of any series of subordinated debt;

    the place where payments will be payable;

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

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

    the date, if any, after which, and the price at which, we may, at our option, redeem the series of debt securities pursuant to any optional or provisional redemption provisions and the terms of those redemption provisions;

    the date, if any, on which, and the price at which we are obligated, pursuant to any mandatory sinking fund or analogous fund provisions or otherwise, to redeem, or at the holder's option to purchase, the series of debt securities and the currency or currency unit in which the debt securities are payable;

    whether the indenture will restrict our ability to:

    incur additional indebtedness;

    issue additional securities;

    create liens;

    pay dividends and make distributions in respect of our capital stock;

    redeem capital stock;

    make investments or other restricted payments;

    sell or otherwise dispose of assets;

    enter into sale-leaseback transactions;

    engage in transactions with stockholders and affiliates; or

    effect a consolidation or merger;

    whether the indenture will require us to maintain any interest coverage, fixed charge, cash flow-based, asset-based or other financial ratios;

    a discussion of any material United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the debt securities;

    information describing any book-entry features;

    provisions for a sinking fund purchase or other analogous fund, if any;

    the applicability of the provisions in the indenture on discharge;

    whether the debt securities are to be offered at a price such that they will be deemed to be offered at an "original issue discount" as defined in paragraph (a) of Section 1273 of the Internal Revenue Code;

16


Table of Contents

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

    the currency of payment of debt securities if other than U.S. dollars and the manner of determining the equivalent amount in U.S. dollars; and

    any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of, or restrictions on, the debt securities, including any additional events of default or covenants provided with respect to the debt securities, and any terms that may be required by us or advisable under applicable laws or regulations.

Conversion or Exchange Rights

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

Consolidation, Merger or Sale

        Unless we provide otherwise in the prospectus supplement applicable to a particular series of debt securities, the indentures will not contain any covenant that restricts our ability to merge or consolidate, or sell, convey, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets. However, any successor to or acquirer of such assets must assume all of our obligations under the indentures or the debt securities, as appropriate. If the debt securities are convertible into or exchangeable for our other securities or securities of other entities, the person with whom we consolidate or merge or to whom we sell all of our property must make provisions for the conversion of the debt securities into securities that the holders of the debt securities would have received if they had converted the debt securities before the consolidation, merger or sale.

Events of Default Under the Indenture

        Unless we provide otherwise in the prospectus supplement applicable to a particular series of debt securities, the following are events of default under the indentures with respect to any series of debt securities that we may issue:

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

    if we fail to pay the principal, premium or sinking fund payment, if any, when due and payable and the time for payment has not been extended or delayed;

    if we fail to observe or perform any other covenant contained in the debt securities or the indentures, other than a covenant specifically relating to another series of debt securities, and our failure continues for 90 days after we receive notice from the debenture trustee or holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the applicable series; and

    if specified events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occur.

        If an event of default with respect to debt securities of any series occurs and is continuing, other than an event of default specified in the last bullet point above, the debenture trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series, by notice to us in writing, and to the debenture trustee if notice is given by such holders, may declare the unpaid

17


Table of Contents

principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest, if any, due and payable immediately. If an event of default specified in the last bullet point above occurs with respect to us, the principal amount of and accrued interest, if any, of each issue of debt securities then outstanding shall be due and payable without any notice or other action on the part of the debenture trustee or any holder.

        The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of an affected series may waive any default or event of default with respect to the series and its consequences, except defaults or events of default regarding payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, unless we have cured the default or event of default in accordance with the indenture. Any waiver shall cure the default or event of default.

        Subject to the terms of the indentures, if an event of default under an indenture shall occur and be continuing, the debenture trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under such indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders of the applicable series of debt securities, unless such holders have offered the debenture trustee reasonable indemnity. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the debenture trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the debenture trustee, with respect to the debt securities of that series, provided that:

    the direction so given by the holder is not in conflict with any law or the applicable indenture; and

    subject to its duties under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, the debenture trustee need not take any action that might involve it in personal liability or might be unduly prejudicial to the holders not involved in the proceeding.

        A holder of the debt securities of any series will have the right to institute a proceeding under the indentures or to appoint a receiver or trustee, or to seek other remedies only if:

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

    the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have made written request, and such holders have offered reasonable indemnity to the debenture trustee to institute the proceeding as trustee; and

    the debenture trustee does not institute the proceeding, and does not receive from the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series other conflicting directions within 90 days after the notice, request and offer.

        These limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by a holder of debt securities if we default in the payment of the principal, premium, if any, or interest on, the debt securities.

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

Modification of Indenture; Waiver

        We and the debenture trustee may change an indenture without the consent of any holders with respect to specific matters:

    to fix any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in the indenture;

    to comply with the provisions described above under "Description of Debt Securities—Consolidation, Merger or Sale;"

18


Table of Contents

    to comply with any requirements of the SEC in connection with the qualification of any indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939;

    to add to, delete from or revise the conditions, limitations, and restrictions on the authorized amount, terms, or purposes of issue, authentication and delivery of debt securities, as set forth in the indenture;

    to provide for the issuance of and establish the form and terms and conditions of the debt securities of any series as provided under "Description of Debt Securities—General" to establish the form of any certifications required to be furnished pursuant to the terms of the indenture or any series of debt securities, or to add to the rights of the holders of any series of debt securities;

    to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor trustee;

    to provide for uncertificated debt securities in addition to or in place of certificated debt securities and to make all appropriate changes for such purpose;

    to add to our covenants such new covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions for the protection of the holders, and to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and the continuance, of a default in any such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions an event of default; or

    to change anything that does not materially adversely affect the interests of any holder of debt securities of any series.

        In addition, under the indentures, the rights of holders of a series of debt securities may be changed by us and the debenture trustee with the written consent of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series that is affected. However, unless we provide otherwise in the prospectus supplement applicable to a particular series of debt securities, we and the debenture trustee may make the following changes only with the consent of each holder of any outstanding debt securities affected:

    extending the fixed maturity of the series of debt securities;

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

    reducing the percentage of debt securities, the holders of which are required to consent to any amendment, supplement, modification or waiver.

Discharge

        Each indenture provides that we can elect to be discharged from our obligations with respect to one or more series of debt securities, except for specified obligations, including obligations to:

    register the transfer or exchange of debt securities of the series;

    replace stolen, lost or mutilated debt securities of the series;

    maintain paying agencies;

    hold monies for payment in trust;

    recover excess money held by the debenture trustee;

    compensate and indemnify the debenture trustee; and

    appoint any successor trustee.

19


Table of Contents

        In order to exercise our rights to be discharged, we must deposit with the debenture trustee money or government obligations sufficient to pay all the principal of, any premium, if any, and interest on, the debt securities of the series on the dates payments are due.

Form, Exchange and Transfer

        We will issue the debt securities of each series only in fully registered form without coupons and, unless we provide otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof. The indentures provide that we may issue debt securities of a series in temporary or permanent global form and as book-entry securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company or another depositary named by us and identified in a prospectus supplement with respect to that series. See "Legal Ownership of Securities" for a further description of the terms relating to any book-entry securities.

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

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

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

        If we elect to redeem the debt securities of any series, we will not be required to:

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

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

Information Concerning the Debenture Trustee

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

20


Table of Contents

Payment and Paying Agents

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

        We will pay principal of and any premium and interest on the debt securities of a particular series at the office of the paying agents designated by us, except that unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will make interest payments by check that we will mail to the holder or by wire transfer to certain holders. Unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will designate the corporate trust office of the debenture trustee in the City of New York as our sole paying agent for payments with respect to debt securities of each series. We will name in the applicable prospectus supplement any other paying agents that we initially designate for the debt securities of a particular series. We will maintain a paying agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of a particular series.

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

Governing Law

        The indentures and the debt securities will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, except to the extent that the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is applicable.

Subordination of Subordinated Debt Securities

        The subordinated debt securities will be unsecured and will be subordinate and junior in priority of payment to certain of our other indebtedness to the extent described in a prospectus supplement. The subordinated indenture does not limit the amount of subordinated debt securities that we may issue, nor does it limit us from issuing any other secured or unsecured debt.


DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

        We may issue warrants for the purchase of common stock, preferred stock and/or debt securities in one or more series. We may issue warrants independently or together with common stock, preferred stock and/or debt securities, and the warrants may be attached to or separate from these securities. While the terms summarized below will apply generally to any warrants that we may offer, we will describe the particular terms of any series of warrants in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms of any warrants offered under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below.

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

21


Table of Contents

General

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

    the offering price and aggregate number of warrants offered;

    the currency for which the warrants may be purchased;

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

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

    in the case of warrants to purchase debt securities, the principal amount of debt securities purchasable upon exercise of one warrant and the price at, and currency in which, this principal amount of debt securities may be purchased upon such exercise;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

        Before exercising their warrants, holders of warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities purchasable upon such exercise, including:

    in the case of warrants to purchase debt securities, the right to receive payments of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, the debt securities purchasable upon exercise or to enforce covenants in the applicable indenture; or

    in the case of warrants to purchase common stock or preferred stock, the right to receive dividends, if any, or payments upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up or to exercise voting rights, if any.

Exercise of Warrants

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

22


Table of Contents

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

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

Governing Law

        Unless we provide otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the warrants and warrant agreements will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

Enforceability of Rights by Holders of Warrants

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


DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

        We may issue, in one more series, units consisting of common stock, preferred stock, debt securities and/or warrants for the purchase of common stock, preferred stock and/or debt securities in any combination. While the terms we have summarized below will apply generally to any units that we may offer under this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any series of units in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms of any units offered under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below.

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

General

        We will issue each unit 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

23


Table of Contents

security. The unit agreement under which we issue a unit 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 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 below; and

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

        The provisions described in this section, as well as those described under "Description of Capital Stock," "Description of Debt Securities" and "Description of Warrants" will apply to each unit and to any common stock, preferred stock, debt security or warrant included in each unit, respectively.

Issuance in Series

        We may issue units in such amounts and in such numerous distinct series as we determine.

Enforceability of Rights by Holders of Units

        Each unit agent will act solely as our agent under the applicable unit agreement and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust with any holder of any unit. A single bank or trust company may act as unit agent for more than one series of units. A unit agent will have no duty or responsibility in case of any default by us under the applicable unit agreement or unit, including any duty or responsibility to initiate any proceedings at law or otherwise, or to make any demand upon us. Any holder of a unit may, without the consent of the related unit agent or the holder of any other unit, enforce by appropriate legal action its rights as holder under any security included in the unit.

        We, and any unit agent and any of their agents, may treat the registered holder of any unit certificate as an absolute owner of the units evidenced by that certificate for any purpose and as the person entitled to exercise the rights attaching to the units so requested, despite any notice to the contrary. See "Legal Ownership of Securities" below.


LEGAL OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES

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

Book-Entry Holders

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

24


Table of Contents

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

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

Street Name Holders

        We may terminate a global security or issue securities in non-global form. In these cases, investors may choose to hold their securities in their own names or in "street name." Securities held by an investor in street name would be registered in the name of a bank, broker or other financial institution that the investor chooses, and the investor would hold only a beneficial interest in those securities through an account he or she maintains at that institution.

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

Legal Holders

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

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

Special Considerations for Indirect Holders

        If you hold securities through a bank, broker or other financial institution, either in book-entry form or in street name, you should check with your own institution to find out:

    how it handles securities payments and notices;

    whether it imposes fees or charges;

25


Table of Contents

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

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

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

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

Global Securities

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

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

        A global security may not be transferred to or registered in the name of anyone other than the depositary, its nominee or a successor depositary, unless special termination situations arise. We describe those situations below under "Special Situations When a Global Security Will Be Terminated." As a result of these arrangements, the depositary, or its nominee, will be the sole registered owner and holder of all securities represented by a global security, and investors will be permitted to own only beneficial interests in a global security. Beneficial interests must be held by means of an account with a broker, bank or other financial institution that in turn has an account with the depositary or with another institution that does. Thus, an investor whose security is represented by a global security will not be a holder of the security, but only an indirect holder of a beneficial interest in the global security.

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

Special Considerations For Global Securities

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

        If securities are issued only in the form of a global security, an investor should be aware of the following:

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

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

26


Table of Contents

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Special Situations When a Global Security Will Be Terminated

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

        Unless we provide otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the global security will terminate when the following special situations occur:

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

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

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

        The prospectus supplement may also list additional situations for terminating a global security that would apply only to the particular series of securities covered by the applicable prospectus supplement. When a global security terminates, the depositary, and not we or any applicable trustee, is responsible for deciding the names of the institutions that will be the initial direct holders.


PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

        We may sell the securities from time to time pursuant to underwritten public offerings, negotiated transactions, block trades or a combination of these methods. We may sell the securities to or through

27


Table of Contents

underwriters or dealers, through agents, or directly to one or more purchasers. We may distribute securities from time to time in one or more transactions:

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

    at market prices prevailing at the time of sale;

    at prices related to such prevailing market prices; or

    at negotiated prices.

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

    the name or names of the underwriters, if any;

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

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

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

    any public offering price;

    any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and

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

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

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

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

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

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

28


Table of Contents

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

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

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

        In compliance with guidelines of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or FINRA, the maximum consideration or discount to be received by any FINRA member or independent broker dealer may not exceed 8% of the aggregate amount of the securities offered pursuant to this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement.


VALIDITY OF SECURITIES

        Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, Duane Morris LLP, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, will pass upon the validity of the securities offered by this prospectus.


EXPERTS

        The financial statements of Marinus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2016, have been incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the report of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

29


Table of Contents

 

16,000,000 Shares

LOGO

Marinus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Common Stock


PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT


Joint Book-Running Managers


Cowen

 

Cantor

 

SunTrust Robinson Humphrey



Lead Manager

Oppenheimer & Co.



Co-Manager

H.C. Wainwright & Co.

May 28, 2020