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Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration No. 333-229085

The information in this preliminary prospectus supplement is not complete and may be changed. A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and is effective. This preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are not an offer to sell these securities and they are not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

Subject to Completion, dated May 19, 2020

Preliminary Prospectus Supplement
(To prospectus dated February 12, 2019)

                             Shares

Ocular Therapeutix, Inc.

LOGO

Common stock

We are offering                             shares of our common stock, par value $0.0001 per share. Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol "OCUL." On May 18, 2020, the closing price of our common stock, as reported on The Nasdaq Global Market, was $6.76 per share.

We are a smaller reporting company as that term is defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and, as such, have elected to rely on certain reduced public company disclosure requirements. See "Prospectus Supplement Summary — Implications of Being a Smaller Reporting Company."

This investment involves risk. See "Risk Factors" on page S-7 of this prospectus supplement and the risk factors included in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

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


 
  Per Share   Total  

Public offering price

  $     $    

Underwriting discounts and commissions(1)

  $     $    

Proceeds, before expenses, to us

  $     $    

(1)
We have agreed to reimburse the underwriters for certain expenses, including FINRA-related expenses. See "Underwriting."

We have granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to                             additional shares of common stock from us at the public offering price, less underwriting discounts and commissions.

The underwriters expect to deliver the shares of common stock to purchasers against payment on or about May      , 2020.



Joint Book-Running Managers

Jefferies   Piper Sandler



   

Prospectus Supplement dated May      , 2020.


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
  Page  

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

       

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

   
S-ii
 

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

    S-iii  

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY

    S-1  

RISK FACTORS

    S-7  

USE OF PROCEEDS

    S-8  

DIVIDEND POLICY

    S-9  

CAPITALIZATION

    S-10  

DILUTION

    S-12  

MATERIAL U.S. TAX CONSIDERATIONS FOR NON-U.S. HOLDERS OF COMMON STOCK

    S-14  

UNDERWRITING

    S-18  

LEGAL MATTERS

    S-26  

EXPERTS

    S-26  

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

    S-26  

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

    S-26  

PROSPECTUS

       

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

   
1
 

RISK FACTORS

    1  

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

    1  

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

    2  

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

    3  

ABOUT OCULAR THERAPEUTIX, INC. 

    5  

USE OF PROCEEDS

    6  

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

    7  

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

    17  

DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITORY SHARES

    22  

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

    25  

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

    26  

FORMS OF SECURITIES

    27  

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

    29  

LEGAL MATTERS

    32  

EXPERTS

    32  

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

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

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

We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized anyone to provide any information other than that contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, in the accompanying prospectus or in any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you. We and the underwriters take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you.

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus do not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to purchase, the securities offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus in any jurisdiction to or from any person to whom or from whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation of an offer in such jurisdiction. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein and in any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering is accurate only as of the date of those respective documents. It is important for you to read and consider all information contained in this prospectus supplement and in the accompanying prospectus, including the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein, in making your investment decision. You should also read and consider the information in the documents to which we have referred you in the sections entitled "Where You Can Find More Information" and "Incorporation by Reference" in this prospectus supplement and in the accompanying prospectus.

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

Unless the context otherwise indicates, references in this prospectus to "we," "our" and "us" refer, collectively, to Ocular Therapeutix, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its consolidated subsidary.

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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the information incorporated by reference herein and therein include "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the information incorporated by reference herein and therein, including statements regarding our strategy, future operations, future financial position, future revenues, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management, are forward-looking statements. The words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "might," "plan," "predict," "project," "target," "potential," "goals," "will," "would," "could," "should," "continue" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words.

The forward-looking statements in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the information incorporated by reference herein and therein include, among other things, statements about:

    §
    our commercialization efforts for our product DEXTENZA®;

    §
    our plans to develop, seek regulatory approval for and commercialize DEXTENZA for additional indications and our other product candidates based on our proprietary bioresorbable hydrogel technology platform;

    §
    our ability to manufacture DEXTENZA, ReSure Sealant and our product candidates in compliance with current Good Manufacturing Practices;

    §
    our ability to manage a sales, marketing and distribution infrastructure to support the commercialization of DEXTENZA;

    §
    the timing of and our ability to submit applications and obtain and maintain regulatory approvals for DEXTENZA, ReSure Sealant and our other product candidates;

    §
    our estimates regarding expenses, future revenue, the sufficiency of our cash resources, our ability to fund our operating expenses, debt service obligations and capital expenditure requirements, and our needs for additional financing;

    §
    our plans to raise additional capital, including through equity offerings, debt financings, collaborations, strategic alliances, licensing arrangements, royalty agreements and marketing and distribution arrangements;

    §
    our ongoing and planned clinical trials, including our Phase 3 clinical trial of DEXTENZA for the treatment of ocular itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis, our Phase 1 clinical trial of OTX-TIC for the reduction of intraocular pressure in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension, our Phase 1 clinical trial of OTX-TKI for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration, or wet AMD, and our Phase 1 trial of OTX-CSI for the treatment of dry eye disease;

    §
    our ability to resolve the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warning letter received with respect to ReSure® Sealant on October 18, 2018;

    §
    the potential advantages of DEXTENZA, ReSure Sealant, and our product candidates;

    §
    the rate and degree of market acceptance and clinical utility of our products and our ability to secure and maintain reimbursement for our products;

    §
    our estimates regarding the potential market opportunity for DEXTENZA, ReSure Sealant and our other product candidates;

    §
    the preclinical and clinical development of our intravitreal implant with protein-based or small molecule drugs, including tyrosine kinase inhibitors, for the treatment of wet AMD and other retinal

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      diseases; and our implant for intracameral injection for the treatment of glaucoma and ocular hypertension;

    §
    our strategic collaboration, option and license agreement with Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. under which we are collaborating on the development of an extended-delivery formulation of the vascular endothelial growth factor trap aflibercept, currently marketed under the brand name Eylea, for the treatment of wet AMD, and other serious retinal diseases;

    §
    our capabilities and strategy, and the costs and timing of manufacturing, sales, marketing, distribution and other commercialization efforts, with respect to DEXTENZA, ReSure Sealant and any additional products for which we may obtain marketing approval in the future;

    §
    our intellectual property position;

    §
    our ability to identify additional products, product candidates or technologies with significant commercial potential that are consistent with our commercial objectives, including potential opportunities outside the field of ophthalmology;

    §
    the impact of government laws and regulations;

    §
    our expectations related to the use of proceeds from this offering;

    §
    the costs and outcomes of legal actions and proceedings;

    §
    our ability to continue as a going concern;

    §
    uncertainty regarding the extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic and related response measures will adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition; and

    §
    our competitive position.

We may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in our forward-looking statements, and you should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Actual results or events could differ materially from the plans, intentions and expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements we make. We have included important factors in the cautionary statements included in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the information incorporated by reference herein and therein, particularly in the "Risk Factors" sections of these documents, that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements that we make. Our forward-looking statements do not reflect the potential impact of any future acquisitions, mergers, dispositions, joint ventures or investments we may make.

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PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY

This summary highlights selected information contained elsewhere in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and in the documents we incorporate by reference herein and therein. This summary does not contain all of the information you should consider before investing in our common stock. You should read this entire prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus carefully, especially the risks of investing in our common stock discussed under "Risk Factors" on page S-7 of this prospectus supplement, in the accompanying prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein, along with our financial statements and notes to those financial statements and the other information incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

Overview of Ocular Therapeutix

We are a biopharmaceutical company focused on the formulation, development and commercialization of innovative therapies for diseases and conditions of the eye using our proprietary, bioresorbable hydrogel platform technology. We use this technology to tailor duration and amount of delivery of a range of therapeutic agents in our product candidates.

We currently incorporate therapeutic agents that have previously received regulatory approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, including small molecules and proteins, into our hydrogel technology with the goal of providing local programmed release of drug to the eye. We believe that our local programmed-release drug delivery technology has the potential to treat conditions and diseases of both the front and the back of the eye and can be administered through a range of different modalities, including intracanalicular inserts, intracameral implants and intravitreal implants. We have products at an early stage of commercialization and product candidates in preclinical and clinical development, applying this technology to treat post-surgical ocular inflammation and pain, ocular itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis, dry eye disease, glaucoma and ocular hypertension, and wet age-related macular degeneration, or wet AMD, among other conditions.

In November 2018, the FDA approved our new drug application, or NDA, for DEXTENZA® (dexamethasone ophthalmic insert) 0.4mg for intracanalicular use for the treatment of ocular pain following ophthalmic surgery. DEXTENZA is the first FDA-approved intracanalicular insert delivering dexamethasone to treat post-surgical ocular pain for up to 30 days with a single administration. The insert is placed into the canaliculus through a natural opening called the punctum located in the portion of the lower eyelid near the nose. In June 2019, the FDA approved our supplemental new drug application, or sNDA, for DEXTENZA to treat post-surgical ocular inflammation. On July 1, 2019, we commercially launched DEXTENZA in the United States for the treatment of post-surgical ocular inflammation and pain. In April 2020, we reported topline results from a 96-subject, pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial evaluating DEXTENZA for the treatment of ocular itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis. Upon the completion of our review of data from this trial, we plan to request a meeting with the FDA regarding the potential submission in 2020 of an sNDA for DEXTENZA to include the treatment of ocular itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis as an additional approved indication.

In May 2019, we announced the results of the Phase 3 clinical trial of our product candidate OTX-TP (intracanalicular travoprost insert) for the reduction of intraocular pressure, or IOP, in patients with glaucoma and ocular hypertension. In October 2019, we announced that we had met with the FDA, who determined that the results did not achieve clinical meaningfulness for OTX-TP. As a result, we announced that we did not intend to advance OTX-TP without a collaborative partner.

Our earlier stage assets include three development programs, OTX-TIC, OTC-TKI and OTX-CSI, that have initiated Phase 1 clinical trials. Our Phase 1 clinical trial of OTX-TIC, an intracameral travoprost implant for the reduction of IOP in patients with glaucoma and ocular hypertension, is a multi-center, open-label, dose-escalation, proof-of-concept study in the United States designed to evaluate the safety, biological

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activity, durability and tolerability of OTX-TIC compared to topical travoprost (eye drops) in four cohorts. Data from the first two cohorts has shown a clinically meaningful reduction from baseline in mean IOP values at the 8 a.m. timepoint in patients treated with a single insertion of OTX-TIC throughout the six-month study period. The data from the first two cohorts also shows that the mean IOP values remained decreased from the baseline values beyond the study period and, in one patient from the first cohort, for up to twenty-one months at the patient's most recent assessment. Interim data at six months from the third cohort, assessing the impact of a faster degrading implant with the same therapeutic dose as administered in the first cohort, is generally consistent with data from the first and second cohorts.

Our Phase 1 clinical trial of OTX-TKI, an intravitreal injection by fine gauge needle of a hydrogel, anti-angiogenic formulation of a tyrosine kinase inhibitor for the treatment of wet AMD, is a multi-center, open-label, dose-escalation study in Australia designed to evaluate the safety, biological activity, durability and tolerability of OTX-TKI in three cohorts. In early 2020, we announced interim data from the first two cohorts showing a decrease in intraretinal and/or subretinal fluid in some subjects by two months. As of May 13, 2020, the first two patients in the second, higher-dose (400 µg) cohort have shown a clinically meaningful reduction in intraretinal and/or subretinal fluid out to six months with a single implant.

Our Phase 1 clinical trial of OTX-CSI, an intracanalicular insert for the treatment of signs and symptoms of dry eye disease, is a single-center, open-label trial in the United States designed to evaluate the safety, biological activity, durability and tolerability of OTX-CSI over a period of approximately four months. In May 2020, we announced dosing of the first patient in the trial. If the results of the Phase 1 clinical trial are favorable, we anticipate initiating a Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating two different formulations of OTX-CSI compared to a vehicle insert in approximately 105 subjects in the fourth quarter of 2020.

We also have a collaboration with Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., or Regeneron, for the development and potential commercialization of products containing our extended-delivery hydrogel in combination with Regeneron's vascular endothelial growth factor, or VEGF, inhibitor, aflibercept, currently marketed under the brand name Eylea. In May 2020, we transitioned efforts under the collaboration to focus on the research and development of an extended-delivery formulation of aflibercept to be delivered to the suprachoroidal space.

In addition to our ongoing drug product development, we currently market ReSure® Sealant, a hydrogel ophthalmic wound sealant approved by the FDA to seal corneal incisions following cataract surgery. We are also assessing the potential use of our hydrogel platform technology in other areas of the body.

The following table summarizes the status of our key product development programs and our marketed products. We hold worldwide exclusive commercial rights to the core technology underlying all of our products in development and have not granted commercial rights to any marketing partners other than the option on commercial rights we granted to Regeneron for the delivery of protein-based anti-VEGF drugs in our hydrogel depot for the treatment of retinal diseases.

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GRAPHIC

COVID-19 Update

The pandemic caused by an outbreak of a new strain of coronavirus, or the COVID-19 pandemic, that is affecting the U.S. and global economy and financial markets and the related responses of government, businesses and individuals are also impacting our employees, patients, communities and business operations. Although the pandemic did not have a significant impact on our financial results for the three-month period ended March 31, 2020, the implementation of travel bans and restrictions, quarantines, shelter-in-place/stay-at-home and social distancing orders and shutdowns, for example, have adversely affected our business. While it is difficult to predict the extent or duration of the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic on our future financial results, the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted, and is expected to continue to adversely affect, our operations and has significantly affected our revenue in the second quarter of 2020. The full extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic will directly or indirectly impact our business, results of operations and financial condition and those of our customers, vendors, suppliers and collaboration partners will depend on future developments that are highly uncertain and cannot be accurately predicted, including new information that may emerge concerning COVID-19, the actions taken to contain it or treat its impact and the economic impact on local, regional, national and international markets. Management is actively monitoring this situation and the possible effects on our financial condition, liquidity, operations, suppliers, industry and workforce. For additional information on risks posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, see "Risk Factors" on page S-7 and "Use of Proceeds" on page S-8 of this prospectus supplement and in the documents incorporated by reference herein.

Our Corporate Information

We were incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware on September 12, 2006 under the name I-Therapeutics, Inc. We subsequently changed our name to I-Therapeutix, Inc. in October 2006 and to Ocular Therapeutix, Inc. in September 2009. Our principal executive offices are located at 24 Crosby Drive, Bedford, MA 01730, and our telephone number is (781) 357-4000. Our manufacturing operations are located at 36 Crosby Drive, Suite 101, Bedford, MA 01730, and our research and development operations are located at 15 Crosby Drive, Bedford, MA 01730. Our website address is www.ocutx.com. The information contained on, or that can be accessed through, our website is not a part of this prospectus

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supplement or the accompanying prospectus. We have included our website address in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus solely as an inactive textual reference.

In this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, unless otherwise stated or the context otherwise requires, references to "Ocular," "we," "us," "our" and similar references refer to Ocular Therapeutix, Inc., and its consolidated subsidiary. Ocular Therapeutix, ReSure, and DEXTENZA are our trademarks. The other trademarks, trade names and service marks appearing in this prospectus are the property of their respective owners. We have omitted the ® and ™ designations, as applicable, for the trademarks named in this prospectus.

Implications of Being a Smaller Reporting Company

We are a "smaller reporting company," as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act. We would cease to be a smaller reporting company if we have a non-affiliate public float in excess of $250 million and annual revenues in excess of $100 million, or we have a non-affiliate public float in excess of $700 million, determined on an annual basis. For so long as we remain a smaller reporting company, we are permitted and intend to rely on exemptions from certain disclosure and other requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not smaller reporting companies. In particular, in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, we have not included all of the executive compensation-related information that would be required if we were not a smaller reporting company. Accordingly, the information contained or incorporated by reference herein may be different than the information you receive from other public companies in which you hold stock.

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THE OFFERING

Common stock offered by us

                 shares

Common stock to be outstanding immediately following this offering

 

               shares

Option to purchase additional shares

 

We have granted the underwriters an option for a period of 30 days to purchase up to               additional shares of our common stock.

Use of proceeds

 

We estimate that the net proceeds to us from this offering, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, will be approximately $                million, or approximately $                million if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full.

 

We expect to use the net proceeds from this offering, together with our existing cash and cash equivalents, to fund the clinical development of OTX-TIC, OTX-TKI and OTX-CSI; to fund the ongoing commercial launch of DEXTENZA; to fund the anticipated sNDA filing for DEXTENZA to include the treatment of ocular itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis as an additional approved indication; to fund pediatric studies for DEXTENZA for the treatment of post-surgical ocular inflammation and pain following cataract surgery; to fund additional preclinical and regulatory activities for our other product candidates; and for working capital and other general corporate purposes and pursuit of our other research and development efforts.

 

See the "Use of Proceeds" section on page S-8 of this prospectus supplement for more information.

Risk Factors

 

You should read the "Risk Factors" on page S-7 of this prospectus supplement, as well as those risk factors that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, for a discussion of factors to consider carefully before deciding to invest in shares of our common stock.

Nasdaq Global Market symbol

 

"OCUL"

The number of shares of our common stock to be outstanding after this offering is based on 53,364,261 shares of our common stock outstanding as of April 30, 2020.

The number of shares of our common stock to be outstanding after this offering excludes:

    §
    9,268,896 shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of stock options outstanding as of April 30, 2020, at a weighted average exercise price of $6.26 per share;

    §
    900,710 additional shares of our common stock available for future issuance as of April 30, 2020 under our 2014 Stock Incentive Plan;

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    §
    446,000 additional shares of our common stock available for future issuance as of April 30, 2020 under our 2019 Inducement Stock Incentive Plan;

    §
    685,369 shares of our common stock available for future issuance as of April 30, 2020 under our 2014 Employee Stock Purchase Plan;

    §
    18,939 shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants outstanding as of April 30, 2020 held by lenders under our current and prior credit facilities, at a weighted average exercise price of $7.92 per share; and

    §
    5,769,232 shares of our common stock issuable as of April 30, 2020 upon the conversion of the unsecured senior subordinated convertible notes issued and sold by us on March 1, 2019, or the convertible notes.

Unless otherwise indicated, all information in this prospectus supplement assumes:

    §
    no exercise of the outstanding options described above;

    §
    no exercise of the warrants held by lenders under our current and prior credit facilities;

    §
    no conversion of the convertible notes; and

    §
    no exercise by the underwriters of their option to purchase up to                     additional shares of our common stock.

In addition, the disclosure above does not reflect the approximately $1.2 million of shares of our common stock that remained available for sale as of April 30, 2020 under our open market sale agreement with Jefferies LLC, pursuant to which we may sell shares of our common stock from time to time, subject to the lockup restrictions described under "Underwriting."

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RISK FACTORS

Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below, together with all of the other information contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and in our filings with the SEC that we have incorporated by reference herein and therein. If any of these risks actually occur, our business, prospects, operating results and financial condition could suffer materially. In such event, the trading price of our common stock could decline and you might lose all or part of your investment.

Risks Related to this Offering

Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the public market could cause our stock price to fall.

Shares of common stock that are either subject to outstanding options or reserved for future issuance under our stock incentive plans will become eligible for sale in the public market to the extent permitted by the provisions of various vesting schedules and Rule 144 and Rule 701 under the Securities Act, and, in any event, we have filed registration statements permitting shares of common stock issued on exercise of options to be freely sold in the public market. Additionally, in March 2019, we issued and sold unsecured senior subordinated convertible notes that are convertible, subject to certain conditions, into common stock. We have filed a registration statement permitting shares of common stock issued upon the conversion of the notes, and additional outstanding shares held by the holders of the convertible notes, to be freely sold in the public market. If these additional shares of common stock are sold, or if it is perceived that they will be sold, in the public market, the trading price of our common stock could decline.

As of the date of this prospectus supplement, upon request of the holders of our unsecured senior subordinated convertible notes, we have filed a registration statement covering the shares underlying the convertible notes. Any sales of securities by these stockholders could have a material adverse effect on the trading price of our common stock.

We have broad discretion in the use of our available cash and cash equivalents, including the net proceeds from this offering, and may not use them effectively.

Our management has broad discretion in the use of our available cash and cash equivalents, including the net proceeds from this offering, and could spend those resources in ways that do not improve our results of operations or enhance the value of our common stock. The failure by our management to apply these funds effectively could result in financial losses that could cause the price of our common stock to decline and delay the development of our product candidates. Pending their use, we may invest our available cash and cash equivalents, including the net proceeds from this offering, in a manner that does not produce income or that loses value.

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

The public offering price of our common stock in this offering is substantially higher than the net tangible book value per share of our outstanding common stock. Therefore, if you purchase shares of our common stock in this offering, you will pay a price per share that substantially exceeds our net tangible book value per share after this offering. Based on a public offering price of $               per share, you will experience substantial and immediate dilution of $               per share, representing the difference between our as adjusted net tangible book value per share after giving effect to this offering and the public offering price. To the extent outstanding options or warrants are exercised or the convertible notes are converted, or if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares of our common stock, you may incur further dilution of your investment.

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USE OF PROCEEDS

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

As of March 31, 2020, we had cash and cash equivalents of $48.2 million. We expect to use the net proceeds from this offering, together with our existing cash and cash equivalents, to fund the clinical development of OTX-TIC, OTX-TKI and OTX-CSI; to fund the ongoing commercial launch of DEXTENZA; to fund the anticipated sNDA filing for DEXTENZA to include the treatment of ocular itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis as an additional approved indication; to fund pediatric studies for DEXTENZA for the treatment of post-surgical ocular inflammation and pain following cataract surgery; to fund additional preclinical and regulatory activities for our other product candidates; and for working capital and other general corporate purposes and pursuit of our other research and development efforts.

This expected use of the net proceeds from this offering, together with our existing cash and cash equivalents, represents our intentions based upon our current plans and business conditions, which could change in the future as our plans and business conditions evolve. The amounts and timing of our actual expenditures may vary significantly depending on numerous factors, including the progress of our development, the status of and results from our clinical trials, the timing of regulatory submissions and the outcome of regulatory reviews, as well as any collaborations that we may enter into with third parties for our product candidates, and any unforeseen cash needs. As a result, our management will retain broad discretion over the allocation of the net proceeds from this offering. We have no current agreements, commitments or understandings for any material acquisitions or licenses of any third-party products, businesses or technologies.

Based on current plans, including related estimates of anticipated cash inflows from DEXTENZA and ReSure Sealant product sales and cash outflows from operating expenses, we believe that the net proceeds from this offering, together with our existing cash and cash equivalents, will enable us to fund planned operating expenses, debt service obligations and capital expenditure requirements into the third quarter of 2021. This estimate is subject to various assumptions, including those related to the severity and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, an expected rebound in cataract surgeries beginning in the third quarter of 2020, the revenues and expenses associated with the commercialization of DEXTENZA, variable expense reductions, the pace of our research and clinical development programs, and other aspects of our business. While it is difficult to predict the extent or duration of the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic on future financial results, the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted, and is expected to continue to adversely affect, our operations and has significantly affected our revenue in the second quarter of 2020. We have based our estimate on assumptions that may prove to be wrong, and we could use our capital resources sooner than we currently expect. See "Risk Factors" on page S-7 of this prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated by reference herein for a discussion of the risks affecting our business that could have an adverse effect on our available capital resources.

Pending our use of the net proceeds from this offering, we intend to invest the net proceeds in a variety of capital preservation investments, including short-term, investment-grade, interest-bearing instruments and U.S. government securities.

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DIVIDEND POLICY

We have never declared or paid cash dividends on our common stock. We currently intend to retain all of our future earnings, if any, to finance the growth and development of our business. We do not intend to pay cash dividends in respect of our common stock in the foreseeable future. In addition, the terms of our existing credit facility with MidCap Financial Trust, as agent, and the lenders thereto preclude us from paying cash dividends without the express written consent of certain of our lenders, as specified in our third amended and restated credit agreement, as amended to date.

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CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth our cash and cash equivalents and our capitalization as of March 31, 2020:

    §
    on an actual basis;

    §
    on an as adjusted basis to give effect to our issuance and sale of                    shares of our common stock in this offering at the public offering price of $               per share, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

You should read the following table together with our financial statements and related notes included in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, each of which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.


 
  As of March 31, 2020  
 
  Actual   As Adjusted  
 
  (in thousands, except share and per share data)
 

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 48,152   $    

Long-term debt, net of discount, including current portion

  $ 50,360   $ 50,360  

Stockholders' equity:

             

Common stock, $0.0001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized, actual and as adjusted; 53,037,703 shares issued and outstanding, actual; shares issued and outstanding, as adjusted

    5        

Additional paid-in capital

    394,463        

Accumulated deficit

    (405,127 )   (405,127 )

Total stockholders' deficit

    (10,659 )      

Total capitalization

  $ 39,701   $    

The table above is based on 53,037,703 shares of common stock outstanding as of March 31, 2020, and does not include:

    §
    9,292,354 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 $6.26 per share;

    §
    877,252 additional shares of our common stock available for future issuance as of March 31, 2020 under our 2014 Stock Incentive Plan;

    §
    446,000 additional shares of our common stock available for future issuance as of March 31, 2020 under our 2019 Inducement Stock Incentive Plan;

    §
    685,369 shares of our common stock available for future issuance as of March 31, 2020 under our 2014 Employee Stock Purchase Plan;

    §
    18,939 shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants outstanding as of March 31, 2020 held by lenders under our current and prior credit facilities, at a weighted average exercise price of $7.92 per share;

    §
    5,769,232 shares of our common stock issuable as of March 31, 2020 upon the conversion of the convertible notes; and

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    §
    326,558 shares of our common stock subsequently sold pursuant to our controlled equity offering sales agreement, as described below.

On April 5, 2019, we entered into an open market sale agreement with Jefferies LLC, pursuant to which we may issue and sell shares of our common stock from time to time having an aggregate sales price of up to $50.0 million. Shares sold pursuant to the sales agreement have been sold pursuant to our effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-229085). As of the date hereof, we have sold 10,321,840 shares for aggregate net proceeds of $47.0 million, after underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses payable by us pursuant to the sales agreement, including 326,558 shares sold subsequent to March 31, 2020.

The as adjusted information discussed above will be based on the number of shares, the offering price and other terms determined at pricing of this offering.

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DILUTION

If you invest in our common stock in this offering, your ownership interest will be diluted immediately to the extent of the difference between the price you pay 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 historical net tangible book value (deficit) as of March 31, 2020 was $(10.7) million, or $(0.20) per share of our common stock. Our historical net tangible book value (deficit) is the amount of our total tangible assets less our total liabilities. Historical net tangible book value (deficit) per share represents our historical net tangible book value divided by the 53,037,703 shares of our common stock outstanding as of March 31, 2020.

After giving effect to our issuance and sale of                    shares of our common stock in this offering at the public offering price of $               per share, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, our as adjusted net tangible book value as of March 31, 2020, would have been $                million, or $               per share based upon                    shares outstanding. This represents an immediate increase in as adjusted net tangible book value per share of $               to existing stockholders and immediate dilution of $               in as adjusted net tangible book value per share to new investors purchasing common stock in this offering. Dilution per share to new investors is determined by subtracting as adjusted net tangible book value per share after this offering from the public offering price per share paid by new investors. The following table illustrates this dilution on a per share basis:


Public offering price per share

        $    

Historical net tangible book value (deficit) per share as of March 31, 2020

  $ (0.20 )      

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

             

As adjusted net tangible book value per share after this offering

             

Dilution per share to new investors purchasing common stock in this offering

        $    

The table above is based on 53,037,703 shares of common stock outstanding as of March 31, 2020, and does not include:

    §
    9,292,354 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 $6.26 per share;

    §
    877,252 additional shares of our common stock available for future issuance as of March 31, 2020 under our 2014 Stock Incentive Plan;

    §
    446,000 additional shares of our common stock available for future issuance as of March 31, 2020 under our 2019 Inducement Stock Incentive Plan;

    §
    685,369 shares of our common stock available for future issuance as of March 31, 2020 under our 2014 Employee Stock Purchase Plan

    §
    18,939 shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants outstanding as of March 31, 2020 held by lenders under our current and prior credit facilities, at a weighted average exercise price of $7.92 per share;

    §
    5,769,232 shares of our common stock issuable as of March 31, 2020 upon the conversion of the convertible notes; and

    §
    326,558 shares of our common stock subsequently sold pursuant to our open market sale agreement with Jefferies LLC.

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If any additional shares are issued in connection with the exercise of options or warrants or the conversion of the convertible notes, or if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares of our common stock, you may experience further dilution.

The as adjusted information discussed above will be based on the number of shares, the offering price and other terms determined at pricing of this offering.

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MATERIAL U.S. TAX CONSIDERATIONS FOR NON-U.S. HOLDERS OF COMMON STOCK

The following is a discussion of the material U.S. federal income and estate tax considerations relating to the ownership and disposition of shares of our common stock purchased in this offering by a non-U.S. holder. For purposes of this discussion, the term "non-U.S. holder" means a beneficial owner (other than a partnership or other pass-through entity) of our common stock that is not, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

    §
    an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;

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

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

    §
    a trust, if a U.S. court is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more U.S. persons has authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or if the trust has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.

This discussion is based on current provisions of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, which we refer to as the Code, existing and proposed U.S. Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, current administrative rulings and judicial decisions, all as in effect as of the date of this prospectus supplement and all of which are subject to change or to differing interpretation, possibly with retroactive effect. Any change or differing interpretation could alter the tax consequences to non-U.S. holders described in this prospectus supplement. In addition, there can be no assurance that the Internal Revenue Service, or the IRS, will not challenge one or more of the tax consequences described in this prospectus supplement.

This discussion addresses only non-U.S. holders that hold shares of our common stock as a capital asset (generally, property held for investment). This discussion does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income and estate taxation that may be relevant to a particular non-U.S. holder in light of that non-U.S. holder's individual circumstances, nor does it address any aspects of U.S. state, local or non-U.S. taxes, the alternative minimum tax, or the Medicare tax on net investment income. This discussion also does not consider any specific facts or circumstances that may apply to a non-U.S. holder and does not address the special tax rules applicable to particular non-U.S. holders, such as:

    §
    insurance companies;

    §
    tax-exempt organizations;

    §
    financial institutions;

    §
    brokers or dealers in securities;

    §
    pension plans;

    §
    controlled foreign corporations;

    §
    passive foreign investment companies;

    §
    owners that hold our common stock as part of a straddle, hedge, conversion transaction, synthetic security or other integrated investment; and

    §
    certain U.S. expatriates.

In addition, this discussion does not address the tax treatment of partnerships or other entities that are pass-through entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes or persons who hold our common stock through partnerships or such other pass-through entities. A partner in a partnership or other pass-through entity that will hold our common stock should consult his, her or its own tax advisor regarding the tax consequences of acquiring, holding and disposing of our common stock through a partnership or other pass-through entity, as applicable.

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PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS REGARDING THE U.S. FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL AND NON-U.S. INCOME AND OTHER TAX CONSIDERATIONS OF ACQUIRING, HOLDING AND DISPOSING OF OUR COMMON STOCK.

Distributions

As discussed under the heading "Dividend Policy" above, we do not currently expect to make distributions in respect of our common stock. If we make distributions in respect of our common stock, those distributions generally 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. If a distribution exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits, the excess will be treated as a tax-free return of the non-U.S. holder's investment, up to such holder's tax basis in the common stock. Any remaining excess will be treated as capital gain, subject to the tax treatment described below under the heading "Gain on Disposition of Common Stock."

Dividends paid to a non-U.S. holder generally will be subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a 30% rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty between the United States and such holder's country of residence. A non-U.S. holder of our common stock who claims the benefit of an applicable income tax treaty between the United States and such holder's country of residence generally will be required to provide a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E (or successor form) and satisfy applicable certification and other requirements. A non-U.S. holder that is eligible for a reduced rate of U.S. withholding tax under an income tax treaty may obtain a refund or credit of any excess amounts withheld by timely filing an appropriate claim with the IRS. Non-U.S. holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding their entitlement to benefits under a relevant income tax treaty.

Dividends that are treated as effectively connected with a trade or business conducted by a non-U.S. holder within the United States and, if an applicable income tax treaty so provides, that are attributable to a permanent establishment or a fixed base maintained by the non-U.S. holder within the United States, are generally exempt from the 30% withholding tax if the non-U.S. holder satisfies applicable certification and disclosure requirements. However, such U.S. effectively connected income is taxed on a net income basis at the same U.S. federal income tax rates applicable to United States persons (as defined in the Code). Any U.S. effectively connected income received by a non-U.S. holder that is a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes may also, under certain circumstances, be subject to an additional "branch profits tax" at a 30% rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty between the United States and such holder's country of residence.

Gain on Disposition of Common Stock

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

    §
    the gain is effectively connected with the non-U.S. holder's conduct of a trade or business in the United States, and, if an applicable income tax treaty so provides, the gain is attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base maintained by the non-U.S. holder in the United States; in these cases, the non-U.S. holder will be taxed on a net income basis at the same U.S. federal income tax rates applicable to United States persons (as defined in the Code), and, if the non-U.S. holder is a foreign corporation, an additional branch profits tax at a rate of 30% (or a lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty between the United States and such holder's country of residence) may also apply;

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    §
    the non-U.S. holder is a non-resident alien present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of the disposition and certain other requirements are met, in which case the non-U.S. holder will be subject to a 30% tax (or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty between the United States and such holder's country of residence) on the net gain derived from the disposition, which may be offset by U.S.-source capital losses of the non-U.S. holder, if any; or

    §
    we are, or have been, at any time during the five-year period preceding such disposition (or the non-U.S. holder's holding period, if shorter) a "U.S. real property holding corporation," unless our common stock is regularly traded on an established securities market and the non-U.S. holder held no more than 5% of our outstanding common stock, directly or indirectly, during the shorter of the five-year period ending on the date of the disposition or the period that the non-U.S. holder held our common stock. If we are determined to be a U.S. real property holding corporation and the foregoing exception does not apply, then the non-U.S. holder generally will be taxed on its net gain derived from the disposition at the U.S. federal income tax rates applicable to United States persons (as defined in the Code). Generally, a corporation is a "U.S. real property holding corporation" if the fair market value of its "U.S. real property interests" (as defined in the Code and applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations) equals or exceeds 50% of the sum of the fair market value of its worldwide real property interests plus its other assets used or held for use in a trade or business. Although there can be no assurance, we do not believe that we are, or have been, a "U.S. real property holding corporation" for U.S. federal income tax purposes or that we are likely to become one in the future. No assurance can be provided that our common stock will continue to be regularly traded on an established securities market for purposes of the rules described above.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

We must report annually to the IRS and to each non-U.S. holder the gross amount of the distributions on our common stock paid to such holder and the tax withheld, if any, with respect to such distributions. Non-U.S. holders may have to comply with specific certification procedures to establish that the holder is not a U.S. person (as defined in the Code) in order to avoid backup withholding at the applicable rate with respect to dividends on our common stock. Generally, a non-U.S. holder will comply with such procedures if it provides a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E (or other applicable Form W-8), or otherwise meets documentary evidence requirements for establishing that it is a non-U.S. holder, or otherwise establishes an exemption. Dividends paid to non-U.S. holders subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax, as described above under the heading "Distributions," will generally be exempt from U.S. backup withholding.

Information reporting and backup withholding generally will apply to the proceeds of a disposition of our common stock by a non-U.S. holder effected by or through the U.S. office of any broker, U.S. or non-U.S., unless the holder certifies its status as a non-U.S. holder and satisfies certain other requirements, or otherwise establishes an exemption. Generally, information reporting and backup withholding will not apply to a payment of disposition proceeds to a non-U.S. holder where the transaction is effected outside the United States through a non-U.S. office of a broker. However, for information reporting purposes, dispositions effected through a non-U.S. office of a broker with substantial U.S. ownership or operations generally will be treated in a manner similar to dispositions effected through a U.S. office of a broker. Non-U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the application of the information reporting and backup withholding rules to them.

Copies of information returns may be made available to the tax authorities of the country in which the non-U.S. holder resides or is incorporated under the provisions of a specific treaty or agreement.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules from a payment to a non-U.S. holder can be refunded or credited against the non-U.S. holder's U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, provided that an appropriate claim is timely filed with the IRS.

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FATCA

Provisions of the Code commonly referred to as the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, or FATCA, generally impose a 30% withholding tax on dividends on, and gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of, our common stock if paid to a foreign entity unless (i) if the foreign entity is a "foreign financial institution," the foreign entity undertakes certain due diligence, reporting, withholding, and certification obligations, (ii) if the foreign entity is not a "foreign financial institution," the foreign entity identifies certain of its U.S. investors, or (iii) the foreign entity is otherwise excepted under FATCA.

Withholding under FATCA generally applies to payments of dividends on our common stock. While withholding under FATCA may apply to payments of gross proceeds from a sale or other disposition of our common stock, under proposed U.S. Treasury Regulations, withholding on payments of gross proceeds is not required. Although such regulations are not final, applicable withholding agents may rely on the proposed regulations until final regulations are issued.

If withholding under FATCA is required on any payment related to our common stock, investors not otherwise subject to withholding (or that otherwise would be entitled to a reduced rate of withholding) on such payment may be required to seek a refund or credit from the IRS. An intergovernmental agreement between the United States and an applicable foreign country may modify the requirements described in this section. Non-U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the possible implications of FATCA on their investment in our common stock and the entities through which they hold our common stock.

U.S. Federal Estate Tax

Shares of our common stock owned or treated as owned by an individual who is a non-U.S. holder (as specially defined for U.S. federal estate tax purposes) at the time of death will be included in the individual's gross estate for U.S. federal estate tax purposes and, therefore, may be subject to U.S. federal estate tax, unless an applicable estate tax or other treaty provides otherwise.

The preceding discussion of material U.S. federal tax considerations is for information only. It is not tax advice. Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisors regarding the particular U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. tax consequences of acquiring, holding and disposing of our common stock, including the consequences of any proposed changes in applicable laws.

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UNDERWRITING

Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the underwriting agreement, among us and Jefferies LLC and Piper Sandler & Co., as the representatives of the underwriters named below and the joint book-running managers of this offering, we have agreed to sell to the underwriters, and each of the underwriters has agreed, severally and not jointly, to purchase from us, the respective number of shares of common stock shown opposite its name below:


Underwriter
  Number of Shares  

Jefferies LLC

       

Piper Sandler & Co. 

       

Total

       

The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the several underwriters are subject to certain conditions precedent such as the receipt by the underwriters of officers' certificates and legal opinions and approval of certain legal matters by their counsel. The underwriting agreement provides that the underwriters will purchase all of the shares of common stock if any of them are purchased. If an underwriter defaults, the underwriting agreement provides that the purchase commitments of the nondefaulting underwriters may be increased or the underwriting agreement may be terminated. We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters and certain of their controlling persons against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and to contribute to payments that the underwriters may be required to make in respect of those liabilities.

The underwriters have advised us that, following the completion of this offering, they currently intend to make a market in the common stock as permitted by applicable laws and regulations. However, the underwriters are not obligated to do so, and the underwriters may discontinue any market-making activities at any time without notice in their sole discretion. Accordingly, no assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the trading market for the common stock, that you will be able to sell any of the common stock held by you at a particular time or that the prices that you receive when you sell will be favorable.

The underwriters are offering the shares of common stock subject to their acceptance of the shares of common stock from us and subject to prior sale. The underwriters reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or modify offers to the public and to reject orders in whole or in part.

Commission and Expenses

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 $               per share of common stock. The underwriters may allow, and certain dealers may reallow, a discount from the concession not in excess of $               per share of common stock to certain brokers and dealers. After the offering, the public offering price, concession and reallowance to dealers may be reduced by the representatives. No such reduction will change the amount of proceeds to be received by us as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement.

The following table shows the public offering price, the underwriting discounts and commissions that we are to pay the underwriters and the proceeds, before expenses, to us in connection with this offering. Such amounts are shown assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters' option to purchase additional shares.

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  Per Share   Total  
 
  Without
Option to
Purchase
Additional
Shares
  With
Option to
Purchase
Additional
Shares
  Without
Option to
Purchase
Additional
Shares
  With
Option to
Purchase
Additional
Shares
 

Public offering price

  $                   $                   $                   $                  

Underwriting discounts and commissions paid by us

  $                   $                   $                   $                  

Proceeds to us, before expenses

  $                   $                   $                   $                  

We estimate expenses payable by us in connection with this offering, other than the underwriting discounts and commissions referred to above, will be approximately $440,000. We have agreed to reimburse the underwriters for certain expenses related to Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. matters and the qualification of the securities offered by this prospectus supplement under applicable state and foreign securities laws, in an amount up to $30,000. In accordance with Rule 5110, reimbursed fees are deemed underwriting compensation for this offering.

Listing

Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Global Market under the trading symbol "OCUL".

Option to Purchase Additional Shares

We have granted to the underwriters an option, exercisable for 30 days from the date of this prospectus supplement, to purchase, from time to time, in whole or in part, up to an aggregate of                    shares from us at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement, less underwriting discounts and commissions. If the underwriters exercise this option, each underwriter will be obligated, subject to specified conditions, to purchase a number of additional shares proportionate to that underwriter's initial purchase commitment as indicated in the table above.

No Sales of Similar Securities

We, our executive officers, directors and a holder of our outstanding capital stock have agreed, subject to specified exceptions, not to directly or indirectly:

    §
    sell, offer, contract or grant any option to sell (including any short sale), pledge, transfer, establish an open "put equivalent position" within the meaning of Rule 16a-l(h) under the Exchange Act, or

    §
    otherwise dispose of any shares of common stock, options or warrants to acquire shares of common stock, or securities exchangeable or exercisable for or convertible into shares of common stock currently or hereafter owned either of record or beneficially, or

    §
    publicly announce an intention to do any of the foregoing for a period of 90 days after the date of this prospectus supplement without the prior written consent from the representatives.

This restriction terminates after the close of trading of the common stock on and including the 90th day after the date of this prospectus supplement.

The representatives may, in their sole discretion and at any time or from time to time before the termination of the 90-day period release all or any portion of the securities subject to lock-up agreements. There are no existing agreements between the underwriters and any of our shareholders who will execute a lock-up agreement, providing consent to the sale of shares prior to the expiration of the lock-up period.

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Stabilization

The underwriters have advised us that they, pursuant to Regulation M under the Exchange Act, certain persons participating in the offering may engage in short sale transactions, stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions or the imposition of penalty bids in connection with this offering. These activities may have the effect of stabilizing or maintaining the market price of the common stock at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. Establishing short sales positions may involve either "covered" short sales or "naked" short sales.

"Covered" short sales are sales made in an amount not greater than the underwriters' option to purchase additional shares of our common stock in this offering. The underwriters may close out any covered short position by either exercising their option to purchase additional shares of our common stock or purchasing shares of our common stock in the open market. In determining the source of shares to close out the covered short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of shares available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase shares through the option to purchase additional shares.

"Naked" short sales are sales in excess of the option to purchase additional shares of our common stock. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing shares in the open market. 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 shares of our common stock in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in this offering.

A stabilizing bid is a bid for the purchase of shares of common stock on behalf of the underwriters for the purpose of fixing or maintaining the price of the common stock. A syndicate covering transaction is the bid for or the purchase of shares of common stock on behalf of the underwriters to reduce a short position incurred by the underwriters in connection with the offering. Similar to other purchase transactions, the underwriter's purchases to cover the syndicate short sales may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our common stock or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of our common stock. As a result, the price of our common stock may be higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the open market. A penalty bid is an arrangement permitting the underwriters to reclaim the selling concession otherwise accruing to a syndicate member in connection with the offering if the common stock originally sold by such syndicate member are purchased in a syndicate covering transaction and therefore have not been effectively placed by such syndicate member.

Neither we nor any of the underwriters make any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of our common stock. The underwriters are not obligated to engage in these activities and, if commenced, any of the activities may be discontinued at any time.

The underwriters may also engage in passive market making transactions in our common stock on the Nasdaq Global Market in accordance with Rule 103 of Regulation M during a period before the commencement of offers or sales of shares of our common stock in this offering and extending through the completion of distribution. A passive market maker must display its bid at a price not in excess of the highest independent bid of that security. However, if all independent bids are lowered below the passive market maker's bid, that bid must then be lowered when specified purchase limits are exceeded.

Electronic Distribution

A prospectus in electronic format may be made available by e-mail or through online services maintained by one or more of the underwriters or their affiliates. In those cases, prospective investors may view offering terms online and may be allowed to place orders online. The underwriters may agree with us to allocate a specific number of shares of common stock for sale to online brokerage account holders. Any such allocation for online distributions will be made by the underwriters on the same basis as other allocations.

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Other than the prospectus in electronic format, the information on the underwriters' web sites and any information contained in any other web site maintained by any of the underwriters is not part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying base prospectus, has not been approved and/or endorsed by us or the underwriters and should not be relied upon by investors.

Other Activities and Relationships

The underwriters and certain of their respective affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, financing and brokerage activities. The underwriters and certain of their respective affiliates have, from time to time, performed, and may in the future perform, various commercial and investment banking and financial advisory services for us and our affiliates, for which they received or will receive customary fees and expenses.

In the ordinary course of their various business activities, the underwriters and certain of their respective affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers, and such investment and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments issued by us and our affiliates. If the underwriters or their respective affiliates have a lending relationship with us, they routinely hedge their credit exposure to us consistent with their customary risk management policies. The underwriters and their respective affiliates may hedge such exposure by entering into transactions which consist of either the purchase of credit default swaps or the creation of short positions in our securities or the securities of our affiliates, including potentially the common stock offered hereby. Any such short positions could adversely affect future trading prices of the common stock offered hereby. The underwriters and certain of 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 securities or instruments and may at any time hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.

Disclaimers About Non-U.S. Jurisdictions

Canada

(A)
Resale Restrictions

The distribution of securities in Canada is being made only in the provinces of Ontario, Quebec, Alberta and British Columbia on a private placement basis exempt from the requirement that we prepare and file a prospectus with the securities regulatory authorities in each province where trades of these securities are made. Any resale of the securities in Canada must be made under applicable securities laws which may vary depending on the relevant jurisdiction, and which may require resales to be made under available statutory exemptions or under a discretionary exemption granted by the applicable Canadian securities regulatory authority. Purchasers are advised to seek legal advice prior to any resale of the securities.

(B)
Representations of Canadian Purchasers

By purchasing securities in Canada and accepting delivery of a purchase confirmation, a purchaser is representing to us and the dealer from whom the purchase confirmation is received that:

    §
    the purchaser is entitled under applicable provincial securities laws to purchase the securities without the benefit of a prospectus qualified under those securities laws as it is an "accredited investor" as defined under National Instrument 45-106 — Prospectus Exemptions,

    §
    the purchaser is a "permitted client" as defined in National Instrument 31-103 — Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations,

    §
    where required by law, the purchaser is purchasing as principal and not as agent, and

    §
    the purchaser has reviewed the text above under Resale Restrictions.

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(C)
Conflicts of Interest

Canadian purchasers are hereby notified that Jefferies LLC and Piper Sandler & Co. are relying on the exemption set out in section 3A.3 or 3A.4, if applicable, of National Instrument 33-105 — Underwriting Conflicts from having to provide certain conflict of interest disclosure in this document.

(D)
Statutory Rights of Action

Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if the offering memorandum (including any amendment thereto) such as this document 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 of these securities in Canada 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.

(E)
Enforcement of Legal Rights

All of our directors and officers as well as the experts named herein may be located outside of Canada and, as a result, it may not be possible for Canadian purchasers to effect service of process within Canada upon us or those persons. All or a substantial portion of our assets and the assets of those persons may be located outside of Canada and, as a result, it may not be possible to satisfy a judgment against us or those persons in Canada or to enforce a judgment obtained in Canadian courts against us or those persons outside of Canada.

(F)
Taxation and Eligibility for Investment

Canadian purchasers of the securities should consult their own legal and tax advisors with respect to the tax consequences of an investment in the securities in their particular circumstances and about the eligibility of the securities for investment by the purchaser under relevant Canadian legislation.

Australia

This prospectus is not a disclosure document for the purposes of Australia's Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) of Australia, or Corporations Act, has not been lodged with the Australian Securities & Investments Commission and is only directed to the categories of exempt persons set out below. Accordingly, if you receive this prospectus in Australia:

    A. You confirm and warrant that you are either:

      a "sophisticated investor" under section 708(8)(a) or (b) of the Corporations Act;

      a "sophisticated investor" under section 708(8)(c) or (d) of the Corporations Act and that you have provided an accountant's certificate to the Company which complies with the requirements of section 708(8)(c)(i) or (ii) of the Corporations Act and related regulations before the offer has been made;

      a person associated with the Company under Section 708(12) of the Corporations Act; or

      a "professional investor" within the meaning of section 708(11)(a) or (b) of the Corporations Act.

To the extent that you are unable to confirm or warrant that you are an exempt sophisticated investor, associated person or professional investor under the Corporations Act any offer made to you under this prospectus is void and incapable of acceptance.

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    B. You warrant and agree that you will not offer any of the securities issued to you pursuant to this prospectus for resale in Australia within 12 months of those securities being issued unless any such resale offer is exempt from the requirement to issue a disclosure document under section 708 of the Corporations Act.

European Economic Area

In relation to each member state of the European Economic Area (each, an "EEA Member State"), an offer to the public of any securities which are the subject of the offering contemplated by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus may not be made in that EEA Member State except that an offer to the public in that EEA Member State of any securities may be made at any time under the following exemptions under the Prospectus Regulation:

    (a)  to any legal entity which is a "qualified investor" as defined in the Prospectus Regulation;

    (b)  to fewer than 150 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Regulation), as permitted under the Prospectus Regulation, subject to obtaining the prior consent of the underwriters or the underwriters nominated by us for any such offer; or

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

provided that no such offer of securities shall require us or any of the underwriters to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Regulation or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 23 of the Prospectus Regulation.

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

MiFID II Product Governance

Any distributor subject to MiFID II that is offering, selling or recommending the securities is responsible for undertaking its own target market assessment in respect of the securities and determining its own distribution channels for the purposes of the MiFID product governance rules under Commission Delegated Directive (EU) 2017/593 ("Delegated Directive"). Neither the Issuers nor the underwriters make any representations or warranties as to a distributor's compliance with the Delegated Directive.

Hong Kong

No securities have been offered or sold, and no securities may be offered or sold, in Hong Kong, by means of any document, other than to persons whose ordinary business is to buy or sell shares or debentures, whether as principal or agent; or to "professional investors" as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571) of Hong Kong ("SFO") and any rules made under that Ordinance; or in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a "prospectus" as defined in the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32) of Hong Kong ("CO") or which do not constitute an offer or invitation to the public for the purpose of the CO or the SFO. No document, invitation or advertisement relating to the securities has been issued or 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 of Hong Kong (except if permitted under the securities laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to securities which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to "professional investors" as defined in the SFO and any rules made under that Ordinance.

This prospectus has not been registered with the Registrar of Companies in Hong Kong. Accordingly, this prospectus may not be issued, circulated or distributed in Hong Kong, and the securities may not be offered for subscription to members of the public in Hong Kong. Each person acquiring the securities will be required, and is deemed by the acquisition of the securities, to confirm that he is aware of the restriction

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on offers of the securities described in this prospectus and the relevant offering documents and that he is not acquiring, and has not been offered any securities in circumstances that contravene any such restrictions.

Israel

This document does not constitute a prospectus under the Israeli Securities Law, 5728-1968, or the Securities Law, and has not been filed with or approved by the Israel Securities Authority. In Israel, this prospectus is being distributed only to, and is directed only at, and any offer of the shares of common stock is directed only at, (i) a limited number of persons in accordance with the Israeli Securities Law and (ii) investors listed in the first addendum, or the Addendum, to the Israeli Securities Law, consisting primarily of joint investment in trust funds, provident funds, insurance companies, banks, portfolio managers, investment advisors, members of the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, underwriters, venture capital funds, entities with equity in excess of NIS 50 million and "qualified individuals," each as defined in the Addendum (as it may be amended from time to time), collectively referred to as qualified investors (in each case, purchasing for their own account or, where permitted under the Addendum, for the accounts of their clients who are investors listed in the Addendum). Qualified investors are required to submit written confirmation that they fall within the scope of the Addendum, are aware of the meaning of same and agree to it.

Japan

The offering has not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan (Law No. 25 of 1948 of Japan, as amended), or FIEL, and the Initial Purchaser 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, or for the benefit of, any resident of Japan, except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of, and otherwise in compliance with, the FIEL and any other applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines of Japan.

Singapore

This prospectus has not been and will not be lodged or 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 securities may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the securities 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 (the "SFA"), (ii) to a relevant person pursuant to Section 275(1), 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 securities are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 of the SFA by a relevant person which is:

    (a)  a corporation (which is not an accredited investor (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA)) 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 of the trust is an individual who is an accredited investor,

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securities (as defined in Section 239(1) of the SFA) of that corporation or the beneficiaries' rights and interest (howsoever described) in that trust shall not be transferred within six months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the securities pursuant to an offer made under Section 275 of the SFA except:

    (I)   to an institutional investor or to a relevant person defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA, or to any person arising from an offer referred to in Section 275(1A) or Section 276(4)(i)(B) of the SFA;

    (ii)  where no consideration is or will be given for the transfer;

    (iii)  where the transfer is by operation of law;

    (iv)  as specified in Section 276(7) of the SFA; or

    (v) as specified in Regulation 32 of the Securities and Futures (Offers of Investments) (Shares and Debentures) Regulations 2005 of Singapore.

Switzerland

The securities may not be publicly offered in Switzerland and will not be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange ("SIX") or on any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. This prospectus has been prepared without regard to the disclosure standards for issuance prospectuses under art. 652a or art. 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations or the disclosure standards for listing prospectuses under art. 27 ff. of the SIX Listing Rules or the listing rules of any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. Neither this prospectus nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the securities or the offering may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland.

Neither this prospectus nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the offering, the Company or the securities have been or will be filed with or approved by any Swiss regulatory authority. In particular, this prospectus will not be filed with, and the offer of securities will not be supervised by, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA, and the offer of securities has not been and will not be authorized under the Swiss Federal Act on Collective Investment Schemes ("CISA"). The investor protection afforded to acquirers of interests in collective investment schemes under the CISA does not extend to acquirers of securities.

United Kingdom

This prospectus is only being distributed to, and is only directed at, persons in the United Kingdom that are qualified investors within the meaning of Article 2(1)(e) of the Prospectus Directive that are also (i) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the "Order") and/or (ii) high net worth entities falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order and other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated (each such person being referred to as a "relevant person").

This prospectus and its contents are confidential and should not be distributed, published or reproduced (in whole or in part) or disclosed by recipients to any other persons in the United Kingdom. Any person in the United Kingdom that is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this document or any of its contents.

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LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the shares of common stock offered hereby is being passed upon for us by Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP. Ropes & Gray LLP is acting as counsel for the underwriters in connection with this offering.

EXPERTS

The financial statements and management's assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (which is included in Management's Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting) incorporated in this prospectus supplement by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, have been so incorporated in reliance on the report (which contains an explanatory paragraph relating to the Company's ability to continue as a going concern as described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements) of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of certain information filed by us with the SEC are also available on our website at http://www.ocutx.com. Our website is not a part of this prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus and is not incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement.

This prospectus supplement is part of a registration statement we filed with the SEC. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus omit some information contained in the registration statement in accordance with SEC rules and regulations. You should review the information and exhibits in the registration statement for further information on us and the securities we are offering. Statements in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus concerning any document we filed as an exhibit to the registration statement or that we otherwise filed with the SEC are not intended to be comprehensive and are qualified by reference to these filings. You should review the complete document to evaluate these statements. You can obtain a copy of the registration statement from the SEC's Internet site.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference much of the information we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those publicly available documents. The information that we incorporate by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is considered to be part of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Because we are incorporating by reference future filings with the SEC, those future filings may modify or supersede some of the information included or incorporated in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. This means that you must look at all of the SEC filings that we incorporate by reference to determine if any of the statements in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or in any document previously incorporated by reference have been modified or superseded. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the

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Exchange Act (in each case, other than those documents or the portions of those documents not deemed to be filed), until the offering of the securities under the registration statement is terminated or completed:

You may request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at the following address or telephone number:

Ocular Therapeutix, Inc.
Attn: Chief Financial Officer
24 Crosby Drive
Bedford, MA 01730
(781) 357-4000

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PROSPECTUS

Ocular Therapeutix, Inc.

$200,000,000

of

Debt Securities

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Depositary Shares

Units

Warrants

        We may offer and sell securities from time to time in one or more offerings of up to $200,000,000 in aggregate offering price. This prospectus describes the general terms of these securities and the general manner in which these securities will be offered. We will provide the specific terms of these securities in supplements to this prospectus. The prospectus supplements will also describe the specific manner in which these securities will be offered and may also supplement, update or amend information contained in this document. You should read this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement before you invest.

        We may offer these securities in amounts, at prices and on terms determined at the time of offering. The securities may be sold directly to you, through agents, or through underwriters and dealers. If agents, underwriters or dealers are used to sell the securities, we will name them and describe their compensation in a prospectus supplement.

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

        Investing in these securities involves significant risks. See "Risk Factors" included in any accompanying prospectus supplement and in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus for a discussion of the factors you should carefully consider before deciding to purchase these securities.

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

The date of this prospectus is February 12, 2019



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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

        This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which we refer to as the "SEC," utilizing a "shelf" registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may from time to time sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings for an aggregate initial offering price of up to $200,000,000.

        This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide one or more prospectus supplements that will contain specific information about the terms of the offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read both this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement together with the additional information described under the heading "Where You Can Find More Information" beginning on page 1 of this prospectus.

        We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information different from that contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement or in any related free writing prospectus filed by us with the SEC. We do not take responsibility for, and cannot provide any assurance as to the reliability of, any information other than the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement or in any related free writing prospectus filed by us with the SEC. This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement do not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the securities described in this prospectus or such accompanying prospectus supplement or an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy such securities in any circumstances in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, the documents incorporated by reference and any related free writing prospectus is accurate only as of their respective dates. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed materially since those dates.

        Unless the context otherwise indicates, references in this prospectus to "we," "our" and "us" refer, collectively, to Ocular Therapeutix, Inc., a Delaware corporation.


RISK FACTORS

        Investing in our securities involves significant risks. You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement, including the risk factors set forth in our filings with the SEC that are incorporated by reference herein, before making an investment decision pursuant to this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement relating to a specific offering.

        Our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected by any or all of these risks or by additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial that may adversely affect us in the future.


WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

        We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of certain information filed by us with the SEC are also available on our website at http://www.ocutx.com. Our website is not a part of this prospectus and is not incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

        This prospectus is part of a registration statement we filed with the SEC. This prospectus omits some information contained in the registration statement in accordance with SEC rules and regulations. You should review the information and exhibits in the registration statement for further information about us and the securities we are offering. Statements in this prospectus concerning any document we

1


filed as an exhibit to the registration statement or that we otherwise filed with the SEC are not intended to be comprehensive and are qualified by reference to these filings. You should review the complete document to evaluate these statements. You can obtain a copy of the registration statement from the SEC's website.


INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

        The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference in this prospectus much of the information we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those publicly available documents. The information that we incorporate by reference in this prospectus is considered to be part of this prospectus. Because we are incorporating by reference future filings with the SEC, this prospectus is continually updated and those future filings may modify or supersede some of the information included or incorporated in this prospectus. This means that you must look at all of the SEC filings that we incorporate by reference to determine if any of the statements in this prospectus or in any document previously incorporated by reference have been modified or superseded. This prospectus incorporates by reference the documents listed below (File No. 001-36554) and any future filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act (in each case, other than those documents or the portions of those documents not deemed to be filed) between the date of the initial registration statement and the effectiveness of the registration statement and following the effectiveness of the registration statement until the offering of the securities under the registration statement is terminated or completed:

        You may request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at the following address or telephone number:

Ocular Therapeutix, Inc.
Attn: Chief Financial Officer
15 Crosby Drive
Bedford, MA 01730
(781) 357-4000

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

        This prospectus and the information incorporated by reference herein include "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, contained in this prospectus and the information incorporated by reference herein, including statements regarding our strategy, future operations, future financial position, future revenues, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management, are forward-looking statements. The words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "might," "plan," "predict," "project," "target," "potential," "goals," "will," "would," "could," "should," "continue" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words.

        The forward-looking statements in this prospectus and the information incorporated by reference herein include, among other things, statements about:

    our plans to develop and commercialize DEXTENZA® and our product candidates based on our proprietary, bioresorbable hydrogel technology platform;

    our ability to manufacture DEXTENZA in compliance with current Good Manufacturing Practices;

    our ability to build and manage a sales, marketing and distribution infrastructure to support the commercialization of DEXTENZA;

    the timing of and our ability to submit applications and obtain and maintain regulatory approvals for DEXTENZA and OTX-TP and our other product candidates, including our planned New Drug Application supplement for DEXTENZA for the treatment of post-surgical ocular inflammation;

    our plans to raise additional capital, including through equity offerings, debt financings, collaborations, strategic alliances, licensing arrangements, royalty agreements and marketing and distribution arrangements;

    our ongoing and planned clinical trials, including our Phase 3 clinical trials of OTX-TP for the treatment of glaucoma and ocular hypertension, our Phase 1 clinical trial of OTX-TIC for the reduction of intraocular pressure in patients with glaucoma and ocular hypertension and our Phase 1 clinical trial of OTX-TKI for the treatment of VEGF-induced retinal leakage for an extended duration;

    our ability to resolve the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warning letter received with respect to ReSure® Sealant on October 18, 2018;

    our commercialization of ReSure Sealant and DEXTENZA;

    the potential advantages of ReSure Sealant, DEXTENZA and our product candidates;

    the rate and degree of market acceptance and clinical utility of our products and our ability to secure reimbursement for our products;

    the preclinical development of our intravitreal depot with protein-based or small molecule drugs, including tyrosine kinase inhibitors, for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration, or wet AMD, and other retinal diseases;

    our strategic collaboration, option and license agreement with Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. under which we are collaborating on the development of an extended-delivery formulation of the

3


      vascular endothelial growth factor, trap aflibercept, currently marketed under the brand name Eylea, for the treatment of wet AMD, and other serious retinal diseases;

    our estimates regarding the potential market opportunity for ReSure Sealant, DEXTENZA and OTX-TP and our other product candidates;

    our commercialization, marketing and manufacturing plans, capabilities and strategy;

    the costs and timing of manufacturing, sales, marketing, distribution and other commercialization efforts with respect to ReSure Sealant, DEXTENZA and any additional products for which we may obtain marketing approval in the future;

    our intellectual property position;

    our ability to identify additional products, product candidates or technologies with significant commercial potential that are consistent with our commercial objectives, including potential opportunities outside the field of ophthalmology;

    our estimates regarding expenses, future revenue, capital requirements and needs for additional financing;

    the impact of government laws and regulations;

    the outcome of certain legal actions and proceedings, including any investigations by the SEC;

    our ability to continue as a going concern; and

    our competitive position.

        We may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in our forward-looking statements, and you should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Actual results or events could differ materially from the plans, intentions and expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements we make. You are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are only predictions and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are referenced in the section of any accompanying prospectus supplement entitled "Risk Factors."

        You should also carefully review the risk factors and cautionary statements described in the other documents we file from time to time with the SEC, specifically our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and our Current Reports on Form 8-K. Our forward-looking statements do not reflect the potential impact of any future acquisitions, mergers, dispositions, joint ventures, collaborations or investments we may make. You should read this prospectus and 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 do not assume any obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

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ABOUT OCULAR THERAPEUTIX, INC.

        We are a biopharmaceutical company focused on the formulation, development and commercialization of innovative therapies for diseases and conditions of the eye using our proprietary, bioresorbable hydrogel platform technology. We use this technology to tailor duration and amount of delivery of a range of therapeutic agents of varying duration in our product candidates.

        We currently incorporate U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, approved therapeutic agents, including small molecules and proteins, into our hydrogel technology with the goal of providing extended delivery of drug to the eye. We believe that our extended delivery technology allows us to treat conditions and diseases of both the front and the back of the eye and can be administered through a range of different modalities including intracanalicular inserts, intracameral implants and intravitreal implants. We have products and product candidates in clinical and preclinical development applying this technology to treat post-surgical ocular pain and inflammation, allergic conjunctivitis, dry eye disease, glaucoma and ocular hypertension, and wet age-related macular degeneration, or wet AMD, among other conditions.

        We believe that our proprietary, bioresorbable hydrogel platform technology may have applications outside of the eye and we are assessing the potential use of our technology in other parts of the body.

        Our principal executive offices and research and development operations are located at 15 Crosby Drive, Bedford, MA 01730, and our telephone number is (781) 357-4000. Our manufacturing operations are located at 36 Crosby Drive, Bedford, MA 01730.

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USE OF PROCEEDS

        We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of any securities offered under this prospectus for general corporate purposes unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement. General corporate purposes may include costs related to research and development, including clinical trials, regulatory submissions, sales and marketing activities and manufacturing, the acquisition or in-license of other products, product candidates, technologies, companies or businesses, repayment and refinancing of debt, working capital and capital expenditures. We have not determined the amount of net proceeds to be used specifically for such purposes. As a result, management will retain broad discretion over the allocation of net proceeds.

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

        We may offer debt securities which may be senior or subordinated. We refer to the senior debt securities and the subordinated debt securities collectively as debt securities. The following description summarizes the general terms and provisions of the debt securities. We will describe the specific terms of the debt securities and the extent, if any, to which the general provisions summarized below apply to any series of debt securities in the prospectus supplement relating to the series and any applicable free writing prospectus that we authorize to be delivered. When we refer to "the Company," "we," "our," and "us" in this section, we mean Ocular Therapeutix, Inc. excluding, unless the context otherwise requires or as otherwise expressly stated, our subsidiaries.

        We may issue senior debt securities from time to time, in one or more series under a senior indenture to be entered into between us and a senior trustee to be named in a prospectus supplement, which we refer to as the senior trustee. We may issue subordinated debt securities from time to time, in one or more series under a subordinated indenture to be entered into between us and a subordinated trustee to be named in a prospectus supplement, which we refer to as the subordinated trustee. The forms of senior indenture and subordinated indenture are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. The senior indenture and the subordinated indenture are referred to individually as an indenture and together as the indentures and the senior trustee and the subordinated trustee are referred to individually as a trustee and together as the trustees. This section summarizes some of the provisions of the indentures and is qualified in its entirety by the specific text of the indentures, including definitions of terms used in the indentures. Wherever we refer to particular sections of, or defined terms in, the indentures, those sections or defined terms are incorporated by reference in this prospectus or the applicable prospectus supplement. You should review the indentures that are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part for additional information.

        Neither indenture will limit the amount of debt securities that we may issue. The applicable indenture will provide that debt securities may be issued up to an aggregate principal amount authorized from time to time by us and may be payable in any currency or currency unit designated by us or in amounts determined by reference to an index.

    General

        The senior debt securities will constitute our unsecured and unsubordinated general obligations and will rank equally in right of payment with our other unsecured and unsubordinated obligations. The subordinated debt securities will constitute our unsecured and subordinated general obligations and will be junior in right of payment to our senior indebtedness (including senior debt securities), as described under the heading "—Certain Terms of the Subordinated Debt Securities—Subordination." The debt securities will be structurally subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities of our subsidiaries unless such subsidiaries expressly guarantee such debt securities.

        The debt securities will be our unsecured obligations. Any secured debt or other secured obligations will be effectively senior to the debt securities to the extent of the value of the assets securing such debt or other obligations.

        The applicable prospectus supplement and/or free writing prospectus will include any additional or different terms of the debt securities of any series being offered, including the following terms:

    the title and type of the debt securities;

    whether the debt securities will be senior or subordinated debt securities, and, with respect to any subordinated debt securities the terms on which they are subordinated;

    the initial aggregate principal amount of the debt securities;

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    the price or prices at which we will sell the debt securities;

    the maturity date or dates of the debt securities and the right, if any, to extend such date or dates;

    the rate or rates, if any, at which the debt securities will bear interest, or the method of determining such rate or rates;

    the date or dates from which such interest will accrue, the interest payment dates on which such interest will be payable or the method of determination of such dates;

    the right, if any, to extend the interest payment periods and the duration of that extension;

    the manner of paying principal and interest and the place or places where principal and interest will be payable;

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

    any redemption dates, prices, obligations and restrictions on the debt securities;

    the currency, currencies or currency units in which the debt securities will be denominated and the currency, currencies or currency units in which principal and interest, if any, on the debt securities may be payable;

    any conversion or exchange features of the debt securities;

    whether the debt securities will be subject to the defeasance provisions in the indenture;

    whether the debt securities will be issued in definitive or global form or in definitive form only upon satisfaction of certain conditions;

    whether the debt securities will be guaranteed as to payment or performance;

    any special tax implications of the debt securities;

    any events of defaults or covenants in addition to or in lieu of those set forth in the indenture; and

    any other material terms of the debt securities.

        When we refer to "principal" in this section with reference to the debt securities, we are also referring to "premium, if any."

        We may from time to time, without notice to or the consent of the holders of any series of debt securities, create and issue further debt securities of any such series ranking equally with the debt securities of such series in all respects (or in all respects other than (1) the payment of interest accruing prior to the issue date of such further debt securities or (2) the first payment of interest following the issue date of such further debt securities). Such further debt securities may be consolidated and form a single series with the debt securities of such series and have the same terms as to status, redemption or otherwise as the debt securities of such series.

        You may present debt securities for exchange and you may present debt securities for transfer in the manner, at the places and subject to the restrictions set forth in the debt securities and the applicable prospectus supplement. We will provide you those services without charge, although you may have to pay any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with any exchange or transfer, as set forth in the indenture.

        Debt securities may bear interest at a fixed rate or a floating rate. Debt securities bearing no interest or interest at a rate that at the time of issuance is below the prevailing market rate (original issue discount securities) may be sold at a discount below their stated principal amount. U.S. federal

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income tax considerations applicable to any such discounted debt securities or to certain debt securities issued at par which are treated as having been issued at a discount for U.S. federal income tax purposes will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

        We may issue debt securities with the principal amount payable on any principal payment date, or the amount of interest payable on any interest payment date, to be determined by reference to one or more currency exchange rates, securities or baskets of securities, commodity prices or indices. You may receive a payment of principal on any principal payment date, or a payment of interest on any interest payment date, that is greater than or less than the amount of principal or interest otherwise payable on such dates, depending on the value on such dates of the applicable currency, security or basket of securities, commodity or index. Information as to the methods for determining the amount of principal or interest payable on any date, the currencies, securities or baskets of securities, commodities or indices to which the amount payable on such date is linked and certain related tax considerations will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

    Certain Terms of the Senior Debt Securities

        Covenants.    Unless we indicate otherwise in a prospectus supplement with respect to a particular series of senior debt securities, the senior debt securities will not contain any financial or restrictive covenants, including covenants restricting either us or any of our subsidiaries from incurring, issuing, assuming or guaranteeing any indebtedness secured by a lien on any of our or our subsidiaries' property or capital stock, or restricting either us or any of our subsidiaries from entering into sale and leaseback transactions.

        Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets.    Unless we indicate otherwise in a prospectus supplement with respect to a particular series of senior debt securities, we may not consolidate with or merge into any other person, in a transaction in which we are not the surviving corporation, or convey, transfer or lease our properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any person, in either case, unless:

    the successor entity, if any, is a U.S. corporation, limited liability company, partnership or trust;

    the successor entity assumes our obligations on the senior debt securities and under the senior indenture;

    immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no default or event of default shall have occurred and be continuing; and

    we have delivered to the senior trustee an officer's certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that the consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease and, if a supplemental indenture is required in connection with such transaction, such supplemental indenture, comply with the senior indenture and all conditions precedent provided for in the senior indenture relating to such transaction have been complied with.

        The restrictions described in the bullets above do not apply (1) to our consolidation with or merging into one of our affiliates, if our board of directors determines in good faith that the purpose of the consolidation or merger is principally to change our state of incorporation or our form of organization to another form or (2) if we merge with or into a single direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of ours.

        The surviving business entity will succeed to, and be substituted for, us under the senior indenture and the senior debt securities and, except in the case of a lease, we shall be released from all obligations under the senior indenture and the senior debt securities.

        No Protection in the Event of a Change in Control.    Unless we indicate otherwise in a prospectus supplement with respect to a particular series of senior debt securities, the senior debt securities will not contain any provisions that may afford holders of the senior debt securities protection in the event

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we have a change in control or in the event of a highly leveraged transaction (whether or not such transaction results in a change in control).

        Events of Default.    Unless we indicate otherwise in a prospectus supplement with respect to a particular series of senior debt securities, the following are events of default under the senior indenture with respect to senior debt securities of each series:

    failure to pay interest on any senior debt securities of such series when due and payable, if that default continues for a period of 90 days (or such other period as may be specified for such series);

    failure to pay principal on the senior debt securities of such series when due and payable whether at maturity, upon redemption, by declaration or otherwise (and, if specified for such series, the continuance of such failure for a specified period);

    default in the performance of or breach of any of our covenants or agreements in the senior indenture applicable to senior debt securities of such series, other than a covenant breach which is specifically dealt with elsewhere in the senior indenture, and that default or breach continues for a period of 90 days after we receive written notice from the trustee or from the holders of 25% or more in aggregate principal amount of the senior debt securities of such series;

    certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency, whether or not voluntary; and

    any other event of default provided for in such series of senior debt securities as may be specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

        The default by us under any other debt, including any other series of debt securities, is not a default under the senior indenture.

        If an event of default other than an event of default specified in the fourth bullet point above occurs with respect to a series of senior debt securities and is continuing under the senior indenture, then, and in each such case, either the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of such series then outstanding under the senior indenture (each such series voting as a separate class) by written notice to us and to the trustee, if such notice is given by the holders, may, and the trustee at the request of such holders shall, declare the principal amount of and accrued interest on such series of senior debt securities to be immediately due and payable, and upon this declaration, the same shall become immediately due and payable.

        If an event of default specified in the fourth bullet point above occurs and is continuing, the entire principal amount of and accrued interest on each series of senior debt securities then outstanding shall automatically become immediately due and payable.

        Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement relating to a series of senior debt securities originally issued at a discount, the amount due upon acceleration shall include only the original issue price of the senior debt securities, the amount of original issue discount accrued to the date of acceleration and accrued interest, if any.

        Upon certain conditions, declarations of acceleration may be rescinded and annulled and past defaults may be waived by the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of all the senior debt securities of such series affected by the default, each series voting as a separate class. Furthermore, subject to various provisions in the senior indenture, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of a series of senior debt securities, by notice to the trustee, may waive a continuing default or event of default with respect to such senior debt securities and its consequences, except a default in the payment of principal of or interest on such senior debt securities (other than any such default in payment resulting solely from an acceleration of the senior debt securities) or in respect of a covenant or provision of the senior indenture which cannot be modified or amended

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without the consent of the holders of each such senior debt security. Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any event of default with respect to such senior debt securities shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of the senior indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or event of default or impair any right consequent thereto.

        The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of a series of senior debt securities may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee with respect to such senior debt securities. However, the trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or the senior indenture, that may involve the trustee in personal liability or that the trustee determines in good faith may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of holders of such series of senior debt securities not joining in the giving of such direction and may take any other action it deems proper that is not inconsistent with any such direction received from holders of such series of senior debt securities. A holder may not pursue any remedy with respect to the senior indenture or any series of senior debt securities unless:

    the holder gives the trustee written notice of a continuing event of default;

    the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of such series of senior debt securities make a written request to the trustee to pursue the remedy in respect of such event of default;

    the requesting holder or holders offer the trustee indemnity satisfactory to the trustee against any costs, liability or expense;

    the trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after receipt of the request and the offer of indemnity; and

    during such 60-day period, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of such series of senior debt securities do not give the trustee a direction that is inconsistent with the request.

        These limitations, however, do not apply to the right of any holder of a senior debt security of any affected series to receive payment of the principal of and interest on such senior debt security in accordance with the terms of such debt security, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment in accordance with the terms of such debt security, on or after the due date for the senior debt securities, which right shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of the holder.

        The senior indenture requires certain of our officers to certify, on or before a fixed date in each year in which any senior debt security is outstanding, as to their knowledge of our compliance with all covenants, agreements and conditions under the senior indenture.

        Satisfaction and Discharge.    We can satisfy and discharge our obligations to holders of any series of debt securities if:

    we have paid or caused to be paid the principal of and interest on all senior debt securities of such series (with certain limited exceptions) when due and payable; or

    we deliver to the senior trustee for cancellation all senior debt securities of such series theretofore authenticated under the senior indenture (with certain limited exceptions); or

    all senior debt securities of such series have become due and payable or will become due and payable within one year (or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the senior trustee) and we deposit in trust an amount of cash or a combination of cash and U.S. government or U.S. government agency obligations (or in the case of senior debt securities denominated in a foreign currency, foreign government securities or foreign government agency securities) sufficient to make interest, principal and any other payments on the debt securities of that series on their various due dates;

and if, in any such case, we also pay or cause to be paid all other sums payable under the senior indenture, as and when the same shall be due and payable and we deliver to the senior trustee an officer's certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that these conditions have been satisfied.

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        Under current U.S. federal income tax law, the deposit and our legal release from the debt securities would be treated as though we took back your debt securities and gave you your share of the cash and debt securities or bonds deposited in trust. In that event, you could recognize gain or loss on the debt securities you give back to us. Purchasers of the debt securities should consult their own advisers with respect to the tax consequences to them of such deposit and discharge, including the applicability and effect of tax laws other than the U.S. federal income tax law.

        Defeasance.    Unless the applicable prospectus supplement provides otherwise, the following discussion of legal defeasance and covenant defeasance will apply to any series of debt securities issued under the indentures.

        Legal Defeasance.    We can legally release ourselves from any payment or other obligations on the debt securities of any series (called "legal defeasance") if certain conditions are met, including the following:

    We deposit in trust for your benefit and the benefit of all other direct holders of the debt securities of the same series cash or a combination of cash and U.S. government or U.S. government agency obligations (or, in the case of senior debt securities denominated in a foreign currency, foreign government or foreign government agency obligations) that will generate enough cash to make interest, principal and any other payments on the debt securities of that series on their various due dates.

    There is a change in current U.S. federal income tax law or an IRS ruling that lets us make the above deposit without causing you to be taxed on the debt securities any differently than if we did not make the deposit and instead repaid the debt securities ourselves when due. Under current U.S. federal income tax law, the deposit and our legal release from the debt securities would be treated as though we took back your debt securities and gave you your share of the cash and debt securities or bonds deposited in trust. In that event, you could recognize gain or loss on the debt securities you give back to us.

    We deliver to the trustee a legal opinion of our counsel confirming the tax law change or ruling described above.

        If we accomplish legal defeasance, as described above, you would have to rely solely on the trust deposit for repayment of the debt securities. You could not look to us for repayment in the event of any shortfall.

        Covenant Defeasance.    Without any change in current U.S. federal tax law, we can make the same type of deposit described above and be released from some of the covenants in the debt securities (called "covenant defeasance"). In that event, you would lose the protection of those covenants but would gain the protection of having money and securities set aside in trust to repay the debt securities. In order to achieve covenant defeasance, we must do the following (among other things):

    We must deposit in trust for your benefit and the benefit of all other direct holders of the debt securities of the same series cash or a combination of cash and U.S. government or U.S. government agency obligations (or, in the case of senior debt securities denominated in a foreign currency, foreign government or foreign government agency obligations) that will generate enough cash to make interest, principal and any other payments on the debt securities of that series on their various due dates.

    We must deliver to the trustee a legal opinion of our counsel confirming that under current U.S. federal income tax law we may make the above deposit without causing you to be taxed on the debt securities any differently than if we did not make the deposit and instead repaid the debt securities ourselves when due.

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        If we accomplish covenant defeasance, you could still look to us for repayment of the debt securities if there were a shortfall in the trust deposit. In fact, if one of the events of default occurred (such as our bankruptcy) and the debt securities become immediately due and payable, there may be such a shortfall. Depending on the events causing the default, you may not be able to obtain payment of the shortfall.

        Modification and Waiver.    We and the trustee may amend or supplement the senior indenture or the senior debt securities of any series without the consent of any holder:

    to convey, transfer, assign, mortgage or pledge any assets as security for the senior debt securities of one or more series;

    to evidence the succession of a corporation, limited liability company, partnership or trust to us, and the assumption by such successor of our covenants, agreements and obligations under the senior indenture or to otherwise comply with the covenant relating to mergers, consolidations and sales of assets;

    to comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the senior indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "Trust Indenture Act");

    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 continuance, of a default in any such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions an event of default;

    to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in the senior indenture or in any supplemental indenture or to conform the senior indenture or the senior debt securities to the description of senior debt securities of such series set forth in this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement;

    to provide for or add guarantors with respect to the senior debt securities of any series;

    to establish the form or forms or terms of the senior debt securities as permitted by the senior indenture;

    to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment under the senior indenture by a successor trustee, or to make such changes as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts in the senior indenture by more than one trustee;

    to add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of the senior indenture in respect of one or more series of senior debt securities, provided that any such addition, change or elimination shall (a) neither (1) apply to any senior debt security of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture and entitled to the benefit of such provision nor (2) modify the rights of the holder of any such senior debt security with respect to such provision or (b) become effective only when there is no senior debt security described in clause (a)(1) outstanding;

    to make any change to the senior debt securities of any series so long as no senior debt securities of such series are outstanding; or

    to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder in any material respect.

        Other amendments and modifications of the senior indenture or the senior debt securities issued may be made, and our compliance with any provision of the senior indenture with respect to any series of senior debt securities may be waived, with the consent of the holders of a majority of the aggregate

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principal amount of the outstanding senior debt securities of each series affected by the amendment or modification (voting as separate series); provided, however, that each affected holder must consent to any modification, amendment or waiver that:

    extends the final maturity of any senior debt securities of such series;

    reduces the principal amount of any senior debt securities of such series;

    reduces the rate, or extends the time for payment of, interest on any senior debt securities of such series;

    reduces the amount payable upon the redemption of any senior debt securities of such series;

    changes the currency of payment of principal of or interest on any senior debt securities of such series;

    reduces the principal amount of original issue discount securities payable upon acceleration of maturity or the amount provable in bankruptcy;

    waives a continuing default in the payment of principal of or interest on the senior debt securities (other than any such default in payment resulting solely from an acceleration of the senior debt securities);

    changes the provisions relating to the waiver of past defaults or impairs the right of holders to receive payment or to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment or conversion of any senior debt securities of such series on or after the due date therefor;

    modifies any of the provisions of these restrictions on amendments and modifications, except to increase any required percentage or to provide that certain other provisions cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the holder of each senior debt security of such series affected by the modification;

    adversely affects the right to convert or exchange senior debt securities into common stock or other property in accordance with the terms of the senior debt securities; or

    reduces the above-stated percentage of outstanding senior debt securities of such series whose holders must consent to a supplemental indenture or modifies or amends or waives certain provisions of or defaults under the senior indenture.

        It shall not be necessary for the holders to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, supplement or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if the holders' consent approves the substance thereof. After an amendment, supplement or waiver of the senior indenture in accordance with the provisions described in this section becomes effective, the trustee must give to the holders affected thereby certain notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any failure by the trustee to give such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amendment, supplemental indenture or waiver.

        No Personal Liability of Incorporators, Stockholders, Officers, Directors.    The senior indenture provides that no recourse shall be had under any obligation, covenant or agreement of ours in the senior indenture or any supplemental indenture, or in any of the senior debt securities or because of the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, against any of our incorporators, stockholders, officers or directors, past, present or future, or of any predecessor or successor entity thereof under any law, statute or constitutional provision or by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding or otherwise. Each holder, by accepting the senior debt securities, waives and releases all such liability.

        Concerning the Trustee.    The senior indenture provides that, except during the continuance of an event of default, the trustee will not be liable except for the performance of such duties as are

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specifically set forth in the senior indenture. If an event of default has occurred and is continuing, the trustee will exercise such rights and powers vested in it under the senior indenture and will use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise as a prudent person would exercise under the circumstances in the conduct of such person's own affairs.

        The senior indenture and the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act incorporated by reference therein contain limitations on the rights of the trustee thereunder, should it become a creditor of ours or any of our subsidiaries, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases or to realize on certain property received by it in respect of any such claims, as security or otherwise. The trustee is permitted to engage in other transactions, provided that if it acquires any conflicting interest (as defined in the Trust Indenture Act), it must eliminate such conflict or resign.

        We may have normal banking relationships with the senior trustee in the ordinary course of business.

        Unclaimed Funds.    All funds deposited with the trustee or any paying agent for the payment of principal, premium, interest or additional amounts in respect of the senior debt securities that remain unclaimed for two years after the date upon which such amounts became due and payable will be repaid to us. Thereafter, any right of any holder of senior debt securities to such funds shall be enforceable only against us, and the trustee and paying agents will have no liability therefor.

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

    Certain Terms of the Subordinated Debt Securities

        Other than the terms of the subordinated indenture and subordinated debt securities relating to subordination or otherwise as described in the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of subordinated debt securities, the terms of the subordinated indenture and subordinated debt securities are identical in all material respects to the terms of the senior indenture and senior debt securities.

        Additional or different subordination terms may be specified in the prospectus supplement applicable to a particular series.

        Subordination.    The indebtedness evidenced by the subordinated debt securities is subordinate to the prior payment in full of all of our senior indebtedness, as defined in the subordinated indenture. During the continuance beyond any applicable grace period of any default in the payment of principal, premium, interest or any other payment due on any of our senior indebtedness, we may not make any payment of principal of or interest on the subordinated debt securities (except for certain sinking fund payments). In addition, upon any payment or distribution of our assets upon any dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization, the payment of the principal of and interest on the subordinated debt securities will be subordinated to the extent provided in the subordinated indenture in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all our senior indebtedness. Because of this subordination, if we dissolve or otherwise liquidate, holders of our subordinated debt securities may receive less, ratably, than holders of our senior indebtedness. The subordination provisions do not prevent the occurrence of an event of default under the subordinated indenture.

        The term "senior indebtedness" of a person means with respect to such person the principal of, premium, if any, interest on, and any other payment due pursuant to any of the following, whether outstanding on the date of the subordinated indenture or incurred by that person in the future:

    all of the indebtedness of that person for money borrowed;

    all of the indebtedness of that person evidenced by notes, debentures, bonds or other securities sold by that person for money;

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    all of the lease obligations that are capitalized on the books of that person in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

    all indebtedness of others of the kinds described in the first two bullet points above and all lease obligations of others of the kind described in the third bullet point above that the person, in any

    manner, assumes or guarantees or that the person in effect guarantees through an agreement to purchase, whether that agreement is contingent or otherwise; and

    all renewals, extensions or refundings of indebtedness of the kinds described in the first, second or fourth bullet point above and all renewals or extensions of leases of the kinds described in the third or fourth bullet point above;

unless, in the case of any particular indebtedness, renewal, extension or refunding, the instrument creating or evidencing it or the assumption or guarantee relating to it expressly provides that such indebtedness, renewal, extension or refunding is not superior in right of payment to the subordinated debt securities. Our senior debt securities constitute senior indebtedness for purposes of the subordinated indenture.

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

        The following description of our capital stock and provisions of our certificate of incorporation and by-laws are summaries and are qualified by reference to our certificate of incorporation, our by-laws and applicable provisions of Delaware corporate law. We have filed copies of our certificate of incorporation and our by-laws with the SEC as exhibits to our registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

        Our authorized capital stock consists of 100,000,000 shares of our common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, and 5,000,000 shares of our preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share, all of which preferred stock is undesignated.

        As of December 15, 2018, we had issued and outstanding 41,281,569 shares of our common stock and no shares of our preferred stock.

    Common Stock

        Voting Rights.    Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders and do not have cumulative voting rights. Each election of directors by our stockholders will be determined by a plurality of the votes cast by the stockholders entitled to vote on the election. In general, except (1) for the election of directors, (2) as described below under "—Provisions of Our Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws and Delaware Law That May Have Anti-Takeover Effects—Super-Majority Voting," (3) in the future to the extent that we have two or more classes or series of stock outstanding with separate voting rights and (4) as otherwise required by law, any matter to be voted on by our stockholders at any meeting is decided by the vote of the holders of a majority in voting power of the votes cast by the holders of shares of our stock present or represented at the meeting and voting affirmatively or negatively on such matter.

        Dividends.    Holders of common stock are entitled to receive proportionately any dividends as may be declared by our board of directors, subject to any preferential dividend rights of outstanding preferred stock.

        Liquidation and Dissolution.    In the event of our liquidation or dissolution, the holders of our common stock are entitled to receive proportionately all assets available for distribution to stockholders after the payment of all debts and other liabilities and subject to the prior rights of any of our outstanding preferred stock.

        Other Rights.    Holders of our common stock have no preemptive, subscription, redemption or conversion rights. The rights, preferences and privileges of holders of our common stock are subject to and may be adversely affected by the rights of the holders of shares of any series of our preferred stock that we may designate and issue in the future.

        Transfer Agent and Registrar.    Computershare Trust Company, Inc. is transfer agent and registrar for the common stock.

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

    Preferred Stock

        Under the terms of our certificate of incorporation, our board of directors is authorized to issue shares of preferred stock in one or more series without stockholder approval, subject to any limitations imposed by applicable NASDAQ rules. Our board of directors has the discretion to determine the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions, including voting rights, dividend rights, conversion rights, redemption privileges and liquidation preferences, of each series of preferred stock.

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        The purpose of authorizing our board of directors to issue preferred stock and determine its rights and preferences is to eliminate delays associated with a stockholder vote on specific issuances. The issuance of preferred stock, while providing flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions, future financings and other corporate purposes, could have the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to acquire, or could discourage a third party from seeking to acquire, a majority of our outstanding voting stock. Currently, we have no shares of preferred stock outstanding.

        If we decide to issue any preferred stock pursuant to this prospectus, we will describe in a prospectus supplement the specific terms of the preferred stock, including, if applicable, the following:

    the title and stated value;

    the number of shares we are offering;

    the liquidation preference per share;

    the purchase price;

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

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

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

    the procedures for any auction and remarketing;

    the provisions for a sinking fund;

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

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

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

    voting rights of the preferred stock;

    preemptive rights;

    restrictions on transfer, sale or other assignment;

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

    a discussion of any material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the preferred stock;

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

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

        The preferred stock could have other rights, including economic rights that are senior to our common stock that could adversely affect the market value of our common stock. The issuance of the

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preferred stock may also have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of us without any action by the shareholders.

    Warrants

        As of December 15, 2018, we had outstanding warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 18,939 shares of our common stock at a weighted average exercise price of $7.92 per share. These warrants provide for adjustments in the event of specified mergers, reorganizations, reclassifications, stock dividends, stock splits or other changes in our corporate structure.

    Stock Options

        As of December 15, 2018, we had issued and outstanding options to purchase 5,234,031 shares of our common stock at a weighted average exercise price of $8.67 per share.

    Effects of Authorized but Unissued Stock

        We have shares of common stock and preferred stock available for future issuance without stockholder approval, subject to any limitations imposed by the listing standards of The Nasdaq Global Market. We may utilize these additional shares for a variety of corporate purposes, including for future public offerings to raise additional capital or facilitate corporate acquisitions or for payment as a dividend on our capital stock. The existence of unissued and unreserved common stock and preferred stock may enable our board of directors to issue shares to persons friendly to current management or to issue preferred stock with terms that could have the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to acquire, or could discourage a third party from seeking to acquire, a controlling interest in our company by means of a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise. In addition, if we issue preferred stock, the issuance could adversely affect the voting power of holders of common stock and the likelihood that such holders will receive dividend payments and payments upon liquidation.

    Provisions of Our Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws and Delaware Law That May Have Anti-Takeover Effects

    Delaware Law

        We are subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or DGCL. Subject to certain exceptions, Section 203 prevents a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a "business combination" with any "interested stockholder" for three years following the date that the person became an interested stockholder, unless either the interested stockholder attained such status with the approval of our board of directors, the business combination is approved by our board of directors and stockholders in a prescribed manner or the interested stockholder acquired at least 85% of our outstanding voting stock in the transaction in which it became an interested stockholder. A "business combination" includes, among other things, a merger or consolidation involving us and the "interested stockholder" and the sale of more than 10% of our assets. In general, an "interested stockholder" is any entity or person beneficially owning 15% or more of our outstanding voting stock and any entity or person affiliated with or controlling or controlled by such entity or person. The restrictions contained in Section 203 are not applicable to any of our existing stockholders that owned 15% or more of our outstanding voting stock upon the closing of our initial public offering.

    Staggered Board; Removal of Directors

        Our certificate of incorporation and our by-laws divide our board of directors into three classes with staggered three-year terms. In addition, our certificate of incorporation and our by-laws provide that directors may be removed only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of the holders of 75% of our shares of capital stock present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote. Under our certificate of

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incorporation and by-laws, any vacancy on our board of directors, including a vacancy resulting from an enlargement of our board of directors, may be filled only by vote of a majority of our directors then in office. Furthermore, our certificate of incorporation provides that the authorized number of directors may be changed only by the resolution of our board of directors. The classification of our board of directors and the limitations on the ability of our stockholders to remove directors, change the authorized number of directors and fill vacancies could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire, or discourage a third party from seeking to acquire, control of our company.

    Stockholder Action; Special Meeting of Stockholders; Advance Notice Requirements for Stockholder Proposals and Director Nominations

        Our certificate of incorporation and our by-laws provide that any action required or permitted to be taken by our stockholders at an annual meeting or special meeting of stockholders may only be taken if it is properly brought before such meeting and may not be taken by written action in lieu of a meeting. Our certificate of incorporation and our by-laws also provide that, except as otherwise required by law, special meetings of the stockholders can only be called by the chairman of our board of directors, our chief executive officer or our board of directors. In addition, our by-laws establish an advance notice procedure for stockholder proposals to be brought before an annual meeting of stockholders, including proposed nominations of candidates for election to our board of directors. Stockholders at an annual meeting may only consider proposals or nominations specified in the notice of meeting or brought before the meeting by or at the direction of our board of directors, or by a stockholder of record on the record date for the meeting who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who has delivered timely written notice in proper form to our secretary of the stockholder's intention to bring such business before the meeting. These provisions could have the effect of delaying until the next stockholder meeting stockholder actions that are favored by the holders of a majority of our outstanding voting securities. These provisions also could discourage a third party from making a tender offer for our common stock because even if the third party acquired a majority of our outstanding voting stock, it would be able to take action as a stockholder, such as electing new directors or approving a merger, only at a duly called stockholders meeting and not by written consent.

    Super-Majority Voting

        The DGCL provides generally that the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares entitled to vote on any matter is required to amend a corporation's certificate of incorporation or by-laws unless a corporation's certificate of incorporation or by-laws, as the case may be, requires a greater percentage. Our by-laws may be amended or repealed by a majority vote of our board of directors or the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 75% of the votes that all our stockholders would be entitled to cast in any annual election of directors. In addition, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 75% of the votes that all our stockholders would be entitled to cast in any election of directors is required to amend or repeal or to adopt any provisions inconsistent with any of the provisions of our certificate of incorporation described above.

    Registration Rights

        We entered into a fourth amended and restated investors' rights agreement dated June 30, 2013, as amended, or the investor rights agreement, with holders of our preferred stock prior to the closing of our initial public offering. Holders of a total of 2,656,538 shares of our common stock outstanding or issuable upon exercise of the warrants as of December 15, 2018 have the right to require us to register these shares under the Securities Act under specified circumstances. After registration pursuant to these rights, these shares will become freely tradable without restriction under the Securities Act. If not otherwise exercised, the rights under the investor rights agreement described below will expire five years after the closing of our initial public offering, which occurred on July 30, 2014.

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    Demand and Form S-3 Registration Rights

        Subject to specified limitations set forth in the investor rights agreement, at any time, the holders of at least 50% of the then outstanding shares having rights under the investor rights agreement, or the registrable securities, may demand that we register registrable securities then outstanding under the Securities Act for purposes of a public offering having an aggregate offering price to the public of not less than $10 million. We are not obligated to file a registration statement pursuant to this provision on more than two occasions.

        In addition, subject to specified limitations set forth in the investor rights agreement, at any time after we become eligible to file a registration statement on Form S-3, holders of the registrable securities then outstanding may request that we register their registrable securities on Form S-3 for purposes of a public offering for which the reasonably anticipated aggregate offering price to the public would exceed $1 million.

    Incidental Registration Rights

        If we propose to register for our own account any of our securities under the Securities Act, the holders of registrable securities will be entitled to notice of the registration and, subject to specified exceptions, have the right to require us to use our best efforts to register all or a portion of the registrable securities then held by them in that registration. Under our outstanding warrants, each of the holders of the warrants is also entitled to notice of the registration at the time that we provide notice of the registration to the holders of registrable securities. The holders of registrable securities waived these incidental registration rights in connection with this offering.

        In the event that any registration in which the holders of registrable securities participate pursuant to our investor rights agreement is an underwritten public offering or if any warrant holder participates in such an offering pursuant to the warrants, we have agreed to enter into an underwriting agreement containing customary representations and warranties and covenants, including without limitation customary provisions with respect to indemnification of the underwriters of such offering.

        In the event that any registration in which the holders of registrable securities participate pursuant to our investor rights agreement is an underwritten offering or if any warrant holder participates pursuant to the warrants, we will use our best efforts to include the requested securities to be included, but such inclusions may be limited by market conditions to the extent set forth in the investor rights agreement.

    Expenses

        Pursuant to the investor rights agreement, we are required to pay all registration expenses, including all registration and filing fees, exchange listing fees, printing expenses, fees and expenses of one counsel selected by the selling stockholders to represent the selling stockholders, state Blue Sky fees and expenses, and the expense of any special audits incident to or required by any such registration, but excluding underwriting discounts, selling commissions and the fees and expenses of the selling stockholders own counsel (other than the counsel selected to represent all selling stockholders). We are not required to pay registration expenses if the registration request under the investor rights agreement is withdrawn at the request of holders initiating such registration request, unless the withdrawal is related to information concerning the business or financial condition of us after the initiation of such registration request.

        The investor rights agreement contains customary cross-indemnification provisions, pursuant to which we are obligated to indemnify the selling stockholders in the event of material misstatements or omissions in the registration statement attributable to us or any violation or alleged violation whether by action or inaction by us under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, any state securities or Blue Sky law or any rule or regulation promulgated under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or any state securities or Blue Sky law in connection with such registration statement or the qualification or compliance of the offering, and they are obligated to indemnify us for material misstatements or omissions in the registration statement attributable to them.

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DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

    General

        We may, at our option, elect to offer fractional shares of preferred stock, which we call depositary shares, rather than full shares of preferred stock. If we do, we will issue to the public receipts, called depositary receipts, for depositary shares, each of which will represent a fraction, to be described in the applicable prospectus supplement, of a share of a particular series of preferred stock. Unless otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement, each owner of a depositary share will be entitled, in proportion to the applicable fractional interest in a share of preferred stock represented by the depositary share, to all the rights and preferences of the preferred stock represented by the depositary share. Those rights include dividend, voting, redemption, conversion and liquidation rights.

        The shares of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares will be deposited with a bank or trust company selected by us to act as depositary under a deposit agreement between us, the depositary and the holders of the depositary receipts. The depositary will be the transfer agent, registrar and dividend disbursing agent for the depositary shares.

        The depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued pursuant to the deposit agreement. Holders of depositary receipts agree to be bound by the deposit agreement, which requires holders to take certain actions such as filing proof of residence and paying certain charges.

        The summary of terms of the depositary shares contained in this prospectus is not a complete description of the terms of the depositary shares. You should refer to the form of the deposit agreement, our certificate of incorporation and the certificate of designation for the applicable series of preferred stock that are, or will be, filed with the SEC.

    Dividends and Other Distributions

        The depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other cash distributions, if any, received in respect of the preferred stock underlying the depositary shares to the record holders of depositary shares in proportion to the numbers of depositary shares owned by those holders on the relevant record date. The relevant record date for depositary shares will be the same date as the record date for the underlying preferred stock.

        If there is a distribution other than in cash, the depositary will distribute property (including securities) received by it to the record holders of depositary shares, unless the depositary determines that it is not feasible to make the distribution. If this occurs, the depositary may, with our approval, adopt another method for the distribution, including selling the property and distributing the net proceeds from the sale to the holders.

    Liquidation Preference

        If a series of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares has a liquidation preference, in the event of the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of us, holders of depositary shares will be entitled to receive the fraction of the liquidation preference accorded each share of the applicable series of preferred stock, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

    Withdrawal of Stock

        Unless the related depositary shares have been previously called for redemption, upon surrender of the depositary receipts at the office of the depositary, the holder of the depositary shares will be entitled to delivery, at the office of the depositary to or upon his or her order, of the number of whole shares of the preferred stock and any money or other property represented by the depositary shares. If the depositary receipts delivered by the holder evidence a number of depositary shares in excess of the

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number of depositary shares representing the number of whole shares of preferred stock to be withdrawn, the depositary will deliver to the holder at the same time a new depositary receipt evidencing the excess number of depositary shares. In no event will the depositary deliver fractional shares of preferred stock upon surrender of depositary receipts. Holders of preferred stock thus withdrawn may not thereafter deposit those shares under the deposit agreement or receive depositary receipts evidencing depositary shares therefor.

    Redemption of Depositary Shares

        Whenever we redeem shares of preferred stock held by the depositary, the depositary will redeem as of the same redemption date the number of depositary shares representing shares of the preferred stock so redeemed, so long as we have paid in full to the depositary the redemption price of the preferred stock to be redeemed plus an amount equal to any accumulated and unpaid dividends on the preferred stock to the date fixed for redemption. The redemption price per depositary share will be equal to the redemption price and any other amounts per share payable on the preferred stock multiplied by the fraction of a share of preferred stock represented by one depositary share. If less than all the depositary shares are to be redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected by lot or pro rata or by any other equitable method as may be determined by the depositary.

        After the date fixed for redemption, depositary shares called for redemption will no longer be deemed to be outstanding and all rights of the holders of depositary shares will cease, except the right to receive the monies payable upon redemption and any money or other property to which the holders of the depositary shares were entitled upon redemption upon surrender to the depositary of the depositary receipts evidencing the depositary shares.

    Voting the Preferred Stock

        Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of the preferred stock are entitled to vote, the depositary will mail the information contained in the notice of meeting to the record holders of the depositary receipts relating to that preferred stock. The record date for the depositary receipts relating to the preferred stock will be the same date as the record date for the preferred stock. Each record holder of the depositary shares on the record date will be entitled to instruct the depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights pertaining to the number of shares of preferred stock represented by that holder's depositary shares. The depositary will endeavor, insofar as practicable, to vote the number of shares of preferred stock represented by the depositary shares in accordance with those instructions, and we will agree to take all action that may be deemed necessary by the depositary in order to enable the depositary to do so. The depositary will not vote any shares of preferred stock except to the extent it receives specific instructions from the holders of depositary shares representing that number of shares of preferred stock.

    Charges of Depositary

        We will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the existence of the depositary arrangements. We will pay charges of the depositary in connection with the initial deposit of the preferred stock and any redemption of the preferred stock. Holders of depositary receipts will pay transfer, income and other taxes and governmental charges and such other charges (including those in connection with the receipt and distribution of dividends, the sale or exercise of rights, the withdrawal of the preferred stock and the transferring, splitting or grouping of depositary receipts) as are expressly provided in the deposit agreement to be for their accounts. If these charges have not been paid by the holders of depositary receipts, the depositary may refuse to transfer depositary shares, withhold dividends and distributions and sell the depositary shares evidenced by the depositary receipt.

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    Amendment and Termination of the Deposit Agreement

        The form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares and any provision of the deposit agreement may be amended by agreement between us and the depositary. However, any amendment that materially and adversely alters the rights of the holders of depositary shares, other than fee changes, will not be effective unless the amendment has been approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding depositary shares. The deposit agreement may be terminated by the depositary or us only if:

    all outstanding depositary shares have been redeemed; or

    there has been a final distribution of the preferred stock in connection with our dissolution and such distribution has been made to all the holders of depositary shares.

    Resignation and Removal of Depositary

        The depositary may resign at any time by delivering to us notice of its election to do so, and we may remove the depositary at any time. Any resignation or removal of the depositary will take effect upon our appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment. The successor depositary must be appointed within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal and must be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the United States and having the requisite combined capital and surplus as set forth in the applicable agreement.

    Notices

        The depositary will forward to holders of depositary receipts all notices, reports and other communications, including proxy solicitation materials received from us, that are delivered to the depositary and that we are required to furnish to the holders of the preferred stock. In addition, the depositary will make available for inspection by holders of depositary receipts at the principal office of the depositary, and at such other places as it may from time to time deem advisable, any reports and communications we deliver to the depositary as the holder of preferred stock.

    Limitation of Liability

        Neither we nor the depositary will be liable if either we or it is prevented or delayed by law or any circumstance beyond its control in performing its obligations. Our obligations and those of the depositary will be limited to performance in good faith of our and their duties thereunder. We and the depositary will not be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding in respect of any depositary shares or preferred stock unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished. We and the depositary may rely upon written advice of counsel or accountants, on information provided by persons presenting preferred stock for deposit, holders of depositary receipts or other persons believed to be competent to give such information and on documents believed to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties.

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DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

        We may issue units comprised of one or more of the other securities that may be offered under this prospectus, in any combination. The following, together with the additional information we may include in the applicable prospectus supplement, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the units that we may offer under this prospectus. While the terms summarized below will apply generally to any units we may offer, we will describe the particular terms of any series of units in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement.

        Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. The unit agreement under which a unit is issued may provide that the securities included in the unit may not be held or transferred separately at any time, or at any time before a specified date.

        Any applicable prospectus supplement will describe:

    the material 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 material provisions relating to the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units or of the securities comprising the units; and

    any material provisions of the governing unit agreement that differ from those described above.

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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

        We may issue warrants to purchase common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares or debt securities. We may offer warrants separately or together with one or more additional warrants, common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares or debt securities, or any combination of those securities in the form of units, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. If we issue warrants as part of a unit, the accompanying prospectus supplement will specify whether those warrants may be separated from the other securities in the unit prior to the expiration date of the warrants. The applicable prospectus supplement will also describe the following terms of any warrants:

    the specific designation and aggregate number of, and the offering price at which we will issue, the warrants;

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

    the date on which the right to exercise the warrants will begin and the date on which that right will expire or, if you may not continuously exercise the warrants throughout that period, the specific date or dates on which you may exercise the warrants;

    whether the warrants are to be sold separately or with other securities as parts of units;

    whether the warrants will be issued in definitive or global form or in any combination of these forms, although, in any case, the form of a warrant included in a unit will correspond to the form of the unit and of any security included in that unit;

    any applicable material U.S. federal income tax consequences;

    the identity of the warrant agent for the warrants and of any other depositaries, execution or paying agents, transfer agents, registrars or other agents;

    the proposed listing, if any, of the warrants or any securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants on any securities exchange;

    the designation and terms of any equity securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants;

    the designation, aggregate principal amount, currency and terms of any debt securities that may be purchased upon exercise of the warrants;

    if applicable, the designation and terms of the debt securities, common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares with which the warrants are issued and the number of warrants issued with each security;

    if applicable, the date from and after which any warrants issued as part of a unit and the related debt securities, preferred stock, depositary shares or common stock will be separately transferable;

    the number of shares of common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares purchasable upon exercise of a warrant and the price at which those shares may be purchased;

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

    information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any;

    the anti-dilution provisions of, and other provisions for changes to or adjustment in the exercise price of, the warrants, if any;

    any redemption or call provisions; and

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

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FORMS OF SECURITIES

        Each debt security, depositary share, unit and warrant will be represented either by a certificate issued in definitive form to a particular investor or by one or more global securities representing the entire issuance of securities. Unless the applicable prospectus supplement provides otherwise, certificated securities will be issued in definitive form and global securities will be issued in registered form. Definitive securities name you or your nominee as the owner of the security, and in order to transfer or exchange these securities or to receive payments other than interest or other interim payments, you or your nominee must physically deliver the securities to the trustee, registrar, paying agent or other agent, as applicable. Global securities name a depositary or its nominee as the owner of the debt securities, depositary shares, units or warrants represented by these global securities. The depositary maintains a computerized system that will reflect each investor's beneficial ownership of the securities through an account maintained by the investor with its broker/dealer, bank, trust company or other representative, as we explain more fully below.

    Registered Global Securities

        We may issue the registered debt securities, depositary shares, units and warrants in the form of one or more fully registered global securities that will be deposited with a depositary or its nominee identified in the applicable prospectus supplement and registered in the name of that depositary or nominee. In those cases, one or more registered global securities will be issued in a denomination or aggregate denominations equal to the portion of the aggregate principal or face amount of the securities to be represented by registered global securities. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole for securities in definitive registered form, a registered global security may not be transferred except as a whole by and among the depositary for the registered global security, the nominees of the depositary or any successors of the depositary or those nominees.

        If not described below, any specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any securities to be represented by a registered global security will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to those securities. We anticipate that the following provisions will apply to all depositary arrangements.

        Ownership of beneficial interests in a registered global security will be limited to persons, called participants, that have accounts with the depositary or persons that may hold interests through participants. Upon the issuance of a registered global security, the depositary will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the participants' accounts with the respective principal or face amounts of the securities beneficially owned by the participants. Any dealers, underwriters or agents participating in the distribution of the securities will designate the accounts to be credited. Ownership of beneficial interests in a registered global security will be shown on, and the transfer of ownership interests will be effected only through, records maintained by the depositary, with respect to interests of participants, and on the records of participants, with respect to interests of persons holding through participants. The laws of some states may require that some purchasers of securities take physical delivery of these securities in definitive form. These laws may impair your ability to own, transfer or pledge beneficial interests in registered global securities.

        So long as the depositary, or its nominee, is the registered owner of a registered global security, that depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the securities represented by the registered global security for all purposes under the applicable indenture, deposit agreement, unit agreement or warrant agreement. Except as described below, owners of beneficial interests in a registered global security will not be entitled to have the securities represented by the registered global security registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of the securities in definitive form and will not be considered the owners or holders of the securities under the applicable indenture, deposit agreement, unit agreement or warrant agreement.

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Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in a registered global security must rely on the procedures of the depositary for that registered global security and, if that person is not a participant, on the procedures of the participant through which the person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder under the applicable indenture, deposit agreement, unit agreement or warrant agreement. We understand that under existing industry practices, if we request any action of holders or if an owner of a beneficial interest in a registered global security desires to give or take any action that a holder is entitled to give or take under the applicable indenture, deposit agreement, unit agreement or warrant agreement, the depositary for the registered global security would authorize the participants holding the relevant beneficial interests to give or take that action, and the participants would authorize beneficial owners owning through them to give or take that action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners holding through them.

        Principal, premium, if any, and interest payments on debt securities, and any payments to holders with respect to depositary shares, units or warrants, represented by a registered global security registered in the name of a depositary or its nominee will be made to the depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner of the registered global security. None of us, the trustees, the warrant agents, the unit agents or any other agent of ours, agent of the trustees or agent of the warrant agents or unit agents will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in the registered global security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to those beneficial ownership interests.

        We expect that the depositary for any of the securities represented by a registered global security, upon receipt of any payment to holders of principal, premium, interest or other distribution of underlying securities or other property on that registered global security, will immediately credit participants' accounts in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in that registered global security as shown on the records of the depositary. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in a registered global security held through participants will be governed by standing customer instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with the securities held for the accounts of customers or registered in "street name," and will be the responsibility of those participants.

        If the depositary for any of the securities represented by a registered global security is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as depositary or ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and a successor depositary registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act is not appointed by us within 90 days, we will issue securities in definitive form in exchange for the registered global security that had been held by the depositary. Any securities issued in definitive form in exchange for a registered global security will be registered in the name or names that the depositary gives to the relevant trustee, warrant agent, unit agent or other relevant agent of ours or theirs. It is expected that the depositary's instructions will be based upon directions received by the depositary from participants with respect to ownership of beneficial interests in the registered global security that had been held by the depositary.

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

        We may sell securities:

    through underwriters, brokers or dealers;

    through agents;

    directly to one or more other purchasers in negotiated sales or competitively bid transactions;

    through a block trade in which the broker or dealer engaged to handle the block trade will attempt to sell the securities as agent, but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction; or

    through a combination of any of the above methods of sale.

        In addition, we may issue the securities as a dividend or distribution or in a subscription rights offering to our existing security holders.

        We may directly solicit offers to purchase securities, or agents may be designated to solicit such offers. We will, in the prospectus supplement relating to such offering, name any agent that could be viewed as an underwriter under the Securities Act, and describe any commissions that we must pay. Any such agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment or, if indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, on a firm commitment basis. This prospectus may be used in connection with any offering of our securities through any of these methods or other methods described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

        The distribution of the securities may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions:

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

    at market prices prevailing at the time of sale;

    at prices related to such prevailing market prices; or

    at negotiated prices.

        Each prospectus supplement will describe the method of distribution of the securities and any applicable restrictions.

        The prospectus supplement with respect to the securities of a particular series will describe the terms of the offering of the securities, including the following:

    the name of the agent or any underwriters;

    the public offering or purchase price and the proceeds we will receive from the sales of securities;

    any discounts and commissions to be allowed or paid to the agent or underwriters;

    all other items constituting underwriting compensation;

    any discounts and commissions to be allowed or re-allowed or paid to dealers; and

    any exchanges on which the securities will be listed.

        If any underwriters or agents are utilized in the sale of the securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered, we will enter into an underwriting agreement or other agreement with them at the time of sale to them, and we will set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to such offering the names of the underwriters or agents and the terms of the related agreement with them.

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        If a dealer is utilized in the sale of the securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered, we will sell such securities to the dealer, as principal. The dealer may then resell such securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by such dealer at the time of resale.

        If we offer securities in a subscription rights offering to our existing security holders, we may enter into a standby underwriting agreement with dealers, acting as standby underwriters. We may pay the standby underwriters a commitment fee for the securities they commit to purchase on a standby basis. If we do not enter into a standby underwriting arrangement, we may retain a dealer-manager to manage a subscription rights offering for us.

        Remarketing firms, agents, underwriters, dealers and other persons may be entitled under agreements which they may enter into with us to indemnification by us against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of business.

        If so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will authorize underwriters or other persons acting as our agents to solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase securities from us pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on the date stated in the prospectus supplement. Each contract will be for an amount not less than, and the aggregate amount of securities sold pursuant to such contracts shall not be less nor more than, the respective amounts stated in the prospectus supplement. Institutions with whom the contracts, when authorized, may be made include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and charitable institutions and other institutions, but shall in all cases be subject to our approval. Delayed delivery contracts will not be subject to any conditions except that:

    the purchase by an institution of the securities covered under that contract shall not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of the jurisdiction to which that institution is subject; and

    if the securities are also being sold to underwriters acting as principals for their own account, the underwriters shall have purchased such securities not sold for delayed delivery. The underwriters and other persons acting as our agents will not have any responsibility in respect of the validity or performance of delayed delivery contracts.

        Certain agents, underwriters and dealers, and their associates and affiliates may be customers of, have borrowing relationships with, engage in other transactions with, or perform services, including investment banking services, for us or one or more of our respective affiliates in the ordinary course of business.

        In order to facilitate the offering of the securities, any underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the securities or any other securities the prices of which may be used to determine payments on such securities. Specifically, any underwriters may overallot in connection with the offering, creating a short position for their own accounts. In addition, to cover overallotments or to stabilize the price of the securities or of any such other securities, the underwriters may bid for, and purchase, the securities or any such other securities in the open market. Finally, in any offering of the securities through a syndicate of underwriters, the underwriting syndicate may reclaim selling concessions allowed to an underwriter or a dealer for distributing the securities in the offering if the syndicate repurchases previously distributed securities in transactions to cover syndicate short positions, in stabilization transactions or otherwise. Any of these activities may stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities above independent market levels. Any such underwriters are not required to engage in these activities and may end any of these activities at any time.

        Under Rule 15c6-1 of the Exchange Act, trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in two business days, unless the parties to any such trade expressly agree otherwise or the securities are sold by us to an underwriter in a firm commitment underwritten offering. The applicable

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prospectus supplement may provide that the original issue date for your securities may be more than two scheduled business days after the trade date for your securities. Accordingly, in such a case, if you wish to trade securities on any date prior to the second business day before the original issue date for your securities, you will be required, by virtue of the fact that your securities initially are expected to settle in more than two scheduled business days after the trade date for your securities, to make alternative settlement arrangements to prevent a failed settlement.

        To comply with the securities laws of some states, if applicable, the securities may be sold in such jurisdictions only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in some states the securities may not be sold unless they have been registered or qualified for sale or an exemption from registration or qualification requirements is available and is complied with.

        The securities may be new issues of securities and may have no established trading market. The securities may or may not be listed on a national securities exchange. We can make no assurance as to the liquidity of or the existence of trading markets for any of the securities.

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LEGAL MATTERS

        Unless the applicable prospectus supplement indicates otherwise, the validity of the securities in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered will be passed upon by Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP.


EXPERTS

        The financial statements incorporated in this Prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report (which contains an explanatory paragraph relating to the Company's ability to continue as a going concern as described in Note 1 to the financial statements) of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

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Table of Contents

 

               Shares

Ocular Therapeutix, Inc.

LOGO

Common Stock


PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT


Joint Book-Running Managers

Jefferies   Piper Sandler

May      , 2020