F-3 1 ea133811-f3_tizianalife.htm REGISTRATION STATEMENT

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 26, 2021

Registration No. 333-              

 

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM F-3

 
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

Tiziana Life Sciences plc
(Exact Name of registrant as Specified in its charter)

 

Not Applicable
(Translation of registrant’s name into English)

 

England and Wales   Not Applicable
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

 

3rd Floor,

11-12 St James’s Square

London SW1Y 4LB

United Kingdom

+44 (0) 20 7495 2379
(Address and telephone number of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

Tiziana Therapeutics, Inc.

420 Lexington Avenue, Suite 2525

New York, NY 10170

+44 (0) 20 7495 2379
(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)

 

Copies of all communications, including communications sent to agent for service, should be sent to:

 

Jeffrey J. Fessler, Esq.

Nazia Khan, Esq.

Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP

30 Rockefeller Plaza, 39th Floor

New York, New York 10112

Tel: (212) 653-8700

Fax: (212) 653-8701

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after the effective date of this registration statement.

 

If only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. ☐

 

If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box. ☒

 

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐

 

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐

 

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.C. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box ☐

 

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.C. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933.

 

Emerging growth company ☒

 

If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐

 

 

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

Title of each class of securities to be registered  Amount to be registered(1)   Proposed maximum
offering price per unit(2)
   Proposed maximum
aggregate offering
price(3)
   Amount of
registration fee(4)
 
Ordinary Shares, nominal value £0.03 per share (5)                    
Warrants                    
Units                    
Total  $250,000,000              $250,000,000   $27,275 

 

 

(1)There are being registered under this registration statement such indeterminate number of ordinary shares, warrants, and units, as may be sold by the registrant from time to time, which collectively shall have an aggregate initial offering price not to exceed $250,000,000 or, if any securities are issued for consideration denominated in a foreign currency, such amount as shall result in an aggregate initial offering price equivalent to a maximum of $250,000,000. The securities registered hereunder also include such indeterminate number of ordinary shares as may be issued upon conversion, exercise or exchange of warrants that provide for such conversion into, exercise for or exchange into ordinary shares. In addition, pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, the ordinary shares being registered hereunder include such indeterminate number of ordinary shares as may be issuable with respect to the shares being registered hereunder as a result of stock splits, stock dividends, or similar transactions.

(2)Not specified as to each class of securities to be registered pursuant to General Instruction II.C. of Form F-3.

(3)An indeterminate aggregate amount of securities is being registered as may from time to time be sold at indeterminate prices.

(4)The registration fee has been calculated pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act on the basis of the maximum aggregate offering price of the securities listed.

(5)American depositary shares issuable upon deposit of the ordinary shares registered hereby have been registered pursuant to a separate registration statement on Form F-6, as amended (File No. 333-227509). Each ADS represents 2 ordinary shares.

 

The Registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to such Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXPLANATORY NOTE

 

This registration statement of Tiziana Life Sciences plc (the “Registrant”) contains:

 

  a base prospectus which covers the offering, issuance and sale by the Registrant of the securities identified above from time to time in one or more offerings, which together shall have an aggregate offering price not to exceed $250,000,000; and
     
  a sales agreement prospectus covering the offering, issuance and sale of up to $100,000,000 of shares of the Registrant’s American Depositary Shares that may be issued and sold under the At Market Issuance Sales Agreement, dated January __, 2021 (the “Sales Agreement”), between the Registrant and B. Riley Securities, Inc.

 

The base prospectus immediately follows this explanatory note. The specific terms of any securities to be offered pursuant to the base prospectus will be specified in a prospectus supplement to the base prospectus. The sales agreement prospectus immediately follows the base prospectus. The common stock that may be offered, issued and sold by the Registrant under the sales agreement prospectus is included in the $250,000,000 of securities that may be offered, issued and sold by the Registrant under the base prospectus. Upon termination of the Sales Agreement, any portion of the $100,000,000 included in the sales agreement prospectus that is not sold pursuant to the Sales Agreement will be available for sale in other offerings pursuant to the base prospectus and a corresponding prospectus supplement, and if no shares are sold under the Sales Agreement, the full $100,000,000 of securities not sold may be sold in other offerings pursuant to the base prospectus and a corresponding prospectus supplement.

 

 

 

 

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

 

Subject to Completion, Dated January 26, 2021

 

PROSPECTUS

 

$250,000,000

Ordinary Shares
American Depositary Shares Representing Ordinary Shares

Warrants
Units

 

 

We may offer, issue and sell from time to time up to $250,000,000, or its equivalent in any other currency, currency units, or composite currency or currencies, of our ordinary shares, in the form of American Depositary Shares, or ADSs, warrants to purchase ordinary shares, in the form of ADSs and a combination of such securities, separately or as units, in one or more offerings. Each ADS represents 2 ordinary shares. This prospectus provides a general description of offerings of these securities that we may undertake.

 

We refer to our ADSs, ordinary shares, warrants, and units collectively as “securities” in this prospectus.

 

Each time we sell our securities pursuant to this prospectus, we will provide the specific terms of such offering in a supplement to this prospectus. The prospectus supplement may also add, update, or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus, the accompanying prospectus supplement, together with the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information,” before you make your investment decision.

 

We may, from time to time, offer to sell the securities, through public or private transactions, directly or through underwriters, agents or dealers, on or off The Nasdaq Global Market, at prevailing market prices or at privately negotiated prices. If any underwriters, agents or dealers are involved in the sale of any of these securities, the applicable prospectus supplement will set forth the names of the underwriter, agent or dealer and any applicable fees, commissions or discounts.

 

Our ADSs issued in connection with our November 2018 initial public offering in the United States are listed on The Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “TLSA”. On January 25, 2021, the last reported price of our ADSs on The Nasdaq Global Market was $3.71 per ADS.

 

Our ordinary shares are admitted to listing on the standard segment of the Official List of the UK Financial Conduct Authority, or the FCA, and to trading on the main market for listed securities, or Main Market, of London Stock Exchange plc, or the London Stock Exchange, under the symbol “TILS.” On January 25, 2021, the last reported price of our ordinary shares was £1.50 per share (equivalent to $4.11 per ADS based on an exchange rate of £1.00 to $1.3685).

  

We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined by the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or JOBS Act, and as such, have elected to comply with certain reduced public company reporting requirements for this prospectus and future filings.

 

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Please carefully consider the risks discussed in this prospectus under “Risk Factors” in this prospectus, 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 our securities.

 

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

 

The date of this prospectus is                       , 2021.

 

 

 

 

Table of Contents

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS ii
   
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS iii
   
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY 1
   
RISK FACTORS 7
   
CAPITALIZATION 8
   
USE OF PROCEEDS 8
   
DESCRIPTION OF SHARE CAPITAL AND ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION 8
   
DESCRIPTION OF THE AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES 27
   
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS 36
   
DESCRIPTION OF UNITS 38
   
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION 38
   
TAXATION 41
   
EXPENSES 42
   
LEGAL MATTERS 42
   
EXPERTS 42
   
ENFORCEMENT OF CIVIL LIABILITIES 42
   
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE 43
   
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION 45

 

-i-

 

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

 

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may sell our securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings up to a total dollar amount of $250,000,000. Each time we offer our securities, we will provide you with a supplement to this prospectus that will describe the specific amounts, prices and terms of the securities we offer. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. This prospectus, together with applicable prospectus supplements and the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplements, includes all material information relating to an offering of our securities. Please read carefully both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with additional information described below under “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference.”

 

You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different or additional information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. The information contained in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any sale of securities described in this prospectus. This prospectus is not an offer to sell our securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy our securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement, as well as information we have previously filed with the SEC and incorporated by reference, is accurate as of the date on the front of those documents only. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates. This prospectus may not be used to consummate a sale of our securities unless it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

 

Throughout this prospectus, unless otherwise designated, the terms “Tiziana,” “Tiziana Life Sciences plc,” “the company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Tiziana Life Sciences plc and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Tiziana Therapeutics, Inc., Tiziana Pharma Limited and Longevia Genomics S.r.l. References to “ordinary shares”, “ADSs”, “warrants” and “share capital” refer to the ordinary shares, ADSs, warrants and share capital, respectively, of Tiziana Life Sciences plc.

 

Certain figures included in this prospectus have been subject to rounding adjustments. Accordingly, figures shown as totals in certain tables may not be an arithmetic aggregation of the figures that precede them.

 

We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information that is different from that contained in this prospectus, any amendment or supplement to this prospectus, or in any free writing prospectus we may authorize to be delivered or made available to you. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. This prospectus is not an offer to sell securities, and it is not soliciting an offer to buy securities, in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. The information contained in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date on the front of this prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any sale of the securities. For investors outside of the United States: We have not taken any action to permit this offering or possession or distribution of this prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required, other than in the United States. You are required to inform yourselves about and to observe any restrictions relating to this offering and the distribution of this prospectus.

 

The industry in which we operate is subject to a high degree of uncertainty and risk due to a variety of factors, including those described in the section titled “Risk Factors.” These and other factors could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in the estimates made by the independent parties and by us.

 

We qualify as an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the JOBS Act. An emerging growth company may take advantage of specified reduced reporting and regulatory requirements in contrast to those otherwise applicable generally to public companies. These provisions include, but are not limited to, an exemption from the auditor attestation requirement in the assessment of our internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404 the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended.

 

We may take advantage of these reduced reporting and other regulatory requirements until such time that we are no longer an emerging growth company. We will remain an “emerging growth company” until the earliest of (i) the last day of the fiscal year in which we have total annual gross revenues of $1.07 billion or more; (ii) the last day of our fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the date of our initial public offering; (iii) the date on which we have issued more than $1 billion in non-convertible debt during the previous three years; or (iv) the date on which we are deemed to be a “large accelerated filer” as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. In addition, the JOBS Act provides that an emerging growth company may delay adopting new or revised accounting standards until those standards apply to private companies.

 

We are a “foreign private issuer” as defined in Rule 3b-4 under the Exchange Act. As a result, our proxy solicitations are not subject to the disclosure and procedural requirements of Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act and transactions in our equity securities by our officers and directors are exempt from Section 16 of the Exchange Act. In addition, we are not required under the Exchange Act to file periodic reports and financial statements as frequently or as promptly as U.S. companies whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act.

 

-ii-

 

 

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS 

 

This prospectus contains forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements are contained principally in the sections of this prospectus titled “About this Prospectus,” “Risk Factors,” and “Prospectus Summary.” All statements, other than statements of historical facts, contained in this prospectus, including statements regarding our future results of operations and financial position, business strategy, prospective products, product approvals, research and development costs, timing and likelihood of success, plans and objectives of management for future operations, and future results of current and anticipated products, are forward-looking statements. These statements relate to future events or to our future financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “assume,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “goal,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “objective,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “positioned,” “seek,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would,” or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about our business and the industry in which we operate and management’s beliefs and assumptions, are not guarantees of future performance or development and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors.

 

Actual results or events could differ materially from the plans, intentions and expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements we make. As a result, any or all of our forward-looking statements in this prospectus may turn out to be inaccurate. We have included important factors in the cautionary statements included in this prospectus, particularly in the section of this prospectus titled “Risk Factors,” that we believe could cause actual results or events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements that we make. 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. Moreover, we operate in a highly competitive and rapidly changing environment in which new risks often emerge. It is not possible for our management to predict all risks, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements we may make. Our forward-looking statements do not reflect the potential impact of any future acquisitions, mergers, dispositions, joint ventures or investments we may make.

 

You should read this prospectus and the documents that we reference in this prospectus and have filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect. The forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus are made as of the date of this prospectus, and we do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements except as required by applicable law and regulation.

 

-iii-

 

 

 

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

 

You should read the following summary together with the more detailed information about us, the securities that may be sold from time to time, and our financial statements and the notes thereto, all of which appear elsewhere in this prospectus or in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

 

We are a biotechnology company that is focused on the discovery and development of novel molecules and related diagnostics to treat high unmet medical needs in oncology and immunology. Our mission is to design and deliver next generation therapeutics and diagnostics for oncology and immune diseases of high unmet medical need by combining deep understanding of disease biology with clinical development expertise. We have a drug discovery pipeline of small molecule new chemical entities, or NCEs, and biologics. We employ a lean and virtual research and development, or R&D, model using highly experienced teams of experts for each business function to maximize value accretion by focusing resources on the drug discovery and development processes.

 

Foralumab (TZLS-401)

 

Our lead product candidate in immunology is Foralumab (TZLS-401), which we believe is the only fully human anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody, or mAb, in clinical development. MAbs represent a single pure antibody produced by single clones and are an important class of human therapeutics for treating cancers and autoimmune diseases. We are developing Foralumab, for which we in-licensed the intellectual property from Novimmune, SA, a Swiss biotechnology company, or Novimmune, as a potential treatment for neurodegenerative diseases such as progressive Multiple Sclerosis, or MS, and Crohn’s disease. As the only fully human engineered human anti-CD3 mAb in clinical development, Foralumab has significant potential advantages such as a shorter treatment duration and reduced immunogenicity. We believe that oral or intranasal administration of Foralumab has the potential to reduce inflammation while minimizing the toxicity and related side effects.

 

To date, Foralumab has been studied in one Phase 1 and two Phase 2a clinical trials conducted by Novimmune in 68 patients dosed by the intravenous route of administration. In these trials, Foralumab was observed to be safe and well-tolerated and produced immunologic effects consistent with potential clinical benefit while demonstrating mild to moderate infusion related reactions. With completion of the intravenous dosing for Phase 2a trial in Crohn’s Disease, Foralumab’s ability to modulate T-cell response enables potential extension into a wide range of other autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, such as graft versus host disease, ulcerative colitis, MS, type-1 diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis. 

 

Foralumab is being developed as both an immunosuppressive and immunomodulatory agent, with therapeutic benefits of rendering T-cells unable to orchestrate an immune response and induction of immune tolerance via maintenance of regulatory T-cells. There is further potential for Foralumab to be combined with our TZLS-501, a fully human anti-IL-6R mAB in development to target autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. In November 2016, we announced new data for oral efficacy in humanized mouse models with Foralumab, a major milestone and a potential breakthrough for the treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and autoimmune disease. This unique oral technology stimulates the natural gut immune system and potentially provides a therapeutic effect in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases with greatly reduced toxicity. Positive therapeutic effects with Foralumab were consistently demonstrated in animal studies conducted by Prof. Kevan Herold (Yale University) and Prof. Howard Weiner (Harvard University).

 

In April 2018, we entered into an exclusive license agreement with The Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Inc. relating to a novel formulation of Foralumab dosed in a medical device for nasal administration. An investigational new drug application, or IND, for the first-in-human evaluation of the nasal administration of Foralumab in healthy volunteers for progressive MS indication was filed in the second quarter of 2018. Subsequent to IND approval, a single-site, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-ranging Phase 1 trial with nasally administered Foralumab at 10, 50 and 250 µg per day, consecutively for 5 days to evaluate biomarkers of immunomodulation of clinical responses was initiated in November 2018. The trial was conducted at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, in healthy volunteers in which 18 subjects received Foralumab treatment and 9 patients received placebo. The study was completed in September 2019, and data demonstrated that nasally administered Foralumab was well-tolerated and no drug-related safety issues were reported at any of the doses. No drug-related changes were observed in vital signs among subjects at predose during treatment and at discharge. Nasally administered Foralumab at the 50 µg dose suppressed cytotoxic CD8+ as well as perforin-secreting CD8+ cells, which have been implicated in neurodegeneration in MS. Treatment at 50 µg stimulated production of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 and suppressed production of pro-inflammatory cytokine interferon-gamma (IFN-γ). Taken together, the treatment showed significant positive effects on the biomarkers for activation of mucosal immunity, which are capable of inducing site-targeted immunomodulation to elicit anti-inflammatory effects. Based on the results we intend to conduct a Phase 2 trial in progressive MS patients starting in the second quarter of 2021.

 

 

-1-

 

 

 

An enteric-coated capsule formulation using a proprietary and novel technology has been developed for oral administration of Foralumab. cGMP manufacturing of clinical trial materials for a Phase 1 study has been completed and an IND was submitted in March 2019.

 

On September 9, 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, granted approval to initiate the Phase 1 clinical trials to evaluate the safety and pharmacokinetics of oral Foralumab at 1.25, 2.5 and 5.0 mg/day as a single ascending dose study. The study was completed in December 2019 at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Formulated Foralumab powder encapsulated in enteric-coated capsule was well-tolerated at all doses tested and there were no drug-related safety issues observed even at the highest dose of 5 mg in this trial. Based on successful Phase 1 data, we intend to conduct a Phase 2 study using Crohn’s Disease patients starting in the second quarter of 2021.

 

In addition, on August 18, 2020 the United States Patent and Trademark Office, or USPTO, granted us a patent on use and methods of treatment of Crohn’s disease with Foralumab, its proprietary fully human monoclonal antibody, and all other anti-CD3 mAbs. The CD3 (cluster of differentiation 3) is a protein complex on T-cells, which is important for the regulation of the immune system. The patent was published by the USPTO on September 1, 2020 as Patent No. 10,759,858. Recently, we also announced the issuance of the first-ever patent on oral administration of anti-CD3 mAbs for treatment of human diseases (Patent No. 10,688,186). We believe the grant of this additional composition-of-matter and use patent further strengthens our intellectual property, consisting of proprietary technologies on oral and nasal administration of Foralumab and other anti-CD3 mAbs for the treatment of human diseases.

 

On July 16, 2020, we announced that we had submitted a patent application on the potential use of Foralumab, a fully human anti-CD3 mAbs, to improve success of chimeric antigen receptor T-cell, or CAR-T, therapy for cancer and other human diseases. The patent application conveys inventions related lymphodepletion to improving CAR-T expansion and/or survival using anti-CD-3 mAbs administered either alone or in combination with other co-stimulatory molecules, such as an anti-IL-6R mAb, an anti-CD28 mAb or specific inhibitors of signaling pathways of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (AKT), or mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR).

 

On July 31, 2020, we announced that we had submitted a patent application for the potential use of nasally administered Foralumab, a fully human anti-CD3 mAb, for the treatment of COVID-19 either alone or in combination with other anti-viral drugs. Recent clinical studies implied that a combination of anti-inflammatory and anti-viral drugs may be more effective to treat patients at different stages of COVID-19 disease. 

 

A collaborative clinical study was initiated on November 2, 2020, investigating nasally administered Foralumab either alone or in combination with orally administered dexamethasone in COVID-19 patients in Brazil. In view of the importance and urgency, scientific teams at the Harvard Medical School, Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Santos Hospital (Jabaquara, Santos, Brazil) and at our company closely collaborated to facilitate initiation of this study in expedited time frames. The clinical trial was coordinated by the team at INTRIALS, a leading, full-service Latin America Clinical Research Organization, (CRO) based in Sao Paulo City, Brazil. The trial was completed in January 2021, and the clinical data from this trial is expected to be available by the first quarter of 2021. This trial, the first-ever trial on nasal administration of Foralumab for treatment of COVID-19, is of enormous significance because the underlying scientific approach is to modulate immune system, which is dysregulated and crippled to protect against the virus. If successful, we believe this approach could be good for treatment of all COVID-19 variants and other viruses

 

 

-2-

 

 

 

TZLS-501

 

We are accelerating development of a fully human mAb targeting the IL-6R (TZLS-501) for which the intellectual property was licensed from Novimmune in 2017. This fully human mAb has a novel mechanism of action, binding to both the membrane-bound and soluble forms of the IL-6R as well as depleting circulating levels of the IL-6 in the blood. Excessive production of IL-6 is regarded as a key driver of acute inflammation resulting from infection with viral agents such as Coronaviruses and of chronic inflammation, associated with autoimmune diseases such as multiple myeloma, oncology indications and rheumatoid arthritis, and we believe that TZLS-501 may have potential therapeutic value for these indications.

 

In preclinical studies, TZLS-501 demonstrated the potential for overcoming the limitations of other IL-6 blocking pathway drugs. Compared to tocilizumab and sarilumab, while binding to the membrane-bound IL-6R complex, TZLS-501 has been observed to have a higher affinity for the soluble IL-6R from antibody binding studies conducted in cell culture. TZLS-501 also demonstrated the potential to block or reduce IL-6 signaling in mouse models of inflammation. The soluble form of IL-6 has been implicated to have a larger role in disease progression compared to the membrane-bound form (Kallen, K.J. (2002). “The role of trans-signaling via the agonistic soluble IL-6R in human diseases.” Biochimica et Biophysica Acta. 1592 (3): 323–343.)

 

We are advancing development of TZLS-501 in light of the Coronavirus pandemic that originated in Wuhan China in December 2019. Coronavirus disease, or COVID-19 is a highly contagious disease attributed to transmission of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2, or SARS-CoV-2. Certain patients infected with COVID-19 may develop an uncontrolled immune response resulting in severe damage to lung tissue which could lead to respiratory failure. Early clinical studies conducted by doctors in China suggest that anti-IL-6R mAb may be used in clinical practice for treatment of COVID-19. Consequently, China’s National Health Commission has recommended the use of Roche’s blockbuster drug, Actemra® for treatment of patients infected with COVID-19, with serious lung damage and elevated IL-6 levels. Actemra® was first approved by the FDA in 2010 for rheumatoid arthritis. Besides Actemra®, Sanofi and Regeneron are currently exploring Kevzara®, an FDA-approved anti-IL-6R therapy for rheumatoid arthritis, for treatment of severe COVID-19. We believe that of TZLS-501 may have greater clinical effect than Actemra® or Kevzara® based on higher binding affinity for IL-6 receptor complex compared to Actemra® and Kevzara®. Also TZLS-501 reduces circulating levels of IL-6 via the trans-signaling pathways. 

 

On August 24, 2020 we announced that the USPTO had granted a patent for methods and use of fully human mAb (TZLS-501) that recognizes both IL-6R and IL-6 receptor complex with IL-6 (IL-6R/IL-6) for prophylactic and therapeutic intervention for human diseases. We initially entered into a world-wide exclusive license from Novimmune in 2017. The license is currently maintained with Bristol Myers Squibb. The patent (No. 10,759,862) was published by the USPTO on September 1, 2020. The grant of this additional patent on TZLS-501 is of particular significance for the potential treatment of COVID-19 and other pulmonary diseases such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

 

We filed a patent on inhalation delivery of TZLS-501 using a hand-held nebulizer for direct delivery in lungs. It is expected that the direct delivery of TZLS-501 might rapidly deplete the excessive levels of IL-6 present in lungs to provide rapid relief. TZLS-501 is a novel anti-IL-6R mAb that also depletes circulating levels of IL-6 and its biochemical functions are not interfered by the excessive level of IL-6. Hence, we believe TZLS-501 is very well distinguished from Actemra® and Kevzara®. Currently, we are developing TZLS-501 for treatment of COVID-19. The underlying scientific approach is to deplete IL-6 and suppress the cytokine storm in lungs. This approach might be applicable for treatment of all COVID-19 and its newly identified variants.

 

Milciclib (TZLS-201)

 

We are developing Milciclib, for which we in-licensed the intellectual property from Nerviano Medical Sciences S.r.l. in 2015, as a potential treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma, or HCC. A novel feature of Milciclib is its ability to reduce levels of microRNAs, miR-221 and miR-222. MicroRNAs are small RNA molecules that play a significant role in the regulation of gene expression. miR-221 and miR-222 are believed to be linked to the development of blood supply (angiogenesis) in cancer tumors. Levels of these microRNAs are consistently elevated in HCC patients and may contribute towards resistance to treatment with Sorafenib, a multikinase inhibitor (a drug which may inhibit the cellular division and proliferation associated with certain cancers) often prescribed to HCC patients as the Standard of Care.

 

 

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To date, Milciclib has been studied in a total of eight completed Phase 1 and 2 clinical trials in 316 patients. In these trials, Milciclib was observed to be well-tolerated and showed initial signals of anti-tumor action. Prior to in-licensing, Milciclib was granted orphan designation by the European Commission and by the FDA for the treatment of malignant thymoma and an aggressive form of thymic carcinoma in patients previously treated with chemotherapy. In two Phase 2a trials, CDKO-125a-006 and CDKO125a-007, Milciclib showed signs of slowing disease progression and acceptable safety. We initiated a Phase 2a trial (CDKO-125a-010) of Milciclib safety and tolerability as a single therapy in Sorafenib-resistant patients with HCC in the first half of 2017. Typically, this population of patients have an advanced form of the disease with poor prognosis and an average overall survival expectancy of three to five months. In May 2018, the Independent Data Monitor committee, or IDMC, completed an interim analysis of tolerability data from the first eleven treated patients and recommended expansion of the initial cohort to an additional 20 patients to complete the trial enrolment, which was completed in December 2018. In March 2019, the IDMC reviewed safety data from patients as of February 26, 2019 and concluded that the administration of Milciclib to patients with advanced HCC was not associated with unexpected signs or signals of toxicity. 28 out of 31 treated patients were evaluable, 14 completed the 6-month duration study. The most frequent adverse events such as diarrhea, ascites, nausea, fatigue, asthenia, fever, ataxia, headache, and rash were manageable. No drug-related deaths were recorded.

 

The Phase 2a trial was completed in June 2019 with clinical safety result reported in July 2019 and efficacy results reported in September 2019. The clinical activity assessment in evaluable patients was based on the independent radiological review using the modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors.

 

14 out of 28 (50%) evaluable patients completed six-month duration of the trial.

 

Both median TTP and PFS were 5.9 months (95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.5-6.7 months) out of the 6-months duration of the trial.

 

16 of 28 (57.1%) evaluable patients showed ‘Stable Disease.’

 

One patient (3.6%) showed unconfirmed ‘Partial Response.’

 

17 of 28 (60.7%) evaluable patients showed ‘Clinical Benefit Rate’ defined as CBR=CR+PR+SD (with CR representing Complete Remission).

 

Since overexpression of cyclin-dependent kinases, or CDKs, and dysregulation in pRB pathway (regulates transcription factors critical for cell cycle progression) are prominently associated with tumor cell resistance to certain chemotherapeutic drugs, inhibition of multiple CDKs is an appealing approach to improve clinical responses in cancer patient’s refractory to existing treatment options. A Phase 1 dose-escalation study of Milciclib in combination with gemcitabine in patients with refractory solid tumors exhibited clinical activity in patients, including those who were refractory to gemcitabine. We plan to explore a combination treatment of Milciclib and a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (either Sorafenib or Regorafenib) in patients with HCC in the third quarter of 2021.

 

On August 21, 2020 we announced that the USPTO had granted us a patent on use of Milciclib in combination with tyrosine kinase inhibitors, or TKIs, such as Sorafenib (Nexavar®), Regorafenib (Stivarga®) and Lenvatinib (Lenvima®) for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma, or HCC, and other cancers in humans. This patent was published by the USPTO on September 1, 2020 as Patent No. 10,758,541. Like most human cancers, HCC is a complex multi-factorial cancer with multiple underlying mechanisms causing enormous heterogeneity in patient populations. Consequently, patients with HCC often develop resistance towards the monotherapies of existing therapeutics. Thus, there is an urgent need for combination drug treatment approaches targeting different mechanisms to achieve better clinical outcomes. We are planning to conduct a Phase 2b trial with Milciclib in combination with a TKI or immunotherapy in sorafenib-resistant HCC patients. We also successfully completed a Phase 1 trial in patients with refractory solid cancers. The patients enrolled in this trial were resistant to all existing chemotherapies for cancer. The trial data showed that Milciclib in combination with gemcitabine provided 36% clinical response to these patients who had shown no response to gemcitabine when administered alone. These data suggest that Milciclib may be able to overcome drug-resistance. This novel attribute of Milciclib may have application as an adjuvant therapy in combination with chemotherapies for treatment of refractory, malignant and advanced cases of cancers. The data from this trial also showed that the combination treatment delayed onset in a patient with non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). The preclinical data from an animal study also suggest that orally administered Milciclib might also be effective in Kras+ (G12C) mutants of NSCLC cancer. We are further exploring the use of Milciclib in combination with other drugs for treatment of Kras+ (G12C) NSCLC, which is an unmet medical need.

 

 

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Our Product Candidates

 

Our product candidate pipeline is set forth below:

 

Development Pipeline

 

 

 

Risks Associated with Our Business

 

Our business is subject to numerous risks. You should read these risks before you invest in our securities. In particular, our risks include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

We may fail to demonstrate the safety and therapeutic utility of our product candidates to the satisfaction of applicable regulatory authorities, which would prevent or delay regulatory approval and commercialization.

 

We depend on enrollment of patients in our clinical trials for our product candidates and may find it difficult to enroll patients in our clinical trials, which could delay or prevent us from proceeding with clinical trials of our product candidates and could materially adversely affect our research and development efforts and business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Our independent registered public accounting firm has expressed substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern, which may hinder our ability to obtain future financing.

 

We have incurred net losses in every year since our inception. We anticipate that we will continue to incur losses for the foreseeable future and may never achieve or maintain profitability.

 

We need substantial additional funding to complete the development of our product candidates, which may not be available on acceptable terms, if at all. Failure to obtain this necessary capital when needed may force us to delay, limit or terminate certain of our product development, research operations or future commercialization efforts, if any.

 

We rely, and expect to continue to rely, on third parties to conduct our preclinical studies and clinical trials and for product manufacturing. If these third parties do not successfully carry out their contractual duties or meet expected deadlines, we may not be able to obtain regulatory approval for or commercialize our product candidates.

 

Our rights to develop and commercialize our product candidates are subject to the terms and conditions of licenses granted to us by others. If we fail to comply with our obligations under our existing and any future intellectual property licenses with third parties, we could lose license rights that are important to the business.

 

 

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If our competitors are able to obtain orphan drug exclusivity for products that constitute the same drug and treat the same indications as our product candidates, we may not be able to have competing products approved by applicable regulatory authorities for a significant period of time. In addition, even if we obtain orphan drug exclusivity for any of our products, such exclusivity may not protect us from competition.

 

Healthcare legislative reform measures may have a negative impact on our business and results of operations.

 

A pandemic, epidemic or outbreak of an infectious disease, such as COVID-19, may materially and adversely affect our business and operations.

 

We may re-incorporate in another jurisdiction, and the laws of such jurisdiction will likely govern all of our material agreements and we may not be able to enforce our legal rights.

 

The dual listing of our ordinary shares and our ADSs may adversely affect the liquidity and value of the ADSs.

 

The rights of our shareholders may differ from the rights typically offered to shareholders of a U.S. corporation.

 

As a foreign private issuer we are exempt from a number of rules under the U.S. securities laws as well as certain Nasdaq corporate governance rules applicable to U.S. listed companies and are permitted to file less information with the SEC than U.S. public companies.

 

Claims of U.S. civil liabilities may not be enforceable against us.

 

If we are a passive foreign investment company, there could be adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. holders.

 

We may lose our foreign private issuer status, which would then require us to comply with the Exchange Act’s domestic reporting regime and cause us to incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses.

 

Corporate Information

 

We were originally incorporated under the laws of England and Wales on February 11, 1998 with the goal of leveraging the expertise of our management team as well as Dr. Napoleone Ferrara, Dr. Arun Sanyal, Dr. Howard Weiner and Dr. Kevan Herold, and to acquire and exploit certain intellectual property in biotechnology. We subsequently changed our name to Tiziana Life Sciences plc in April 2014 as a result of the acquisition of Tiziana Pharma Limited in April 2014.

 

Our registered office is located at 3rd Floor, 11-12 St James’s Square, London SW1Y 4LB and our telephone number is +44 (0) 20 7495 2379. Our website address is www.tizianalifesciences.com. The reference to our website is an inactive textual reference only and the information contained in, or that can be accessed through, our website is not a part of this registration statement. Our agent for service of process in the United States is Tiziana Therapeutics, Inc.

  

“Tiziana,” the Tiziana logo and other trademarks or service marks of Tiziana Life Sciences plc appearing in this prospectus are the property of Tiziana or our subsidiaries. This prospectus contains additional trade names, trademarks and service marks of others, which are the property of their respective owners. Solely for convenience, trademarks and trade names referred to in this prospectus may appear without the ® or TM symbols.

 

 

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RISK FACTORS

 

Investing in our securities involves significant risk. The prospectus supplement applicable to each offering of our securities will contain a discussion of the risks applicable to an investment in our company. Prior to making a decision about investing in our securities, you should carefully consider the specific factors discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in the applicable prospectus supplement, together with all of the other information contained or incorporated by reference in the prospectus supplement or appearing or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. You should also consider the risks, uncertainties and assumptions discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” included in our most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F and any subsequent Annual Reports on Form 20-F we file after the date of this prospectus, and all other information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus or the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, as updated by our subsequent filings under the Exchange Act and the risk factors and other information contained in any applicable prospectus supplement before acquiring any of our securities. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also affect our operations. The occurrence of any of these risks might cause you to lose all or part of your investment in the offered securities.

  

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CAPITALIZATION

 

A prospectus supplement or report on Form 6-K incorporated by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part will include information on our consolidated capitalization.

 

USE OF PROCEEDS

 

Except as otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities offered by this prospectus for general corporate purposes, which may include working capital, capital expenditures, research and development expenditures, regulatory affairs expenditures, clinical trial expenditures, acquisitions of new technologies and investments, and the repayment, refinancing, redemption or repurchase of indebtedness or capital stock.

 

The intended application of proceeds from the sale of any particular offering of securities using this prospectus will be described in the accompanying prospectus supplement relating to such offering. The precise amount and timing of the application of these proceeds will depend on our funding requirements and the availability and costs of other funds.

 

DESCRIPTION OF SHARE CAPITAL AND ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

 

Introduction

 

Set forth below is a summary of certain information concerning our share capital as well as a description of certain provisions of our articles of association, or Articles, and relevant provisions of the Companies Act. The summary below contains only material information concerning our share capital and corporate status and does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to our articles of association and applicable English law. Further, please note that holders of ADSs will not be treated as one of our shareholders and will not have any shareholder rights.

 

We were originally incorporated under the laws of England and Wales on February 11, 1998 under the name of Bigboom plc, with the goal of leveraging the expertise of our management team as well as Dr. Napoleone Ferrara, Dr. Arun Sanyal, Dr. Howard Weiner and Dr. Kevan Herold, and to acquire and exploit certain intellectual property in biotechnology. We subsequently changed our name to Tiziana Life Sciences plc in April 2014 as a result of the acquisition of Tiziana Pharma Limited in April 2014.

 

Our registered office is located at 3rd Floor, 11-12 St James’s Square, London SW1Y 4LB and our telephone number is +44 (0) 20 7495 2379. Our website address is www.tizianalifesciences.com. The reference to our website is an inactive textual reference only and the information contained in, or that can be accessed through, our website is not a part of this registration statement.

 

Current authorized share capital

 

Not applicable.

 

Current issued share capital

 

As of January 20, 2021, our issued share capital was 194,612,289 ordinary shares with a nominal value of £0.03 per share. Each issued ordinary share is fully paid.

 

Information about the Ordinary Shares

 

In accordance with our Articles, the following summarizes the rights of holders of our ordinary shares:

 

each holder of our ordinary shares is entitled to one vote per ordinary share on all matters to be voted on by shareholders generally;

 

the holders of the ordinary shares shall be entitled to receive notice of, attend, speak and vote at our general meetings; and

 

holders of our ordinary shares are entitled to receive such dividends as are recommended by our directors and declared by our shareholders.

 

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Registered Shares

 

We are required by the U.K. Companies Act 2006, or the Companies Act, to keep a register of our shareholders. Under English law, the ordinary shares are deemed to be issued when the name of the shareholder is entered in our share register. The share register therefore is prima facie evidence of the identity of our shareholders, and the shares that they hold. The share register generally provides limited, or no, information regarding the ultimate beneficial owners of our ordinary shares. Our share register is maintained by our registrar, Link Asset Services.

 

Potential future holders of our ADSs will not be treated as one of our shareholders and their names will therefore not be entered in our share register. The depositary, the custodian or their nominees will be the holder of the shares underlying our ADSs. Potential future holders of our ADSs have a right to receive the ordinary shares underlying their ADSs. For discussion on our ADSs and ADS holder rights, see “Description of the American Depositary Shares” in this prospectus.

 

Under the Companies Act, we must enter an allotment of shares in our share register as soon as practicable and in any event within two months of the allotment. We will perform all procedures necessary to update the share register to reflect any ordinary shares being sold in any potential offering, including updating the share register with the number of ordinary shares to be issued to the depositary upon the closing of any such offering in the future. We also are required by the Companies Act to register a transfer of shares (or give the transferee notice of and reasons for refusal as the transferee may reasonably request) as soon as practicable and in any event within two months of receiving notice of the transfer.

 

We, any of our shareholders, or any other affected person may apply to the court for rectification of the share register if:

 

the name of any person, without sufficient cause, is entered in or omitted from our register of members; or

 

default is made or unnecessary delay takes place in entering on the register the fact of any person having ceased to be a member or on which we have a lien, provided that such delay does not prevent dealings in the shares taking place on an open and proper basis.

 

Pre-emptive Rights

 

English law generally provides shareholders with pre-emptive rights when new shares are issued for cash; however, it is possible for the Articles, or shareholders by special resolution, to exclude pre-emptive rights. Such an exclusion of pre-emptive rights may be for a maximum period of up to five years from the date of adoption of the Articles, if the exclusion is contained in the Articles, or from the date of the shareholder resolution, if the exclusion is by shareholder resolution. In either case, this exclusion would need to be renewed by our shareholders upon its expiration (i.e., at least every five years). Typically U.K. public companies renew the disapplication of pre-emption rights on an annual basis or their annual general meeting. On July 16, 2020, our shareholders approved the exclusion of pre-emptive rights to the date of the next annual general meeting, which exclusion is for a number of shares equal to one third of the issued share capital at the time of passing of the resolution and which will need to be renewed upon expiration (i.e., the earlier of 15 months from the date of passing the resolution on the date of the next annual general meeting) to remain effective.

 

Articles

 

Our Articles were adopted by a special resolution of the founder shareholder passed at a general meeting on June 30, 2016. A summary of the terms of the Articles is set out below. The summary below is not a complete copy of the terms of the Articles.

 

The Articles contain no specific restrictions on our purpose and therefore, by virtue of section 31(1) of the Companies Act, our purpose is unrestricted.

 

The Articles contain, among other things, provisions to the following effect:

 

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Share Capital

 

Our share capital currently consists of ordinary shares. Subject to the Companies Act and to any rights attached to existing shares, we may issue shares with such rights or restrictions as may be determined by ordinary resolution or if no ordinary resolution has been passed or so far as such ordinary resolution does not make specific provision, as our board of directors may determine. In addition, shares which are to be redeemed, or are liable to be redeemed at our option or the holder of such shares may be issued with the board determining the terms and conditions of such redemption.

 

Voting Rights

 

Subject to any rights or restrictions attached to any shares from time to time, the general voting rights attaching to shares are as follows:

 

any resolution put to the vote of a general meeting must be decided exclusively on a poll;

 

on a poll, every shareholder who is present in person or by proxy or corporate representative shall have one vote for each share of which they are the holder. A shareholder, proxy or corporate representative entitled to more than one vote need not, if they vote, use all their votes or cast all the votes in the same way; and

 

if two or more persons are joint holders of a share, then in voting on any question the vote of the senior who tenders a vote, whether in person or by proxy, shall be accepted to the exclusion of the votes of the other joint holders. For this purpose, seniority shall be determined by the order in which the names of the holders stand in the share register.

 

Restrictions on voting

 

No shareholder shall be entitled to vote at any general meeting or at any separate class meeting in respect of any share held by such shareholder unless all calls or other sums payable by the shareholder in respect of that share have been paid.

 

Our board of directors may from time to time make calls upon our shareholders in respect of any money unpaid on their shares and each shareholder shall (subject to at least 14 clear days’ notice specifying the time or times and place of payment) pay at the time or times so specified the amount called on their shares.

 

Variation of Rights

 

Subject to the Companies Act, whenever our share capital is divided into different classes of shares, the special rights attached to any class may be varied or abrogated either with the consent in writing of the holders of three-fourths in nominal value of the issued shares of that class (excluding any shares held as treasury shares) or with the sanction of a special resolution passed at a separate general meeting of the holders of the shares of that class, held in accordance with the Articles. The Companies Act provides a right to object to the variation of the share capital by shareholders who did not vote in favor of the variation. Should an aggregate of 15% of shareholders of the issued shares in question apply to the court to have the variation cancelled, the variation shall have no effect unless and until it is confirmed by the court.

 

Alteration to share capital

 

We may, by ordinary resolution of shareholders, consolidate all or any of our share capital into shares of larger amount than our existing shares, or sub-divide our shares or any of them into shares of a smaller amount. We may, by special resolution of shareholders, confirmed by the court, reduce our share capital or any capital redemption reserve or any share premium account in any manner authorized by the Companies Act. We may redeem or purchase all or any of our shares as described in “—Other English Law Considerations—Purchase of Own Shares.”

 

Dividends

 

We may, subject to the provisions of the Companies Act and the Articles, by ordinary resolution from time to time declare dividends to be paid to shareholders not exceeding the amount recommended by our board of directors. Subject to the provisions of the Companies Act, in so far as, in our board of directors’ opinions, our profits justify such payments, our board of directors may pay interim dividends on any class of our shares.

 

Subject to the provisions of the Companies Act, our board of directors may from time to time pay shareholders such interim dividends as appears to our board of directors to be justified by the profits available for distribution (including any dividends at a fixed rate). If the share capital is divided into different classes, our board of directors may pay interim dividends on shares which confer deferred or non-preferred rights with regard to dividend as well as on shares which confer preferential rights with regard to dividend, but no interim dividend shall be paid on shares carrying deferred or non-preferred rights if, at the time of payment, any preferential dividend is in arrears.

 

Our board of directors may deduct from any dividend or other money payable to any person on or in respect of a share all such sums as may be due from such shareholder to us on account of calls or otherwise in relation to shares in our capital. Sums so deducted can be used to pay amounts owing to us in respect of the shares. Sums so deducted can be used to pay amounts owing to us in respect of the shares.

 

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Subject to any special rights attaching to or the terms of issue of any share, no dividend or other moneys payable by us on or in respect of any share shall bear interest against us. Any dividend unclaimed after a period of 12 years from the date such dividend became due for payment shall be forfeited and shall revert to us. Dividends may be declared or paid in any currency and our board of directors may decide the rate of exchange for any currency conversions that may be required, and how any costs involved are to be met.

 

Our board of directors may, by ordinary resolution of the company, direct (or in the case of an interim dividend may without the authority of an ordinary resolution direct) that payment of any dividend declared may be satisfied wholly or partly by the distribution of assets, and in particular of paid up shares or debentures of any other company, or in any one or more of such ways.

 

Change of control

 

There is no specific provision in our Articles that would have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change of control.

 

Distributions on Winding Up

 

On a winding up, the liquidator may, with the sanction of a special resolution of shareholders and any other sanction required by law, divide amongst the shareholders in specie the whole or any part of our assets and may, for that purpose, value any assets and determine how the division shall be carried out as between the shareholders or different classes of shareholders. The liquidator may, with the like sanction, vest the whole or any part of the assets in trustees upon such trusts for the benefit of shareholders as he may with the like sanction determine, but no shareholder shall be compelled to accept any assets upon which there is a liability.

 

Transfer of Ordinary Shares

 

Each member may transfer all or any of such member’s shares which are in certificated form by means of an instrument of transfer in any usual form or in any other form which our board of directors may approve. Each member may transfer all or any of such member’s shares which are in uncertificated form by means of a “relevant system” (i.e., the CREST System) in such manner provided for, and subject as provided in, the CREST Regulations.

 

Our board of directors may, in its absolute discretion, refuse to register a transfer of shares in certificated form (or renunciation of a renounceable letter of allotment) unless:

  

it is for a share which is fully paid up;

 

it is for a share upon which the company has no lien;

 

it is only for one class of share;

 

it is in favor of a single transferee or no more than four joint transferees;

 

it is duly stamped or is duly certificated or otherwise shown to the satisfaction of our board of directors to be exempt from stamp duty (if this is required); and

 

it is delivered for registration to the registered office of the company (or such other place as our board of directors may determine), accompanied (except in the case of a transfer by a person to whom the company is not required by law to issue a certificate and to whom a certificate has not been issued or in the case of a renunciation) by the certificate for the shares to which it relates and such other evidence as our board of directors may reasonably require to prove the title of the transferor (or person renouncing) and the due execution of the transfer or renunciation by him or, if the transfer or renunciation is executed by some other person on his behalf, the authority of that person to do so.

 

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Our board of directors may refuse to register a transfer of uncertificated shares in any circumstances that are allowed or required by the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001 and the requirements of its “relevant system” (i.e., the CREST System).

 

If our board of directors declines to register a transfer it shall, as soon as practicable and in any event within two months after the date on which the transfer is lodged or the instructions to the “relevant system” (i.e., the CREST System) is received, send to the transferee notice of the refusal, together with reasons for the refusal or, in the case of uncertified shares, notify such persons as may be required by the Uncertified Securities Regulations 2001 and the requirements of the “relevant system” concerned (i.e., the CREST System).

 

Allotment of Shares and Pre-emption Rights

 

Subject to the Companies Act and to any rights attached to existing shares, any share may be issued with or have attached to it such rights and restrictions as the company may by ordinary resolution determine, or if no ordinary resolution has been passed or so far as the resolution does not make specific provision, as our board of directors may determine (including shares which are to be redeemed, or are liable to be redeemed at the option of the company or the holder of such shares).

 

In accordance with section 551 of the Companies Act, our board of directors may be generally and unconditionally authorized to exercise all the powers of the company to allot shares up to an aggregate nominal amount equal to the amount stated in the relevant ordinary resolution authorizing such allotment.

 

The provisions of section 561 of the Companies Act (which confer on shareholders rights of pre-emption in respect of the allotment of equity securities which are paid up in cash) apply to the company except to the extent disapplied by special resolution of the company. Such pre-emption rights have been disapplied, in part, pursuant to the special resolution passed on July 16, 2020.

 

Alteration of Share Capital

 

We may by ordinary resolution consolidate or divide all or any of our share capital into shares of larger nominal value than its existing shares, or cancel any shares which, at the date of the ordinary resolution, have not been taken or agreed to be taken by any person and diminish the amount of its share capital by the nominal amount of shares so cancelled or sub-divide its shares, or any of them, into shares of smaller nominal value.

 

We may, in accordance with the Companies Act, reduce or cancel our share capital or any capital redemption reserve or share premium account in any manner and with and subject to any conditions, authorities and consents required by law.

 

Number of Directors

 

We may not have less than two directors or more than 15 directors on the board of directors. We may, by ordinary resolution of the shareholders, vary the minimum and/or maximum number of directors from time to time.

 

Appointment and Re-appointment of Directors

 

Subject to our Articles and the Companies Act, we may by ordinary resolution appoint a person who is willing to act as a director and our board of directors shall have power at any time to appoint any person who is willing to act as a director, in both cases either to fill a vacancy or as an addition to our existing board of directors, provided the total number of directors shall not exceed the maximum number of 15.

 

Without prejudice to the power to appoint any person to be a director by shareholder resolution, our board of directors has power to appoint any person to be a director, either to fill a casual vacancy or as an addition to our existing board of directors but so that the total number of directors does not exceed the maximum number fixed by or in accordance with our Articles. Any director appointed by our board of directors will hold office only until the following annual general meeting.

 

Retirement of Directors

 

At each annual general meeting, all directors shall retire from office except any director appointed by our board of directors after the notice of that annual general meeting has been given and before that annual general meeting has been held.

 

A retiring director shall be eligible for re-appointment. A director retiring at an annual general meeting shall, if he is not re-appointed at such meeting, retain office until the annual general meeting appoints someone in such director’s place, or if it does not do so, until the conclusion of such annual general meeting.

 

Meetings of our Board of Directors

 

Subject to the provisions of the Articles, our board of directors may regulate their proceedings as they deem appropriate. A director may, and the secretary at the request of a director shall, call a meeting of our board of directors.

 

The quorum for a meeting of our board of directors shall be fixed from time to time by a decision of our board of directors, but it must never be less than two and unless otherwise fixed, it is two.

 

Questions and matters requiring resolution arising at a meeting of our board of directors shall be decided by a majority of votes of the participating directors, with each director having one vote. In the case of an equality of votes, the chairman of the meeting of our board of directors will only have a casting vote or second vote (unless such chairman is not entitled to vote on the resolution in question).

  

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Directors’ fees and remuneration

 

Each of the directors shall be paid a fee at such rate as may from time to time be determined by our board of directors (or for the avoidance of doubt any duly authorized committee of our board of directors) provided that the aggregate of all such fees so paid to our directors shall not exceed £2,000,000 per annum, or such higher amount as may from time to time be determined by ordinary resolution of shareholders.

 

Each director may be paid reasonable traveling, hotel and other expenses of attending and returning from meetings of the board of directors or committees of the board of directors or general meetings or separate meetings of the holders of any class of shares or of debentures and shall be paid all expenses properly incurred by such director in the conduct of our business.

 

Any director who is appointed to any executive office or who serves on any committee or who devotes special attention to our business, or who otherwise performs services which in the opinion of our board of directors are outside the scope of the ordinary duties of a director, may be paid such reasonable additional remuneration by way of salary, commission, participation in profits or otherwise as our board of directors may determine.

 

Directors’ Interests

 

Our board of directors may, in accordance with the requirements in the Articles, authorize any matter proposed to them by any director which would, if not authorized, involve a director breaching his duty under the Companies Act, to avoid conflicts of interests.

 

Subject to the requirements under sections 175, 177 and 182 of the Companies Act, a director seeking authorization in respect of such conflict shall declare to our board of directors the nature and extent of such director’s interest in a conflict as soon as is reasonably practicable. The director shall provide our board of directors with such details of the matter as are necessary for our board of directors to decide how to address the conflict together with such additional information as may be requested by our board of directors.

 

Any authorization by our board of directors will be effective only if:

 

to the extent permitted by the Companies Act, the matter in question shall have been proposed by any director for consideration in the same way that any other matter may be proposed to the directors under the provisions of the Articles;

 

any requirement as to the quorum for consideration of the relevant matter is met without counting the conflicted director and any other conflicted director; and

 

the matter is agreed to without the conflicted director voting or would be agreed to if the conflicted director’s and any other interested director’s vote is not counted.

 

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A director shall be entitled to vote (and be counted in the quorum) in respect of any resolution concerning any of the following matters:

 

the giving of any guarantee, security or indemnity in respect of money lent or obligations incurred by such director or by any other person at the request of or for the benefit of us or any of our subsidiary undertakings;

 

the giving of any guarantee, security or indemnity in respect of a debt or obligation of us or any of our subsidiary undertakings for which such director has assumed responsibility in whole or in part under a guarantee or indemnity or by the giving of security;

 

any proposal concerning an offer of securities of or by us or any of our subsidiary undertakings in which offer such director is or may be entitled to participate as a holder of securities or in the underwriting or sub-underwriting of which such director is to participate;

 

any contract, arrangement or transaction concerning any other body corporate in which such director or any person connected with such director (within the meaning of sections 252-5 of the Companies Act) is interested, directly or indirectly and whether as an officer or shareholder or otherwise howsoever, provided that such director and any persons so connected with such director do not to such director’s knowledge hold an interest (within the meaning of sections 820 to 825 of the Companies Act) in one per cent. or more of any class of the equity share capital of such body corporate or of the voting rights available to members of the relevant body corporate;

 

any contract, arrangement or transaction for the benefit of employees of us or any of our subsidiary undertakings which does not accord to such director any privilege or advantage not generally accorded to the employees to whom the scheme relates;

 

any contract, arrangement or transaction concerning any insurance which we are to purchase and/or maintain for, or for the benefit of, any directors or persons including directors;

 

the giving of an indemnity in relation to another director; and

 

the provision of funds to any director to meet, or the doing of anything to enable a director to avoid incurring, expenditure of the nature described in section 205(1) or 206 of the Companies Act.

 

If a question arises at a meeting of our board of directors or of a committee of our board of directors as to the right of a director to vote or be counted in the quorum, and such question is not resolved by his voluntarily agreeing to abstain from voting or not to be counted in the quorum, the question shall be determined by the chairman and such chairman’s ruling in relation to any director other than such chairman shall be final and conclusive except in a case where the nature or extent of the interest of the director concerned has not been fairly disclosed.

 

Indemnity

 

Every director or other officer of our group may be indemnified against all costs, charges, expenses, losses and liabilities incurred by them in connection with that director’s or officer’s duties or powers in relation to us or other members of our group. See also “Indemnification Of Directors And Officers” in Part II below.

 

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General Meetings

 

In accordance with the Companies Act, we are required in each year to hold an annual general meeting in addition to any other general meetings in that year and to specify the meeting as such in the notice convening it. The annual general meeting shall be convened whenever and wherever the board sees fit, subject to the requirements of the Companies Act, as described in “—Differences in Corporate Law—Annual General Meeting” and “—Differences in Corporate Law—Notice of General Meetings” in this prospectus.

 

Notice of general meetings

 

The arrangements for the calling of general meetings are described in “—Differences in Corporate Law—Notice of General Meetings” in this prospectus.

 

Quorum of general meetings

 

No business shall be transacted at any general meeting unless a quorum is present when the general meeting proceeds to business, but the absence of a quorum shall not preclude the choice or appointment of a chairman of the general meeting which shall not be treated as part of the business of the general meeting. Save as otherwise provided by the Articles, two shareholders present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote shall be a quorum for all purposes.

 

Class meetings

 

The provisions in our Articles relating to general meetings apply to every separate general meeting of the holders of a class of shares except that:

 

the quorum for such class meeting shall be two holders in person or by proxy representing not less than one-third in nominal value of the issued shares of the class (excluding any shares held in treasury); and

 

if at any adjourned meeting of such holders a quorum is not present at the meeting, one holder of shares of the class present in person or by proxy at an adjourned meeting constitutes a quorum.

  

Borrowing Powers

 

Subject to the Articles and the Companies Act, our board of directors may exercise all of the powers of our company to:

 

borrow money;

 

indemnify and guarantee;

 

mortgage or charge;

 

create and issue debentures and other securities; and

 

give security either outright or as collateral security for any debt, liability or obligation of the company or of any third party.

 

The borrowing powers are restricted to the sum of £25,000,000 but this limit may be increased by ordinary resolution of shareholders.

 

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Capitalization of profits

 

Our directors may, if they are so authorized by an ordinary resolution of the shareholders, decide to capitalize any undivided profits of the company (whether or not they are available for distribution), or any sum standing to the credit of the company’s share premium account or capital redemption reserve. The directors may also, subject to the aforementioned ordinary resolution, appropriate any sum which they so decide to capitalize to the persons who would have been entitled to it if it were distributed by way of dividend and in the same proportions.

 

Uncertificated Shares

 

Subject to the Companies Act, our board of directors may permit title to shares of any class to be issued or held otherwise than by a certificate and to be transferred by means of a “relevant system” (i.e., the CREST System) without a certificate.

 

Our board of directors may take such steps as it sees fit in relation to the evidencing of and transfer of title to uncertificated shares, any records relating to the holding of uncertificated shares and the conversion of uncertificated shares to certificated shares, or vice-versa.

 

Our board of directors may by notice to the holder of an uncertificated share, require that share to be converted into certificated form.

 

Our board of directors may take such other action that our board of directors considers appropriate to achieve the sale, transfer, disposal, forfeiture, re-allotment or surrender of an uncertified share or otherwise to enforce a lien in respect of it.

 

Exclusive jurisdiction

 

Our Articles provide that by subscribing for or acquiring shares, a shareholder submits all disputes between such shareholder and us or our directors to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts.

 

Other Relevant Laws and Regulations

 

Mandatory Bid

 

The U.K. City Code on Takeovers and Mergers, or Takeover Code, applies to the company. Under the Takeover Code, where:

 

any person, together with persons acting in concert with him, acquires, whether by a series of transactions over a period of time or not, an interest in shares which (taken together with shares in which he is already interested, and in which persons acting in concert with him are interested) carry 30% or more of the voting rights of a company; or

 

any person who, together with persons acting in concert with him, is interested in shares which in the aggregate carry not less than 30% of the voting rights of a company but does not hold shares carrying more than 50% of such voting rights and such person, or any person acting in concert with him, acquires an interest in any other shares which increases the percentage of shares carrying voting rights in which he is interested, such person shall, except in limited circumstances, be obliged to extend offers, on the basis set out in Rules 9.3, 9.4 and 9.5 of the Takeover Code, to the holders of any class of equity share capital, whether voting or non-voting, and also to the holders of any other class of transferable securities carrying voting rights. Offers for different classes of equity share capital must be comparable; the U.K. Panel on Takeovers and Mergers, or Takeover Panel, should be consulted in advance in such cases.

 

An offer under Rule 9 of the Takeover Code must be in cash and at the highest price paid for any interest in the shares by the person required to make an offer or any person acting in concert with him during the 12 months prior to the announcement of the offer.

 

Under the Takeover Code, a “concert party” arises where persons acting together pursuant to an agreement or understanding (whether formal or informal and whether or not in writing) cooperate, through the acquisition by them of an interest in shares in a company, to obtain or consolidate control of the company. “Control” means holding, or aggregate holdings, of an interest in shares carrying 30% or more of the voting rights of the company, irrespective of whether the holding or holdings give de facto control.

 

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Panetta Partners Limited, Planwise Group Limited and Gabriele Cerrone are considered to be a “concert party” for the purposes of the Takeover Code, or the Cerrone Concert Party. Accordingly, such party will not, save in limited circumstances, be able to acquire further interests in shares carrying voting rights without being obliged to extend offers, on the basis set out in Rules 9.3, 9.4 and 9.5 of the Takeover Code, to the holders of any class of equity share capital, whether voting or non-voting, and also to the holders of any other class of transferable securities carrying voting rights.

 

Squeeze-out

 

Under the Companies Act, if a takeover offer (as defined in Section 974 of the Companies Act) is made for the shares of a company and the offeror were to acquire, or unconditionally contract to acquire:

 

not less than 90% in value of the shares to which the takeover offer relates, or the Takeover Offer Shares; and

 

where those shares are voting shares, not less than 90% of the voting rights attached to the Takeover Offer Shares,

 

the offeror could acquire compulsorily the remaining 10%. It would do so by sending a notice to outstanding shareholders within three months of the last day on which its offer can be accepted telling them that it will acquire compulsorily their shares, or Takeover Offer Shares, and then, six weeks later, it would send a copy of the notice to the company with an executed instrument of transfer of the outstanding Takeover Offer Shares in its favor and pay the consideration to the company, which would hold the consideration on trust for outstanding shareholders. The consideration offered to the shareholders whose Takeover Offer Shares are acquired compulsorily under the Companies Act must, in general, be the same as the consideration that was available under the takeover offer.

 

Sell-out

 

The Companies Act also gives minority shareholders a right to be bought out in certain circumstances by an offeror who has made a takeover offer (as defined in Section 974 of the Companies Act). If a takeover offer related to all the shares of a company and, at any time before the end of the period within which the offer could be accepted, the offeror held or had agreed to acquire not less than 90% of the shares to which the offer relates, any holder of the shares to which the offer related who had not accepted the offer could by a written communication to the offeror require it to acquire those shares. The offeror is required to give any shareholder notice of his or her right to be bought out within one month of that right arising. The offeror may impose a time limit on the rights of the minority shareholders to be bought out, but that period cannot end less than three months after the end of the acceptance period. If a shareholder exercises his or her rights, the offeror is bound to acquire those shares on the terms of the offer or on such other terms as may be agreed.

 

Shareholder Notification and Disclosure Requirements

 

A shareholder in a public company incorporated in the United Kingdom whose shares are admitted to listing on the standard segment of the Official List of the FCA and to trading on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange is required pursuant to Rule 5 of the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules of the FCA, or the DTRs, to notify us of the percentage of their voting rights if the percentage of voting rights which they hold as a shareholder or through their direct or indirect holding of financial instruments (or a combination of such holdings) reaches, exceeds or falls below 3%, 4%, 5%, and each 1% threshold thereafter up to 100% as a result of an acquisition or disposal of shares or financial instruments.

 

The DTRs can be accessed and downloaded from the FCA’s website at www.handbook.fca.org.uk/handbook/DTR. Shareholders are urged to consider their notification and disclosure obligations carefully as a failure to make a required disclosure to the company may result in disenfranchisement.

 

U.K. City Code on Takeovers and Mergers

 

As a U.K. public company whose shares are traded on a multi-lateral trading facility in the United Kingdom, we are subject to the Takeover Code, which is issued and administered by the Takeover Panel. The Takeover Code provides a framework within which takeovers are regulated and conducted. Under the Takeover Code, where:

 

any person, together with persons acting in concert with him, acquires, whether by a series of transactions over a period of time or not, an interest in shares which (taken together with shares in which he is already interested, and in which persons acting in concert with him are interested) carry 30% or more of the voting rights of a company; or

 

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any person who, together with persons acting in concert with him, is interested in shares which in the aggregate carry not less than 30% of the voting rights of a company but does not hold shares carrying more than 50% of such voting rights and such person, or any person acting in concert with him, acquires an interest in any other shares which increases the percentage of shares carrying voting rights in which he is interested;

 

such person shall, except in limited circumstances, be obliged to extend offers, on the basis set out in Rules 9.3, 9.4 and 9.5 of the Takeover Code, to the holders of any class of equity share capital, whether voting or non-voting, and also to the holders of any other class of transferable securities carrying voting rights. Offers for different classes of equity share capital must be comparable; the Takeover Panel should be consulted in advance in such cases.

 

An offer under Rule 9 of the Takeover Code must be in cash and at the highest price paid for any interest in the shares by the person required to make an offer or any person acting in concert with him during the 12 months prior to the announcement of the offer.

 

Exchange Controls

 

There are no governmental laws, decrees, regulations or other legislation in the United Kingdom that may affect the import or export of capital, including the availability of cash and cash equivalents for use by us, or that may affect the remittance of dividends, interest, or other payments by us to non-resident holders of our ordinary shares or ADSs, other than withholding tax requirements. There is no limitation imposed by English law or in our Articles on the right of non-residents to hold or vote shares.

 

Corporate Governance Code

 

We recognize the value of good corporate governance in every part of our business. Our board of directors has adopted the principles of the Quoted Companies Alliance’s Corporate Governance Code (2018 edition), or the QCA Code. Our board of directors views this as an appropriate corporate governance framework for our company and consideration has been given to each of the 10 principles set out in the QCA Code. We provide a statement of compliance with the QCA Code on our website, which we update annually.

 

Differences in Corporate Law

 

The applicable provisions of the Companies Act differ from laws applicable to U.S. corporations and their shareholders. Set forth below is a summary of certain differences between the provisions of the Companies Act applicable to us and the Delaware General Corporation Law relating to shareholders’ rights and protections. This summary is not intended to be a complete discussion of the respective rights and it is qualified in its entirety by reference to Delaware law and English law.

 

    England and Wales   Delaware
Number of Directors   Under the Companies Act, a public limited company must have at least two directors and the number of directors may be fixed by or in the manner provided in a company’s articles of association.   Under Delaware law, a corporation must have at least one director and the number of directors shall be fixed by or in the manner provided in the bylaws.
         
Removal of Directors   Under the Companies Act, shareholders may remove a director without cause by an ordinary resolution (which is passed by a simple majority of those voting in person or by proxy at a general meeting) irrespective of any provisions of any service contract the director has with the company, provided 28 clear days’ notice of the resolution has been given to the company and its shareholders. On receipt of notice of an intended resolution to remove a director, the company must forthwith send a copy of the notice to the director concerned. Certain other procedural requirements under the Companies Act must also be followed, such as allowing the director to make representations against his or her removal either at the meeting or in writing.   Under Delaware law, any director or the entire board of directors may be removed, with or without cause, by the holders of a majority of the shares then entitled to vote at an election of directors, except (i) unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise, in the case of a corporation whose board of directors is classified, stockholders may effect such removal only for cause, or (ii) in the case of a corporation having cumulative voting, if less than the entire board of directors is to be removed, no director may be removed without cause if the votes cast against his removal would be sufficient to elect him if then cumulatively voted at an election of the entire board of directors, or, if there are classes of directors, at an election of the class of directors of which he is a part.

 

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Vacancies on the Board of Directors   Under English law, the procedure by which directors, other than a company’s initial directors, are appointed is generally set out in a company’s articles of association, provided that where two or more persons are appointed as directors of a public limited company by a resolution of the shareholders, resolutions appointing each director must be voted on individually.   Under Delaware law, vacancies and newly created directorships may be filled by a majority of the directors then in office (even though less than a quorum) or by a sole remaining director unless (i) otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of the corporation or (ii) the certificate of incorporation directs that a particular class of stock is to elect such director, in which case a majority of the other directors elected by such class, or a sole remaining director elected by such class, will fill such vacancy.
         
Annual General Meeting   Under the Companies Act, a public limited company must hold an annual general meeting in each six-month period following its annual accounting reference date.   Under Delaware law, the annual meeting of stockholders shall be held at such place, on such date and at such time as may be designated from time to time by the board of directors or as provided in the certificate of incorporation or by the bylaws.
         
General Meeting   Under the Companies Act, a general meeting of the shareholders of a public limited company may be called by the directors.   Under Delaware law, special meetings of the stockholders may be called by the board of directors or by such person or persons as may be authorized by the certificate of incorporation or by the bylaws.
         
    Shareholders holding at least 5% of the paid-up capital of the company carrying voting rights at general meetings (excluding any paid up capital held as treasury shares) can require the directors to call a general meeting and, if the directors fail to do so within a certain period, may themselves (or any of them representing more than one half of the total voting rights of all of them) convene a general meeting.    

 

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Notice of General Meetings  

Subject to a company’s articles of association providing for a longer period, under the Companies Act, 21 clear days’ notice must be given for an annual general meeting and any resolutions to be proposed at the meeting, Subject to a company’s articles of association providing for a longer period, at least 14 clear days’ notice is required for any other general meetings. In addition, certain matters, such as the removal of directors or auditors, require special notice, which is 28 clear days’ notice. The shareholders of a company may in all cases consent to a shorter notice period, the proportion of shareholders’ consent required being 100% of those entitled to attend and vote in the case of an annual general meeting and, in the case of any other general meeting, a majority in number of the members having a right to attend and vote at the meeting, being a majority who together hold not less than 95% in nominal value of the shares giving a right to attend and vote at the meeting. 

  Under Delaware law, unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation or bylaws, written notice of any meeting of the stockholders must be given to each stockholder entitled to vote at the meeting not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting and shall specify the place, date, hour and purpose or purposes of the meeting.
         
Quorum  

Subject to the provisions of a company’s articles of association, the Companies Act provides that two shareholders present at a meeting (in person, by proxy or authorised under the Companies Act) shall constitute a quorum for companies with more than one shareholder.

  The certificate of incorporation or bylaws may specify the number of shares, the holders of which shall be present or represented by proxy at any meeting in order to constitute a quorum, but in no event shall a quorum consist of less than one third of the shares entitled to vote at the meeting. In the absence of such specification in the certificate of incorporation or bylaws, a majority of the shares entitled to vote, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of stockholders.
         
Proxy   Under the Companies Act, at any meeting of shareholders, a shareholder may designate another person to attend, speak and vote at the meeting on their behalf by proxy.   Under Delaware law, at any meeting of stockholders, a stockholder may designate another person to act for such stockholder by proxy, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. A director of a Delaware corporation may not issue a proxy representing the director’s voting rights as a director.

  

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Issue of New Shares   Under the Companies Act, the directors of a company must not exercise any power to allot shares or grant rights to subscribe for, or to convert any security into, shares unless they are authorized to do so by the company’s Articles or by an ordinary resolution of the shareholders. Any authorization given must state the maximum amount of shares that may be allotted under it and specify the date on which it will expire, which must be not more than five years from the date the authorization was given. The authority can be renewed by a further resolution of the shareholders.   Under Delaware law, if the corporation’s certificate of incorporation so provides, the directors have the power to authorize additional stock. The directors may authorize capital stock to be issued for consideration consisting of cash, any tangible or intangible property or any benefit to the corporation or any combination thereof. In the absence of actual fraud in the transaction, the judgment of the directors as to the value of such consideration is conclusive.
         
Pre-emptive Rights  

Under the Companies Act, “equity securities,” being (i) shares in the company other than shares that, with respect to dividends and capital, carry a right to participate only up to a specified amount in a distribution, referred to as “ordinary shares,” or (ii) rights to subscribe for, or to convert securities into, ordinary shares, proposed to be allotted for cash must be offered first to the existing equity shareholders in the company in proportion to the respective nominal value of their holdings, unless an exception applies or a special resolution to the contrary has been passed by shareholders in a general meeting or the articles of association provide otherwise in each case in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act.

  Under Delaware law, stockholders have no pre-emptive rights to subscribe to additional issues of stock or to any security convertible into such stock unless, and except to the extent that, such rights are expressly provided for in the certificate of incorporation.
         
Authority to Allot  

Under the Companies Act, the directors of a company must not allot shares or grant of rights to subscribe for or to convert any security into shares unless an exception applies or an ordinary resolution to the contrary has been passed by shareholders in a general meeting or the articles of association provide otherwise, in each case in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act.

  Under Delaware law, if the corporation’s charter or certificate of incorporation so provides, the board of directors has the power to authorize the issuance of stock. The board of directors may authorize capital stock to be issued for consideration consisting of cash, any tangible or intangible property or any benefit to the corporation or any combination thereof. In the absence of actual fraud in the transaction, the judgment of the directors as to the value of such consideration is conclusive.

 

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Liability of Directors and Officers  

Under the Companies Act, any provision, whether contained in a company’s Articles or any contract or otherwise, that purports to exempt a director of a company, to any extent, from any liability that would otherwise attach to him in connection with any negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust in relation to the company is void. Any provision by which a company directly or indirectly provides an indemnity, to any extent, for a director of the company or of an associated company against any liability attaching to him in connection with any negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust in relation to the company of which he is a director is also void except as permitted by the Companies Act, which provides exceptions for the company to: (i) purchase and maintain insurance against such liability; (ii) provide a “qualifying third party indemnity” (being an indemnity against liability incurred by the director to a person other than the company or an associated company or criminal proceeding in which such director is convicted); and (iii) provide a “qualifying pension scheme indemnity” (being an indemnity against liability incurred in connection with the company’s activities as trustee of an occupational pension plan). 

 

Under Delaware law, a corporation’s certificate of incorporation may include a provision eliminating or limiting the personal liability of a director to the corporation and its stockholders for damages arising from a breach of fiduciary duty as a director. However, no provision can limit the liability of a director for:

 

●     any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders;

 

●     acts or omissions not in good faith or that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;

 

●     intentional or negligent payment of unlawful dividends or stock purchases or redemptions; or

 

●     any transaction from which the director derives an improper personal benefit.

         
Voting Rights  

Under English law, unless a poll is demanded by the shareholders of a company or is required by the chairman of the meeting or the company’s articles of association, shareholders shall vote on all resolutions on a show of hands. Under the Companies Act, a poll may be demanded by: (i) not fewer than five shareholders having the right to vote on the resolution; (ii) any shareholder(s) representing not less than 10% of the total voting rights of all the shareholders having the right to vote on the resolution (excluding any voting rights attaching to treasury shares); or (iii) any shareholder(s) holding shares in the company conferring a right to vote on the resolution (excluding any voting rights attaching to treasury shares) being shares on which an aggregate sum has been paid up equal to not less than 10% of the total sum paid up on all the shares conferring that right. A company’s articles of association may provide more extensive rights for shareholders to call a poll.

 

Under English law, an ordinary resolution is passed on a show of hands if it is approved by a simple majority (more than 50%) of the votes cast by shareholders present (in person or by proxy) and entitled to vote. If a poll is demanded, an ordinary resolution is passed if it is approved by holders representing a simple majority of the total voting rights of shareholders present, in person or by proxy, who, being entitled to vote, vote on the resolution. Special resolutions require the affirmative vote of not less than 75% of the votes cast by shareholders present, in person or by proxy, at the meeting. If a poll is demanded, a special resolution is passed if it is approved by holders representing not less than 75% of the total voting rights of shareholders in person or by proxy who, being entitled to vote, vote on the resolution.

  Delaware law provides that, unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation, each stockholder is entitled to one vote for each share of capital stock held by such stockholder.

 

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Shareholder Vote on Certain Transactions   The Companies Act provides for schemes of arrangement, which are arrangements or compromises between a company and any class of shareholders or creditors and used in certain types of reconstructions, amalgamations, capital reorganizations or takeovers. These arrangements require:   Generally, under Delaware law, unless the certificate of incorporation provides for the vote of a larger portion of the stock, completion of a merger, consolidation, sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of a corporation’s assets or dissolution requires:
         
    ●     the approval at a shareholders’ or creditors’ meeting convened by order of the court, of a majority in number of shareholders   ●     the approval of the board of directors; and
         
   

or creditors or class thereof representing 75% in value, the class of shareholders or creditors, or class thereof present and voting, either in person or by proxy; and

 

●     the approval of the court.

  ●     the approval by the vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding stock or, if the certificate of incorporation provides for more or less than one vote per share, a majority of the votes of the outstanding stock of the corporation entitled to vote on the matter.
         
Standard of Conduct for Directors  

Under English law, a director owes various statutory and fiduciary duties to the company, including:

 

●     to act in the way he considers, in good faith, would be most likely to promote the success of the company for the benefit of its members as a whole;

 

●     to avoid a situation in which he has, or can have, a direct or indirect interest that conflicts, or possibly conflicts, with the interests of the company;

 

●     to act in accordance with the company’s constitution and only exercise his powers for the purposes for which they are conferred;

 

●     to exercise independent judgment;

 

●     to exercise reasonable care, skill and diligence;

 

●     not to accept benefits from a third party conferred by reason of his being a director or doing, or not doing, anything as a director; and

 

●     to declare any interest that he has, whether directly or indirectly, in a proposed or existing transaction or arrangement with the company.

 

Delaware law does not contain specific provisions setting forth the standard of conduct of a director. The scope of the fiduciary duties of directors is generally determined by the courts of the State of Delaware. In general, directors have a duty to act without self-interest, on a well-informed basis and in a manner they reasonably believe to be in the best interest of the stockholders.

 

Directors of a Delaware corporation owe fiduciary duties of care and loyalty to the corporation and to its stockholders. The duty of care generally requires that a director act in good faith, with the care that an ordinarily prudent person would exercise under similar circumstances. Under this duty, a director must inform himself of all material information reasonably available regarding a significant transaction. The duty of loyalty requires that a director act in a manner he reasonably believes to be in the best interests of the corporation. He must not use his corporate position for personal gain or advantage. In general, but subject to certain exceptions, actions of a director are presumed to have been made on an informed basis, in good faith and in the honest belief that the action taken was in the best interests of the corporation. However, this presumption may be rebutted by evidence of a breach of one of the fiduciary duties. Delaware courts have also imposed a heightened standard of conduct upon directors of a Delaware corporation who take any action designed to defeat a threatened change in control of the corporation.

 

In addition, under Delaware law, when the board of directors of a Delaware corporation approves the sale or break-up of a corporation, the board of directors may, in certain circumstances, have a duty to obtain the highest value reasonably available to the stockholders.

 

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Shareholder Litigation   Under English law, generally, the company, rather than its shareholders, is the proper claimant in an action in respect of a wrong done to the company or where there is an irregularity in the company’s internal management. Notwithstanding this general position, the Companies Act provides that (i) a court may allow a shareholder to bring a derivative claim (that is, an action in respect of and on behalf of the company) in respect of a cause of action arising from a director’s negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust and (ii) a shareholder may bring a claim for a court order where the company’s affairs have been or are being conducted in a manner that is unfairly prejudicial to some of its shareholders.  

Under Delaware law, a stockholder may initiate a derivative action to enforce a right of a corporation if the corporation fails to enforce the right itself. The complaint must:

 

●     state that the plaintiff was a stockholder at the time of the transaction of which the plaintiff complains or that the plaintiffs shares thereafter devolved on the plaintiff by operation of law; and

 

●     allege with particularity the efforts made by the plaintiff to obtain the action the plaintiff desires from the directors and the reasons for the plaintiff’s failure to obtain the action; or

 

●     state the reasons for not making the effort.

 

Additionally, the plaintiff must remain a stockholder through the duration of the derivative suit. The action will not be dismissed or compromised without the approval of the Delaware Court of Chancery.

 

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Other English Law Considerations

 

Registered Shares

 

We are required by the Companies Act to keep a register of our shareholders. Under English law, the ordinary shares are deemed to be issued when the name of the shareholder is entered in our share register. The share register therefore is prima facie evidence of the identity of our shareholders, and the shares that they hold. The share register generally provides limited, or no, information regarding the ultimate beneficial owners of our shares. Our share register is maintained by our registrar, Link Asset Services.

 

Under the Companies Act, we must enter an allotment of shares in our register of members as soon as practicable and in any event within two months of the allotment. We will perform all procedures necessary to update the register of members to reflect the ordinary shares and the ADSs being allotted and issued pursuant to an offering of our securities. We also are required by the Companies Act to register a transfer of shares (or give the transferee notice of and reasons for refusal as the transferee may reasonably request) as soon as practicable and in any event within two months of receiving notice of the transfer.

 

We, any of our shareholders or any other affected person may apply to the court for rectification of the share register if:

 

the name of any person, without sufficient cause, is entered in or omitted from our register of members; or

 

default is made or unnecessary delay takes place in entering on the register the fact of any person having ceased to be a member or on which we have a lien, provided that such delay does not prevent dealings in the shares taking place on an open and proper basis.

 

Distributions and Dividends

 

Under the Companies Act, before a company can lawfully make a distribution or dividend, it must ensure that it has sufficient distributable reserves, as determined on a non-consolidated basis. The basic rule is that a company’s profits available for the purpose of making a distribution are its accumulated, realized profits, so far as not previously utilized by distribution or capitalization, less its accumulated, realized losses, so far as not previously written off in a reduction or reorganization of capital duly made. The requirement to have sufficient distributable reserves before a distribution or dividend can be paid applies to us and to each of our subsidiaries that has been incorporated under English law.

 

As a public company, it is also not sufficient that we have made a distributable profit for the purpose of making a distribution. An additional capital maintenance requirement is imposed on us to ensure that the net worth of the company is at least equal to the amount of its capital. A public company can only make a distribution:

 

if, at the time that the distribution is made, the amount of its net assets (that is, the total excess of assets over liabilities) is not less than the total of its called up share capital and undistributable reserves; and

 

if, and to the extent that, the distribution itself, at the time that it is made, does not reduce the amount of its net assets to less than that total.

 

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Limitation on Owning Securities

 

Our Articles do not restrict in any way the ownership or voting of our shares by non-residents.

 

Disclosure of Interest in Shares

 

Pursuant to Part 22 of the Companies Act and our Articles, we are empowered by notice in writing to any person whom we know or have reasonable cause to believe to be interested in our shares, or at any time during the three years immediately preceding the date on which the notice is issued has been so interested, within a reasonable time to disclose to us particulars of that person’s interest and (so far as is within such person’s knowledge) particulars of any other interest that subsists or subsisted in those shares.

 

Under our Articles, if a person defaults in supplying us with the required particulars in relation to the shares in question, or default shares, within the prescribed period, the directors may by notice direct that:

 

in respect of the default shares, the relevant shareholder shall not be entitled to vote (either in person or by representative or proxy) at any general meeting or to exercise any other right conferred by a shareholding in relation to general meetings; and

 

where the default shares represent at least 0.25% in nominal value of the issued shares of their class, (a) any dividend or other money payable in respect of the default shares shall be retained by us without liability to pay interest and/or (b) no transfers by the relevant shareholder of any default shares may be registered (unless the shareholder is not in default and the shareholder provides a certificate, in a form satisfactory to the directors, to the effect that after due and careful enquiry the shareholder is satisfied that none of the shares to be transferred are default shares).

 

Purchase of Own Shares

 

English law permits a public limited company to purchase its own shares out of the distributable profits of the company or the proceeds of a fresh issue of shares made for the purpose of financing the purchase, subject to complying with procedural requirements under the Companies Act and provided that its Articles do not prohibit it from doing so. Our Articles, a summary of which is provided above, do not prohibit us from purchasing our own shares. A public limited company must not purchase its own shares if, as a result of the purchase, there would no longer be any issued shares of the company other than redeemable shares or shares held as treasury shares.

 

Any such purchase will be either a “market purchase” or “off market purchase,” each as defined in the Companies Act. A “market purchase” is a purchase made on a “recognized investment exchange” (other than an overseas exchange) as defined in the U.K. Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, or FSMA, and is not an “off-market purchase.” An “off market purchase” is a purchase that is not made on a “recognized investment exchange” or purchased on a “recognized investment exchange” but not subject to a marketing arrangement on such “recognized investment exchange.” Both “market purchases” and “off market purchases” require prior shareholder approval by way of an ordinary resolution.

 

In the case of an “off market purchase,” a company’s shareholders, other than the shareholders from whom the company is purchasing shares, must approve the terms of the contract to purchase shares. Any authority will not be effective if any shareholder from whom we propose to purchase shares votes on the resolution and the resolution would not have been passed if such shareholder had not done so.

 

In the case of a “market purchase,” the shareholders must approve the maximum number of shares that can be purchased. The resolution authorizing the purchase must specify the maximum and minimum prices to be paid by us for the shares.

 

The Nasdaq Global Market is an “overseas exchange” for the purposes of the Companies Act and does not fall within the definition of a “recognized investment exchange” for the purposes of FSMA and any purchase made by us would need to comply with the procedural requirements under the Companies Act that regulate “off market purchases.”

 

For these purposes, market purchases can only be made on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange.

  

A share buyback by a company of its shares will give rise to U.K. stamp duty at the rate of 0.5% of the amount or value of the consideration payable by the company, and such stamp duty will be paid by the company.

 

Our Articles do not have conditions governing changes to our capital which are more stringent that those required by law.

 

Shareholder Rights

 

Certain rights granted under the Companies Act, including the right to requisition a general meeting or require a resolution to be put to shareholders at the annual general meeting, are only available to our members. For English law purposes, our members are the persons who are registered as the owners of the legal title to the shares and whose names are recorded in our register of members. In the case of shares held in a settlement system operated by the Depository Trust Company, or DTC, the registered member will be DTC’s nominee, Cede & Co. If a person who holds their ADSs in DTC wishes to exercise certain of the rights granted under the Companies Act, they may be required to first take steps to withdraw their ADSs from the settlement system operated by DTC and become the registered holder of the shares in our register of members. A withdrawal of shares from DTC may have tax implications, for additional information on the potential tax implications of withdrawing your shares from the settlement system operated by DTC.

  

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DESCRIPTION OF THE AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as depositary will issue the ADSs which you will be entitled to receive in this offering. Each ADS will represent an ownership interest in a designated number of ordinary shares which we will deposit with the custodian, as agent of the depositary, under the deposit agreement among ourselves, the depositary and yourself as an ADR holder. In the future, each ADS will also represent any securities, cash or other property deposited with the depositary but which they have not distributed directly to you. Unless certificated ADRs are specifically requested by you, all ADSs will be issued on the books of our depositary in book-entry form and periodic statements will be mailed to you which reflect your ownership interest in such ADSs. In our description, references to American depositary receipts, or ADRs, shall include the statements you will receive which reflect your ownership of ADSs.

 

The depositary’s office is located at 383 Madison Avenue, Floor 11, New York, NY, 10179.

 

You may hold ADSs either directly or indirectly through your broker or other financial institution. If you hold ADSs directly, by having an ADS registered in your name on the books of the depositary, you are an ADR holder. This description assumes you hold your ADSs directly. If you hold the ADSs through your broker or financial institution nominee, you must rely on the procedures of such broker or financial institution to assert the rights of an ADR holder described in this section. You should consult with your broker or financial institution to find out what those procedures are.

 

As an ADR holder, we will not treat you as a shareholder of ours and you will not have any shareholder rights. The laws of England and Wales governs shareholder rights. Because the depositary or its nominee will be the shareholder of record for the ordinary shares represented by all outstanding ADSs, shareholder rights rest with such record holder. Your rights are those of an ADR holder. Such rights derive from the terms of the deposit agreement to be entered into among us, the depositary and all registered holders from time to time of ADRs issued under the deposit agreement. The obligations of our company, the depositary and its agents are also set out in the deposit agreement. Because the depositary or its nominee will actually be the registered owner of the ordinary shares, you must rely on it to exercise the rights of a shareholder on your behalf. The deposit agreement and the ADSs are governed by New York law. Under the deposit agreement, as an ADR holder, you agree that any legal suit, action or proceeding against or involving us or the depositary, arising out of or based upon the deposit agreement, the ADSs or the transactions contemplated thereby, may only be instituted in a state or federal court in New York, New York, and you irrevocably waive any objection which you may have to the laying of venue of any such proceeding and irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any such suit, action or proceeding.

 

The following is a summary of what we believe to be the material terms of the deposit agreement. Notwithstanding this, because it is a summary, it may not contain all the information that you may otherwise deem important. For more complete information, you should read the entire deposit agreement and the form of ADR which contains the terms of your ADSs. You can read a copy of the deposit agreement which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. You may also obtain a copy of the deposit agreement at the SEC’s Public Reference Room which is located at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-732-0330. You may also find the registration statement and the attached deposit agreement on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

Share Dividends and Other Distributions

 

How will I receive dividends and other distributions on the ordinary shares underlying my ADSs?

 

We may make various types of distributions with respect to our securities. The depositary has agreed that, to the extent practicable, it will pay to you the cash dividends or other distributions it or the custodian receives on ordinary shares or other deposited securities, after converting any cash received into U.S. dollars (if it determines such conversion may be made on a reasonable basis) and, in all cases, making any necessary deductions provided for in the deposit agreement. The depositary may utilize a division, branch or affiliate of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. to direct, manage and/or execute any public and/or private sale of securities under the deposit agreement. Such division, branch and/or affiliate may charge the depositary a fee in connection with such sales, which fee is considered an expense of the depositary. You will receive these distributions in proportion to the number of underlying securities that your ADSs represent. 

 

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Except as stated below, the depositary will deliver such distributions to ADR holders in proportion to their interests in the following manner:

 

Cash. The depositary will distribute any U.S. dollars available to it resulting from a cash dividend or other cash distribution or the net proceeds of sales of any other distribution or portion thereof (to the extent applicable), on an averaged or other practicable basis, subject to (i) appropriate adjustments for taxes withheld, (ii) such distribution being impermissible or impracticable with respect to certain registered ADR holders, and (iii) deduction of the depositary’s and/or its agents’ expenses in (1) converting any foreign currency to U.S. dollars to the extent that it determines that such conversion may be made on a reasonable basis, (2) transferring foreign currency or U.S. dollars to the United States by such means as the depositary may determine to the extent that it determines that such transfer may be made on a reasonable basis, (3) obtaining any approval or license of any governmental authority required for such conversion or transfer, which is obtainable at a reasonable cost and within a reasonable time and (4) making any sale by public or private means in any commercially reasonable manner. If exchange rates fluctuate during a time when the depositary cannot convert a foreign currency, you may lose some or all of the value of the distribution.

 

Ordinary Shares. In the case of a distribution in ordinary shares, the depositary will issue additional ADRs to evidence the number of ADSs representing such ordinary shares. Only whole ADSs will be issued. Any ordinary shares which would result in fractional ADSs will be sold and the net proceeds will be distributed in the same manner as cash to the ADR holders entitled thereto.

 

Rights to receive additional ordinary shares. In the case of a distribution of rights to subscribe for additional ordinary shares or other rights, if we timely provide evidence satisfactory to the depositary that it may lawfully distribute such rights, the depositary will distribute warrants or other instruments in the discretion of the depositary representing rights to acquire additional ADRs. However, if we do not timely furnish such evidence, the depositary may:

 

(i)sell such rights if practicable and distribute the net proceeds in the same manner as cash to the ADR holders entitled thereto; or

 

(ii)if it is not practicable to sell such rights by reason of the non-transferability of the rights, limited markets therefor, their short duration or otherwise, do nothing and allow such rights to lapse, in which case ADR holders will receive nothing and the rights may lapse.

 

Other Distributions. In the case of a distribution of securities or property other than those described above, the depositary may either (i) distribute such securities or property in any manner it deems equitable and practicable or (ii) to the extent the depositary deems distribution of such securities or property not to be equitable and practicable, sell such securities or property and distribute any net proceeds in the same way it distributes cash.

 

Elective Distributions. In the case of a dividend payable at the election of our shareholders in cash or in additional ordinary shares, we will notify the depositary at least 30 days prior to the proposed distribution stating whether or not we wish such elective distribution to be made available to ADR holders. The depositary shall make such elective distribution available to ADR holders only if (i) we shall have timely requested that the elective distribution is available to ADR holders, (ii) the depositary shall have determined that such distribution is reasonably practicable and (iii) the depositary shall have received satisfactory documentation within the terms of the deposit agreement including any legal opinions of counsel that the depositary in its reasonable discretion may request. If the above conditions are not satisfied, the depositary shall, to the extent permitted by law, distribute to the ADR holders, on the basis of the same determination as is made in the local market in respect of the ordinary shares for which no election is made, either (x) cash or (y) additional ADSs representing such additional ordinary shares. If the above conditions are satisfied, the depositary shall establish procedures to enable ADR holders to elect the receipt of the proposed dividend in cash or in additional ADSs. There can be no assurance that ADR holders generally, or any ADR holder in particular, will be given the opportunity to receive elective distributions on the same terms and conditions as the holders of ordinary shares.

 

If the depositary determines in its discretion that any distribution described above is not practicable with respect to any specific registered ADR holder, the depositary may choose any method of distribution that it deems practicable for such ADR holder, including the distribution of foreign currency, securities or property, or it may retain such items, without paying interest on or investing them, on behalf of the ADR holder as deposited securities, in which case the ADSs will also represent the retained items.

 

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Any U.S. dollars will be distributed by checks drawn on a bank in the United States for whole dollars and cents. Fractional cents will be withheld without liability and dealt with by the depositary in accordance with its then current practices.

 

The depositary is not responsible if it fails to determine that any distribution or action is lawful or reasonably practicable.

 

There can be no assurance that the depositary will be able to convert any currency at a specified exchange rate or sell any property, rights, shares or other securities at a specified price, nor that any of such transactions can be completed within a specified time period. All purchases and sales of securities will be handled by the Depositary in accordance with its then current policies, which are currently set forth in the “Depositary Receipt Sale and Purchase of Security” section of www.adr.com/Investors/FindOutAboutDRs, the location and contents of which the Depositary shall be solely responsible for.

 

Deposit, Withdrawal and Cancellation

 

How does the depositary issue ADSs?

 

The depositary will issue ADSs if you or your broker deposit ordinary shares or evidence of rights to receive ordinary shares with the custodian and pay the fees and expenses owing to the depositary in connection with such issuance. In the case of the ADSs to be issued under this prospectus, we will arrange with the underwriters named herein to deposit such ordinary shares.

 

Ordinary shares deposited in the future with the custodian must be accompanied by certain delivery documentation and shall, at the time of such deposit, be registered in the name of the depositary, the custodian or a nominee of either.

 

The custodian will hold all deposited ordinary shares (including those being deposited by or on our behalf in connection with this offering to which this prospectus relates) for the account and to the order of the depositary for the benefit of registered holders of ADRs, to the extent not prohibited by law. ADR holders thus have no direct ownership interest in the ordinary shares and only have such rights as are contained in the deposit agreement. The custodian will also hold any additional securities, property and cash received on or in substitution for the deposited ordinary shares. The deposited ordinary shares and any such additional items are referred to as “deposited securities.”

 

Upon each deposit of ordinary shares, receipt of related delivery documentation and compliance with the other provisions of the deposit agreement, including the payment of the fees and charges of the depositary and any taxes or other fees or charges owing, the depositary will issue an ADR or ADRs in the name or upon the order of the person entitled thereto evidencing the number of ADSs to which such person is entitled. All of the ADSs issued will, unless specifically requested to the contrary, be part of the depositary’s direct registration system, and a registered holder will receive periodic statements from the depositary which will show the number of ADSs registered in such holder’s name. An ADR holder can request that the ADSs not be held through the depositary’s direct registration system and that a certificated ADR be issued.

 

How do ADR holders cancel an ADS and obtain deposited securities?

 

When you turn in your ADR certificate at the depositary’s office, or when you provide proper instructions and documentation in the case of direct registration ADSs, the depositary will, upon payment of certain applicable fees, charges and taxes, deliver the underlying ordinary shares to you or upon your written order. Delivery of deposited securities in certificated form will be made at the custodian’s office. At your risk, expense and request, the depositary may deliver deposited securities at such other place as you may request.

 

The depositary may only restrict the withdrawal of deposited securities in connection with:

 

temporary delays caused by closing our transfer books or those of the depositary or the deposit of ordinary shares in connection with voting at a shareholders meeting, or the payment of dividends;

 

the payment of fees, taxes and similar charges; or

 

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compliance with any U.S. or foreign laws or governmental regulations relating to the ADRs or to the withdrawal of deposited securities.

 

This right of withdrawal may not be limited by any other provision of the deposit agreement.

 

Record Dates

 

The depositary may, after consultation with us if practicable, fix record dates (which, to the extent applicable, shall be as near as practicable to any corresponding record dates set by us) for the determination of the registered ADR holders who will be entitled (or obligated, as the case may be):

 

to receive any distribution on or in respect of deposited securities;

 

to give instructions for the exercise of voting rights;

 

to pay the fee assessed by the depositary for administration of the ADR program and for any expenses as provided for in the ADR; or

 

to receive any notice or to act in respect of other matters,

 

all subject to the provisions of the deposit agreement.

 

Voting Rights

 

How do I vote?

 

If you are an ADR holder and the depositary asks you to provide it with voting instructions, you may instruct the depositary how to exercise the voting rights for the ordinary shares which underlie your ADSs. Subject to the next sentence, as soon as practicable after receipt from us of notice of any meeting at which the holders of ordinary shares are entitled to vote, or of our solicitation of consents or proxies from holders of ordinary shares, the depositary shall fix the ADS record date in accordance with the provisions of the deposit agreement in respect of such meeting or solicitation of consent or proxy. The depositary shall, if we request in writing in a timely manner (the depositary having no obligation to take any further action if our request shall not have been received by the depositary at least 30 days prior to the date of such vote or meeting) and at our expense and provided no legal prohibitions exist, distribute to the registered ADR holders a notice stating such information as is contained in the voting materials received by the depositary, stating that that each registered holder of ADRs on the ADS record date will, subject to any applicable provisions of the laws of England and Wales, be entitled to instruct the depositary as to the exercise of any voting rights pertaining to ordinary shares underlying such holder’s ADSs, and describing how you may instruct the depositary to exercise the voting rights for the ordinary shares which underlie your ADSs, including instructions for giving a discretionary proxy to a person designated by us. For instructions to be valid, the depositary must receive them in the manner and on or before the date specified. The depositary will try, as far as is practical, subject to the provisions of or governing the underlying ordinary shares or other deposited securities, to vote or cause to be voted the ordinary shares or other deposited securities as you instruct. The depositary will only vote or attempt to vote as you instruct. Holders are strongly encouraged to forward their voting instructions to the depositary as soon as possible. Voting instructions will not be deemed to be received until such time as the ADR department responsible for proxies and voting has received such instructions notwithstanding that such instructions may have been physically received by the depositary prior to such time. The depositary will not itself exercise any voting discretion. Furthermore, neither the depositary nor its agents are responsible for any failure to carry out any voting instructions, for the manner in which any vote is cast or for the effect of any vote. Notwithstanding anything contained in the deposit agreement or any ADR, the depositary may, to the extent not prohibited by law or regulations, or by the requirements of the stock exchange on which the ADSs are listed, in lieu of distribution of the materials provided to the depositary in connection with any meeting of, or solicitation of consents or proxies from, holders of deposited securities, distribute to the registered holders of ADRs a notice that provides such holders with, or otherwise publicizes to such holders, instructions on how to retrieve such materials or receive such materials upon request (i.e., by reference to a website containing the materials for retrieval or a contact for requesting copies of the materials).

 

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There is no guarantee that you will receive voting materials in time to instruct the depositary to vote and it is possible that you, or persons who hold their ADSs through brokers, dealers or other third parties, will not have the opportunity to exercise a right to vote.

 

Reports and Other Communications

 

Will ADR holders be able to view our reports?

 

The depositary will make available for inspection by ADR holders at the offices of the depositary and the custodian the deposit agreement, the provisions of or governing deposited securities, and any written communications from us which are both received by the custodian or its nominee as a holder of deposited securities and made generally available to the holders of deposited securities.

 

Additionally, if we make any written communications generally available to holders of our ordinary shares, and we furnish copies thereof (or English translations or summaries) to the depositary, it will distribute the same to registered ADR holders.

 

Fees and Expenses

 

What fees and expenses will I be responsible for paying?

 

The depositary may charge each person to whom ADSs are issued, including, without limitation, issuances against deposits of ordinary shares, issuances in respect of share distributions, rights and other distributions, issuances pursuant to a stock dividend or stock split declared by us or issuances pursuant to a merger, exchange of securities or any other transaction or event affecting the ADSs or deposited securities, and each person surrendering ADSs for withdrawal of deposited securities or whose ADSs are cancelled or reduced for any other reason, $5.00 for each 100 ADSs (or any portion thereof) issued, delivered, reduced, cancelled or surrendered, as the case may be. The depositary may sell (by public or private sale) sufficient securities and property received in respect of a share distribution, rights and/or other distribution prior to such deposit to pay such charge.

 

The following additional charges shall be incurred by the ADR holders, by any party depositing or withdrawing ordinary shares or by any party surrendering ADSs and/or to whom ADSs are issued (including, without limitation, issuance pursuant to a stock dividend or stock split declared by us or an exchange of stock regarding the ADSs or the deposited securities or a distribution of ADSs), whichever is applicable:

 

a fee of U.S.$1.50 per ADR or ADRs for transfers of certificated or direct registration ADRs;

 

a fee of up to U.S.$0.05 per ADS for any cash distribution made pursuant to the deposit agreement;

 

an aggregate fee of up to U.S.$0.05 per ADS per calendar year (or portion thereof) for services performed by the depositary in administering the ADRs (which fee may be charged on a periodic basis during each calendar year and shall be assessed against holders of ADRs as of the record date or record dates set by the depositary during each calendar year and shall be payable in the manner described in the next succeeding provision);

 

a fee for the reimbursement of such fees, charges and expenses as are incurred by the depositary and/or any of its agents (including, without limitation, the custodian and expenses incurred on behalf of holders in connection with compliance with foreign exchange control regulations or any law or regulation relating to foreign investment) in connection with the servicing of the ordinary shares or other deposited securities, the sale of securities (including, without limitation, deposited securities), the delivery of deposited securities or otherwise in connection with the depositary’s or its custodian’s compliance with applicable law, rule or regulation (which fees and charges shall be assessed on a proportionate basis against holders as of the record date or dates set by the depositary and shall be payable at the sole discretion of the depositary by billing such holders or by deducting such charge from one or more cash dividends or other cash distributions);

 

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a fee for the distribution of securities (or the sale of securities in connection with a distribution), such fee being in an amount equal to the $0.05 per ADS issuance fee for the execution and delivery of ADSs which would have been charged as a result of the deposit of such securities (treating all such securities as if they were ordinary shares) but which securities or the net cash proceeds from the sale thereof are instead distributed by the depositary to those holders entitled thereto;

 

stock transfer or other taxes and other governmental charges;

 

SWIFT, cable, telex and facsimile transmission and delivery charges incurred at your request in connection with the deposit or delivery of ordinary shares, ADRs or deposited securities;

 

transfer or registration fees for the registration or transfer of deposited securities on any applicable register in connection with the deposit or withdrawal of deposited securities;

 

in connection with the conversion of foreign currency into U.S. dollars, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. shall deduct out of such foreign currency the fees, expenses and other charges charged by it and/or its agent (which may be a division, branch or affiliate) so appointed in connection with such conversion; and

 

fees of any division, branch or affiliate of the depositary utilized by the depositary to direct, manage and/or execute any public and/or private sale of securities under the deposit agreement.

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and/or its agent may act as principal for such conversion of foreign currency. For further details see www.adr.com.

 

We will pay all other charges and expenses of the depositary and any agent of the depositary (except the custodian) pursuant to agreements from time to time between us and the depositary. The charges described above may be amended from time to time by agreement between us and the depositary. The right of the depositary to receive payment of fees, charges and expenses as provided above shall survive the termination of the deposit agreement.

 

The depositary may make available to us a set amount or a portion of the depositary fees charged in respect of the ADR program or otherwise upon such terms and conditions as we and the depositary may agree from time to time. The depositary collects its fees for issuance and cancellation of ADSs directly from investors depositing ordinary shares or surrendering ADSs for the purpose of withdrawal or from intermediaries acting for them. The depositary collects fees for making distributions to investors by deducting those fees from the amounts distributed or by selling a portion of distributable property to pay the fees. The depositary may collect its annual fee for depositary services by deduction from cash distributions, or by directly billing investors, or by charging the book-entry system accounts of participants acting for them. The depositary will generally set off the amounts owing from distributions made to holders of ADSs. If, however, no distribution exists and payment owing is not timely received by the depositary, the depositary may refuse to provide any further services to holders that have not paid those fees and expenses owing until such fees and expenses have been paid. At the discretion of the depositary, all fees and charges owing under the deposit agreement are due in advance and/or when declared owing by the depositary.

 

Payment of Taxes

 

If any taxes or other governmental charges (including any penalties and/or interest) shall become payable by or on behalf of the custodian or the depositary with respect to any ADR, any deposited securities represented by the ADSs evidenced thereby or any distribution thereon, such tax or other governmental charge shall be paid by the holder thereof to the depositary and by holding or having held an ADR the holder and all prior holders thereof, jointly and severally, agree to indemnify, defend and save harmless each of the depositary and its agents in respect thereof. If an ADR holder owes any tax or other governmental charge, the depositary may (i) deduct the amount thereof from any cash distributions, or (ii) sell deposited securities by public or private sale (after attempting by reasonable means to notify the ADR holder hereof prior to such sale) and deduct the amount owing from the net proceeds of such sale. In either case the ADR holder remains liable for any shortfall. If any tax or governmental charge is unpaid, the depositary may also refuse to effect any registration, registration of transfer, split-up or combination of deposited securities or withdrawal of deposited securities until such payment is made. If any tax or governmental charge is required to be withheld on any cash distribution, the depositary may deduct the amount required to be withheld from any cash distribution or, in the case of a non-cash distribution, sell the distributed property or securities (by public or private sale) in such amounts and in such manner as the depositary deems necessary and practicable to pay such taxes and distribute any remaining net proceeds or the balance of any such property after deduction of such taxes to the ADR holders entitled thereto.

 

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By holding an ADR or an interest therein, you will be agreeing to indemnify us, the depositary, its custodian and any of our or their respective officers, directors, employees, agents and affiliates against, and hold each of them harmless from, any claims by any governmental authority with respect to taxes, additions to tax, penalties or interest arising out of any refund of taxes, reduced rate of withholding at source or other tax benefit obtained.

 

Reclassifications, Recapitalizations and Mergers

 

If we take certain actions that affect the deposited securities, including (i) any change in nominal value, split-up, consolidation, cancellation or other reclassification of deposited securities or (ii) any distributions of ordinary shares or other property not made to holders of ADRs or (iii) any recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation, liquidation, receivership, bankruptcy or sale of all or substantially all of our assets, then the depositary may choose to, and shall if reasonably requested by us:

 

(1)amend the form of ADR;

 

(2)distribute additional or amended ADRs;

 

(3)distribute cash, securities or other property it has received in connection with such actions;

 

(4)sell any securities or property received and distribute the proceeds as cash; or

 

(5)none of the above.

 

If the depositary does not choose any of the above options, any of the cash, securities or other property it receives will constitute part of the deposited securities and each ADS will then represent a proportionate interest in such property.

 

Amendment and Termination

 

How may the deposit agreement be amended?

 

We may agree with the depositary to amend the deposit agreement and the ADSs without your consent for any reason. ADR holders must be given at least 30 days’ notice of any amendment that imposes or increases any fees or charges (other than stock transfer or other taxes and other governmental charges, transfer or registration fees, SWIFT, cable, telex or facsimile transmission costs, delivery costs or other such expenses), or otherwise prejudices any substantial existing right of ADR holders. Such notice need not describe in detail the specific amendments effectuated thereby, but must identify to ADR holders a means to access the text of such amendment. If an ADR holder continues to hold an ADR or ADRs after being so notified, such ADR holder is deemed to agree to such amendment and to be bound by the deposit agreement as so amended. Any amendments or supplements which (i) are reasonably necessary (as agreed by us and the depositary) in order for (a) the ADSs to be registered on Form F-6 under the Securities Act or (b) the ADSs or ordinary shares to be traded solely in electronic book-entry form and (ii) do not in either such case impose or increase any fees or charges to be borne by ADR holders, shall be deemed not to prejudice any substantial rights of ADR holders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any governmental body or regulatory body should adopt new laws, rules or regulations which would require amendment or supplement of the deposit agreement or the form of ADR to ensure compliance therewith, we and the depositary may amend or supplement the deposit agreement and the ADR at any time in accordance with such changed laws, rules or regulations, which amendment or supplement may take effect before a notice is given or within any other period of time as required for compliance. No amendment, however, will impair your right to surrender your ADSs and receive the underlying securities, except in order to comply with mandatory provisions of applicable law.

 

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How may the deposit agreement be terminated?

 

The depositary may, and shall at our written direction, terminate the deposit agreement and the ADRs by mailing notice of such termination to the registered holders of ADRs at least 30 days prior to the date fixed in such notice for such termination; provided, however, if the depositary shall have (i) resigned as depositary under the deposit agreement, notice of such termination by the depositary shall not be provided to registered holders unless a successor depositary shall not be operating under the deposit agreement within 60 days of the date of such resignation, and (ii) been removed as depositary under the deposit agreement, notice of such termination by the depositary shall not be provided to registered holders of ADRs unless a successor depositary shall not be operating under the deposit agreement on the 120th day after our notice of removal was first provided to the depositary. After termination, the depositary’s only responsibility will be (i) to deliver deposited securities to ADR holders who surrender their ADRs, and (ii) to hold or sell distributions received on deposited securities. As soon as practicable after the expiration of six months from the termination date, the depositary will sell the deposited securities which remain and hold the net proceeds of such sales (as long as it may lawfully do so), without liability for interest, in trust for the ADR holders who have not yet surrendered their ADRs. After making such sale, the depositary shall have no obligations except to account for such proceeds and other cash.

 

Limitations on Obligations and Liability to ADR holders

 

Limits on our obligations and the obligations of the depositary; limits on liability to ADR holders and holders of ADSs

 

Prior to the issue, registration, registration of transfer, split-up, combination, or cancellation of any ADRs, or the delivery of any distribution in respect thereof, and from time to time in the case of the production of proofs as described below, we or the depositary or its custodian may require:

 

payment with respect thereto of (i) any stock transfer or other tax or other governmental charge, (ii) any stock transfer or registration fees in effect for the registration of transfers of ordinary shares or other deposited securities upon any applicable register and (iii) any applicable fees and expenses described in the deposit agreement;

 

the production of proof satisfactory to it of (i) the identity of any signatory and genuineness of any signature and (ii) such other information, including without limitation, information as to citizenship, residence, exchange control approval, beneficial ownership of any securities, compliance with applicable law, regulations, provisions of or governing deposited securities and terms of the deposit agreement and the ADRs, as it may deem necessary or proper; and

 

compliance with such regulations as the depositary may establish consistent with the deposit agreement.

 

The issuance of ADRs, the acceptance of deposits of ordinary shares, the registration, registration of transfer, split-up or combination of ADRs or the withdrawal of ordinary shares, may be suspended, generally or in particular instances, when the ADR register or any register for deposited securities is closed or when any such action is deemed advisable by the depositary; provided that the ability to withdraw ordinary shares may only be limited under the following circumstances: (i) temporary delays caused by closing transfer books of the depositary or our transfer books or the deposit of ordinary shares in connection with voting at a shareholders meeting, or the payment of dividends, (ii) the payment of fees, taxes, and similar charges, and (iii) compliance with any laws or governmental regulations relating to ADRs or to the withdrawal of deposited securities.

 

The deposit agreement expressly limits the obligations and liability of the depositary, ourselves and each of our and the depositary’s respective agents; provided, however, that no disclaimer of liability under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, to the extent applicable, is intended by any provision of the deposit agreement. In the deposit agreement it provides that neither we nor the depositary nor any such agent will be liable to registered holders or beneficial owners of ADSs if:

 

any present or future law, rule, regulation, fiat, order or decree of the United States, England and Wales or any other country or jurisdiction, or of any governmental or regulatory authority or securities exchange or market or automated quotation system, the provisions of or governing any deposited securities, any present or future provision of our charter, any act of God, war, terrorism, nationalization, expropriation, currency restrictions, work stoppage, strike, civil unrest, revolutions, rebellions, explosions, computer failure or circumstance beyond our, the depositary’s or our respective agents’ direct and immediate control shall prevent or delay, or shall cause any of them to be subject to any civil or criminal penalty in connection with, any act which the deposit agreement or the ADRs provide shall be done or performed by us, the depositary or our respective agents (including, without limitation, voting);

 

it exercises or fails to exercise discretion under the deposit agreement or the ADRs including, without limitation, any failure to determine that any distribution or action may be lawful or reasonably practicable;

 

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it performs its obligations under the deposit agreement and ADRs without gross negligence or willful misconduct; or

 

it takes any action or refrains from taking any action in reliance upon the advice of or information from legal counsel, accountants, any person presenting ordinary shares for deposit, any registered holder of ADRs, or any other person believed by it to be competent to give such advice or information.

 

We, the depositary and its agents may rely and shall be protected in acting upon any written notice, request, direction, instruction or document believed by them to be genuine and to have been signed, presented or given by the proper party or parties.

 

Neither the depositary nor its agents have any obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any action, suit or other proceeding in respect of any deposited securities or the ADRs. We and our agents shall only be obligated to appear in, prosecute or defend any action, suit or other proceeding in respect of any deposited securities or the ADRs, which in our opinion may involve us in expense or liability, if indemnity satisfactory to us against all expense (including fees and disbursements of counsel) and liability is furnished as often as may be required. The depositary and its agents may fully respond to any and all demands or requests for information maintained by or on its behalf in connection with the deposit agreement, any registered holder or holders of ADRs, any ADRs or otherwise related to the deposit agreement or ADRs to the extent such information is requested or required by or pursuant to any lawful authority, including without limitation laws, rules, regulations, administrative or judicial process, banking, securities or other regulators. The depositary shall not be liable for the acts or omissions made by, or the insolvency of, any securities depository, clearing agency or settlement system. Furthermore, the depositary shall not be responsible for, and shall incur no liability in connection with or arising from, the insolvency of any custodian that is not a branch or affiliate of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the deposit agreement or any ADRs, the depositary shall not be responsible for, and shall incur no liability in connection with or arising from, any act or omission to act on the part of the custodian except to the extent that any registered holder of ADRs has incurred liability directly as a result of the custodian having (i) committed fraud or willful misconduct in the provision of custodial services to the depositary or (ii) failed to use reasonable care in the provision of custodial services to the depositary as determined in accordance with the standards prevailing in the jurisdiction in which the custodian is located. The depositary shall not have any liability for the price received in connection with any sale of securities, the timing thereof or any delay in action or omission to act nor shall it be responsible for any error or delay in action, omission to act, default or negligence on the part of the party so retained in connection with any such sale or proposed sale.

 

The depositary has no obligation to inform ADR holders or other holders of an interest in any ADSs about the requirements of the laws of England and Wales, rules or regulations or any changes therein or thereto.

 

Neither the depositary nor its agents will be responsible for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote any of the deposited securities, for the manner in which any such vote is cast or for the effect of any such vote. The depositary may rely upon instructions from us or our counsel in respect of any approval or license required for any currency conversion, transfer or distribution. The depositary shall not incur any liability for the content of any information submitted to it by us or on our behalf for distribution to ADR holders or for any inaccuracy of any translation thereof, for any investment risk associated with acquiring an interest in the deposited securities, for the validity or worth of the deposited securities, for the credit-worthiness of any third party, for allowing any rights to lapse upon the terms of the deposit agreement or for the failure or timeliness of any notice from us. The depositary shall not be liable for any acts or omissions made by a successor depositary whether in connection with a previous act or omission of the depositary or in connection with any matter arising wholly after the removal or resignation of the depositary. Neither the depositary nor any of its agents shall be liable to registered holders or beneficial owners of interests in ADSs for any indirect, special, punitive or consequential damages (including, without limitation, legal fees and expenses) or lost profits, in each case of any form incurred by any person or entity, whether or not foreseeable and regardless of the type of action in which such a claim may be brought.

 

In the deposit agreement each party thereto (including, for avoidance of doubt, each holder and beneficial owner and/or holder of interests in ADRs) irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any right it may have to a trial by jury in any suit, action or proceeding against the depositary and/or us directly or indirectly arising out of or relating to the ordinary shares or other deposited securities, the ADSs or the ADRs, the deposit agreement or any transaction contemplated therein, or the breach thereof (whether based on contract, tort, common law or any other theory).

 

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The depositary and its agents may own and deal in any class of securities of our company and our affiliates and in ADSs.

 

Disclosure of Interest in ADSs

 

To the extent that the provisions of or governing any deposited securities may require disclosure of or impose limits on beneficial or other ownership of deposited securities, other ordinary shares and other securities and may provide for blocking transfer, voting or other rights to enforce such disclosure or limits, you agree to comply with all such disclosure requirements and ownership limitations and to comply with any reasonable instructions we may provide in respect thereof. We reserve the right to instruct you to deliver your ADSs for cancellation and withdrawal of the deposited securities so as to permit us to deal with you directly as a holder of ordinary shares and, by holding an ADS or an interest therein, you will be agreeing to comply with such instructions.

 

Books of Depositary

 

The depositary or its agent will maintain a register for the registration, registration of transfer, combination and split-up of ADRs, which register shall include the depositary’s direct registration system. Registered holders of ADRs may inspect such records at the depositary’s office at all reasonable times, but solely for the purpose of communicating with other holders in the interest of the business of our company or a matter relating to the deposit agreement. Such register may be closed at any time or from time to time, when deemed expedient by the depositary.

 

The depositary will maintain facilities for the delivery and receipt of ADRs.

 

Appointment

 

In the deposit agreement, each registered holder of ADRs and each person holding an interest in ADSs, upon acceptance of any ADSs (or any interest therein) issued in accordance with the terms and conditions of the deposit agreement will be deemed for all purposes to:

 

be a party to and bound by the terms of the deposit agreement and the applicable ADR or ADRs; and

 

appoint the depositary its attorney-in-fact, with full power to delegate, to act on its behalf and to take any and all actions contemplated in the deposit agreement and the applicable ADR or ADRs, to adopt any and all procedures necessary to comply with applicable laws and to take such action as the depositary in its sole discretion may deem necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of the deposit agreement and the applicable ADR and ADRs, the taking of such actions to be the conclusive determinant of the necessity and appropriateness thereof.

 

Governing Law

 

The deposit agreement and the ADRs shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. In the deposit agreement, we have submitted to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York and appointed an agent for service of process on our behalf. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any action based on the deposit agreement or the transactions contemplated thereby may be instituted by the depositary in any competent court in England and Wales.

 

By holding an ADS or an interest therein, registered holders of ADRs and owners of ADSs each irrevocably agree that any legal suit, action or proceeding against or involving us or the depositary, arising out of or based upon the deposit agreement, the ADSs or the transactions contemplated thereby, may only be instituted in a state or federal court in New York, New York, and each irrevocably waives any objection which it may have to the laying of venue of any such proceeding, and irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any such suit, action or proceeding.

 

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

 

We may issue and offer warrants under the material terms and conditions described in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement. The accompanying prospectus supplement may add, update or change the terms and conditions of the warrants as described in this prospectus.

 

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We may issue warrants to purchase our ordinary shares represented by ADSs. Warrants may be issued independently or together with any securities and may be attached to or separate from those securities. The warrants may be issued under warrant or subscription agreements to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent, all of which will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to the warrants we are offering. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants and will not have any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of warrants.

 

The particular terms of the warrants, the warrant or subscription agreements relating to the warrants and the warrant certificates representing the warrants will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement, including, as applicable:

 

the title of such warrants; 

 

the aggregate number of such warrants; 

 

the price or prices at which such warrants will be issued and exercised; 

 

the currency or currencies in which the price of such warrants will be payable;

 

the date on which the right to exercise such warrants shall commence and the date on which such right shall expire; 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

if applicable, any provisions for cashless exercise of the warrants;

 

if applicable, any exercise limitations with respect to the ownership limitations by the holder exercising the warrant; 

 

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

 

any material U.K. and United States federal income tax consequences; 

 

the anti-dilution provisions of the warrants, if any; and 

 

any other terms of such warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of such warrants.

 

Holders of warrants will not be entitled, solely by virtue of being holders, to vote, to consent, to receive dividends, to receive notice as shareholders with respect to any meeting of shareholders for the election of directors or any other matters, or to exercise any rights whatsoever as a holder of the equity securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants.

 

The description in the applicable prospectus supplement of any warrants we offer will not necessarily be complete and will be qualified in its entirety by reference to the applicable warrant agreement and warrant certificate, which will be filed with the SEC if we offer warrants. For more information on how you can obtain copies of the applicable warrant agreement if we offer warrants, see “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference.” We urge you to read any applicable prospectus supplement and the applicable warrant agreement and form of warrant certificate in their entirety.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

 

We may issue units comprised of one or more of the other securities described in this prospectus in any combination. 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.

 

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe:

 

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

 

any unit agreement under which the units will be issued; 

 

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

 

whether the units will be issued in fully registered or global form.

 

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any units. The preceding description and any description of units in the applicable prospectus supplement does not purport to be complete and is subject to and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the unit agreement and, if applicable, collateral arrangements and depositary arrangements relating to such units. For more information on how you can obtain copies of the applicable unit agreement if we offer units, see “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference.” We urge you to read the applicable unit agreement and any applicable prospectus supplement in their entirety.

 

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

The securities being offered by this prospectus may be sold:

 

through agents; 

 

to or through one or more underwriters on a firm commitment or agency basis; 

 

through put or call option transactions relating to the securities; 

 

to or through dealers, who may act as agents or principals, including a block trade (which may involve crosses) in which a broker or dealer so engaged will attempt to sell as agent but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction; 

 

through privately negotiated transactions; 

 

purchases by a broker or dealer as principal and resale by such broker or dealer for its own account pursuant to this prospectus; 

 

directly to purchasers, including our affiliates, through a specific bidding or auction process, on a negotiated basis or otherwise;

 

exchange distributions and/or secondary distributions; 

 

ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker solicits purchasers; 

 

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in “at-the-market” offerings, within the meaning of Rule 415(a)(4) of the Securities Act to or through a market maker or into an existing trading market, on an exchange or otherwise; 

 

transactions not involving market makers or established trading markets, including direct sales or privately negotiated transactions; 

 

transactions in options, swaps or other derivatives that may or may not be listed on an exchange;

 

through any other method permitted pursuant to applicable law; or 

 

through a combination of any such methods of sale.

 

At any time a particular offer of the securities covered by this prospectus is made, a revised prospectus or prospectus supplement, if required, will be distributed which will set forth the aggregate amount of securities covered by this prospectus being offered and the terms of the offering, including the name or names of any underwriters, dealers, brokers or agents, any discounts, commissions, concessions and other items constituting compensation from us and any discounts, commissions or concessions allowed or re-allowed or paid to dealers. Such prospectus supplement, and, if necessary, a post-effective amendment to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, will be filed with the SEC to reflect the disclosure of additional information with respect to the distribution of the securities covered by this prospectus. In order to comply with the securities laws of certain states, if applicable, the securities sold under this prospectus may only be sold through registered or licensed broker-dealers. In addition, in some states the securities may not be sold unless they have been registered or qualified for sale in the applicable state or an exemption from registration or qualification requirements is available and is complied with.

 

The distribution of securities may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions, including block transactions and transactions on The Nasdaq Global Market or any other organized market where the securities may be traded. The securities may be sold at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, or at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices relating to the prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. The consideration may be cash or another form negotiated by the parties. Agents, underwriters or broker-dealers may be paid compensation for offering and selling the securities. That compensation may be in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions to be received from us or from the purchasers of the securities. Any dealers and agents participating in the distribution of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters, and compensation received by them on resale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts. If any such dealers or agents were deemed to be underwriters, they may be subject to statutory liabilities under the Securities Act.

 

Agents may from time to time solicit offers to purchase the securities. If required, we will name in the applicable prospectus supplement any agent involved in the offer or sale of the securities and set forth any compensation payable to the agent. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, any agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment. Any agent selling the securities covered by this prospectus may be deemed to be an underwriter, as that term is defined in the Securities Act, of the securities.

 

To the extent that we make sales to or through one or more underwriters or agents in at-the-market offerings, we will do so pursuant to the terms of a distribution agreement between us and the underwriters or agents. If we engage in at-the-market sales pursuant to a distribution agreement, we will sell any of our listed securities to or through one or more underwriters or agents, which may act on an agency basis or on a principal basis. During the term of any such agreement, we may sell any of our listed securities on a daily basis in exchange transactions or otherwise as we agree with the underwriters or agents. The distribution agreement will provide that any of our listed securities which are sold will be sold at prices related to the then prevailing market prices for our listed securities. Therefore, exact figures regarding proceeds that will be raised or commissions to be paid cannot be determined at this time and will be described in a prospectus supplement. Pursuant to the terms of the distribution agreement, we also may agree to sell, and the relevant underwriters or agents may agree to solicit offers to purchase, blocks of our listed securities. The terms of each such distribution agreement will be set forth in more detail in a prospectus supplement to this prospectus.

 

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If underwriters are used in a sale, securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale, or under delayed delivery contracts or other contractual commitments. Securities may be offered to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters or directly by one or more firms acting as underwriters. If an underwriter or underwriters are used in the sale of securities, an underwriting agreement will be executed with the underwriter or underwriters, as well as any other underwriter or underwriters, with respect to a particular underwritten offering of securities, and will set forth the terms of the transactions, including compensation of the underwriters and dealers and the public offering price, if applicable. The prospectus and prospectus supplement will be used by the underwriters to resell the securities.

 

If a dealer is used in the sale of the securities, we or an underwriter will sell the securities to the dealer, as principal. The dealer may then resell the securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by the dealer at the time of resale. To the extent required, we will set forth in the prospectus supplement the name of the dealer and the terms of the transactions.

 

We may directly solicit offers to purchase the securities and may make sales of securities directly to institutional investors or others. These persons may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any resale of the securities. To the extent required, the prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any such sales, including the terms of any bidding or auction process, if used.

 

Agents, underwriters and dealers may be entitled under agreements which may be entered into with us to indemnification by us against specified liabilities, including liabilities incurred under the Securities Act, or to contribution by us to payments they may be required to make in respect of such liabilities. If required, the prospectus supplement will describe the terms and conditions of the indemnification or contribution. Some of the agents, underwriters or dealers, or their affiliates may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us or our subsidiaries.

 

Any person participating in the distribution of securities registered under the registration statement that includes this prospectus will be subject to applicable provisions of the Exchange Act and the applicable SEC rules and regulations, including, among others, Regulation M, which may limit the timing of purchases and sales of any of our securities by that person. Furthermore, Regulation M may restrict the ability of any person engaged in the distribution of our securities to engage in market-making activities with respect to our securities. These restrictions may affect the marketability of our securities and the ability of any person or entity to engage in market-making activities with respect to our securities.

 

Certain persons participating in an offering may engage in over-allotment, stabilizing transactions, short-covering transactions, penalty bids and other transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the offered securities. These activities may maintain the price of the offered securities at levels above those that might otherwise prevail in the open market, including by entering stabilizing bids, effecting syndicate covering transactions or imposing penalty bids, each of which is described below:

 

a stabilizing bid means the placing of any bid, or the effecting of any purchase, for the purpose of pegging, fixing or maintaining the price of a security. 

 

a syndicate covering transaction means the placing of any bid on behalf of the underwriting syndicate or the effecting of any purchase to reduce a short position created in connection with the offering. 

 

a penalty bid means an arrangement that permits the managing underwriter to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member in connection with the offering when offered securities originally sold by the syndicate member are purchased in syndicate covering transactions.

 

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These transactions may be effected on an exchange or automated quotation system, if the securities are listed on that exchange or admitted for trading on that automated quotation system, or in the over-the-counter market or otherwise.

 

If so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will authorize agents, underwriters or dealers to solicit offers from certain types of institutions to purchase offered securities from us at the public offering price set forth in such prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. Such contracts will be subject only to those conditions set forth in the prospectus supplement and the prospectus supplement will set forth the commission payable for solicitation of such contracts.

 

In addition, the securities may be issued upon conversion of or in exchange for debt securities or other securities.

 

Any underwriters to whom offered securities are sold for public offering and sale may make a market in such offered securities, but such underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. The offered securities may or may not be listed on a national securities exchange. No assurance can be given that there will be a market for the offered securities.

 

Any securities that qualify for sale pursuant to Rule 144 or Regulation S under the Securities Act, may be sold under Rule 144 or Regulation S rather than pursuant to this prospectus.

 

In connection with offerings made through underwriters or agents, we may enter into agreements with such underwriters or agents pursuant to which we receive our outstanding securities in consideration for the securities being offered to the public for cash. In connection with these arrangements, the underwriters or agents may also sell securities covered by this prospectus to hedge their positions in these outstanding securities, including in short sale transactions. If so, the underwriters or agents may use the securities received from us under these arrangements to close out any related open borrowings of securities.

 

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

 

We may loan or pledge securities to a financial institution or other third party that in turn may sell the securities using this prospectus. Such financial institution or third party may transfer its short position to investors in our securities or in connection with a simultaneous offering of other securities offered by this prospectus or in connection with a simultaneous offering of other securities offered by this prospectus.

 

TAXATION 

 

The material U.K. and U.S. federal income tax consequences relating to the purchase, ownership and disposition of any of the securities offered by this prospectus will be set forth in the prospectus supplement offering those securities.

 

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EXPENSES

 

The following is a statement of expenses in connection with the distribution of the securities registered. All amounts shown are estimates except the SEC registration fee and FINRA fee. The estimates do not include expenses related to offerings of particular securities. Each prospectus supplement describing an offering of securities will reflect the estimated expenses related to the offering of securities under that prospectus supplement.

 

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee  $27,275 
FINRA fee   38,000 
Legal fees and expenses   25,000 
Accounting fees and expenses   7,500 
Other miscellaneous fees and expenses   2,225 
Total  $100,000 

 

LEGAL MATTERS 

 

Certain legal matters with respect to English law with respect to the validity of the offered securities will be passed upon for the Company by Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe (UK) LLP. Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton, LLP, New York, New York, will be passing upon matters of United States law for us with respect to securities offered by this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement.

 

EXPERTS

 

The consolidated financial statements of Tiziana Pharma Limited as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and for each of the years then ended, have been included herein and in the registration statement in reliance on the report of Mazars LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, appearing elsewhere herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing. The report on the consolidated financial statements of the Company includes an explanatory paragraph about the existence of a material uncertainty concerning the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The registered business address of Mazars LLP is Tower Bridge House, St Katharine’s Way, London E1W 1DD.

 

ENFORCEMENT OF CIVIL LIABILITIES 

 

We are incorporated and currently existing under the laws of England and Wales. In addition, certain of our directors and officers reside outside the United States, and most of the assets of our non-U.S. subsidiaries are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult for investors to effect service of process on us or those persons in the United States or to enforce in the United States judgments obtained in United States courts against us or those persons based on the civil liability or other provisions of the United States securities laws or other laws. In addition, uncertainty exists as to whether the courts of England and Wales would:

 

  recognize or enforce judgments of United States courts obtained against us or our directors or officers predicated upon the civil liabilities provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States; or

 

  entertain original actions brought in England and Wales against us or our directors or officers predicated upon the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States.

 

We have been advised by Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe (UK) LLP that there is currently no treaty between (i) the United States and (ii) England and Wales providing for reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgments of United States courts in civil and commercial matters (although the United States and the United Kingdom are both parties to the New York Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards) and that a final judgment for the payment of money rendered by any general or state court in the United States based on civil liability, whether predicated solely upon the United States securities laws, would not be automatically enforceable in England and Wales. We have also been advised by Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe (UK) LLP that any final and conclusive monetary judgment for a definite sum obtained against us in United States courts would be treated by the courts of England and Wales as a cause of action in itself and sued upon as a debt at common law so that no retrial of the issues would be necessary, provided that:

 

  the relevant U.S. court had jurisdiction over the original proceedings according to English conflicts of laws principles at the time when proceedings were initiated;

 

-42-

 

 

  England and Wales courts had jurisdiction over the matter on enforcement and we either submitted to such jurisdiction or were resident or carrying on business within such jurisdiction and were duly served with process;

 

  the U.S. judgment was final and conclusive on the merits in the sense of being final and unalterable in the court that pronounced it and being for a definite sum of money;

 

  the judgment given by the courts was not in respect of penalties, taxes, fines or similar fiscal or revenue obligations (or otherwise based on a U.S. law that an English court considers to relate to a penal, revenue or other public law);

 

  the judgment was not procured by fraud;

 

  recognition or enforcement of the judgment in England and Wales would not be contrary to public policy or the Human Rights Act 1998;

 

  the proceedings pursuant to which judgment was obtained were not contrary to natural justice;

 

  the U.S. judgment was not arrived at by doubling, trebling or otherwise multiplying a sum assessed as compensation for the loss or damages sustained and not being otherwise in breach of Section 5 of the U.K. Protection of Trading Interests Act 1980, or is a judgment based on measures designated by the Secretary of State under Section 1 of that Act;

 

  there is not a prior decision of an English court or the court of another jurisdiction on the issues in question between the same parties; and

 

  the English enforcement proceedings were commenced within the limitation period.

 

Whether these requirements are met in respect of a judgment based upon the civil liability provisions of the United States securities laws, including whether the award of monetary damages under such laws would constitute a penalty, is an issue for the court making such decision.

 

Subject to the foregoing, investors may be able to enforce in England and Wales judgments in civil and commercial matters that have been obtained from U.S. federal or state courts. Nevertheless, we cannot assure you that those judgments will be recognized or enforceable in England and Wales.

 

If an English court gives judgment for the sum payable under a U.S. judgment, the English judgment will be enforceable by methods generally available for this purpose. These methods generally permit the English court discretion to prescribe the manner of enforcement. In addition, it may not be possible to obtain an English judgment or to enforce that judgment if the judgment debtor is or becomes subject to any insolvency or similar proceedings, or if the judgment debtor has any set-off or counterclaim against the judgment creditor. Also note that, in any enforcement proceedings, the judgment debtor may raise any counterclaim that could have been brought if the action had been originally brought in England unless the subject of the counterclaim was in issue and denied in the U.S. proceedings.

 

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE 

 

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information into this prospectus, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to other documents which we have filed or will file with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is considered a part of this prospectus and should be read carefully. Certain information in this prospectus supersedes information incorporated by reference that we filed with the SEC prior to the date of this prospectus. Certain information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede the information in this prospectus. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus.

 

-43-

 

 

We incorporate by reference into this prospectus and the registration statement of which it is a part the following documents, including any amendments to such filings:

 

our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019;

 

our Reports on Form 6-K furnished to the SEC on January 9, 2020, January 13, 2020, January 21, 2020, January 23, 2020, February 3, 2020, February 4, 2020, February 18, 2020, February 20, 2020, March 11, 2020, March 12, 2020, March 13, 2020, March 16, 2020, April 1, 2020, April 9, 2020, April 14, 2020, April 15, 2020, April 24, 2020 (two on this date), April 27, 2020, May 6, 2020, May 11, 2020, May 14, 2020 (two on this date), May 22, 2020, June 1, 2020, June 2, 2020 (two on this date), June 4, 2020, June 12, 2020, June 18, 2020 (two on this date), June 19, 2020, June 22, 2020, June 23, 2020, June 29, 2020, July 1, 2020, July 10, 2020, July 16, 2020 (two on this date), July 20, 2020, July 24, 2020, July 30, 2020 (two on this date), July 31, 2020 (two on this date), August 4, 2020 (two on this date), August 5, 2020, August 10, 2020, August 11, 2020, August 18, 2020, August 20, 2020, August 21, 2020, August 24, 2020, August 26, 2020, August 27, 2020 (two on this date), August 28, 2020 (two on this date), September 16, 2020, September 17, 2020, September 21, 2020 (two on this date), September 25, 2020, September 30, 2020, October 2, 2020, October 20, 2020, October 21, 2020, October 22, 2020, October 26, 2020, October 27, 2020, October 28, 2020 October 29, 2020 (two on this date), November 2, 2020, November 12, 2020, November 18, 2020, December 1, 2020, December 10, 2020, December 17, 2020, December 18, 2020, January 4, 2021, January 13, 2021 and January 26, 2021; and

 

the description of ADSs representing our ordinary shares contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the SEC on October 30, 2018, including any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description.

 

We are also incorporating by reference all subsequent Annual Reports on Form 20-F that we file with the SEC and certain reports on Form 6-K that we furnish to the SEC after the date of this prospectus (if they state that they are incorporated by reference into this prospectus) prior to the termination of this offering. In all cases, you should rely on the later information over different information included in this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement.

 

Unless expressly incorporated by reference, nothing in this prospectus shall be deemed to incorporate by reference information furnished to, but not filed with, the SEC. Copies of all documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus, other than exhibits to those documents unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference in this prospectus, will be provided at no cost to each person, including any beneficial owner, who receives a copy of this prospectus on the written or oral request of that person made to:

 

Tiziana Life Sciences plc
3rd Floor, 11-12 St James’s Square,
London SW1Y 4LB
+44 (0) 20 7495 2379

 

You may also access these documents on our website, www.tizianalifesciences.com. The information contained on, or that can be accessed through, our website is not a part of this prospectus. We have included our website address in this prospectus solely as an inactive textual reference.

 

You should rely only on information contained in, or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information different from that contained in this prospectus or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. We are not making offers to sell the securities in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or solicitation is not authorized or in which the person making such offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so or to anyone to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation.

 

-44-

 

 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION 

 

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement (including amendments and exhibits to the registration statement) on Form F-3 under the Securities Act. This prospectus, which is part of the registration statement, does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules to the registration statement. For further information, we refer you to the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules filed as part of the registration statement. If a document has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, we refer you to the copy of the document that has been filed. Each statement in this prospectus relating to a document filed as an exhibit is qualified in all respects by the filed exhibit.

 

We are subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act. Our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ending December 31, 2019 has been filed with the SEC. The company has also filed periodic reports with the SEC on Form 6-K. You may inspect and copy reports and other information filed with the SEC at the Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. In addition, the SEC maintains an Internet website that contains reports and other information about issuers, like us, that file electronically with the SEC. The address of that website is www.sec.gov.

 

As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt under the Exchange Act from, among other things, the rules prescribing the furnishing and content of proxy statements, and our executive officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act. In addition, we will not be required under the Exchange Act to file periodic reports and financial statements with the SEC as frequently or as promptly as U.S. companies whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act.

 

-45-

 

 

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

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JANUARY 25, 2021

 

PROSPECTUS

 

 

 

Up to US$100,000,000

 

Ordinary Shares represented by American Depositary Shares

 

This prospectus relates to the offer and sale of ordinary shares from time to time, represented by American Depositary Shares, or ADSs, having an aggregate offering price of up to US$100,000,000. Each ADS represents 2 ordinary shares, nominal value £0.03 per share. We have entered into an At Market Issuance Sales Agreement, dated January __, 2021, which we refer to as the Sales Agreement, with B. Riley Securities, Inc. (“Agent” or “B. Riley”).

 

ADSs representing our ordinary shares are listed on The Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “TLSA.” On January 25, 2021, the last reported price of the ADSs on The Nasdaq Global Market was $3.71 per ADS.

 

Sales of ADSs under this prospectus, if any, may be made in sales deemed to be “at the market offerings” as defined in Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act. B. Riley will act as sales agent or principal on a best efforts basis using commercially reasonable efforts consistent with its normal trading and sales practices. There is no arrangement for funds to be received in any escrow, trust or similar arrangement.

 

As of ___, 2021, under English law, we are restricted from selling securities with a maximum aggregate nominal amount in excess of £984,054 (equivalent to 32,801,800 Ordinary Shares of nominal value £0.03 each, or 16,400,900 ADSs) for cash on a non-pre-emptive basis pursuant to the exclusion of pre-emption rights approved by our shareholders on July 16, 2020. We would be required to seek further shareholder approval in order to issue securities for cash on a non-pre-emptive basis in excess of that authority. 

 

The Agent will be entitled to compensation at a commission rate of 3% of the gross sales price per ADS sold. In connection with the sale of ADSs on our behalf, the Agent will be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act, and the compensation of the Agent will be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts. We have agreed to provide indemnification to the Agent against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

 

See the “Plan of Distribution” section beginning on page S-52 of this prospectus for a description of the compensation payable to B. Riley as Agent.

 

Investing in the ADSs involves a high degree of risk. Before buying any securities, you should carefully consider the risk factors described in “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-8 of this prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

 

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

 

B. Riley Securities

 

The date of this prospectus is [     ], 2021

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PROSPECTUS

 

    Page
About this Prospectus   S-ii
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements   S-iii
Prospectus Summary   S-1
Risk Factors   S-8
Use of Proceeds   S-17
Dilution   S-17
Description Of Share Capital And Articles Of Association   S-18
Description Of The American Depositary Shares   S-36
Material Tax Considerations   S-46
Plan of Distribution   S-52
Legal Matters   S-54
Experts   S-54
Where You Can Find More Information   S-54
Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference   S-55

 

S-i

 

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

 

This prospectus relates to the offer and sale of ordinary shares from time to time, represented by American Depositary Shares, or ADSs. This sales agreement prospectus is deemed a prospectus supplement to the base prospectus contained in the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. These documents contain important information that you should consider when making your investment decision.

 

This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the ADSs offered hereby in any jurisdiction where, or to any person to whom, it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation.

 

This prospectus describes the specific terms of the ADSs we are offering and also adds to, and updates information contained in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus. To the extent there is a conflict between the information contained in this prospectus, on the one hand, and the information contained in any document incorporated by reference into this prospectus that was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, before the date of this prospectus, on the other hand, you should rely on the information in this prospectus. If any statement in one of these documents is inconsistent with a statement in another document having a later date—for example, a document incorporated by reference into this prospectus—the statement in the document having the later date modifies or supersedes the earlier statement.

 

You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus or any free writing prospectus. We have not, and the Agent has not, authorized any dealer, salesperson or other person to give any information or to make any representation other than those contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any related free writing prospectus. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. The information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus and any related free writing prospectus is current as of the date such information is presented, regardless of the time of delivery of this or any related free writing prospectus or of any sale of the ADSs. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates. It is important for you to read and consider all information contained in this and any related free writing 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 we have referred you to in the sections entitled “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference” and “Where You Can Find More Information” below.

 

“Tiziana,” the Tiziana logo and other trademarks or service marks of Tiziana Life Sciences plc appearing in this prospectus are the property of Tiziana or its subsidiaries. This prospectus contains additional trade names, trademarks and service marks of others, which are the property of their respective owners. Solely for convenience, trademarks and trade names referred to in this prospectus may appear without the ® or TM symbols.

 

In this prospectus, except where the context otherwise requires and for purposes of this prospectus only:

 

“we,” “us,” “our company,” “the Company,” “the registrant,” “our,” “Tiziana” and “Tiziana Life Sciences plc” refer to Tiziana Life Sciences plc and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Tiziana Therapeutics, Inc., Tiziana Pharma Limited and Longevia Genomics S.r.l.;

 

“shares” refer to our ordinary shares;

 

all references to “Pounds Sterling” or “Sterling” or “£” or “pence” are to the currency of the United Kingdom and references to “U.S. dollars” or “US$” or “$” or “cents” are to United States dollars; and

 

discrepancies in any table between the amounts identified as total amounts and the sum of the amounts listed therein are due to rounding.

 

No action is being taken in any jurisdiction outside the United States to permit a public offering of the ADSs or possession or distribution of this prospectus in that jurisdiction. Persons who come into possession of this prospectus in a jurisdiction outside of the United States are required to inform themselves about and to observe any restrictions that are applicable to that jurisdiction, as to this offering and the distribution of this prospectus.

 

Unless we indicate otherwise, translations from Pounds Sterling into U.S. dollars were made at the rate of £1.00 to $[   ], which was the noon buying rate of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on January __, 2021. Such U.S. dollar amounts are not necessarily indicative of the amounts of U.S. dollars that could actually have been purchased upon exchange of Pounds Sterling at the dates indicated.

 

S-ii

 

 

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This prospectus, including the documents that we incorporate by reference, contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, contained in this prospectus, including statements regarding our future results of operations and financial position, business strategy, prospective products, product approvals, research and development costs, timing and likelihood of success, plans and objectives of management for future operations, and future results of current and anticipated products, are forward-looking statements. These statements relate to future events or to our future financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “assume,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “goal,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “objective,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “positioned,” “seek,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would,” or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about our business and the industry in which we operate and management’s beliefs and assumptions, are not guarantees of future performance or development and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors.

 

Actual results or events could differ materially from the plans, intentions and expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements we make. As a result, any or all of our forward-looking statements in this prospectus may turn out to be inaccurate. We have included important factors in the cautionary statements included in this prospectus and the documents that we incorporate by reference, particularly in the sections of this prospectus titled “Risk Factors,” that we believe could cause actual results or events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements that we make. 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. Moreover, we operate in a highly competitive and rapidly changing environment in which new risks often emerge. It is not possible for our management to predict all risks, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements we may make. Our forward-looking statements do not reflect the potential impact of any future acquisitions, mergers, dispositions, joint ventures or investments we may make.

 

You should read this prospectus and the documents that we incorporate by reference in this prospectus and have filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect. The forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus are made as of the date on the front cover of this prospectus, and we do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements except as required by applicable law and regulation.

 

S-iii

 

 

 

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

 

This summary highlights information contained elsewhere or incorporated by reference into this prospectus. This summary does not contain all of the information that you should consider before deciding to invest in our securities. You should read this entire prospectus carefully, including the “Risk Factors” section contained in this prospectus and our consolidated financial statements and the related notes and the other documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

 

Overview

 

We are a biotechnology company that is focused on the discovery and development of novel molecules and related diagnostics to treat high unmet medical needs in oncology and immunology. Our mission is to design and deliver next generation therapeutics and diagnostics for oncology and immune diseases of high unmet medical need by combining deep understanding of disease biology with clinical development expertise. We have a drug discovery pipeline of small molecule new chemical entities, or NCEs, and biologics. We employ a lean and virtual research and development, or R&D, model using highly experienced teams of experts for each business function to maximize value accretion by focusing resources on the drug discovery and development processes.

 

Foralumab (TZLS-401)

 

Our lead product candidate in immunology is Foralumab (TZLS-401), which we believe is the only fully human anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody, or mAb, in clinical development. MAbs represent a single pure antibody produced by single clones and are an important class of human therapeutics for treating cancers and autoimmune diseases. We are developing Foralumab, for which we in-licensed the intellectual property from Novimmune, SA, a Swiss biotechnology company, or Novimmune, as a potential treatment for neurodegenerative diseases such as progressive Multiple Sclerosis, or MS, and Crohn’s disease. As the only fully human engineered human anti-CD3 mAb in clinical development, Foralumab has significant potential advantages such as a shorter treatment duration and reduced immunogenicity. We believe that oral or intranasal administration of Foralumab has the potential to reduce inflammation while minimizing the toxicity and related side effects.

 

To date, Foralumab has been studied in one Phase 1 and two Phase 2a clinical trials conducted by Novimmune in 68 patients dosed by the intravenous route of administration. In these trials, Foralumab was observed to be safe and well-tolerated and produced immunologic effects consistent with potential clinical benefit while demonstrating mild to moderate infusion related reactions. With completion of the intravenous dosing for Phase 2a trial in Crohn’s Disease, Foralumab’s ability to modulate T-cell response enables potential extension into a wide range of other autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, such as graft versus host disease, ulcerative colitis, MS, type-1 diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis. 

 

Foralumab is being developed as both an immunosuppressive and immunomodulatory agent, with therapeutic benefits of rendering T-cells unable to orchestrate an immune response and induction of immune tolerance via maintenance of regulatory T-cells. There is further potential for Foralumab to be combined with our TZLS-501, a fully human anti-IL-6R mAb in development to target autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. In November 2016, we announced new data for oral efficacy in humanized mouse models with Foralumab, a major milestone and a potential breakthrough for the treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and autoimmune disease. This unique oral technology stimulates the natural gut immune system and potentially provides a therapeutic effect in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases with greatly reduced toxicity. Positive therapeutic effects with Foralumab were consistently demonstrated in animal studies conducted by Prof. Kevan Herold (Yale University) and Prof. Howard Weiner (Harvard University).

 

In April 2018, we entered into an exclusive license agreement with The Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Inc. relating to a novel formulation of Foralumab dosed in a medical device for nasal administration. An investigational new drug application, or IND, for the first-in-human evaluation of the nasal administration of Foralumab in healthy volunteers for progressive MS indication was filed in the second quarter of 2018. Subsequent to IND approval, a single-site, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-ranging Phase 1 trial with nasally administered Foralumab at 10, 50 and 250 µg per day, consecutively for 5 days to evaluate biomarkers of immunomodulation of clinical responses was initiated in November 2018. The trial was conducted at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, in healthy volunteers in which 18 subjects received Foralumab treatment and 9 patients received placebo. The study was completed in September 2019, and data demonstrated that nasally administered Foralumab was well-tolerated and no drug-related safety issues were reported at any of the doses. No drug-related changes were observed in vital signs among subjects at predose during treatment and at discharge. Nasally administered Foralumab at the 50 µg dose suppressed cytotoxic CD8+ as well as perforin-secreting CD8+ cells, which have been implicated in neurodegeneration in MS. Treatment at 50 µg stimulated production of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 and suppressed production of pro-inflammatory cytokine interferon-gamma (IFN-γ). Taken together, the treatment showed significant positive effects on the biomarkers for activation of mucosal immunity, which are capable of inducing site-targeted immunomodulation to elicit anti-inflammatory effects. Based on the results we intend to conduct a Phase 2 trial in progressive MS patients starting in the second quarter of 2021. 

 

 

S-1

 

 

 

An enteric-coated capsule formulation using a proprietary and novel technology has been developed for oral administration of Foralumab. cGMP manufacturing of clinical trial materials for a Phase 1 study has been completed and an IND was submitted in March 2019.

 

On September 9, 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, granted approval to initiate the Phase 1 clinical trials to evaluate the safety and pharmacokinetics of oral Foralumab at 1.25, 2.5 and 5.0 mg/day as a single ascending dose study. The study was completed in December 2019 at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Formulated Foralumab powder encapsulated in enteric-coated capsule was well-tolerated at all doses tested and there were no drug-related safety issues observed even at the highest dose of 5 mg in this trial. Based on successful Phase 1 data, we intend to conduct a Phase 2 study using Crohn’s Disease patients starting in the second quarter of 2021.

 

In addition, on August 18, 2020 the United States Patent and Trademark Office, or USPTO, granted us a patent on use and methods of treatment of Crohn’s disease with Foralumab, its proprietary fully human monoclonal antibody, and all other anti-CD3 mAbs. The CD3 (cluster of differentiation 3) is a protein complex on T-cells, which is important for the regulation of the immune system. The patent was published by the USPTO on September 1, 2020 as Patent No. 10,759,858. Recently, we also announced the issuance of the first-ever patent on oral administration of anti-CD3 mAbs for treatment of human diseases (Patent No. 10,688,186). We believe the grant of this additional composition-of-matter and use patent further strengthens our intellectual property, consisting of proprietary technologies on oral and nasal administration of Foralumab and other anti-CD3 mAbs for the treatment of human diseases.

 

On July 16, 2020, we announced that we had submitted a patent application on the potential use of Foralumab, a fully human anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody (mAb), to improve success of chimeric antigen receptor T-cell, or CAR-T therapy for cancer and other human diseases. The patent application conveys inventions related lymphodepletion to improving CAR-T expansion and/or survival using anti-CD-3 mAbs administered either alone or in combination with other co-stimulatory molecules, such as an anti-IL-6R mAb, an anti-CD28 mAb or specific inhibitors of signaling pathways of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (AKT), or mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR).

 

On July 31, 2020, we announced that we had submitted a patent application for the potential use of nasally administered Foralumab, a fully human anti-CD3 mAb, for the treatment of COVID-19 either alone or in combination with other anti-viral drugs. Recent clinical studies implied that a combination of anti-inflammatory and anti-viral drugs may be more effective to treat patients at different stages of COVID-19 disease. 

 

A collaborative clinical study was initiated on November 2, 2020, investigating nasally administered Foralumab either alone or in combination with orally administered dexamethasone in COVID-19 patients in Brazil. In view of the importance and urgency, scientific teams at the Harvard Medical School, Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Santos Hospital (Jabaquara, Santos, Brazil) and at our company closely collaborated to facilitate initiation of this study in expedited time frames. The clinical trial was coordinated by the team at INTRIALS, a leading, full-service Latin America Clinical Research Organization, (CRO) based in Sao Paulo City, Brazil. The trial was completed in January 2021, and the clinical data from this trial is expected to be available by the first quarter of 2021. This trial, the first-ever trial on nasal administration of Foralumab for treatment of COVID-19, is of enormous significance because the underlying scientific approach is to modulate immune system, which is dysregulated and crippled to protect against the virus. If successful, we believe this approach could be good for treatment of all COVID-19 variants and other viruses.

 

 

S-2

 

 

 

TZLS-501

 

We are accelerating development of a fully human mAb targeting the IL-6R (TZLS-501) for which the intellectual property was licensed from Novimmune in 2017. This fully human mAb has a novel mechanism of action, binding to both the membrane-bound and soluble forms of the IL-6R as well as depleting circulating levels of the IL-6 in the blood. Excessive production of IL-6 is regarded as a key driver of acute inflammation resulting from infection with viral agents such as Coronaviruses and of chronic inflammation, associated with autoimmune diseases such as multiple myeloma, oncology indications and rheumatoid arthritis, and we believe that TZLS-501 may have potential therapeutic value for these indications.

 

In preclinical studies, TZLS-501 demonstrated the potential for overcoming the limitations of other IL-6 blocking pathway drugs. Compared to tocilizumab and sarilumab, while binding to the membrane-bound IL-6R complex, TZLS-501 has been observed to have a higher affinity for the soluble IL-6R from antibody binding studies conducted in cell culture. TZLS-501 also demonstrated the potential to block or reduce IL-6 signaling in mouse models of inflammation. The soluble form of IL-6 has been implicated to have a larger role in disease progression compared to the membrane-bound form (Kallen, K.J. (2002). “The role of trans-signaling via the agonistic soluble IL-6R in human diseases.” Biochimica et Biophysica Acta. 1592 (3): 323–343.)

 

We are advancing development of TZLS-501 in light of the Coronavirus pandemic that originated in Wuhan China in December 2019. Coronavirus disease, or COVID-19, is a highly contagious disease attributed to transmission of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2, or SARS-CoV-2. Certain patients infected with COVID-19 may develop an uncontrolled immune response resulting in severe damage to lung tissue which could lead to respiratory failure. Early clinical studies conducted by doctors in China suggest that anti-IL-6R mAb may be used in clinical practice for treatment of COVID-19. Consequently, China’s National Health Commission has recommended the use of Roche’s blockbuster drug, Actemra® for treatment of patients infected with COVID-19, with serious lung damage and elevated IL-6 levels. Actemra® was first approved by the FDA in 2010 for rheumatoid arthritis. Besides Actemra®, Sanofi and Regeneron are currently exploring Kevzara®, an FDA-approved anti-IL-6R therapy for rheumatoid arthritis, for treatment of severe COVID-19. We believe that of TZLS-501 may have greater clinical effect than Actemra® or Kevzara® based on higher binding affinity for IL-6 receptor complex compared to Actemra® and Kevzara®. Also TZLS-501 reduces circulating levels of IL-6 via the trans-signaling pathways. 

 

On August 24, 2020 we announced that the USPTO had granted a patent for methods and use of fully human mAb (TZLS-501) that recognizes both IL-6R and IL-6 receptor complex with IL-6 (IL-6R/IL-6) for prophylactic and therapeutic intervention for human diseases. We initially entered into a world-wide exclusive license from Novimmune in 2017. The license is currently maintained with Bristol Myers Squibb. The patent (No. 10,759,862) was published by the USPTO on September 1, 2020. The grant of this additional patent on TZLS-501 is of particular significance for the potential treatment of COVID-19 and other pulmonary diseases such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

 

We filed a patent on inhalation delivery of TZLS-501 using a hand-held nebulizer for direct delivery in lungs. It is expected that the direct delivery of TZLS-501 might rapidly deplete the excessive levels of IL-6 present in lungs to provide rapid relief. TZLS-501 is a novel anti-IL-6R mAb that also depletes circulating levels of IL-6 and its biochemical functions are not interfered by the excessive level of IL-6. Hence, we believe TZLS-501 is very well distinguished from Actemra® and Kevzara®. Currently, we are developing TZLS-501 for treatment of COVID-19. The underlying scientific approach is to deplete IL-6 and suppress the cytokine storm in lungs. This approach might be applicable for treatment of all COVID-19 and its newly identified variants.

 

Milciclib (TZLS-201)

 

We are developing Milciclib, for which we in-licensed the intellectual property from Nerviano Medical Sciences S.r.l. in 2015, as a potential treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma, or HCC. A novel feature of Milciclib is its ability to reduce levels of microRNAs, miR-221 and miR-222. MicroRNAs are small RNA molecules that play a significant role in the regulation of gene expression. miR-221 and miR-222 are believed to be linked to the development of blood supply (angiogenesis) in cancer tumors. Levels of these microRNAs are consistently elevated in HCC patients and may contribute towards resistance to treatment with Sorafenib, a multikinase inhibitor (a drug which may inhibit the cellular division and proliferation associated with certain cancers) often prescribed to HCC patients as the Standard of Care.

 

 

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To date, Milciclib has been studied in a total of eight completed Phase 1 and 2 clinical trials in 316 patients. In these trials, Milciclib was observed to be well-tolerated and showed initial signals of anti-tumor action. Prior to in-licensing, Milciclib was granted orphan designation by the European Commission and by the FDA for the treatment of malignant thymoma and an aggressive form of thymic carcinoma in patients previously treated with chemotherapy. In two Phase 2a trials, CDKO-125a-006 and CDKO125a-007, Milciclib showed signs of slowing disease progression and acceptable safety. We initiated a Phase 2a trial (CDKO-125a-010) of Milciclib safety and tolerability as a single therapy in Sorafenib-resistant patients with HCC in the first half of 2017. Typically, this population of patients have an advanced form of the disease with poor prognosis and an average overall survival expectancy of three to five months. In May 2018, the Independent Data Monitor committee, or IDMC, completed an interim analysis of tolerability data from the first eleven treated patients and recommended expansion of the initial cohort to an additional 20 patients to complete the trial enrolment, which was completed in December 2018. In March 2019, the IDMC reviewed safety data from patients as of February 26, 2019 and concluded that the administration of Milciclib to patients with advanced HCC was not associated with unexpected signs or signals of toxicity. 28 out of 31 treated patients were evaluable, 14 completed the 6-month duration study. The most frequent adverse events such as diarrhea, ascites, nausea, fatigue, asthenia, fever, ataxia, headache, and rash were manageable. No drug-related deaths were recorded.

 

The Phase 2a trial was completed in June 2019 with clinical safety result reported in July 2019 and efficacy results reported in September 2019. The clinical activity assessment in evaluable patients was based on the independent radiological review using the modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors.

 

14 out of 28 (50%) evaluable patients completed six-month duration of the trial.

 

Both median TTP and PFS were 5.9 months (95% Confidence Interval (“CI”) 1.5-6.7 months) out of the 6-months duration of the trial.

 

16 of 28 (57.1%) evaluable patients showed ‘Stable Disease.’

 

One patient (3.6%) showed unconfirmed ‘Partial Response.’

 

17 of 28 (60.7%) evaluable patients showed ‘Clinical Benefit Rate’ defined as CBR=CR+PR+SD (with CR representing Complete Remission).

 

Since overexpression of cyclin-dependent kinases, or CDKs, and dysregulation in pRB pathway (regulates transcription factors critical for cell cycle progression) are prominently associated with tumor cell resistance to certain chemotherapeutic drugs, inhibition of multiple CDKs is an appealing approach to improve clinical responses in cancer patient’s refractory to existing treatment options. A Phase 1 dose-escalation study of Milciclib in combination with gemcitabine in patients with refractory solid tumors exhibited clinical activity in patients, including those who were refractory to gemcitabine. We plan to explore a combination treatment of Milciclib and a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (either Sorafenib or Regorafenib) in patients with HCC in the third quarter of 2021.

 

On August 21, 2020 we announced that the USPTO had granted us a patent on use of Milciclib in combination with tyrosine kinase inhibitors, or TKIs, such as Sorafenib (Nexavar®), Regorafenib (Stivarga®) and Lenvatinib (Lenvima®) for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma, or HCC, and other cancers in humans. This patent was published by the USPTO on September 1, 2020 as Patent No. 10,758,541. Like most human cancers, HCC is a complex multi-factorial cancer with multiple underlying mechanisms causing enormous heterogeneity in patient populations. Consequently, patients with HCC often develop resistance towards the monotherapies of existing therapeutics. Thus, there is an urgent need for combination drug treatment approaches targeting different mechanisms to achieve better clinical outcomes. We are planning to conduct a Phase 2b trial with Milciclib in combination with a TKI or immunotherapy in sorafenib-resistant HCC patients. We also successfully completed a Phase 1 trial in patients with refractory solid cancers. The patients enrolled in this trial were resistant to all existing chemotherapies for cancer. The trial data showed that Milciclib in combination with gemcitabine provided 36% clinical response to these patients who had shown no response to gemcitabine when administered alone. These data suggest that Milciclib may be able to overcome drug-resistance. This novel attribute of Milciclib may have application as an adjuvant therapy in combination with chemotherapies for treatment of refractory, malignant and advanced cases of cancers. The data from this trial also showed that the combination treatment delayed onset in a patient with non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). The preclinical data from an animal study also suggest that orally administered Milciclib might also be effective in Kras+ (G12C) mutants of NSCLC cancer. We are further exploring the use of Milciclib in combination with other drugs for treatment of Kras+ (G12C) NSCLC, which is an unmet medical need.

 

 

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Our Product Candidates

 

Our product candidate pipeline is set forth below:

 

Development Pipeline

 

 

 

Risks Associated with Our Business

 

Our business is subject to numerous risks. You should read these risks before you invest in our securities. In particular, our risks include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

We may fail to demonstrate the safety and therapeutic utility of our product candidates to the satisfaction of applicable regulatory authorities, which would prevent or delay regulatory approval and commercialization.

 

We depend on enrollment of patients in our clinical trials for our product candidates and may find it difficult to enroll patients in our clinical trials, which could delay or prevent us from proceeding with clinical trials of our product candidates and could materially adversely affect our research and development efforts and business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Our independent registered public accounting firm has expressed substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern, which may hinder our ability to obtain future financing.

 

We have incurred net losses in every year since our inception. We anticipate that we will continue to incur losses for the foreseeable future and may never achieve or maintain profitability.

 

We need substantial additional funding to complete the development of our product candidates, which may not be available on acceptable terms, if at all. Failure to obtain this necessary capital when needed may force us to delay, limit or terminate certain of our product development, research operations or future commercialization efforts, if any.

 

We rely, and expect to continue to rely, on third parties to conduct our preclinical studies and clinical trials and for product manufacturing. If these third parties do not successfully carry out their contractual duties or meet expected deadlines, we may not be able to obtain regulatory approval for or commercialize our product candidates.

 

Our rights to develop and commercialize our product candidates are subject to the terms and conditions of licenses granted to us by others. If we fail to comply with our obligations under our existing and any future intellectual property licenses with third parties, we could lose license rights that are important to the business.

 

 

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If our competitors are able to obtain orphan drug exclusivity for products that constitute the same drug and treat the same indications as our product candidates, we may not be able to have competing products approved by applicable regulatory authorities for a significant period of time. In addition, even if we obtain orphan drug exclusivity for any of our products, such exclusivity may not protect us from competition.

 

Healthcare legislative reform measures may have a negative impact on our business and results of operations.

 

A pandemic, epidemic or outbreak of an infectious disease, such as COVID-19, may materially and adversely affect our business and operations.

 

We may re-incorporate in another jurisdiction, and the laws of such jurisdiction will likely govern all of our material agreements and we may not be able to enforce our legal rights.

 

The dual listing of our ordinary shares and our ADSs may adversely affect the liquidity and value of the ADSs.

 

The rights of our shareholders may differ from the rights typically offered to shareholders of a U.S. corporation.

 

As a foreign private issuer we are exempt from a number of rules under the U.S. securities laws as well as certain Nasdaq corporate governance rules applicable to U.S. listed companies and are permitted to file less information with the SEC than U.S. public companies.

 

Claims of U.S. civil liabilities may not be enforceable against us.

 

If we are a passive foreign investment company, there could be adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. holders.

 

We may lose our foreign private issuer status, which would then require us to comply with the Exchange Act’s domestic reporting regime and cause us to incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses.

 

Corporate Information

 

We were originally incorporated under the laws of England and Wales on February 11, 1998 with the goal of leveraging the expertise of our management team as well as Dr. Napoleone Ferrara, Dr. Arun Sanyal, Dr. Howard Weiner and Dr. Kevan Herold, and to acquire and exploit certain intellectual property in biotechnology. We subsequently changed our name to Tiziana Life Sciences plc in April 2014 as a result of the acquisition of Tiziana Pharma Limited in April 2014.

 

Our registered office is located at 3rd Floor, 11-12 St James’s Square, London SW1Y 4LB and our telephone number is +44 (0) 20 7495 2379. Our website address is www.tizianalifesciences.com. The reference to our website is an inactive textual reference only and the information contained in, or that can be accessed through, our website is not a part of this registration statement. Our agent for service of process in the United States is Tiziana Therapeutics, Inc.

 

“Tiziana,” the Tiziana logo and other trademarks or service marks of Tiziana Life Sciences plc appearing in this prospectus are the property of Tiziana or our subsidiaries. This prospectus contains additional trade names, trademarks and service marks of others, which are the property of their respective owners. Solely for convenience, trademarks and trade names referred to in this prospectus may appear without the ® or TM symbols. 

 

 

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The Offering

 

Securities offered   Ordinary shares represented by ADSs having an aggregate offering price of up to US$100,000,000.
     
The ADSs   Each ADS represents 2 ordinary shares, nominal value £0.03 per ordinary share.
     
Depositary   JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
     
Manner of offering   “At the market offering” that may be made from time to time through or to B. Riley Securities, Inc., as sales agent or principal. See “Plan of Distribution” on page S-52.
     
Ordinary shares to be outstanding immediately after this offering (1)   [   ] ordinary shares
     
Use of proceeds We intend to use net proceeds from this offering (i) to advance the clinical development of Foralumab, (ii) to initiate a trial in HCC patients with Milciclib, (iii) to expedite clinical development of TZLS-501 for coronavirus COVID-19, and (iv) for working capital and other general corporate purposes. See “Use of Proceeds” on page S-17.
     
Nasdaq Global Market Symbol   Our ADSs are listed on The Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “TLSA.”
   
Risk Factors This investment involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-8 of this prospectus as well as the other information included in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus for a discussion of risks you should consider carefully before making an investment decision.

 

 
(1)The number of shares of our ordinary shares that will be outstanding after this offering is based on [   ] ordinary shares outstanding as of December 31, 2020 (including [   ] ordinary shares in the form of outstanding ADSs), and excludes as of that date:

 

  [   ] ordinary shares issuable upon the exercise of share options at exercise prices of between $[   ] and $[   ] per ordinary share;

 

 

[   ] ordinary shares that may be issued upon the exercise of warrants to purchase ordinary shares at exercise prices of between $[   ] and $ [   ] per ordinary share; and

 

  [   ] ordinary shares that may be issued upon the conversion of convertible promissory notes including accrued interest at a conversion price of $[   ] per ordinary share.

 

Unless otherwise indicated, this prospectus reflects and assumes no exercise of outstanding share options or warrants or conversion of convertible notes after December 31, 2020.

 

Unless otherwise stated, all information contained in this prospectus reflects the assumed public offering price of US$[   ] per ADS, which was the closing price of an ADS representing our ordinary shares on The Nasdaq Global Market on January __, 2021.

 

 

S-7

 

 

RISK FACTORS

 

An investment in the ADSs involves a high degree of risk. Prior to making a decision about investing in these securities, you should carefully consider the specific risks, uncertainties and assumptions discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” included in our most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, all of which are incorporated herein by reference, and may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by other reports we file with the SEC in the future. Our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected by any of these risks which cause you to lose all or part of your investment in the offered securities.

 

Risks Related to the Offering

 

The actual number of ADSs we will issue under the Sales Agreement, at any one time or in total, is uncertain.

 

Subject to certain limitations in the sales agreement with B. Riley and compliance with applicable law, we have the discretion to deliver placement notices to B. Riley at any time throughout the term of the Sales Agreement. The number of ADSs that are sold by B. Riley after our delivering a placement notice will fluctuate based on the market price of our ADS during the sales period and limits we set with B. Riley.

 

The ADSs offered under this prospectus may be sold in “at the market” offerings, and investors who buy ADSs at different times will likely pay different prices.

 

Investors who purchase ADSs under this prospectus at different times will likely pay different prices, and so may experience different outcomes in their investment results. We will have discretion, subject to market demand, to vary the timing, prices, and numbers of ADSs sold, and there is no minimum or maximum sales price. Investors may experience declines in the value of their ADSs as a result of sales made at prices lower than the prices they paid.

 

Ultimately we may re-incorporate in another jurisdiction, and the laws of such jurisdiction will likely govern all of our material agreements and we may not be able to enforce our legal rights.

 

Ultimately, we may decide to relocate the home jurisdiction of our business from the United Kingdom to another jurisdiction. We announced on January 20, 2020 that we had appointed advisers in relation to an intended redomicile of the Company to Bermuda. These plans have currently been paused as a result of the restrictions in force as a result of COVID-19.

 

If we ultimately redomicile to Bermuda or determine to redomicile to any other jurisdiction, the laws of such jurisdiction would likely govern all of our material agreements. In this circumstance, the rights of shareholders could be substantially different under the corporate law of the jurisdiction to which we might migrate than they are under English law. Moreover, the system of laws and the enforcement of existing laws in such jurisdiction may not be as certain in implementation and interpretation as in the United States or the United Kingdom. Furthermore, we may decide to terminate the ADS facility in connection with a redomicile. The inability to enforce or obtain a remedy under any of our future agreements could result in a significant loss of business, business opportunities or capital.

 

If we become incorporated in Bermuda, or elsewhere, and we terminate our London listing, the Takeover Code will not apply to us.

 

Bermuda law does not contain any provisions similar to those contained in the Takeover Code applicable in the United Kingdom which are designed to regulate the way in which takeovers are conducted. It is therefore possible that an offeror may gain control of us in circumstances where our non-selling holders do not receive, or are not given the opportunity to receive, the benefit of any control premium.

 

S-8

 

 

We may terminate the deposit agreement, without the prior consent of the ADS holders.

 

We and the depository are entitled to amend the deposit agreement and to change the rights of the ADS holders under the terms of such agreement, without the prior consent of the ADS holders.

 

Furthermore, we may decide to terminate the ADS facility at any time for any reason. If the ADS facility is terminated, ADS holders will receive prior notice, but no prior consent is required from them. Under the circumstances that we terminate the deposit agreement, the ADS holders may be forced to surrender their ADSs and become direct holders of our underlying ordinary shares.

 

We may lose our foreign private issuer status in the future, which would result in significant additional costs and expenses.

 

In the future, we may lose our foreign private issuer status if a majority of our shareholders and a majority of our directors or management are US citizens or residents. If we lose our foreign private issuer status, we will have to mandatorily comply with US federal proxy requirements, and our officers, directors and principal shareholders will become subject to the short-swing profit disclosure and recovery provisions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act. We will be required to file periodic reports and registration statements on US domestic issuer forms containing financial statements prepared in accordance with US generally accepted accounting principles with the SEC, which are more detailed and extensive than the forms available to a foreign private issuer. In addition, if we lose our status as a foreign private issuer we will become subject to the Nasdaq corporate governance requirements, which are more strenuous than the corporate governance requirements than those applicable to companies with shares admitted to listing on the standard segment of the Official List of the FCA and to trading on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange. As a result, the regulatory and compliance costs to us may be significantly higher if we cease to qualify as a foreign private issuer.

 

A change in our tax residence could have a negative effect on our future profitability.

 

It is possible that in the future, we could become, or be regarded as having become, a resident in a jurisdiction other than the United Kingdom. Should we cease to be tax resident in the United Kingdom, we may have exposure related to unexpected tax liabilities, such as a charge of United Kingdom capital gains tax on a deemed disposal at market value of our assets and of unexpected tax charges in other jurisdictions on our income. Similarly, if the tax residency of any of our subsidiaries were to change from their current jurisdiction for any of the reasons listed above, we may be subject to a charge of local capital gains tax on the assets.

 

Our senior management team may invest or spend the net proceeds of this offering, if any, in ways with which you may not agree or in ways which may not yield a significant return.

 

Our senior management will have broad discretion over, and we could spend, the net proceeds from this offering, if any, in ways with which the holders of ordinary shares or ADSs may not agree or that do not yield a favorable return, if any. We expect to use our existing cash and cash equivalents and the net proceeds from this offering, if any, (i) to advance the clinical development of Foralumab, (ii) to initiate a trial in HCC patients with Milciclib, (iii) to expedite clinical development of TZLS-501 for coronavirus COVID-19, and (iv) for working capital and other general corporate purposes. We may also use a portion of the net proceeds from this offering to in-license, acquire or invest in complementary businesses, technologies, products or assets, however, we have no current commitments or obligations to do so. Furthermore, our senior management will have considerable discretion in the application of the net proceeds, and you will not have the opportunity, as part of your investment decision, to assess whether the net proceeds are being used appropriately. The net proceeds may be used for corporate purposes that do not improve our operating results or enhance the value of our ordinary shares or ADSs.

 

S-9

 

 

We will need to raise additional capital to meet our business requirements in the future, which is likely to be challenging, could be highly dilutive and may cause the market price of our securities to decline.

 

In order to meet our business objectives, we will need to raise additional capital, which may not be available on reasonable terms, or at all. We anticipate that, if we raise such additional capital, we will use such additional capital to accomplish the following:

 

finance our current operating expenses;

 

finance our clinical trials;

 

pursue growth opportunities;

 

hire and retain qualified management and key employees;

 

respond to competitive pressures;

 

comply with regulatory requirements; and

 

maintain compliance with applicable laws.

 

To the extent that we raise additional capital through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, the issuance of such securities could result in substantial dilution for our current shareholders. The terms of any securities issued by us in future capital transactions may be more favorable to new investors, and may include preferences, superior voting rights and the issuance of warrants or other derivative securities, which may have a further dilutive effect on the holders of any of our securities then-outstanding. We may issue additional ordinary shares or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for our ordinary shares in connection with hiring or retaining personnel, option or warrant exercises, future acquisitions or future placements of our securities for capital-raising or other business purposes. The issuance of additional securities, whether equity or debt, by us, or the possibility of such issuance, may cause the market price of our securities to decline and existing shareholders may not agree with our financing plans or the terms of such financings.

 

Any additional debt or equity financing that we may need may not be available on terms favorable to us, or at all. If we are unable to obtain such additional financing on a timely basis, we may have to curtail or cease our business operations.

 

You will experience immediate and substantial dilution in the net tangible book value per share of the ADSs you purchase.

 

Since the offering price per share of the ADSs being offered is substantially higher than the net tangible book value per share of ADSs, you will suffer substantial dilution in the net tangible book value of the ADSs you purchase in this offering. Assuming that an aggregate of [         ] ADS are sold at a price of $[          ] per ADS, the last reported sale price of our common stock on The Nasdaq Global Market on January , 2021, for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $100 million, and after deducting commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, if you purchase ADSs in this offering, you will suffer immediate and substantial dilution of approximately $[          ] per share ($[    ] per ADS) in the net tangible book value of the ADSs. See the section entitled “Dilution” on page S-17 of this prospectus for a more detailed discussion of the dilution you will incur if you purchase ADSs in this offering.

 

The prices of the ADSs and our ordinary shares may be volatile and fluctuate substantially, which could result in substantial losses for holders of the ADSs and our ordinary shares.

 

The market prices of the ADSs on The Nasdaq Global Market and of our ordinary shares on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange may be volatile and fluctuate substantially. The stock market in general and the market for smaller pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies in particular have experienced extreme volatility that has often been unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. As a result of this volatility, holders of the ADSs and our ordinary shares may not be able to sell their ADSs or ordinary shares at or above the price at which they were purchased. The market price for the ADSs and ordinary shares may be influenced by many factors, including:

 

the success of competitive products or technologies;

 

results of clinical trials of Milciclib and Foralumab and any other future product candidate that we develop;

  

S-10

 

 

results of clinical trials of product candidates of our competitors;

 

changes or developments in laws or regulations applicable to Milciclib and Foralumab and any other future product candidates that we develop;

 

our entry into, and the success of, any collaboration agreements with third parties;

 

developments or disputes concerning patent applications, issued patents or other proprietary rights;

 

the recruitment or departure of key personnel;

 

the level of expenses related to any of our product candidates or clinical development programs;

 

the results of our efforts to discover, develop, acquire or in-license additional product candidates, products or technologies;

 

actual or anticipated changes in estimates as to financial results, development timelines or recommendations by securities analysts;

 

variations in our financial results or those of companies that are perceived to be similar to us;

 

market conditions in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors;

 

general economic, industry and market conditions;

 

the trading volume of ADSs on The Nasdaq Global Market and of our ordinary shares on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange; and the other factors described in this “Risk Factors” section.

 

The dual listing of our ordinary shares and the ADSs may adversely affect the liquidity and value of the ADSs.

 

The ADSs are traded on The Nasdaq Global Market, and our ordinary shares are admitted to listing on the standard segment of the Official List of the FCA and to trading on theMain Market of the London Stock Exchange. The dual listing of our ordinary shares and the ADSs may dilute the liquidity of these securities in one or both markets and may adversely affect the maintenance of an active trading market for the ADSs in the United States. The price of the ADSs could also be adversely affected by trading in our ordinary shares on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange. We may decide at some point in the future to delist our ordinary shares from any exchange in the UK, and the approval of our shareholders for such a delisting may not be required.

 

In this circumstance, shareholders on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange, either because they are not permitted to hold such securities or for other reasons, may seek to convert their shares into ADSs and sell them on Nasdaq as the date for de-listing from the UK markets draws near, which could cause the trading price of our ADSs on Nasdaq to decline. We may also contemplating eliminating our ADS facility if we redomicile outside the UK, with the intent of having new common shares traded on Nasdaq, which would then be our only publicly-traded security. Terminating the facility may obligate us to pay fees to our depositary. There can be no assurance that the liquidity of the our shares or ADS would not be impaired.

 

Holders of our ADSs have fewer rights than our shareholders and must act through the depositary to exercise their rights.

 

Holders of our ADSs do not have the same rights as our shareholders and may only exercise their voting rights with respect to the underlying ordinary shares in accordance with the provisions of the deposit agreement. Holders of the ADSs will appoint the depositary or its nominee as their representative to exercise the voting rights attaching to the ordinary shares represented by the ADSs. When a general meeting is convened, if you hold ADSs, you may not receive sufficient notice of a shareholders’ meeting to permit you to withdraw the ordinary shares underlying your ADSs to allow you to vote with respect to any specific matter. We will make all commercially reasonable efforts to cause the depositary to extend voting rights to you in a timely manner, but we cannot assure you that you will receive voting materials in time to instruct the depositary to vote, and it is possible that you, or persons who hold their ADSs through brokers, dealers or other third parties, will not have the opportunity to exercise a right to vote. Furthermore, the depositary will not be liable for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote, for the manner in which any vote is cast or for the effect of any such vote. As a result, you may not be able to exercise your right to vote and you may lack recourse if your ADSs are not voted as you request. In addition, in your capacity as an ADS holder, you will not be able to call a shareholders’ meeting.

 

S-11

 

 

If securities or industry analysts cease to publish research reports about us or our industry, or if they adversely change their recommendations regarding the ADSs, the market price for the ADSs and trading volume could decline.

 

The trading market for the ADSs is influenced by research reports that industry or securities analysts publish about us or our industry. If one or more analysts who cover us downgrade the ADSs, the market price for the ADSs would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts ceases coverage of us or fails to regularly publish reports on us, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which, in turn, could cause the market price or trading volume for the ADSs to decline.

 

We have no present intention to pay dividends on our ordinary shares in the foreseeable future and, consequently, your only opportunity to achieve a return on your investment during that time is if the price of the ADSs appreciates.

 

We have never paid or declared any cash dividends on our ordinary shares, and we do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our ordinary shares in the foreseeable future. We intend to retain all available funds and any future earnings to fund the development and expansion of our business. Under English law, among other things, we may only pay dividends if we have sufficient distributable reserves (on a non-consolidated basis), which are our accumulated realized profits that have not been previously distributed or capitalized less our accumulated realized losses, so far as such losses have not been previously written off in a reduction or reorganization of capital. Any recommendation by our board of directors to pay dividends will depend on many factors, including our financial condition, results of operations, legal requirements and other factors. Accordingly, if the price of the ADSs falls in the foreseeable future, you will incur a loss on your investment, without the likelihood that this loss will be offset in part or at all by potential future cash dividends.

 

We are an “emerging growth company,” and the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies may make our ADSs and ordinary shares less attractive to investors.

 

We are an “emerging growth company” as defined in the SEC’s rules and regulations and we will remain an emerging growth company until the earlier to occur of (a) the last day of the fiscal year (1) following the fifth anniversary of the completion of this offering, (2) in which we have total annual gross revenues of at least $1.07 billion or (3) in which we are deemed to be a “large accelerated filer” under the rules of the SEC, which means the market value of our ordinary shares and ADSs that are held by non-affiliates exceeds $700.0 million as of the prior December 31, or (b) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt during the prior three-year period. For so long as we remain an emerging growth company, we are permitted and intend to rely on exemptions from certain disclosure requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies. These exemptions include:

 

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

 

not being required to comply with any requirement that has or may be adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding mandatory audit firm rotation or a supplement to the auditor’s report providing additional information about the audit and the financial statements;

 

being permitted to provide only two years of audited financial statements in this prospectus, in addition to any required unaudited interim financial statements, with correspondingly reduced “Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations” disclosure;

 

reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation; and

 

an exemption from the requirement to seek nonbinding advisory votes on executive compensation or golden parachute arrangements.

 

We may choose to take advantage of some, but not all, of the available exemptions. We have taken advantage of reduced reporting burdens in this prospectus. In particular, we have not included all of the executive compensation information that would be required if we were not an emerging growth company. We cannot predict whether investors will find our ADSs less attractive if we rely on certain or all of these exemptions. If some investors find our ADSs less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our ADSs and our ADS price may be more volatile.

 

S-12

 

 

In addition, the JOBS Act provides that an emerging growth company may take advantage of an extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards. This allows an emerging growth company to delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We have elected to take advantage of the extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards and, as a result, our financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with new or revised accounting pronouncements as of public company effective dates.

 

Even after we no longer qualify as an emerging growth company, we may still qualify as a “smaller reporting company” if the market value of our ordinary shares and ADSs held by non-affiliates is below $250 million (or $700 million if our annual revenue is less than $100 million) as of June 30 in any given year, which would allow us to take advantage of many of the same exemptions from disclosure requirements, including reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and, when required, our proxy statements.

 

We will incur significant increased costs as a result of operating as a company that is both publicly listed on Nasdaq in the United States and admitted to listing on the standard segment of the Official List of the FCA and to trading on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange in the United Kingdom, and our executive officers and other personnel will be required to devote substantial time to new compliance initiatives and corporate governance practices.

 

As a company publicly listed in the United States, and particularly after we no longer qualify as an emerging growth company, we will incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses that we did not incur previously. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, the listing requirements of the Nasdaq Global Market and other applicable securities rules and regulations impose various requirements on non-U.S. reporting public companies, including the establishment and maintenance of effective disclosure and financial controls and corporate governance practices. Our executive officers and other personnel will need to devote a substantial amount of time to these compliance initiatives. Moreover, these rules and regulations will increase our legal and financial compliance costs and will make some activities more time-consuming and costly. For example, we expect that these rules and regulations may make it more difficult and more expensive for us to obtain director and officer liability insurance, which in turn could make it more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified senior management personnel or members for our board of directors.

 

In addition, these rules and regulations are often subject to varying interpretations, in many cases due to their lack of specificity, and, as a result, their application in practice may evolve over time as new guidance is provided by regulatory and governing bodies. This could result in continuing uncertainty regarding compliance matters and higher costs necessitated by ongoing revisions to disclosure and governance practices.

 

To prepare for eventual compliance with Section 404, once we no longer qualify as an emerging growth company, we will be engaged in a process to document and evaluate our internal control over financial reporting, which is both costly and challenging. In this regard, we will need to continue to dedicate internal resources, potentially engage outside consultants, adopt a detailed work plan to assess and document the adequacy of internal control over financial reporting, continue steps to improve control processes as appropriate, validate through testing that controls are functioning as documented, and implement a continuous reporting and improvement process for internal control over financial reporting. Despite our efforts, there is a risk that we will not be able to conclude, within the prescribed timeframe or at all, that our internal control over financial reporting is effective as required by Section 404. If we identify one or more material weaknesses, it could result in an adverse reaction in the financial markets due to a loss of confidence in the reliability of our financial statements.

 

Further, being a U.S. listed company and an English public company with ordinary shares admitted to listing on the standard segment of the Official List of the FCA and to trading on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange impacts the disclosure of information and requires compliance with two sets of applicable rules. From time to time, this may result in uncertainty regarding compliance matters and result in higher costs necessitated by legal analysis of dual legal regimes, ongoing revisions to disclosure and adherence to heightened governance practices. As a result of the enhanced disclosure requirements of the U.S. securities laws, business and financial information that we report is broadly disseminated and highly visible to investors, which we believe may increase the likelihood of threatened or actual litigation, including by competitors and other third parties, which could, even if unsuccessful, divert financial resources and the attention of our management from our operations.

 

S-13

 

 

Fluctuations in the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the Pounds Sterling may increase the risk of holding ADSs and ordinary shares.

 

The share price of our ordinary shares is quoted on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange in Pounds Sterling, while we expect that our ADSs will trade on the Nasdaq Global Market in U.S. dollars. Fluctuations in the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and Pounds Sterling may result in differences between the value of our ADSs and the value of our ordinary shares, which may result in heavy trading by investors seeking to exploit such differences. In addition, as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and Pounds Sterling, the U.S. dollar equivalent of the proceeds that a holder of the ADSs would receive upon the sale in the United Kingdom of any ordinary shares withdrawn from the depositary, and the U.S. dollar equivalent of any cash dividends paid in Pounds Sterling on ordinary shares represented by the ADSs, could also decline.

 

The depositary for our ADSs is entitled to charge holders fees for various services, including annual service fees.

 

The depositary for our ADSs is entitled to charge holders fees for various services including for the issuance of ADSs upon deposit of ordinary shares, cancellation of ADSs, distributions of cash dividends or other cash distributions, distributions of ADSs pursuant to share dividends or other free share distributions, distributions of securities other than ADSs and annual service fees. In the case of ADSs issued by the depositary into The Depository Trust Company, or DTC, the fees will be charged by the DTC participant to the account of the applicable beneficial owner in accordance with the procedures and practices of the DTC participant as in effect at the time. The depositary for our ADSs will not generally be responsible for any United Kingdom stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax arising upon the issuance or transfer of ADSs.

 

Purchasers of ADSs in the U.S. offering may be subject to limitations on the transfer of ADSs and the withdrawal of the underlying ordinary shares.

 

ADSs are transferable on the books of the depositary. However, the depositary may close its books at any time or from time to time when the depositary determines such action is necessary or advisable pursuant to the deposit agreement. The depositary may refuse to deliver, transfer or register transfers of ADSs generally when our books or the books of the depositary are closed, or at any time if we or the depositary thinks it is necessary or advisable to do so because of any requirement of law, government or governmental body, or under any provision of the deposit agreement, or for any other reason, subject to certain rights to cancel ADSs and withdraw the underlying ordinary shares. Temporary delays in the cancellation of ADSs and withdrawal of the underlying ordinary shares may arise because the depositary has closed its transfer books or we have closed our transfer books, the transfer of ordinary shares is blocked to permit voting at a shareholders’ meeting, or because we are paying a dividend on our ordinary shares or similar corporate actions.

 

In addition, purchasers of ADSs in the U.S. offering may not be able to cancel their ADSs and withdraw the underlying ordinary shares when they owe money for fees, taxes and similar charges and when it is necessary to prohibit withdrawals in order to comply with any laws or governmental regulations that apply to the ADSs or to the withdrawal of our ordinary shares or other deposited securities.

 

S-14

 

 

ADS holders may not be entitled to a jury trial with respect to claims arising under the deposit agreement, which could result in less favorable results to the plaintiff(s) in any such action.

 

The deposit agreement governing our ADSs provides that owners and holders of ADSs irrevocably waive the right to a trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to the deposit agreement or the ADSs, including claims under U.S. federal securities laws, against us or the depositary to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. If this jury trial waiver provision is prohibited by applicable law, an action could nevertheless proceed under the terms of the deposit agreement with a jury trial. Although we are not aware of a specific federal decision that addresses the enforceability of a jury trial waiver in the context of U.S. federal securities laws, it is our understanding that jury trial waivers are generally enforceable. Moreover, insofar as the deposit agreement is governed by the laws of the State of New York, New York laws similarly recognize the validity of jury trial waivers in appropriate circumstances. In determining whether to enforce a jury trial waiver provision, New York courts and federal courts will consider whether the visibility of the jury trial waiver provision within the agreement is sufficiently prominent such that a party has knowingly waived any right to trial by jury. We believe that this is the case with respect to the deposit agreement and the ADSs.

 

In addition, New York courts will not enforce a jury trial waiver provision in order to bar a viable setoff or counterclaim of fraud or one which is based upon a creditor’s negligence in failing to liquidate collateral upon a guarantor’s demand, or in the case of an intentional tort claim (as opposed to a contract dispute). No condition, stipulation or provision of the deposit agreement or ADSs serves as a waiver by any holder or beneficial owner of ADSs or by us or the depositary of compliance with any provision of U.S. federal securities laws and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

If any owner or holder of our ADSs brings a claim against us or the depositary in connection with matters arising under the deposit agreement or the ADSs, including claims under U.S. federal securities laws, such owner or holder may not be entitled to a jury trial with respect to such claims, which may have the effect of limiting and discouraging lawsuits against us or the depositary. If a lawsuit is brought against us or the depositary under the deposit agreement, it may be heard only by a judge or justice of the applicable trial court, which would be conducted according to different civil procedures and may result in different results than a trial by jury would have had, including results that could be less favorable to the plaintiff(s) in any such action, depending on, among other things, the nature of the claims, the judge or justice hearing such claims, and the venue of the hearing.

 

Your right to participate in any future rights offerings may be limited, which may cause dilution to your holdings.

 

Under English law, shareholders usually have pre-emptive rights to subscribe on a pro rata basis in the issuance of new shares for cash. The exercise of pre-emptive rights by certain shareholders not resident in the United Kingdom may be restricted by applicable law or practice in the United Kingdom and overseas jurisdictions. We may from time to time distribute rights to our shareholders, including rights to acquire our securities. However, we cannot make rights available to shareholders in the United States unless we register the rights and the securities to which the rights relate under the Securities Act or an exemption from the registration requirements is available. Also, under the deposit agreement, the depositary bank will not make rights available to ADS holders unless either both the rights and any related securities are registered under the Securities Act, or the distribution of them to ADS holders is exempted from registration under the Securities Act. We are under no obligation to file a registration statement with respect to any such rights or securities or to endeavor to cause such a registration statement to be declared effective. Moreover, we may not be able to establish an exemption from registration under the Securities Act. If the depositary does not distribute the rights, it may, under the deposit agreement, either sell them, if possible, or allow them to lapse. Accordingly, ADS holders may be unable to participate in our rights offerings and may experience dilution in their holdings.

 

We are also permitted under English law to disapply pre-emptive rights (subject to the approval of our shareholders by special resolution or the inclusion in our articles of association of a power to disapply such rights) and thereby exclude certain shareholders, such as overseas shareholders, from participating in a rights offering (usually to avoid a breach of local securities laws).

 

S-15

 

 

The United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union may adversely impact our ability to obtain regulatory approvals of our product candidates in the European Union and may require us to incur additional expenses in order to develop, manufacture and commercialize our product candidates in the European Union.

 

Our principal office space is located in the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom formally exited the European Union, commonly referred to as Brexit, on January 31, 2020. Under the terms of its departure, the United Kingdom entered a transition period, or the Transition Period, during which it continued to follow all European Union rules. The Transition Period ended on December 31, 2020. On December 30, 2020, the United Kingdom and European Union signed the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, which includes an agreement on free trade between the two parties.

 

There is considerable uncertainty resulting from a lack of precedent and the complexity of the United Kingdom and EU’s intertwined legal regimes as to how Brexit (following the Transition Period) will impact the life sciences industry in Europe, including our company, including with respect to ongoing or future clinical trials. Since a significant proportion of the regulatory framework in the United Kingdom applicable to our business and our product candidates is derived from EU directives and regulations, the withdrawal could materially impact the regulatory regime with respect to the development, manufacture, importation, approval and commercialization of our product candidates in the United Kingdom or the European Union. The impact will largely depend on the model and means by which the United Kingdom’s relationship with the European Union is governed post-Brexit and the extent to which the United Kingdom chooses to diverge from the EU regulatory framework. For example, following the Transition Period, Great Britain will no longer be covered by the centralized procedures for obtaining EU-wide marketing authorizations and our products will therefore require a separate marketing authorization to allow us to market such products in Great Britain. It is unclear as to whether the relevant authorities in the EU and the United Kingdom are adequately prepared for the additional administrative burden caused by Brexit. Any delay in obtaining, or an inability to obtain, any marketing approvals, as a result of Brexit or otherwise, would prevent us from or delay us commercializing our product candidates in the United Kingdom and/or the EEA and restrict our ability to generate revenue and achieve and sustain profitability. In the short term, following the expiry of the Transition Period there is a risk of disrupted import and export processes due to a lack of administrative processing capacity by the respective United Kingdom and EU customs agencies that may delay time-sensitive shipments and may negatively impact our product supply chain. Further, under current plans, orphan designation in the United Kingdom (or Great Britain, depending on whether there is a prior centralized marketing authorization in the EEA) following Brexit is to be based on the prevalence of the condition in Great Britain as opposed to the current position where prevalence in the EU is the determinant. It is therefore possible that conditions that are currently designated as orphan conditions in the United Kingdom will no longer be and that conditions are not currently designated as orphan conditions in the European Union will be designated as such in the United Kingdom.

 

If any of these outcomes occur, we may be forced to restrict or delay efforts to seek regulatory approval in the United Kingdom and/or EEA for our product candidates, which could significantly and materially harm our business. There is a degree of uncertainty regarding the overall impact that Brexit will have on (i) the marketing of pharmaceutical products, (ii) the process to obtain regulatory approval in the United Kingdom for product candidates or (iii) the award of exclusivities that are normally part of the EU legal framework (for instance Supplementary Protection Certificates, Pediatric Extensions or Orphan exclusivity).

 

Brexit may also result in a reduction of funding to the EMA once the United Kingdom no longer makes financial contributions to European institutions, such as the EMA. If funding to the EMA is so reduced, it could create delays in the EMA issuing regulatory approvals for our product candidates and, accordingly, have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or prospects.

 

In addition, we may be required to pay taxes or duties or be subjected to other hurdles in connection with the importation of our product candidates into the European Union, or we may incur expenses in establishing a manufacturing facility in the European Union in order to circumvent such hurdles. If any of these outcomes occur, we may be forced to restrict or delay efforts to seek regulatory approval in the United Kingdom or the European Union for our product candidates, or incur significant additional expenses to operate our business, which could significantly and materially harm or delay our ability to generate revenues or achieve profitability of our business.

 

As a result of Brexit, other European countries may seek to conduct referenda with respect to their continuing membership with the European Union. Given these possibilities and others we may not anticipate, as well as the absence of comparable precedent, it is unclear what financial, regulatory and legal implications the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union will have and how such withdrawal will affect us, and the full extent to which our business could be adversely affected.

 

S-16

 

 

USE OF PROCEEDS

 

We may issue and sell ordinary shares represented by ADSs having aggregate sales proceeds of up to US$100,000,000 from time to time. Because there is no minimum offering amount required as a condition to close this offering, the actual total public offering amount, commissions and proceeds to us, if any, are not determinable at this time. Except as described in any free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you, we currently intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities offered hereby (i) to advance the clinical development of Foralumab, (ii) to initiate a trial in HCC patients with Milciclib, (iii) to expedite clinical development of TZLS-501 for coronavirus COVID-19, and (iv) for working capital and other general corporate purposes. We may also use a portion of the net proceeds from this offering to in-license, acquire or invest in complementary businesses, technologies, products or assets, however, we have no current commitments or obligations to do so.

 

Management’s plans for the use of the proceeds of this offering are subject to change due to unforeseen events and opportunities, and the amounts and timing of our actual expenditures depend on several factors, including our expansion plans and the amount of cash generated or used by our operations. We cannot specify with certainty the particular uses for the net proceeds to be received upon completion of this offering. Accordingly, our management will have broad discretion in using the net proceeds of this offering. Pending the use of the net proceeds, we intend to invest the net proceeds in short-term, investment-grade, interest-bearing instruments.

 

DILUTION

 

If you purchase ADSs in this offering, your ownership interest in us will be diluted to the extent of the difference between the public offering price per ADS you will pay in this offering and the pro forma net tangible book value per ADS after this offering.

 

Our historical net tangible book value as of June 30, 2020, was approximately ($[   ] million), corresponding to a net tangible book value of ($[   ]) per ordinary share or ($[   ]) per ADS (using the ratio of two ordinary shares to one ADS), as of such date. We calculate our historical net tangible book value per share or per ADS by taking the amount of our total tangible assets, subtracting the amount of our total liabilities, and then dividing the difference by the actual total number of ordinary shares or ADSs outstanding, as applicable.

 

After giving effect to (i) the sale of [   ] and (ii) the issuance of [   ], our pro forma net tangible book value as of June 30, 2020 would have been $[   ] (equal to $[   ] per ADS).

 

S-17

 

 

After giving effect to the sale of ADSs in the aggregate amount of US$100 million at an assumed offering price of US$[   ] per ADS, which was the closing price of ADSs on The Nasdaq Global Market on January __, 2021, and after deducting estimated offering commissions and expenses payable by us, our pro forma, as adjusted net tangible book value as of June 30, 2020 would have been would have been $[   ] per ordinary share (equal to $[   ] per ADS). This represents an immediate increase in net tangible book value of $[   ] per ordinary share (equal to $[   ] per ADS) to existing shareholders and an immediate dilution of $[   ] per ordinary share (equal to $[   ] per ADS) to new investors purchasing ADSs in this offering. Dilution per ADS or ordinary share to new investors is determined by subtracting the as adjusted net tangible book value per ADS or ordinary share after this offering from the public offering price per ADS paid by new investors.

 

The following table illustrates this dilution on an ADS basis:

 

Public offering price per ADS     $ 
Pro forma net tangible book value per ADS as at June 30, 2020  $      
Increase in net tangible book value per ADS attributable to purchasers purchasing ADSs in this offering  $      
Pro forma, as adjusted net tangible book value per ADS       $ 
Dilution per ADS to purchasers in this offering       $ 

  

DESCRIPTION OF SHARE CAPITAL AND ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

 

Introduction

 

Set forth below is a summary of certain information concerning our share capital as well as a description of certain provisions of our articles of association, or Articles, and relevant provisions of the Companies Act. The summary below contains only material information concerning our share capital and corporate status and does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to our articles of association and applicable English law. Further, please note that holders of ADSs will not be treated as one of our shareholders and will not have any shareholder rights.

 

We were originally incorporated under the laws of England and Wales on February 11, 1998 under the name of Bigboom plc, with the goal of leveraging the expertise of our management team as well as Dr. Napoleone Ferrara, Dr. Arun Sanyal, Dr. Howard Weiner and Dr. Kevan Herold, and to acquire and exploit certain intellectual property in biotechnology. We subsequently changed our name to Tiziana Life Sciences plc in April 2014 as a result of the acquisition of Tiziana Pharma Limited in April 2014.

 

Our registered office is located at 3rd Floor, 11-12 St James’s Square, London SW1Y 4LB and our telephone number is +44 (0) 20 7495 2379. Our website address is www.tizianalifesciences.com. The reference to our website is an inactive textual reference only and the information contained in, or that can be accessed through, our website is not a part of this registration statement.

 

Current authorized share capital

 

Not applicable.

 

Current issued share capital

 

As of January 20, 2021, our issued share capital was 194,612,289 ordinary shares with a nominal value of £0.03 per share. Each issued ordinary share is fully paid.

 

Information about the Ordinary Shares

 

In accordance with our Articles, the following summarizes the rights of holders of our ordinary shares:

 

each holder of our ordinary shares is entitled to one vote per ordinary share on all matters to be voted on by shareholders generally;

 

the holders of the ordinary shares shall be entitled to receive notice of, attend, speak and vote at our general meetings; and

 

holders of our ordinary shares are entitled to receive such dividends as are recommended by our directors and declared by our shareholders.

 

S-18

 

 

Registered Shares

 

We are required by the U.K. Companies Act 2006, or the Companies Act, to keep a register of our shareholders. Under English law, the ordinary shares are deemed to be issued when the name of the shareholder is entered in our share register. The share register therefore is prima facie evidence of the identity of our shareholders, and the shares that they hold. The share register generally provides limited, or no, information regarding the ultimate beneficial owners of our ordinary shares. Our share register is maintained by our registrar, Link Asset Services.

 

Potential future holders of our ADSs will not be treated as one of our shareholders and their names will therefore not be entered in our share register. The depositary, the custodian or their nominees will be the holder of the shares underlying our ADSs. Potential future holders of our ADSs have a right to receive the ordinary shares underlying their ADSs. For discussion on our ADSs and ADS holder rights, see “Description of the American Depositary Shares” in this prospectus.

 

Under the Companies Act, we must enter an allotment of shares in our share register as soon as practicable and in any event within two months of the allotment. We will perform all procedures necessary to update the share register to reflect any ordinary shares being sold in any potential offering, including updating the share register with the number of ordinary shares to be issued to the depositary upon the closing of any such offering in the future. We also are required by the Companies Act to register a transfer of shares (or give the transferee notice of and reasons for refusal as the transferee may reasonably request) as soon as practicable and in any event within two months of receiving notice of the transfer.

 

We, any of our shareholders, or any other affected person may apply to the court for rectification of the share register if:

 

the name of any person, without sufficient cause, is entered in or omitted from our register of members; or

 

default is made or unnecessary delay takes place in entering on the register the fact of any person having ceased to be a member or on which we have a lien, provided that such delay does not prevent dealings in the shares taking place on an open and proper basis.

 

Pre-emptive Rights

 

English law generally provides shareholders with pre-emptive rights when new shares are issued for cash; however, it is possible for the Articles, or shareholders by special resolution, to exclude pre-emptive rights. Such an exclusion of pre-emptive rights may be for a maximum period of up to five years from the date of adoption of the Articles, if the exclusion is contained in the Articles, or from the date of the shareholder resolution, if the exclusion is by shareholder resolution. In either case, this exclusion would need to be renewed by our shareholders upon its expiration (i.e., at least every five years). Typically U.K. public companies renew the disapplication of pre-emption rights on an annual basis or their annual general meeting. On July 16, 2020, our shareholders approved the exclusion of pre-emptive rights to the date of the next annual general meeting, which exclusion is for a number of shares equal to one third of the issued share capital at the time of passing of the resolution and which will need to be renewed upon expiration (i.e., the earlier of 15 months from the date of passing the resolution on the date of the next annual general meeting) to remain effective.

 

Articles

 

Our Articles were adopted by a special resolution of the founder shareholder passed at a general meeting on June 30, 2016. A summary of the terms of the Articles is set out below. The summary below is not a complete copy of the terms of the Articles.

 

The Articles contain no specific restrictions on our purpose and therefore, by virtue of section 31(1) of the Companies Act, our purpose is unrestricted.

 

The Articles contain, among other things, provisions to the following effect:

 

S-19

 

 

Share Capital

 

Our share capital currently consists of ordinary shares. Subject to the Companies Act and to any rights attached to existing shares, we may issue shares with such rights or restrictions as may be determined by ordinary resolution or if no ordinary resolution has been passed or so far as such ordinary resolution does not make specific provision, as our board of directors may determine. In addition, shares which are to be redeemed, or are liable to be redeemed at our option or the holder of such shares may be issued with the board determining the terms and conditions of such redemption.

 

Voting Rights

 

Subject to any rights or restrictions attached to any shares from time to time, the general voting rights attaching to shares are as follows:

 

any resolution put to the vote of a general meeting must be decided exclusively on a poll;

 

on a poll, every shareholder who is present in person or by proxy or corporate representative shall have one vote for each share of which they are the holder. A shareholder, proxy or corporate representative entitled to more than one vote need not, if they vote, use all their votes or cast all the votes in the same way; and

 

if two or more persons are joint holders of a share, then in voting on any question the vote of the senior who tenders a vote, whether in person or by proxy, shall be accepted to the exclusion of the votes of the other joint holders. For this purpose, seniority shall be determined by the order in which the names of the holders stand in the share register.

 

Restrictions on voting

 

No shareholder shall be entitled to vote at any general meeting or at any separate class meeting in respect of any share held by such shareholder unless all calls or other sums payable by the shareholder in respect of that share have been paid.

 

Our board of directors may from time to time make calls upon our shareholders in respect of any money unpaid on their shares and each shareholder shall (subject to at least 14 clear days’ notice specifying the time or times and place of payment) pay at the time or times so specified the amount called on their shares.

 

Variation of Rights

 

Subject to the Companies Act, whenever our share capital is divided into different classes of shares, the special rights attached to any class may be varied or abrogated either with the consent in writing of the holders of three-fourths in nominal value of the issued shares of that class (excluding any shares held as treasury shares) or with the sanction of a special resolution passed at a separate general meeting of the holders of the shares of that class, held in accordance with the Articles. The Companies Act provides a right to object to the variation of the share capital by shareholders who did not vote in favor of the variation. Should an aggregate of 15% of shareholders of the issued shares in question apply to the court to have the variation cancelled, the variation shall have no effect unless and until it is confirmed by the court.

 

Alteration to share capital

 

We may, by ordinary resolution of shareholders, consolidate all or any of our share capital into shares of larger amount than our existing shares, or sub-divide our shares or any of them into shares of a smaller amount. We may, by special resolution of shareholders, confirmed by the court, reduce our share capital or any capital redemption reserve or any share premium account in any manner authorized by the Companies Act. We may redeem or purchase all or any of our shares as described in “—Other English Law Considerations—Purchase of Own Shares.”

 

Dividends

 

We may, subject to the provisions of the Companies Act and the Articles, by ordinary resolution from time to time declare dividends to be paid to shareholders not exceeding the amount recommended by our board of directors. Subject to the provisions of the Companies Act, in so far as, in our board of directors’ opinions, our profits justify such payments, our board of directors may pay interim dividends on any class of our shares.

 

Subject to the provisions of the Companies Act, our board of directors may from time to time pay shareholders such interim dividends as appears to our board of directors to be justified by the profits available for distribution (including any dividends at a fixed rate). If the share capital is divided into different classes, our board of directors may pay interim dividends on shares which confer deferred or non-preferred rights with regard to dividend as well as on shares which confer preferential rights with regard to dividend, but no interim dividend shall be paid on shares carrying deferred or non-preferred rights if, at the time of payment, any preferential dividend is in arrears.

 

Our board of directors may deduct from any dividend or other money payable to any person on or in respect of a share all such sums as may be due from such shareholder to us on account of calls or otherwise in relation to shares in our capital. Sums so deducted can be used to pay amounts owing to us in respect of the shares. Sums so deducted can be used to pay amounts owing to us in respect of the shares.

 

Subject to any special rights attaching to or the terms of issue of any share, no dividend or other moneys payable by us on or in respect of any share shall bear interest against us. Any dividend unclaimed after a period of 12 years from the date such dividend became due for payment shall be forfeited and shall revert to us. Dividends may be declared or paid in any currency and our board of directors may decide the rate of exchange for any currency conversions that may be required, and how any costs involved are to be met.

 

S-20

 

 

Our board of directors may, by ordinary resolution of the company, direct (or in the case of an interim dividend may without the authority of an ordinary resolution direct) that payment of any dividend declared may be satisfied wholly or partly by the distribution of assets, and in particular of paid up shares or debentures of any other company, or in any one or more of such ways.

 

Change of control

 

There is no specific provision in our Articles that would have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change of control.

 

Distributions on Winding Up

 

On a winding up, the liquidator may, with the sanction of a special resolution of shareholders and any other sanction required by law, divide amongst the shareholders in specie the whole or any part of our assets and may, for that purpose, value any assets and determine how the division shall be carried out as between the shareholders or different classes of shareholders. The liquidator may, with the like sanction, vest the whole or any part of the assets in trustees upon such trusts for the benefit of shareholders as he may with the like sanction determine, but no shareholder shall be compelled to accept any assets upon which there is a liability.

 

Transfer of Ordinary Shares

 

Each member may transfer all or any of such member’s shares which are in certificated form by means of an instrument of transfer in any usual form or in any other form which our board of directors may approve. Each member may transfer all or any of such member’s shares which are in uncertificated form by means of a “relevant system” (i.e., the CREST System) in such manner provided for, and subject as provided in, the CREST Regulations.

 

Our board of directors may, in its absolute discretion, refuse to register a transfer of shares in certificated form (or renunciation of a renounceable letter of allotment) unless:

  

it is for a share which is fully paid up;

 

it is for a share upon which the company has no lien;

 

it is only for one class of share;

 

it is in favor of a single transferee or no more than four joint transferees;

 

it is duly stamped or is duly certificated or otherwise shown to the satisfaction of our board of directors to be exempt from stamp duty (if this is required); and

 

it is delivered for registration to the registered office of the company (or such other place as our board of directors may determine), accompanied (except in the case of a transfer by a person to whom the company is not required by law to issue a certificate and to whom a certificate has not been issued or in the case of a renunciation) by the certificate for the shares to which it relates and such other evidence as our board of directors may reasonably require to prove the title of the transferor (or person renouncing) and the due execution of the transfer or renunciation by him or, if the transfer or renunciation is executed by some other person on his behalf, the authority of that person to do so.

 

S-21

 

 

Our board of directors may refuse to register a transfer of uncertificated shares in any circumstances that are allowed or required by the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001 and the requirements of its “relevant system” (i.e., the CREST System).

 

If our board of directors declines to register a transfer it shall, as soon as practicable and in any event within two months after the date on which the transfer is lodged or the instructions to the “relevant system” (i.e., the CREST System) is received, send to the transferee notice of the refusal, together with reasons for the refusal or, in the case of uncertified shares, notify such persons as may be required by the Uncertified Securities Regulations 2001 and the requirements of the “relevant system” concerned (i.e., the CREST System).

  

Allotment of Shares and Pre-emption Rights

 

 

Subject to the Companies Act and to any rights attached to existing shares, any share may be issued with or have attached to it such rights and restrictions as the company may by ordinary resolution determine, or if no ordinary resolution has been passed or so far as the resolution does not make specific provision, as our board of directors may determine (including shares which are to be redeemed, or are liable to be redeemed at the option of the company or the holder of such shares).

 

In accordance with section 551 of the Companies Act, our board of directors may be generally and unconditionally authorized to exercise all the powers of the company to allot shares up to an aggregate nominal amount equal to the amount stated in the relevant ordinary resolution authorizing such allotment.

 

The provisions of section 561 of the Companies Act (which confer on shareholders rights of pre-emption in respect of the allotment of equity securities which are paid up in cash) apply to the company except to the extent disapplied by special resolution of the company. Such pre-emption rights have been disapplied, in part, pursuant to the special resolution passed on July 16, 2020.

 

Alteration of Share Capital

 

We may by ordinary resolution consolidate or divide all or any of our share capital into shares of larger nominal value than its existing shares, or cancel any shares which, at the date of the ordinary resolution, have not been taken or agreed to be taken by any person and diminish the amount of its share capital by the nominal amount of shares so cancelled or sub-divide its shares, or any of them, into shares of smaller nominal value.

 

We may, in accordance with the Companies Act, reduce or cancel our share capital or any capital redemption reserve or share premium account in any manner and with and subject to any conditions, authorities and consents required by law.

 

Number of Directors

 

We may not have less than two directors or more than 15 directors on the board of directors. We may, by ordinary resolution of the shareholders, vary the minimum and/or maximum number of directors from time to time.

 

Appointment and Re-appointment of Directors

 

Subject to our Articles and the Companies Act, we may by ordinary resolution appoint a person who is willing to act as a director and our board of directors shall have power at any time to appoint any person who is willing to act as a director, in both cases either to fill a vacancy or as an addition to our existing board of directors, provided the total number of directors shall not exceed the maximum number of 15.

 

Without prejudice to the power to appoint any person to be a director by shareholder resolution, our board of directors has power to appoint any person to be a director, either to fill a casual vacancy or as an addition to our existing board of directors but so that the total number of directors does not exceed the maximum number fixed by or in accordance with our Articles. Any director appointed by our board of directors will hold office only until the following annual general meeting.

 

Retirement of Directors

 

At each annual general meeting, all directors shall retire from office except any director appointed by our board of directors after the notice of that annual general meeting has been given and before that annual general meeting has been held.

 

A retiring director shall be eligible for re-appointment. A director retiring at an annual general meeting shall, if he is not re-appointed at such meeting, retain office until the annual general meeting appoints someone in such director’s place, or if it does not do so, until the conclusion of such annual general meeting.

 

Meetings of our Board of Directors

 

Subject to the provisions of the Articles, our board of directors may regulate their proceedings as they deem appropriate. A director may, and the secretary at the request of a director shall, call a meeting of our board of directors.

 

The quorum for a meeting of our board of directors shall be fixed from time to time by a decision of our board of directors, but it must never be less than two and unless otherwise fixed, it is two.

 

Questions and matters requiring resolution arising at a meeting of our board of directors shall be decided by a majority of votes of the participating directors, with each director having one vote. In the case of an equality of votes, the chairman of the meeting of our board of directors will only have a casting vote or second vote (unless such chairman is not entitled to vote on the resolution in question).

 

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Directors’ fees and remuneration

 

Each of the directors shall be paid a fee at such rate as may from time to time be determined by our board of directors (or for the avoidance of doubt any duly authorized committee of our board of directors) provided that the aggregate of all such fees so paid to our directors shall not exceed £2,000,000 per annum, or such higher amount as may from time to time be determined by ordinary resolution of shareholders.

 

Each director may be paid reasonable traveling, hotel and other expenses of attending and returning from meetings of the board of directors or committees of the board of directors or general meetings or separate meetings of the holders of any class of shares or of debentures and shall be paid all expenses properly incurred by such director in the conduct of our business.

 

Any director who is appointed to any executive office or who serves on any committee or who devotes special attention to our business, or who otherwise performs services which in the opinion of our board of directors are outside the scope of the ordinary duties of a director, may be paid such reasonable additional remuneration by way of salary, commission, participation in profits or otherwise as our board of directors may determine.

 

Directors’ Interests

 

Our board of directors may, in accordance with the requirements in the Articles, authorize any matter proposed to them by any director which would, if not authorized, involve a director breaching his duty under the Companies Act, to avoid conflicts of interests.

 

Subject to the requirements under sections 175, 177 and 182 of the Companies Act, a director seeking authorization in respect of such conflict shall declare to our board of directors the nature and extent of such director’s interest in a conflict as soon as is reasonably practicable. The director shall provide our board of directors with such details of the matter as are necessary for our board of directors to decide how to address the conflict together with such additional information as may be requested by our board of directors.

 

Any authorization by our board of directors will be effective only if:

 

to the extent permitted by the Companies Act, the matter in question shall have been proposed by any director for consideration in the same way that any other matter may be proposed to the directors under the provisions of the Articles;

 

any requirement as to the quorum for consideration of the relevant matter is met without counting the conflicted director and any other conflicted director; and

 

the matter is agreed to without the conflicted director voting or would be agreed to if the conflicted director’s and any other interested director’s vote is not counted.

 

A director shall be entitled to vote (and be counted in the quorum) in respect of any resolution concerning any of the following matters:

 

the giving of any guarantee, security or indemnity in respect of money lent or obligations incurred by such director or by any other person at the request of or for the benefit of us or any of our subsidiary undertakings;

 

the giving of any guarantee, security or indemnity in respect of a debt or obligation of us or any of our subsidiary undertakings for which such director has assumed responsibility in whole or in part under a guarantee or indemnity or by the giving of security;

 

any proposal concerning an offer of securities of or by us or any of our subsidiary undertakings in which offer such director is or may be entitled to participate as a holder of securities or in the underwriting or sub-underwriting of which such director is to participate;

 

any contract, arrangement or transaction concerning any other body corporate in which such director or any person connected with such director (within the meaning of sections 252-5 of the Companies Act) is interested, directly or indirectly and whether as an officer or shareholder or otherwise howsoever, provided that such director and any persons so connected with such director do not to such director’s knowledge hold an interest (within the meaning of sections 820 to 825 of the Companies Act) in one per cent. or more of any class of the equity share capital of such body corporate or of the voting rights available to members of the relevant body corporate;

 

any contract, arrangement or transaction for the benefit of employees of us or any of our subsidiary undertakings which does not accord to such director any privilege or advantage not generally accorded to the employees to whom the scheme relates;

 

any contract, arrangement or transaction concerning any insurance which we are to purchase and/or maintain for, or for the benefit of, any directors or persons including directors;

 

the giving of an indemnity in relation to another director; and

 

the provision of funds to any director to meet, or the doing of anything to enable a director to avoid incurring, expenditure of the nature described in section 205(1) or 206 of the Companies Act.

 

If a question arises at a meeting of our board of directors or of a committee of our board of directors as to the right of a director to vote or be counted in the quorum, and such question is not resolved by his voluntarily agreeing to abstain from voting or not to be counted in the quorum, the question shall be determined by the chairman and such chairman’s ruling in relation to any director other than such chairman shall be final and conclusive except in a case where the nature or extent of the interest of the director concerned has not been fairly disclosed.

 

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Indemnity

 

Every director or other officer of our group may be indemnified against all costs, charges, expenses, losses and liabilities incurred by them in connection with that director’s or officer’s duties or powers in relation to us or other members of our group. See also “Indemnification Of Directors And Officers” in Part II below.

 

General Meetings

 

In accordance with the Companies Act, we are required in each year to hold an annual general meeting in addition to any other general meetings in that year and to specify the meeting as such in the notice convening it. The annual general meeting shall be convened whenever and wherever the board sees fit, subject to the requirements of the Companies Act, as described in “—Differences in Corporate Law—Annual General Meeting” and “—Differences in Corporate Law—Notice of General Meetings” in this prospectus.

 

Notice of general meetings

 

The arrangements for the calling of general meetings are described in “—Differences in Corporate Law—Notice of General Meetings” in this prospectus.

 

Quorum of general meetings

 

No business shall be transacted at any general meeting unless a quorum is present when the general meeting proceeds to business, but the absence of a quorum shall not preclude the choice or appointment of a chairman of the general meeting which shall not be treated as part of the business of the general meeting. Save as otherwise provided by the Articles, two shareholders present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote shall be a quorum for all purposes.

 

Class meetings

 

The provisions in our Articles relating to general meetings apply to every separate general meeting of the holders of a class of shares except that:

 

the quorum for such class meeting shall be two holders in person or by proxy representing not less than one-third in nominal value of the issued shares of the class (excluding any shares held in treasury); and

 

if at any adjourned meeting of such holders a quorum is not present at the meeting, one holder of shares of the class present in person or by proxy at an adjourned meeting constitutes a quorum.

 

Borrowing Powers

 

Subject to the Articles and the Companies Act, our board of directors may exercise all of the powers of our company to:

 

borrow money;

 

indemnify and guarantee;

 

mortgage or charge;

 

create and issue debentures and other securities; and

 

give security either outright or as collateral security for any debt, liability or obligation of the company or of any third party.

 

The borrowing powers are restricted to the sum of £25,000,000 but this limit may be increased by ordinary resolution of shareholders.

 

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Capitalization of profits

 

Our directors may, if they are so authorized by an ordinary resolution of the shareholders, decide to capitalize any undivided profits of the company (whether or not they are available for distribution), or any sum standing to the credit of the company’s share premium account or capital redemption reserve. The directors may also, subject to the aforementioned ordinary resolution, appropriate any sum which they so decide to capitalize to the persons who would have been entitled to it if it were distributed by way of dividend and in the same proportions.

 

Uncertificated Shares

 

Subject to the Companies Act, our board of directors may permit title to shares of any class to be issued or held otherwise than by a certificate and to be transferred by means of a “relevant system” (i.e., the CREST System) without a certificate.

 

Our board of directors may take such steps as it sees fit in relation to the evidencing of and transfer of title to uncertificated shares, any records relating to the holding of uncertificated shares and the conversion of uncertificated shares to certificated shares, or vice-versa.

 

Our board of directors may by notice to the holder of an uncertificated share, require that share to be converted into certificated form.

 

Our board of directors may take such other action that our board of directors considers appropriate to achieve the sale, transfer, disposal, forfeiture, re-allotment or surrender of an uncertified share or otherwise to enforce a lien in respect of it.

 

Exclusive jurisdiction

 

Our articles of association provide that by subscribing for or acquiring shares, a shareholder submits all disputes between such shareholder and us or our directors to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts.

 

Other Relevant Laws and Regulations

 

Mandatory Bid

 

The U.K. City Code on Takeovers and Mergers, or Takeover Code, applies to the company. Under the Takeover Code, where:

 

any person, together with persons acting in concert with him, acquires, whether by a series of transactions over a period of time or not, an interest in shares which (taken together with shares in which he is already interested, and in which persons acting in concert with him are interested) carry 30% or more of the voting rights of a company; or

 

any person who, together with persons acting in concert with him, is interested in shares which in the aggregate carry not less than 30% of the voting rights of a company but does not hold shares carrying more than 50% of such voting rights and such person, or any person acting in concert with him, acquires an interest in any other shares which increases the percentage of shares carrying voting rights in which he is interested, such person shall, except in limited circumstances, be obliged to extend offers, on the basis set out in Rules 9.3, 9.4 and 9.5 of the Takeover Code, to the holders of any class of equity share capital, whether voting or non-voting, and also to the holders of any other class of transferable securities carrying voting rights. Offers for different classes of equity share capital must be comparable; the U.K. Panel on Takeovers and Mergers, or Takeover Panel, should be consulted in advance in such cases.

 

An offer under Rule 9 of the Takeover Code must be in cash and at the highest price paid for any interest in the shares by the person required to make an offer or any person acting in concert with him during the 12 months prior to the announcement of the offer.

 

Under the Takeover Code, a “concert party” arises where persons acting together pursuant to an agreement or understanding (whether formal or informal and whether or not in writing) cooperate, through the acquisition by them of an interest in shares in a company, to obtain or consolidate control of the company. “Control” means holding, or aggregate holdings, of an interest in shares carrying 30% or more of the voting rights of the company, irrespective of whether the holding or holdings give de facto control.

 

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Panetta Partners Limited, Planwise Group Limited and Gabriele Cerrone are considered to be a “concert party” for the purposes of the Takeover Code, or the Cerrone Concert Party. Accordingly, such party will not, save in limited circumstances, be able to acquire further interests in shares carrying voting rights without being obliged to extend offers, on the basis set out in Rules 9.3, 9.4 and 9.5 of the Takeover Code, to the holders of any class of equity share capital, whether voting or non-voting, and also to the holders of any other class of transferable securities carrying voting rights.

 

Squeeze-out

 

Under the Companies Act, if a takeover offer (as defined in Section 974 of the Companies Act) is made for the shares of a company and the offeror were to acquire, or unconditionally contract to acquire:

 

not less than 90% in value of the shares to which the takeover offer relates, or the Takeover Offer Shares; and

 

where those shares are voting shares, not less than 90% of the voting rights attached to the Takeover Offer Shares,

 

the offeror could acquire compulsorily the remaining 10%. It would do so by sending a notice to outstanding shareholders within three months of the last day on which its offer can be accepted telling them that it will acquire compulsorily their shares, or Takeover Offer Shares, and then, six weeks later, it would send a copy of the notice to the company with an executed instrument of transfer of the outstanding Takeover Offer Shares in its favor and pay the consideration to the company, which would hold the consideration on trust for outstanding shareholders. The consideration offered to the shareholders whose Takeover Offer Shares are acquired compulsorily under the Companies Act must, in general, be the same as the consideration that was available under the takeover offer.

 

Sell-out

 

The Companies Act also gives minority shareholders a right to be bought out in certain circumstances by an offeror who has made a takeover offer (as defined in Section 974 of the Companies Act). If a takeover offer related to all the shares of a company and, at any time before the end of the period within which the offer could be accepted, the offeror held or had agreed to acquire not less than 90% of the shares to which the offer relates, any holder of the shares to which the offer related who had not accepted the offer could by a written communication to the offeror require it to acquire those shares. The offeror is required to give any shareholder notice of his or her right to be bought out within one month of that right arising. The offeror may impose a time limit on the rights of the minority shareholders to be bought out, but that period cannot end less than three months after the end of the acceptance period. If a shareholder exercises his or her rights, the offeror is bound to acquire those shares on the terms of the offer or on such other terms as may be agreed.

 

Shareholder Notification and Disclosure Requirements

 

A shareholder in a public company incorporated in the United Kingdom whose shares are admitted to listing on the standard segment of the Official List of the FCA and to trading on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange is required pursuant to Rule 5 of the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules of the FCA, or the DTRs, to notify us of the percentage of their voting rights if the percentage of voting rights which they hold as a shareholder or through their direct or indirect holding of financial instruments (or a combination of such holdings) reaches, exceeds or falls below 3%, 4%, 5%, and each 1% threshold thereafter up to 100% as a result of an acquisition or disposal of shares or financial instruments.

 

The DTRs can be accessed and downloaded from the FCA’s website at www.handbook.fca.org.uk/handbook/DTR. Shareholders are urged to consider their notification and disclosure obligations carefully as a failure to make a required disclosure to the company may result in disenfranchisement.

 

U.K. City Code on Takeovers and Mergers

 

As a U.K. public company whose shares are traded on a multi-lateral trading facility in the United Kingdom, we are subject to the Takeover Code, which is issued and administered by the Takeover Panel. The Takeover Code provides a framework within which takeovers are regulated and conducted. Under the Takeover Code, where:

 

any person, together with persons acting in concert with him, acquires, whether by a series of transactions over a period of time or not, an interest in shares which (taken together with shares in which he is already interested, and in which persons acting in concert with him are interested) carry 30% or more of the voting rights of a company; or

 

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any person who, together with persons acting in concert with him, is interested in shares which in the aggregate carry not less than 30% of the voting rights of a company but does not hold shares carrying more than 50% of such voting rights and such person, or any person acting in concert with him, acquires an interest in any other shares which increases the percentage of shares carrying voting rights in which he is interested;

 

such person shall, except in limited circumstances, be obliged to extend offers, on the basis set out in Rules 9.3, 9.4 and 9.5 of the Takeover Code, to the holders of any class of equity share capital, whether voting or non-voting, and also to the holders of any other class of transferable securities carrying voting rights. Offers for different classes of equity share capital must be comparable; the Takeover Panel should be consulted in advance in such cases.

 

An offer under Rule 9 of the Takeover Code must be in cash and at the highest price paid for any interest in the shares by the person required to make an offer or any person acting in concert with him during the 12 months prior to the announcement of the offer.

 

Exchange Controls

 

There are no governmental laws, decrees, regulations or other legislation in the United Kingdom that may affect the import or export of capital, including the availability of cash and cash equivalents for use by us, or that may affect the remittance of dividends, interest, or other payments by us to non-resident holders of our ordinary shares or ADSs, other than withholding tax requirements. There is no limitation imposed by English law or in our Articles on the right of non-residents to hold or vote shares.

 

Corporate Governance Code

 

We recognize the value of good corporate governance in every part of our business. Our board of directors has adopted the principles of the Quoted Companies Alliance’s Corporate Governance Code (2018 edition), or the QCA Code. Our board of directors views this as an appropriate corporate governance framework for our company and consideration has been given to each of the 10 principles set out in the QCA Code. We provide a statement of compliance with the QCA Code on our website, which we update annually.

 

Differences in Corporate Law

 

The applicable provisions of the Companies Act differ from laws applicable to U.S. corporations and their shareholders. Set forth below is a summary of certain differences between the provisions of the Companies Act applicable to us and the Delaware General Corporation Law relating to shareholders’ rights and protections. This summary is not intended to be a complete discussion of the respective rights and it is qualified in its entirety by reference to Delaware law and English law.

 

    England and Wales   Delaware
Number of Directors   Under the Companies Act, a public limited company must have at least two directors and the number of directors may be fixed by or in the manner provided in a company’s articles of association.   Under Delaware law, a corporation must have at least one director and the number of directors shall be fixed by or in the manner provided in the bylaws.
         
Removal of Directors   Under the Companies Act, shareholders may remove a director without cause by an ordinary resolution (which is passed by a simple majority of those voting in person or by proxy at a general meeting) irrespective of any provisions of any service contract the director has with the company, provided 28 clear days’ notice of the resolution has been given to the company and its shareholders. On receipt of notice of an intended resolution to remove a director, the company must forthwith send a copy of the notice to the director concerned. Certain other procedural requirements under the Companies Act must also be followed, such as allowing the director to make representations against his or her removal either at the meeting or in writing.   Under Delaware law, any director or the entire board of directors may be removed, with or without cause, by the holders of a majority of the shares then entitled to vote at an election of directors, except (i) unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise, in the case of a corporation whose board of directors is classified, stockholders may effect such removal only for cause, or (ii) in the case of a corporation having cumulative voting, if less than the entire board of directors is to be removed, no director may be removed without cause if the votes cast against his removal would be sufficient to elect him if then cumulatively voted at an election of the entire board of directors, or, if there are classes of directors, at an election of the class of directors of which he is a part.

 

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Vacancies on the Board of Directors   Under English law, the procedure by which directors, other than a company’s initial directors, are appointed is generally set out in a company’s articles of association, provided that where two or more persons are appointed as directors of a public limited company by a resolution of the shareholders, resolutions appointing each director must be voted on individually.   Under Delaware law, vacancies and newly created directorships may be filled by a majority of the directors then in office (even though less than a quorum) or by a sole remaining director unless (i) otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of the corporation or (ii) the certificate of incorporation directs that a particular class of stock is to elect such director, in which case a majority of the other directors elected by such class, or a sole remaining director elected by such class, will fill such vacancy.
         
Annual General Meeting   Under the Companies Act, a public limited company must hold an annual general meeting in each six-month period following its annual accounting reference date.   Under Delaware law, the annual meeting of stockholders shall be held at such place, on such date and at such time as may be designated from time to time by the board of directors or as provided in the certificate of incorporation or by the bylaws.
         
General Meeting   Under the Companies Act, a general meeting of the shareholders of a public limited company may be called by the directors.   Under Delaware law, special meetings of the stockholders may be called by the board of directors or by such person or persons as may be authorized by the certificate of incorporation or by the bylaws.
         
    Shareholders holding at least 5% of the paid-up capital of the company carrying voting rights at general meetings (excluding any paid up capital held as treasury shares) can require the directors to call a general meeting and, if the directors fail to do so within a certain period, may themselves (or any of them representing more than one half of the total voting rights of all of them) convene a general meeting.    

 

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Notice of General Meetings   Subject to a company’s articles of association providing for a longer period, under the Companies Act, 21 clear days’ notice must be given for an annual general meeting and any resolutions to be proposed at the meeting, Subject to a company’s articles of association providing for a longer period, at least 14 clear days’ notice is required for any other general meetings. In addition, certain matters, such as the removal of directors or auditors, require special notice, which is 28 clear days’ notice. The shareholders of a company may in all cases consent to a shorter notice period, the proportion of shareholders’ consent required being 100% of those entitled to attend and vote in the case of an annual general meeting and, in the case of any other general meeting, a majority in number of the members having a right to attend and vote at the meeting, being a majority who together hold not less than 95% in nominal value of the shares giving a right to attend and vote at the meeting.   Under Delaware law, unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation or bylaws, written notice of any meeting of the stockholders must be given to each stockholder entitled to vote at the meeting not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting and shall specify the place, date, hour and purpose or purposes of the meeting.
         
Quorum   Subject to the provisions of a company’s articles of association, the Companies Act provides that two shareholders present at a meeting (in person, by proxy or authorised under the Companies Act) shall constitute a quorum for companies with more than one shareholder.   The certificate of incorporation or bylaws may specify the number of shares, the holders of which shall be present or represented by proxy at any meeting in order to constitute a quorum, but in no event shall a quorum consist of less than one third of the shares entitled to vote at the meeting. In the absence of such specification in the certificate of incorporation or bylaws, a majority of the shares entitled to vote, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of stockholders.
         
Proxy   Under the Companies Act, at any meeting of shareholders, a shareholder may designate another person to attend, speak and vote at the meeting on their behalf by proxy.   Under Delaware law, at any meeting of stockholders, a stockholder may designate another person to act for such stockholder by proxy, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. A director of a Delaware corporation may not issue a proxy representing the director’s voting rights as a director.

  

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Issue of New Shares   Under the Companies Act, the directors of a company must not exercise any power to allot shares or grant rights to subscribe for, or to convert any security into, shares unless they are authorized to do so by the company’s Articles or by an ordinary resolution of the shareholders. Any authorization given must state the maximum amount of shares that may be allotted under it and specify the date on which it will expire, which must be not more than five years from the date the authorization was given. The authority can be renewed by a further resolution of the shareholders.   Under Delaware law, if the corporation’s certificate of incorporation so provides, the directors have the power to authorize additional stock. The directors may authorize capital stock to be issued for consideration consisting of cash, any tangible or intangible property or any benefit to the corporation or any combination thereof. In the absence of actual fraud in the transaction, the judgment of the directors as to the value of such consideration is conclusive.
         
Pre-emptive Rights   Under the Companies Act, “equity securities,” being (i) shares in the company other than shares that, with respect to dividends and capital, carry a right to participate only up to a specified amount in a distribution, referred to as “ordinary shares,” or (ii) rights to subscribe for, or to convert securities into, ordinary shares, proposed to be allotted for cash must be offered first to the existing equity shareholders in the company in proportion to the respective nominal value of their holdings, unless an exception applies or a special resolution to the contrary has been passed by shareholders in a general meeting or the articles of association provide otherwise in each case in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act.   Under Delaware law, stockholders have no pre-emptive rights to subscribe to additional issues of stock or to any security convertible into such stock unless, and except to the extent that, such rights are expressly provided for in the certificate of incorporation.
         
Authority to Allot   Under the Companies Act, the directors of a company must not allot shares or grant of rights to subscribe for or to convert any security into shares unless an exception applies or an ordinary resolution to the contrary has been passed by shareholders in a general meeting or the articles of association provide otherwise, in each case in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act.   Under Delaware law, if the corporation’s charter or certificate of incorporation so provides, the board of directors has the power to authorize the issuance of stock. The board of directors may authorize capital stock to be issued for consideration consisting of cash, any tangible or intangible property or any benefit to the corporation or any combination thereof. In the absence of actual fraud in the transaction, the judgment of the directors as to the value of such consideration is conclusive.

 

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Liability of Directors and Officers   Under the Companies Act, any provision, whether contained in a company’s Articles or any contract or otherwise, that purports to exempt a director of a company, to any extent, from any liability that would otherwise attach to him in connection with any negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust in relation to the company is void. Any provision by which a company directly or indirectly provides an indemnity, to any extent, for a director of the company or of an associated company against any liability attaching to him in connection with any negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust in relation to the company of which he is a director is also void except as permitted by the Companies Act, which provides exceptions for the company to: (i) purchase and maintain insurance against such liability; (ii) provide a “qualifying third party indemnity” (being an indemnity against liability incurred by the director to a person other than the company or an associated company or criminal proceeding in which such director is convicted); and (iii) provide a “qualifying pension scheme indemnity” (being an indemnity against liability incurred in connection with the company’s activities as trustee of an occupational pension plan).  

Under Delaware law, a corporation’s certificate of incorporation may include a provision eliminating or limiting the personal liability of a director to the corporation and its stockholders for damages arising from a breach of fiduciary duty as a director. However, no provision can limit the liability of a director for:

 

●     any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders;

 

●     acts or omissions not in good faith or that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;

 

●     intentional or negligent payment of unlawful dividends or stock purchases or redemptions; or

 

●     any transaction from which the director derives an improper personal benefit.

         
Voting Rights  

Under English law, unless a poll is demanded by the shareholders of a company or is required by the chairman of the meeting or the company’s articles of association, shareholders shall vote on all resolutions on a show of hands. Under the Companies Act, a poll may be demanded by: (i) not fewer than five shareholders having the right to vote on the resolution; (ii) any shareholder(s) representing not less than 10% of the total voting rights of all the shareholders having the right to vote on the resolution (excluding any voting rights attaching to treasury shares); or (iii) any shareholder(s) holding shares in the company conferring a right to vote on the resolution (excluding any voting rights attaching to treasury shares) being shares on which an aggregate sum has been paid up equal to not less than 10% of the total sum paid up on all the shares conferring that right. A company’s articles of association may provide more extensive rights for shareholders to call a poll.

 

Under English law, an ordinary resolution is passed on a show of hands if it is approved by a simple majority (more than 50%) of the votes cast by shareholders present (in person or by proxy) and entitled to vote. If a poll is demanded, an ordinary resolution is passed if it is approved by holders representing a simple majority of the total voting rights of shareholders present, in person or by proxy, who, being entitled to vote, vote on the resolution. Special resolutions require the affirmative vote of not less than 75% of the votes cast by shareholders present, in person or by proxy, at the meeting. If a poll is demanded, a special resolution is passed if it is approved by holders representing not less than 75% of the total voting rights of shareholders in person or by proxy who, being entitled to vote, vote on the resolution.

 

  Delaware law provides that, unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation, each stockholder is entitled to one vote for each share of capital stock held by such stockholder.

 

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Shareholder Vote on Certain Transactions   The Companies Act provides for schemes of arrangement, which are arrangements or compromises between a company and any class of shareholders or creditors and used in certain types of reconstructions, amalgamations, capital reorganizations or takeovers. These arrangements require:   Generally, under Delaware law, unless the certificate of incorporation provides for the vote of a larger portion of the stock, completion of a merger, consolidation, sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of a corporation’s assets or dissolution requires:
         
    ●     the approval at a shareholders’ or creditors’ meeting convened by order of the court, of a majority in number of shareholders   ●     the approval of the board of directors; and
         
   

or creditors or class thereof representing 75% in value, the class of shareholders or creditors, or class thereof present and voting, either in person or by proxy; and

 

●     the approval of the court.

  ●     the approval by the vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding stock or, if the certificate of incorporation provides for more or less than one vote per share, a majority of the votes of the outstanding stock of the corporation entitled to vote on the matter.
         
Standard of Conduct for Directors  

Under English law, a director owes various statutory and fiduciary duties to the company, including:

 

●     to act in the way he considers, in good faith, would be most likely to promote the success of the company for the benefit of its members as a whole;

 

●     to avoid a situation in which he has, or can have, a direct or indirect interest that conflicts, or possibly conflicts, with the interests of the company;

 

Delaware law does not contain specific provisions setting forth the standard of conduct of a director. The scope of the fiduciary duties of directors is generally determined by the courts of the State of Delaware. In general, directors have a duty to act without self-interest, on a well-informed basis and in a manner they reasonably believe to be in the best interest of the stockholders.

 

 

 

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●     to act in accordance with the company’s constitution and only exercise his powers for the purposes for which they are conferred;

 

●     to exercise independent judgment;

 

●     to exercise reasonable care, skill and diligence;

 

●     not to accept benefits from a third party conferred by reason of his being a director or doing, or not doing, anything as a director; and

 

●     to declare any interest that he has, whether directly or indirectly, in a proposed or existing transaction or arrangement with the company.

  Directors of a Delaware corporation owe fiduciary duties of care and loyalty to the corporation and to its stockholders. The duty of care generally requires that a director act in good faith, with the care that an ordinarily prudent person would exercise under similar circumstances. Under this duty, a director must inform himself of all material information reasonably available regarding a significant transaction. The duty of loyalty requires that a director act in a manner he reasonably believes to be in the best interests of the corporation. He must not use his corporate position for personal gain or advantage. In general, but subject to certain exceptions, actions of a director are presumed to have been made on an informed basis, in good faith and in the honest belief that the action taken was in the best interests of the corporation. However, this presumption may be rebutted by evidence of a breach of one of the fiduciary duties. Delaware courts have also imposed a heightened standard of conduct upon directors of a Delaware corporation who take any action designed to defeat a threatened change in control of the corporation.
         
        In addition, under Delaware law, when the board of directors of a Delaware corporation approves the sale or break-up of a corporation, the board of directors may, in certain circumstances, have a duty to obtain the highest value reasonably available to the stockholders.
         
Shareholder Litigation   Under English law, generally, the company, rather than its shareholders, is the proper claimant in an action in respect of a wrong done to the company or where there is an irregularity in the company’s internal management. Notwithstanding this general position, the Companies Act provides that (i) a court may allow a shareholder to bring a derivative claim (that is, an action in respect of and on behalf of the company) in respect of a cause of action arising from a director’s negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust and (ii) a shareholder may bring a claim for a court order where the company’s affairs have been or are being conducted in a manner that is unfairly prejudicial to some of its shareholders.  

Under Delaware law, a stockholder may initiate a derivative action to enforce a right of a corporation if the corporation fails to enforce the right itself. The complaint must:

 

●     state that the plaintiff was a stockholder at the time of the transaction of which the plaintiff complains or that the plaintiffs shares thereafter devolved on the plaintiff by operation of law; and

 

●     allege with particularity the efforts made by the plaintiff to obtain the action the plaintiff desires from the directors and the reasons for the plaintiff’s failure to obtain the action; or

 

●     state the reasons for not making the effort.

 

Additionally, the plaintiff must remain a stockholder through the duration of the derivative suit. The action will not be dismissed or compromised without the approval of the Delaware Court of Chancery.

 

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Other English Law Considerations

 

Registered Shares

 

We are required by the Companies Act to keep a register of our shareholders. Under English law, the ordinary shares are deemed to be issued when the name of the shareholder is entered in our share register. The share register therefore is prima facie evidence of the identity of our shareholders, and the shares that they hold. The share register generally provides limited, or no, information regarding the ultimate beneficial owners of our shares. Our share register is maintained by our registrar, Link Asset Services.

 

Under the Companies Act, we must enter an allotment of shares in our register of members as soon as practicable and in any event within two months of the allotment. We will perform all procedures necessary to update the register of members to reflect the ordinary shares and the ADSs being allotted and issued pursuant to an offering of our securities. We also are required by the Companies Act to register a transfer of shares (or give the transferee notice of and reasons for refusal as the transferee may reasonably request) as soon as practicable and in any event within two months of receiving notice of the transfer.

 

We, any of our shareholders or any other affected person may apply to the court for rectification of the share register if:

 

the name of any person, without sufficient cause, is entered in or omitted from our register of members; or

 

default is made or unnecessary delay takes place in entering on the register the fact of any person having ceased to be a member or on which we have a lien, provided that such delay does not prevent dealings in the shares taking place on an open and proper basis.

 

Distributions and Dividends

 

Under the Companies Act, before a company can lawfully make a distribution or dividend, it must ensure that it has sufficient distributable reserves, as determined on a non-consolidated basis. The basic rule is that a company’s profits available for the purpose of making a distribution are its accumulated, realized profits, so far as not previously utilized by distribution or capitalization, less its accumulated, realized losses, so far as not previously written off in a reduction or reorganization of capital duly made. The requirement to have sufficient distributable reserves before a distribution or dividend can be paid applies to us and to each of our subsidiaries that has been incorporated under English law.

 

As a public company, it is also not sufficient that we have made a distributable profit for the purpose of making a distribution. An additional capital maintenance requirement is imposed on us to ensure that the net worth of the company is at least equal to the amount of its capital. A public company can only make a distribution:

 

if, at the time that the distribution is made, the amount of its net assets (that is, the total excess of assets over liabilities) is not less than the total of its called up share capital and undistributable reserves; and

 

if, and to the extent that, the distribution itself, at the time that it is made, does not reduce the amount of its net assets to less than that total.

 

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Limitation on Owning Securities

 

Our Articles do not restrict in any way the ownership or voting of our shares by non-residents.

 

Disclosure of Interest in Shares

 

Pursuant to Part 22 of the Companies Act and our Articles, we are empowered by notice in writing to any person whom we know or have reasonable cause to believe to be interested in our shares, or at any time during the three years immediately preceding the date on which the notice is issued has been so interested, within a reasonable time to disclose to us particulars of that person’s interest and (so far as is within such person’s knowledge) particulars of any other interest that subsists or subsisted in those shares.

 

Under our Articles, if a person defaults in supplying us with the required particulars in relation to the shares in question, or default shares, within the prescribed period, the directors may by notice direct that:

 

in respect of the default shares, the relevant shareholder shall not be entitled to vote (either in person or by representative or proxy) at any general meeting or to exercise any other right conferred by a shareholding in relation to general meetings; and

 

where the default shares represent at least 0.25% in nominal value of the issued shares of their class, (a) any dividend or other money payable in respect of the default shares shall be retained by us without liability to pay interest and/or (b) no transfers by the relevant shareholder of any default shares may be registered (unless the shareholder is not in default and the shareholder provides a certificate, in a form satisfactory to the directors, to the effect that after due and careful enquiry the shareholder is satisfied that none of the shares to be transferred are default shares).

 

Purchase of Own Shares

 

English law permits a public limited company to purchase its own shares out of the distributable profits of the company or the proceeds of a fresh issue of shares made for the purpose of financing the purchase, subject to complying with procedural requirements under the Companies Act and provided that its Articles do not prohibit it from doing so. Our Articles, a summary of which is provided above, do not prohibit us from purchasing our own shares. A public limited company must not purchase its own shares if, as a result of the purchase, there would no longer be any issued shares of the company other than redeemable shares or shares held as treasury shares.

 

Any such purchase will be either a “market purchase” or “off market purchase,” each as defined in the Companies Act. A “market purchase” is a purchase made on a “recognized investment exchange” (other than an overseas exchange) as defined in the U.K. Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, or FSMA and is not an “off-market purchase.” An “off market purchase” is a purchase that is not made on a “recognized investment exchange” or purchased on a “recognized investment exchange” but not subject to a marketing arrangement on such “recognized investment exchange.” Both “market purchases” and “off market purchases” require prior shareholder approval by way of an ordinary resolution.

 

In the case of an “off market purchase,” a company’s shareholders, other than the shareholders from whom the company is purchasing shares, must approve the terms of the contract to purchase shares. Any authority will not be effective if any shareholder from whom we propose to purchase shares votes on the resolution and the resolution would not have been passed if such shareholder had not done so.

 

In the case of a “market purchase,” the shareholders must approve the maximum number of shares that can be purchased. The resolution authorizing the purchase must specify the maximum and minimum prices to be paid by us for the shares.

 

The Nasdaq Global Market is an “overseas exchange” for the purposes of the Companies Act and does not fall within the definition of a “recognized investment exchange” for the purposes of FSMA and any purchase made by us would need to comply with the procedural requirements under the Companies Act that regulate “off market purchases.”

 

For these purposes, market purchases can only be made on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange.

 

A share buyback by a company of its shares will give rise to U.K. stamp duty at the rate of 0.5% of the amount or value of the consideration payable by the company, and such stamp duty will be paid by the company.

 

Our Articles do not have conditions governing changes to our capital which are more stringent that those required by law.

 

Shareholder Rights

 

Certain rights granted under the Companies Act, including the right to requisition a general meeting or require a resolution to be put to shareholders at the annual general meeting, are only available to our members. For English law purposes, our members are the persons who are registered as the owners of the legal title to the shares and whose names are recorded in our register of members. In the case of shares held in a settlement system operated by the Depository Trust Company, or DTC, the registered member will be DTC’s nominee, Cede & Co. If a person who holds their ADSs in DTC wishes to exercise certain of the rights granted under the Companies Act, they may be required to first take steps to withdraw their ADSs from the settlement system operated by DTC and become the registered holder of the shares in our register of members. A withdrawal of shares from DTC may have tax implications, for additional information on the potential tax implications of withdrawing your shares from the settlement system operated by DTC.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF THE AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as depositary will issue the ADSs which you will be entitled to receive in this offering. Each ADS will represent an ownership interest in a designated number of ordinary shares which we will deposit with the custodian, as agent of the depositary, under the deposit agreement among ourselves, the depositary and yourself as an ADR holder. In the future, each ADS will also represent any securities, cash or other property deposited with the depositary but which they have not distributed directly to you. Unless certificated ADRs are specifically requested by you, all ADSs will be issued on the books of our depositary in book-entry form and periodic statements will be mailed to you which reflect your ownership interest in such ADSs. In our description, references to American depositary receipts, or ADRs, shall include the statements you will receive which reflect your ownership of ADSs.

 

The depositary’s office is located at 383 Madison Avenue, Floor 11, New York, NY, 10179.

 

You may hold ADSs either directly or indirectly through your broker or other financial institution. If you hold ADSs directly, by having an ADS registered in your name on the books of the depositary, you are an ADR holder. This description assumes you hold your ADSs directly. If you hold the ADSs through your broker or financial institution nominee, you must rely on the procedures of such broker or financial institution to assert the rights of an ADR holder described in this section. You should consult with your broker or financial institution to find out what those procedures are.

 

As an ADR holder, we will not treat you as a shareholder of ours and you will not have any shareholder rights. The laws of England and Wales governs shareholder rights. Because the depositary or its nominee will be the shareholder of record for the ordinary shares represented by all outstanding ADSs, shareholder rights rest with such record holder. Your rights are those of an ADR holder. Such rights derive from the terms of the deposit agreement to be entered into among us, the depositary and all registered holders from time to time of ADRs issued under the deposit agreement. The obligations of our company, the depositary and its agents are also set out in the deposit agreement. Because the depositary or its nominee will actually be the registered owner of the ordinary shares, you must rely on it to exercise the rights of a shareholder on your behalf. The deposit agreement and the ADSs are governed by New York law. Under the deposit agreement, as an ADR holder, you agree that any legal suit, action or proceeding against or involving us or the depositary, arising out of or based upon the deposit agreement, the ADSs or the transactions contemplated thereby, may only be instituted in a state or federal court in New York, New York, and you irrevocably waive any objection which you may have to the laying of venue of any such proceeding and irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any such suit, action or proceeding.

 

The following is a summary of what we believe to be the material terms of the deposit agreement. Notwithstanding this, because it is a summary, it may not contain all the information that you may otherwise deem important. For more complete information, you should read the entire deposit agreement and the form of ADR which contains the terms of your ADSs. You can read a copy of the deposit agreement which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. You may also obtain a copy of the deposit agreement at the SEC’s Public Reference Room which is located at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-732-0330. You may also find the registration statement and the attached deposit agreement on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

Share Dividends and Other Distributions

 

How will I receive dividends and other distributions on the ordinary shares underlying my ADSs?

 

We may make various types of distributions with respect to our securities. The depositary has agreed that, to the extent practicable, it will pay to you the cash dividends or other distributions it or the custodian receives on ordinary shares or other deposited securities, after converting any cash received into U.S. dollars (if it determines such conversion may be made on a reasonable basis) and, in all cases, making any necessary deductions provided for in the deposit agreement. The depositary may utilize a division, branch or affiliate of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. to direct, manage and/or execute any public and/or private sale of securities under the deposit agreement. Such division, branch and/or affiliate may charge the depositary a fee in connection with such sales, which fee is considered an expense of the depositary. You will receive these distributions in proportion to the number of underlying securities that your ADSs represent.

 

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Except as stated below, the depositary will deliver such distributions to ADR holders in proportion to their interests in the following manner:

 

Cash. The depositary will distribute any U.S. dollars available to it resulting from a cash dividend or other cash distribution or the net proceeds of sales of any other distribution or portion thereof (to the extent applicable), on an averaged or other practicable basis, subject to (i) appropriate adjustments for taxes withheld, (ii) such distribution being impermissible or impracticable with respect to certain registered ADR holders, and (iii) deduction of the depositary’s and/or its agents’ expenses in (1) converting any foreign currency to U.S. dollars to the extent that it determines that such conversion may be made on a reasonable basis, (2) transferring foreign currency or U.S. dollars to the United States by such means as the depositary may determine to the extent that it determines that such transfer may be made on a reasonable basis, (3) obtaining any approval or license of any governmental authority required for such conversion or transfer, which is obtainable at a reasonable cost and within a reasonable time and (4) making any sale by public or private means in any commercially reasonable manner. If exchange rates fluctuate during a time when the depositary cannot convert a foreign currency, you may lose some or all of the value of the distribution.

 

Ordinary Shares. In the case of a distribution in ordinary shares, the depositary will issue additional ADRs to evidence the number of ADSs representing such ordinary shares. Only whole ADSs will be issued. Any ordinary shares which would result in fractional ADSs will be sold and the net proceeds will be distributed in the same manner as cash to the ADR holders entitled thereto.

 

Rights to receive additional ordinary shares. In the case of a distribution of rights to subscribe for additional ordinary shares or other rights, if we timely provide evidence satisfactory to the depositary that it may lawfully distribute such rights, the depositary will distribute warrants or other instruments in the discretion of the depositary representing rights to acquire additional ADRs. However, if we do not timely furnish such evidence, the depositary may:

 

(i)sell such rights if practicable and distribute the net proceeds in the same manner as cash to the ADR holders entitled thereto; or

 

(ii)if it is not practicable to sell such rights by reason of the non-transferability of the rights, limited markets therefor, their short duration or otherwise, do nothing and allow such rights to lapse, in which case ADR holders will receive nothing and the rights may lapse.

 

Other Distributions. In the case of a distribution of securities or property other than those described above, the depositary may either (i) distribute such securities or property in any manner it deems equitable and practicable or (ii) to the extent the depositary deems distribution of such securities or property not to be equitable and practicable, sell such securities or property and distribute any net proceeds in the same way it distributes cash.

 

Elective Distributions. In the case of a dividend payable at the election of our shareholders in cash or in additional ordinary shares, we will notify the depositary at least 30 days prior to the proposed distribution stating whether or not we wish such elective distribution to be made available to ADR holders. The depositary shall make such elective distribution available to ADR holders only if (i) we shall have timely requested that the elective distribution is available to ADR holders, (ii) the depositary shall have determined that such distribution is reasonably practicable and (iii) the depositary shall have received satisfactory documentation within the terms of the deposit agreement including any legal opinions of counsel that the depositary in its reasonable discretion may request. If the above conditions are not satisfied, the depositary shall, to the extent permitted by law, distribute to the ADR holders, on the basis of the same determination as is made in the local market in respect of the ordinary shares for which no election is made, either (x) cash or (y) additional ADSs representing such additional ordinary shares. If the above conditions are satisfied, the depositary shall establish procedures to enable ADR holders to elect the receipt of the proposed dividend in cash or in additional ADSs. There can be no assurance that ADR holders generally, or any ADR holder in particular, will be given the opportunity to receive elective distributions on the same terms and conditions as the holders of ordinary shares.

 

If the depositary determines in its discretion that any distribution described above is not practicable with respect to any specific registered ADR holder, the depositary may choose any method of distribution that it deems practicable for such ADR holder, including the distribution of foreign currency, securities or property, or it may retain such items, without paying interest on or investing them, on behalf of the ADR holder as deposited securities, in which case the ADSs will also represent the retained items.

 

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Any U.S. dollars will be distributed by checks drawn on a bank in the United States for whole dollars and cents. Fractional cents will be withheld without liability and dealt with by the depositary in accordance with its then current practices.

 

The depositary is not responsible if it fails to determine that any distribution or action is lawful or reasonably practicable.

 

There can be no assurance that the depositary will be able to convert any currency at a specified exchange rate or sell any property, rights, shares or other securities at a specified price, nor that any of such transactions can be completed within a specified time period. All purchases and sales of securities will be handled by the Depositary in accordance with its then current policies, which are currently set forth in the “Depositary Receipt Sale and Purchase of Security” section of www.adr.com/Investors/FindOutAboutDRs, the location and contents of which the Depositary shall be solely responsible for.

 

Deposit, Withdrawal and Cancellation

 

How does the depositary issue ADSs?

 

The depositary will issue ADSs if you or your broker deposit ordinary shares or evidence of rights to receive ordinary shares with the custodian and pay the fees and expenses owing to the depositary in connection with such issuance. In the case of the ADSs to be issued under this prospectus, we will arrange with the underwriters named herein to deposit such ordinary shares.

 

Ordinary shares deposited in the future with the custodian must be accompanied by certain delivery documentation and shall, at the time of such deposit, be registered in the name of the depositary, the custodian or a nominee of either.

 

The custodian will hold all deposited ordinary shares (including those being deposited by or on our behalf in connection with this offering to which this prospectus relates) for the account and to the order of the depositary for the benefit of registered holders of ADRs, to the extent not prohibited by law. ADR holders thus have no direct ownership interest in the ordinary shares and only have such rights as are contained in the deposit agreement. The custodian will also hold any additional securities, property and cash received on or in substitution for the deposited ordinary shares. The deposited ordinary shares and any such additional items are referred to as “deposited securities.”

 

Upon each deposit of ordinary shares, receipt of related delivery documentation and compliance with the other provisions of the deposit agreement, including the payment of the fees and charges of the depositary and any taxes or other fees or charges owing, the depositary will issue an ADR or ADRs in the name or upon the order of the person entitled thereto evidencing the number of ADSs to which such person is entitled. All of the ADSs issued will, unless specifically requested to the contrary, be part of the depositary’s direct registration system, and a registered holder will receive periodic statements from the depositary which will show the number of ADSs registered in such holder’s name. An ADR holder can request that the ADSs not be held through the depositary’s direct registration system and that a certificated ADR be issued.

 

How do ADR holders cancel an ADS and obtain deposited securities?

 

When you turn in your ADR certificate at the depositary’s office, or when you provide proper instructions and documentation in the case of direct registration ADSs, the depositary will, upon payment of certain applicable fees, charges and taxes, deliver the underlying ordinary shares to you or upon your written order. Delivery of deposited securities in certificated form will be made at the custodian’s office. At your risk, expense and request, the depositary may deliver deposited securities at such other place as you may request.

 

The depositary may only restrict the withdrawal of deposited securities in connection with:

 

temporary delays caused by closing our transfer books or those of the depositary or the deposit of ordinary shares in connection with voting at a shareholders meeting, or the payment of dividends;

 

the payment of fees, taxes and similar charges; or

 

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compliance with any U.S. or foreign laws or governmental regulations relating to the ADRs or to the withdrawal of deposited securities.

 

This right of withdrawal may not be limited by any other provision of the deposit agreement.

 

Record Dates

 

The depositary may, after consultation with us if practicable, fix record dates (which, to the extent applicable, shall be as near as practicable to any corresponding record dates set by us) for the determination of the registered ADR holders who will be entitled (or obligated, as the case may be):

 

to receive any distribution on or in respect of deposited securities;

 

to give instructions for the exercise of voting rights;

 

to pay the fee assessed by the depositary for administration of the ADR program and for any expenses as provided for in the ADR; or

 

to receive any notice or to act in respect of other matters,

 

all subject to the provisions of the deposit agreement.

 

Voting Rights

 

How do I vote?

 

If you are an ADR holder and the depositary asks you to provide it with voting instructions, you may instruct the depositary how to exercise the voting rights for the ordinary shares which underlie your ADSs. Subject to the next sentence, as soon as practicable after receipt from us of notice of any meeting at which the holders of ordinary shares are entitled to vote, or of our solicitation of consents or proxies from holders of ordinary shares, the depositary shall fix the ADS record date in accordance with the provisions of the deposit agreement in respect of such meeting or solicitation of consent or proxy. The depositary shall, if we request in writing in a timely manner (the depositary having no obligation to take any further action if our request shall not have been received by the depositary at least 30 days prior to the date of such vote or meeting) and at our expense and provided no legal prohibitions exist, distribute to the registered ADR holders a notice stating such information as is contained in the voting materials received by the depositary, stating that that each registered holder of ADRs on the ADS record date will, subject to any applicable provisions of the law of England and Wales, be entitled to instruct the depositary as to the exercise of any voting rights pertaining to ordinary shares underlying such holder’s ADSs, and describing how you may instruct the depositary to exercise the voting rights for the ordinary shares which underlie your ADSs, including instructions for giving a discretionary proxy to a person designated by us. For instructions to be valid, the depositary must receive them in the manner and on or before the date specified. The depositary will try, as far as is practical, subject to the provisions of or governing the underlying ordinary shares or other deposited securities, to vote or cause to be voted the ordinary shares or other deposited securities as you instruct. The depositary will only vote or attempt to vote as you instruct. Holders are strongly encouraged to forward their voting instructions to the depositary as soon as possible. Voting instructions will not be deemed to be received until such time as the ADR department responsible for proxies and voting has received such instructions notwithstanding that such instructions may have been physically received by the depositary prior to such time. The depositary will not itself exercise any voting discretion. Furthermore, neither the depositary nor its agents are responsible for any failure to carry out any voting instructions, for the manner in which any vote is cast or for the effect of any vote. Notwithstanding anything contained in the deposit agreement or any ADR, the depositary may, to the extent not prohibited by law or regulations, or by the requirements of the stock exchange on which the ADSs are listed, in lieu of distribution of the materials provided to the depositary in connection with any meeting of, or solicitation of consents or proxies from, holders of deposited securities, distribute to the registered holders of ADRs a notice that provides such holders with, or otherwise publicizes to such holders, instructions on how to retrieve such materials or receive such materials upon request (i.e., by reference to a website containing the materials for retrieval or a contact for requesting copies of the materials).

 

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There is no guarantee that you will receive voting materials in time to instruct the depositary to vote and it is possible that you, or persons who hold their ADSs through brokers, dealers or other third parties, will not have the opportunity to exercise a right to vote.

 

Reports and Other Communications

 

Will ADR holders be able to view our reports?

 

The depositary will make available for inspection by ADR holders at the offices of the depositary and the custodian the deposit agreement, the provisions of or governing deposited securities, and any written communications from us which are both received by the custodian or its nominee as a holder of deposited securities and made generally available to the holders of deposited securities.

 

Additionally, if we make any written communications generally available to holders of our ordinary shares, and we furnish copies thereof (or English translations or summaries) to the depositary, it will distribute the same to registered ADR holders.

 

Fees and Expenses

 

What fees and expenses will I be responsible for paying?

 

The depositary may charge each person to whom ADSs are issued, including, without limitation, issuances against deposits of ordinary shares, issuances in respect of share distributions, rights and other distributions, issuances pursuant to a stock dividend or stock split declared by us or issuances pursuant to a merger, exchange of securities or any other transaction or event affecting the ADSs or deposited securities, and each person surrendering ADSs for withdrawal of deposited securities or whose ADSs are cancelled or reduced for any other reason, $5.00 for each 100 ADSs (or any portion thereof) issued, delivered, reduced, cancelled or surrendered, as the case may be. The depositary may sell (by public or private sale) sufficient securities and property received in respect of a share distribution, rights and/or other distribution prior to such deposit to pay such charge.

 

The following additional charges shall be incurred by the ADR holders, by any party depositing or withdrawing ordinary shares or by any party surrendering ADSs and/or to whom ADSs are issued (including, without limitation, issuance pursuant to a stock dividend or stock split declared by us or an exchange of stock regarding the ADSs or the deposited securities or a distribution of ADSs), whichever is applicable:

 

a fee of U.S.$1.50 per ADR or ADRs for transfers of certificated or direct registration ADRs;

 

a fee of up to U.S.$0.05 per ADS for any cash distribution made pursuant to the deposit agreement;

 

an aggregate fee of up to U.S.$0.05 per ADS per calendar year (or portion thereof) for services performed by the depositary in administering the ADRs (which fee may be charged on a periodic basis during each calendar year and shall be assessed against holders of ADRs as of the record date or record dates set by the depositary during each calendar year and shall be payable in the manner described in the next succeeding provision);

 

a fee for the reimbursement of such fees, charges and expenses as are incurred by the depositary and/or any of its agents (including, without limitation, the custodian and expenses incurred on behalf of holders in connection with compliance with foreign exchange control regulations or any law or regulation relating to foreign investment) in connection with the servicing of the ordinary shares or other deposited securities, the sale of securities (including, without limitation, deposited securities), the delivery of deposited securities or otherwise in connection with the depositary’s or its custodian’s compliance with applicable law, rule or regulation (which fees and charges shall be assessed on a proportionate basis against holders as of the record date or dates set by the depositary and shall be payable at the sole discretion of the depositary by billing such holders or by deducting such charge from one or more cash dividends or other cash distributions);

 

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a fee for the distribution of securities (or the sale of securities in connection with a distribution), such fee being in an amount equal to the $0.05 per ADS issuance fee for the execution and delivery of ADSs which would have been charged as a result of the deposit of such securities (treating all such securities as if they were ordinary shares) but which securities or the net cash proceeds from the sale thereof are instead distributed by the depositary to those holders entitled thereto;

 

stock transfer or other taxes and other governmental charges;

 

SWIFT, cable, telex and facsimile transmission and delivery charges incurred at your request in connection with the deposit or delivery of ordinary shares, ADRs or deposited securities;

 

transfer or registration fees for the registration or transfer of deposited securities on any applicable register in connection with the deposit or withdrawal of deposited securities;

 

in connection with the conversion of foreign currency into U.S. dollars, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. shall deduct out of such foreign currency the fees, expenses and other charges charged by it and/or its agent (which may be a division, branch or affiliate) so appointed in connection with such conversion; and

 

fees of any division, branch or affiliate of the depositary utilized by the depositary to direct, manage and/or execute any public and/or private sale of securities under the deposit agreement.

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and/or its agent may act as principal for such conversion of foreign currency. For further details see www.adr.com.

 

We will pay all other charges and expenses of the depositary and any agent of the depositary (except the custodian) pursuant to agreements from time to time between us and the depositary. The charges described above may be amended from time to time by agreement between us and the depositary. The right of the depositary to receive payment of fees, charges and expenses as provided above shall survive the termination of the deposit agreement.

 

The depositary may make available to us a set amount or a portion of the depositary fees charged in respect of the ADR program or otherwise upon such terms and conditions as we and the depositary may agree from time to time. The depositary collects its fees for issuance and cancellation of ADSs directly from investors depositing ordinary shares or surrendering ADSs for the purpose of withdrawal or from intermediaries acting for them. The depositary collects fees for making distributions to investors by deducting those fees from the amounts distributed or by selling a portion of distributable property to pay the fees. The depositary may collect its annual fee for depositary services by deduction from cash distributions, or by directly billing investors, or by charging the book-entry system accounts of participants acting for them. The depositary will generally set off the amounts owing from distributions made to holders of ADSs. If, however, no distribution exists and payment owing is not timely received by the depositary, the depositary may refuse to provide any further services to holders that have not paid those fees and expenses owing until such fees and expenses have been paid. At the discretion of the depositary, all fees and charges owing under the deposit agreement are due in advance and/or when declared owing by the depositary.

 

Payment of Taxes

 

If any taxes or other governmental charges (including any penalties and/or interest) shall become payable by or on behalf of the custodian or the depositary with respect to any ADR, any deposited securities represented by the ADSs evidenced thereby or any distribution thereon, such tax or other governmental charge shall be paid by the holder thereof to the depositary and by holding or having held an ADR the holder and all prior holders thereof, jointly and severally, agree to indemnify, defend and save harmless each of the depositary and its agents in respect thereof. If an ADR holder owes any tax or other governmental charge, the depositary may (i) deduct the amount thereof from any cash distributions, or (ii) sell deposited securities by public or private sale (after attempting by reasonable means to notify the ADR holder hereof prior to such sale) and deduct the amount owing from the net proceeds of such sale. In either case the ADR holder remains liable for any shortfall. If any tax or governmental charge is unpaid, the depositary may also refuse to effect any registration, registration of transfer, split-up or combination of deposited securities or withdrawal of deposited securities until such payment is made. If any tax or governmental charge is required to be withheld on any cash distribution, the depositary may deduct the amount required to be withheld from any cash distribution or, in the case of a non-cash distribution, sell the distributed property or securities (by public or private sale) in such amounts and in such manner as the depositary deems necessary and practicable to pay such taxes and distribute any remaining net proceeds or the balance of any such property after deduction of such taxes to the ADR holders entitled thereto.

 

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By holding an ADR or an interest therein, you will be agreeing to indemnify us, the depositary, its custodian and any of our or their respective officers, directors, employees, agents and affiliates against, and hold each of them harmless from, any claims by any governmental authority with respect to taxes, additions to tax, penalties or interest arising out of any refund of taxes, reduced rate of withholding at source or other tax benefit obtained.

 

Reclassifications, Recapitalizations and Mergers

 

If we take certain actions that affect the deposited securities, including (i) any change in nominal value, split-up, consolidation, cancellation or other reclassification of deposited securities or (ii) any distributions of ordinary shares or other property not made to holders of ADRs or (iii) any recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation, liquidation, receivership, bankruptcy or sale of all or substantially all of our assets, then the depositary may choose to, and shall if reasonably requested by us:

 

(1)amend the form of ADR;

 

(2)distribute additional or amended ADRs;

 

(3)distribute cash, securities or other property it has received in connection with such actions;

 

(4)sell any securities or property received and distribute the proceeds as cash; or

 

(5)none of the above.

 

If the depositary does not choose any of the above options, any of the cash, securities or other property it receives will constitute part of the deposited securities and each ADS will then represent a proportionate interest in such property.

 

Amendment and Termination

 

How may the deposit agreement be amended?

 

We may agree with the depositary to amend the deposit agreement and the ADSs without your consent for any reason. ADR holders must be given at least 30 days’ notice of any amendment that imposes or increases any fees or charges (other than stock transfer or other taxes and other governmental charges, transfer or registration fees, SWIFT, cable, telex or facsimile transmission costs, delivery costs or other such expenses), or otherwise prejudices any substantial existing right of ADR holders. Such notice need not describe in detail the specific amendments effectuated thereby, but must identify to ADR holders a means to access the text of such amendment. If an ADR holder continues to hold an ADR or ADRs after being so notified, such ADR holder is deemed to agree to such amendment and to be bound by the deposit agreement as so amended. Any amendments or supplements which (i) are reasonably necessary (as agreed by us and the depositary) in order for (a) the ADSs to be registered on Form F-6 under the Securities Act or (b) the ADSs or ordinary shares to be traded solely in electronic book-entry form and (ii) do not in either such case impose or increase any fees or charges to be borne by ADR holders, shall be deemed not to prejudice any substantial rights of ADR holders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any governmental body or regulatory body should adopt new laws, rules or regulations which would require amendment or supplement of the deposit agreement or the form of ADR to ensure compliance therewith, we and the depositary may amend or supplement the deposit agreement and the ADR at any time in accordance with such changed laws, rules or regulations, which amendment or supplement may take effect before a notice is given or within any other period of time as required for compliance. No amendment, however, will impair your right to surrender your ADSs and receive the underlying securities, except in order to comply with mandatory provisions of applicable law.

 

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How may the deposit agreement be terminated?

 

The depositary may, and shall at our written direction, terminate the deposit agreement and the ADRs by mailing notice of such termination to the registered holders of ADRs at least 30 days prior to the date fixed in such notice for such termination; provided, however, if the depositary shall have (i) resigned as depositary under the deposit agreement, notice of such termination by the depositary shall not be provided to registered holders unless a successor depositary shall not be operating under the deposit agreement within 60 days of the date of such resignation, and (ii) been removed as depositary under the deposit agreement, notice of such termination by the depositary shall not be provided to registered holders of ADRs unless a successor depositary shall not be operating under the deposit agreement on the 120th day after our notice of removal was first provided to the depositary. After termination, the depositary’s only responsibility will be (i) to deliver deposited securities to ADR holders who surrender their ADRs, and (ii) to hold or sell distributions received on deposited securities. As soon as practicable after the expiration of six months from the termination date, the depositary will sell the deposited securities which remain and hold the net proceeds of such sales (as long as it may lawfully do so), without liability for interest, in trust for the ADR holders who have not yet surrendered their ADRs. After making such sale, the depositary shall have no obligations except to account for such proceeds and other cash.

 

Limitations on Obligations and Liability to ADR holders

 

Limits on our obligations and the obligations of the depositary; limits on liability to ADR holders and holders of ADSs

 

Prior to the issue, registration, registration of transfer, split-up, combination, or cancellation of any ADRs, or the delivery of any distribution in respect thereof, and from time to time in the case of the production of proofs as described below, we or the depositary or its custodian may require:

 

payment with respect thereto of (i) any stock transfer or other tax or other governmental charge, (ii) any stock transfer or registration fees in effect for the registration of transfers of ordinary shares or other deposited securities upon any applicable register and (iii) any applicable fees and expenses described in the deposit agreement;

 

the production of proof satisfactory to it of (i) the identity of any signatory and genuineness of any signature and (ii) such other information, including without limitation, information as to citizenship, residence, exchange control approval, beneficial ownership of any securities, compliance with applicable law, regulations, provisions of or governing deposited securities and terms of the deposit agreement and the ADRs, as it may deem necessary or proper; and

 

compliance with such regulations as the depositary may establish consistent with the deposit agreement.

 

The issuance of ADRs, the acceptance of deposits of ordinary shares, the registration, registration of transfer, split-up or combination of ADRs or the withdrawal of ordinary shares, may be suspended, generally or in particular instances, when the ADR register or any register for deposited securities is closed or when any such action is deemed advisable by the depositary; provided that the ability to withdraw ordinary shares may only be limited under the following circumstances: (i) temporary delays caused by closing transfer books of the depositary or our transfer books or the deposit of ordinary shares in connection with voting at a shareholders meeting, or the payment of dividends, (ii) the payment of fees, taxes, and similar charges, and (iii) compliance with any laws or governmental regulations relating to ADRs or to the withdrawal of deposited securities.

 

The deposit agreement expressly limits the obligations and liability of the depositary, ourselves and each of our and the depositary’s respective agents; provided, however, that no disclaimer of liability under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, to the extent applicable, is intended by any provision of the deposit agreement. In the deposit agreement it provides that neither we nor the depositary nor any such agent will be liable to registered holders or beneficial owners of ADSs if:

 

any present or future law, rule, regulation, fiat, order or decree of the United States, England and Wales or any other country or jurisdiction, or of any governmental or regulatory authority or securities exchange or market or automated quotation system, the provisions of or governing any deposited securities, any present or future provision of our charter, any act of God, war, terrorism, nationalization, expropriation, currency restrictions, work stoppage, strike, civil unrest, revolutions, rebellions, explosions, computer failure or circumstance beyond our, the depositary’s or our respective agents’ direct and immediate control shall prevent or delay, or shall cause any of them to be subject to any civil or criminal penalty in connection with, any act which the deposit agreement or the ADRs provide shall be done or performed by us, the depositary or our respective agents (including, without limitation, voting);

 

it exercises or fails to exercise discretion under the deposit agreement or the ADRs including, without limitation, any failure to determine that any distribution or action may be lawful or reasonably practicable;

 

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it performs its obligations under the deposit agreement and ADRs without gross negligence or willful misconduct; or

 

it takes any action or refrains from taking any action in reliance upon the advice of or information from legal counsel, accountants, any person presenting ordinary shares for deposit, any registered holder of ADRs, or any other person believed by it to be competent to give such advice or information.

 

We, the depositary and its agents may rely and shall be protected in acting upon any written notice, request, direction, instruction or document believed by them to be genuine and to have been signed, presented or given by the proper party or parties.

 

Neither the depositary nor its agents have any obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any action, suit or other proceeding in respect of any deposited securities or the ADRs. We and our agents shall only be obligated to appear in, prosecute or defend any action, suit or other proceeding in respect of any deposited securities or the ADRs, which in our opinion may involve us in expense or liability, if indemnity satisfactory to us against all expense (including fees and disbursements of counsel) and liability is furnished as often as may be required. The depositary and its agents may fully respond to any and all demands or requests for information maintained by or on its behalf in connection with the deposit agreement, any registered holder or holders of ADRs, any ADRs or otherwise related to the deposit agreement or ADRs to the extent such information is requested or required by or pursuant to any lawful authority, including without limitation laws, rules, regulations, administrative or judicial process, banking, securities or other regulators. The depositary shall not be liable for the acts or omissions made by, or the insolvency of, any securities depository, clearing agency or settlement system. Furthermore, the depositary shall not be responsible for, and shall incur no liability in connection with or arising from, the insolvency of any custodian that is not a branch or affiliate of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the deposit agreement or any ADRs, the depositary shall not be responsible for, and shall incur no liability in connection with or arising from, any act or omission to act on the part of the custodian except to the extent that any registered holder of ADRs has incurred liability directly as a result of the custodian having (i) committed fraud or willful misconduct in the provision of custodial services to the depositary or (ii) failed to use reasonable care in the provision of custodial services to the depositary as determined in accordance with the standards prevailing in the jurisdiction in which the custodian is located. The depositary shall not have any liability for the price received in connection with any sale of securities, the timing thereof or any delay in action or omission to act nor shall it be responsible for any error or delay in action, omission to act, default or negligence on the part of the party so retained in connection with any such sale or proposed sale.

 

The depositary has no obligation to inform ADR holders or other holders of an interest in any ADSs about the requirements of the law of England and Wales, rules or regulations or any changes therein or thereto.

 

Neither the depositary nor its agents will be responsible for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote any of the deposited securities, for the manner in which any such vote is cast or for the effect of any such vote. The depositary may rely upon instructions from us or our counsel in respect of any approval or license required for any currency conversion, transfer or distribution. The depositary shall not incur any liability for the content of any information submitted to it by us or on our behalf for distribution to ADR holders or for any inaccuracy of any translation thereof, for any investment risk associated with acquiring an interest in the deposited securities, for the validity or worth of the deposited securities, for the credit-worthiness of any third party, for allowing any rights to lapse upon the terms of the deposit agreement or for the failure or timeliness of any notice from us. The depositary shall not be liable for any acts or omissions made by a successor depositary whether in connection with a previous act or omission of the depositary or in connection with any matter arising wholly after the removal or resignation of the depositary. Neither the depositary nor any of its agents shall be liable to registered holders or beneficial owners of interests in ADSs for any indirect, special, punitive or consequential damages (including, without limitation, legal fees and expenses) or lost profits, in each case of any form incurred by any person or entity, whether or not foreseeable and regardless of the type of action in which such a claim may be brought.

 

In the deposit agreement each party thereto (including, for avoidance of doubt, each holder and beneficial owner and/or holder of interests in ADRs) irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any right it may have to a trial by jury in any suit, action or proceeding against the depositary and/or us directly or indirectly arising out of or relating to the ordinary shares or other deposited securities, the ADSs or the ADRs, the deposit agreement or any transaction contemplated therein, or the breach thereof (whether based on contract, tort, common law or any other theory).

 

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The depositary and its agents may own and deal in any class of securities of our company and our affiliates and in ADSs.

 

Disclosure of Interest in ADSs

 

To the extent that the provisions of or governing any deposited securities may require disclosure of or impose limits on beneficial or other ownership of deposited securities, other ordinary shares and other securities and may provide for blocking transfer, voting or other rights to enforce such disclosure or limits, you agree to comply with all such disclosure requirements and ownership limitations and to comply with any reasonable instructions we may provide in respect thereof. We reserve the right to instruct you to deliver your ADSs for cancellation and withdrawal of the deposited securities so as to permit us to deal with you directly as a holder of ordinary shares and, by holding an ADS or an interest therein, you will be agreeing to comply with such instructions.

 

Books of Depositary

 

The depositary or its agent will maintain a register for the registration, registration of transfer, combination and split-up of ADRs, which register shall include the depositary’s direct registration system. Registered holders of ADRs may inspect such records at the depositary’s office at all reasonable times, but solely for the purpose of communicating with other holders in the interest of the business of our company or a matter relating to the deposit agreement. Such register may be closed at any time or from time to time, when deemed expedient by the depositary.

 

The depositary will maintain facilities for the delivery and receipt of ADRs.

 

Appointment

 

In the deposit agreement, each registered holder of ADRs and each person holding an interest in ADSs, upon acceptance of any ADSs (or any interest therein) issued in accordance with the terms and conditions of the deposit agreement will be deemed for all purposes to:

 

be a party to and bound by the terms of the deposit agreement and the applicable ADR or ADRs; and

 

appoint the depositary its attorney-in-fact, with full power to delegate, to act on its behalf and to take any and all actions contemplated in the deposit agreement and the applicable ADR or ADRs, to adopt any and all procedures necessary to comply with applicable laws and to take such action as the depositary in its sole discretion may deem necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of the deposit agreement and the applicable ADR and ADRs, the taking of such actions to be the conclusive determinant of the necessity and appropriateness thereof.

 

Governing Law

 

The deposit agreement and the ADRs shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. In the deposit agreement, we have submitted to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York and appointed an agent for service of process on our behalf. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any action based on the deposit agreement or the transactions contemplated thereby may be instituted by the depositary in any competent court in England and Wales.

 

By holding an ADS or an interest therein, registered holders of ADRs and owners of ADSs each irrevocably agree that any legal suit, action or proceeding against or involving us or the depositary, arising out of or based upon the deposit agreement, the ADSs or the transactions contemplated thereby, may only be instituted in a state or federal court in New York, New York, and each irrevocably waives any objection which it may have to the laying of venue of any such proceeding, and irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any such suit, action or proceeding.

 

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MATERIAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS

 

Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations for U.S. Holders

 

The following discussion describes certain material U.S. federal income tax consequences relating to the ownership and disposition of our ADSs by U.S. Holders. This discussion applies to U.S. Holders that purchase our ADSs pursuant to this offering and hold such ADSs as capital assets for tax purposes. This discussion is based on the Internal Revenue Code, U.S. Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder and administrative and judicial interpretations thereof, and the income tax treaty between the United Kingdom and the United States, or the Treaty, all as in effect on the date hereof and all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. This discussion does not address all of the U.S. federal income tax consequences that may be relevant to specific U.S. Holders in light of their particular circumstances or to U.S. Holders subject to special treatment under U.S. federal income tax law (such as certain financial institutions, insurance companies, dealers or traders in securities or other persons that generally mark their securities to market for U.S. federal income tax purposes, tax-exempt entities or governmental organizations, retirement plans, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, grantor trusts, brokers, dealers or traders in securities, commodities, currencies or notional principal contracts, certain former citizens or long-term residents of the United States, persons who hold our ADSs as part of a “straddle,” “hedge,” “conversion transaction,” “synthetic security” or integrated investment, persons that have a “functional currency” other than the U.S. dollar, persons who are subject to the tax accounting rules of Section 451(b) of the Internal Revenue Code, persons that own directly, indirectly or through attribution 10% or more (by vote or value) of our equity, corporations that accumulate earnings to avoid U.S. federal income tax, partnerships and other pass-through entities, and investors in such pass-through entities). This discussion does not address any U.S. state or local or non-U.S. tax consequences or any U.S. federal estate, gift or alternative minimum tax consequences.

 

As used in this discussion, the term “U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of our ADSs that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, (1) an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States, (2) a corporation (or 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, (3) an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of its source or (4) a trust (x) with respect to which a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over its administration and one or more United States persons have the authority to control all of its substantial decisions or (y) that has elected under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as a domestic trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

If an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds our ADSs, the U.S. federal income tax consequences relating to an investment in such ADSs will depend upon the status and activities of such entity and the particular partner. Any such entity and a partner in any such entity should consult its own tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences applicable to it (and, as applicable, its partners) of the purchase, ownership and disposition of our ADSs.

 

We have not sought, nor will we seek, a ruling from the IRS with respect to the matters discussed below. There can be no assurance that the IRS will not take a different position concerning the tax consequences of the purchase, ownership or disposition of the ADSs or that any such position would not be sustained. Persons considering an investment in our ADSs should consult their own tax advisors as to the particular tax consequences applicable to them relating to the purchase, ownership and disposition of our ADSs, including the applicability of U.S. federal, state and local tax laws and non-U.S. tax laws.

 

Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules

 

In general, a corporation organized outside the United States will be treated as a PFIC for any taxable year in which either (1) at least 75% of its gross income is “passive income,” or the PFIC income test, or (2) on average at least 50% of its assets, determined on a quarterly basis, are assets that produce passive income or are held for the production of passive income, or the PFIC asset test. Passive income for this purpose generally includes, among other things, dividends, interest, royalties, rents, and gains from the sale or exchange of property that give rise to passive income. Assets that produce or are held for the production of passive income generally include cash, even if held as working capital or raised in a public offering, marketable securities, and other assets that may produce passive income. Generally, in determining whether a non-U.S. corporation is a PFIC, a proportionate share of the income and assets of each corporation in which it owns, directly or indirectly, at least a 25% interest (by value) is taken into account.

 

Although PFIC status is determined on an annual basis and generally cannot be determined until the end of the taxable year, based on the nature of our current and expected income and the current and expected value and composition of our assets, we believe we were a PFIC for our 2018 tax year and we expect to be a PFIC for our current taxable year. There can be no assurance that we will not be a PFIC in future taxable years. Even if we determine that we are not a PFIC for a taxable year, there can be no assurance that the IRS will agree with our conclusion and that the IRS would not successfully challenge our position. Because of the uncertainties involved in establishing our PFIC status, our U.S. counsel expresses no opinion regarding our PFIC status, and also expresses no opinion with respect to our predictions or past determinations regarding our PFIC status.

 

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If we are a PFIC in any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder owns our ADSs, the U.S. Holder could be liable for additional taxes and interest charges under the “PFIC excess distribution regime” upon (1) a distribution paid during a taxable year that is greater than 125% of the average annual distributions paid in the three preceding taxable years, or, if shorter, the U.S. Holder’s holding period for our ADSs, and (2) any gain recognized on a sale, exchange or other disposition, including, under certain circumstances, a pledge, of our ADSs, whether or not we continue to be a PFIC in the year in which such U.S. Holder disposes of or is deemed to dispose of its ADSs. Under the PFIC excess distribution regime, the tax on such distribution or gain would be determined by allocating the distribution or gain ratably over the U.S. Holder’s holding period for our ADSs. The amount allocated to the current taxable year (i.e., the year in which the distribution occurs or the gain is recognized) and any year prior to the first taxable year in which we are a PFIC will be taxed as ordinary income earned in the current taxable year. The amount allocated to other taxable years will be taxed at the highest marginal rates in effect for individuals or corporations, as applicable, to ordinary income for each such taxable year, and an interest charge, generally applicable to underpayments of tax, will be added to the tax.

 

If we are a PFIC for any year during which a U.S. Holder holds our ADSs, we must generally continue to be treated as a PFIC by that U.S. Holder for all succeeding years during which the U.S. Holder holds such ADSs, unless we cease to meet the requirements for PFIC status and the U.S. Holder makes a “deemed sale” election with respect to our ADSs. If the election is made, the U.S. Holder will be deemed to sell our ADSs it holds at their fair market value on the last day of the last taxable year in which we qualified as a PFIC, and any gain recognized from such deemed sale would be taxed under the PFIC excess distribution regime. After the deemed sale election, the U.S. Holder’s ADSs would not be treated as shares of a PFIC unless we subsequently become a PFIC.

 

If we are a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder holds our ADSs and one of our non-United States subsidiaries is also a PFIC (i.e., a lower-tier PFIC), such U.S. Holder would be treated as owning a proportionate amount (by value) of the shares of the lower-tier PFIC and would be taxed under the PFIC excess distribution regime on distributions by the lower-tier PFIC and on gain from the disposition of shares of the lower-tier PFIC even though such U.S. Holder would not receive the proceeds of those distributions or dispositions. Any of our non-United States subsidiaries that have elected to be disregarded as entities separate from us or as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes would not be corporations under U.S. federal income tax law and accordingly, cannot be classified as lower-tier PFICs. However, a non-United States subsidiary that has not made the election may be classified as a lower-tier PFIC if we are a PFIC during your holding period and the subsidiary meets the PFIC income test or PFIC asset test.

 

If we are a PFIC, a U.S. Holder will not be subject to tax under the PFIC excess distribution regime on distributions or gain recognized on our ADSs if a valid “mark-to-market” election is made by the U.S. Holder for our ADSs. An electing U.S. Holder generally would take into account as ordinary income each year, the excess of the fair market value of our ADSs held at the end of such taxable year over the adjusted tax basis of such ADSs. The U.S. Holder would also take into account, as an ordinary loss each year, the excess of the adjusted tax basis of such ADSs over their fair market value at the end of the taxable year, but only to the extent of the excess of amounts previously included in income over ordinary losses deducted as a result of the mark-to-market election. The U.S. Holder’s tax basis in our ADSs would be adjusted annually to reflect any income or loss recognized as a result of the mark-to-market election. Any gain from a sale, exchange or other disposition of our ADSs in any taxable year in which we are a PFIC would be treated as ordinary income and any loss from such sale, exchange or other disposition would be treated first as ordinary loss (to the extent of any net mark-to-market gains previously included in income) and thereafter as capital loss. If, after having been a PFIC for a taxable year, we cease to be classified as a PFIC because we no longer meet the PFIC income or PFIC asset test, the U.S. Holder would not be required to take into account any latent gain or loss in the manner described above and any gain or loss recognized on the sale or exchange of the ADSs would be classified as a capital gain or loss.

 

A mark-to-market election is available to a U.S. Holder only for “marketable stock.” Generally, stock will be considered marketable stock if it is “regularly traded” on a “qualified exchange” within the meaning of applicable U.S. Treasury regulations. A class of stock is regularly traded during any calendar year during which such class of stock is traded, other than in de minimis quantities, on at least 15 days during each calendar quarter.

 

S-47

 

 

Our ADSs will be marketable stock as long as they remain listed on Nasdaq and are regularly traded. A mark-to-market election will not apply to the ADSs for any taxable year during which we are not a PFIC, but will remain in effect with respect to any subsequent taxable year in which we become a PFIC. Such election will not apply to any of our non-U.S. subsidiaries. Accordingly, a U.S. Holder may continue to be subject to tax under the PFIC excess distribution regime with respect to any lower-tier PFICs notwithstanding the U.S. Holder’s mark-to-market election for our ADSs.

 

The tax consequences that would apply if we are a PFIC would also be different from those described above if a U.S. Holder were able to make a valid QEF election. As we do not expect to provide U.S. Holders with the information necessary for a U.S. Holder to make a QEF election, prospective investors should assume that a QEF election will not be available.

 

The U.S. federal income tax rules relating to PFICs are very complex. Prospective U.S. investors are strongly urged to consult their own tax advisors with respect to the impact of PFIC status on the purchase, ownership and disposition of our ADSs, the consequences to them of an investment in a PFIC, any elections available with respect to the ADSs and the IRS information reporting obligations with respect to the purchase, ownership and disposition of ADSs of a PFIC.

 

Distributions

 

Subject to the discussion above under “— Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules,” a U.S. Holder that receives a distribution with respect to our ADSs generally will be required to include the gross amount of such distribution in gross income as a dividend when actually or constructively received by the U.S. Holder to the extent of the U.S. Holder’s pro rata share of our current and/or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles). To the extent a distribution received by a U.S. Holder is not a dividend because it exceeds the U.S. Holder’s pro rata share of our current and accumulated earnings and profits, it will be treated first as a tax-free return of capital and reduce (but not below zero) the adjusted tax basis of the U.S. Holder’s ADSs. To the extent the distribution exceeds the adjusted tax basis of the U.S. Holder’s ADSs, the remainder will be taxed as capital gain. Because we may not account for our earnings and profits in accordance with U.S. federal income tax principles, U.S. Holders should expect all distributions to be reported to them as dividends. The amount of a dividend will include any amounts withheld by the company in respect of United Kingdom taxes.

 

Distributions on our ADSs that are treated as dividends generally will constitute income from sources outside the United States for foreign tax credit purposes and generally will constitute passive category income. Subject to applicable limitations, some of which vary depending upon the U.S. Holder’s particular circumstances, any United Kingdom income taxes withheld from dividends on ADSs at a rate not exceeding the rate provided by the Treaty will be creditable against the U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability. The rules governing foreign tax credits are complex and U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers regarding the creditability of foreign taxes in their particular circumstances. In lieu of claiming a foreign tax credit, U.S. Holders may, at their election, deduct foreign taxes, including any United Kingdom income tax, in computing their taxable income, subject to generally applicable limitations under U.S. law. An election to deduct foreign taxes instead of claiming foreign tax credits applies to all foreign taxes paid or accrued in the taxable year. The amount of any dividend income paid in a currency other than the U.S. dollar will be the U.S. dollar amount calculated by reference to the exchange rate in effect on the date of actual or constructive receipt, regardless of whether the payment is in fact converted into U.S. dollars at that time. If the dividend is converted into U.S. dollars on the date of receipt, a U.S. holder should not be required to recognize foreign currency gain or loss in respect of the dividend amount. A U.S. Holder may have foreign currency gain or loss if the dividend is converted into U.S. dollars after the date of receipt.

 

Distributions paid on our ADSs will not be eligible for the “dividends received” deduction generally allowed to corporate shareholders with respect to dividends received from U.S. corporations under the Internal Revenue Code. Dividends paid by a “qualified foreign corporation’’ to non-corporate U.S. Holders are eligible for taxation at a reduced capital gains rate rather than the marginal tax rates generally applicable to ordinary income provided that a holding period requirement (more than 60 days of ownership, without protection from the risk of loss, during the 121-day period beginning 60 days before the ex-dividend date) and certain other requirements are met. Each U.S. Holder is advised to consult its tax advisors regarding the availability of the reduced tax rate on dividends to its particular circumstances. However, if we are a PFIC for the taxable year in which the dividend is paid or the preceding taxable year (see discussion above under “— Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules’’), we will not be treated as a qualified foreign corporation, and therefore the reduced capital gains tax rate described above will not apply.

 

S-48

 

 

A non-United States corporation (other than a corporation that is classified as a PFIC for the taxable year in which the dividend is paid or the preceding taxable year) generally will be considered to be a qualified foreign corporation with respect to any dividend it pays on ADSs that are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States.

 

The amount of any dividend income that is paid in Pounds Sterling will be the U.S. dollar amount calculated by reference to the exchange rate in effect on the date of receipt, regardless of whether the payment is in fact converted into U.S. dollars. If the dividend is converted into U.S. dollars on the date of receipt (actual or constructive), a U.S. Holder should not be required to recognize foreign currency gain or loss in respect of the dividend income. A U.S. Holder may have foreign currency gain or loss if the dividend is converted into U.S. dollars after the date of receipt (actual or constructive).

 

Sale, Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Our ADSs

 

Subject to the discussion above under “Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules,” a U.S. Holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes upon the sale, exchange or other disposition of our ADSs in an amount equal to the difference, if any, between the amount realized (i.e., the amount of cash plus the fair market value of any property received) on the sale, exchange or other disposition and such U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the ADSs. Such capital gain or loss generally will be long-term capital gain taxable at a reduced rate for non-corporate U.S. Holders or long-term capital loss if, on the date of sale, exchange or other disposition, the ADSs were held by the U.S. Holder for more than one year. Any capital gain of a non-corporate U.S. Holder that is not long-term capital gain is taxed at ordinary income rates. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations. Any gain or loss recognized from the sale or other disposition of our ADSs will generally be gain or loss from sources within the United States for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes.

 

Medicare Tax

 

Certain U.S. Holders that are individuals, estates or trusts and whose income exceeds certain thresholds generally are subject to a 3.8% tax on all or a portion of their net investment income, which may include their gross dividend income and net gains from the disposition of our ADSs. If you are a U.S. Holder that is an individual, estate or trust, you are encouraged to consult your tax advisors regarding the applicability of this Medicare tax to your income and gains in respect of your investment in our ADSs.

 

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

 

U.S. Holders may be required to file certain U.S. information reporting returns with the IRS with respect to an investment in our ADSs, including, among others, IRS Form 8938 (Statement of Specified Foreign Financial Assets). In addition, each U.S. Holder who is a shareholder of a PFIC must file an annual report containing certain information. U.S. Holders paying more than $100,000 for our ADSs may be required to file IRS Form 926 (Return by a U.S. Transferor of Property to a Foreign Corporation) reporting this payment. Substantial penalties and other adverse circumstances may be imposed upon a U.S. Holder that fails to comply with the required information reporting.

 

Dividends on and proceeds from the sale or other disposition of our ADSs generally have to be reported to the IRS unless the U.S. Holder establishes a basis for exemption. Backup withholding may apply to amounts subject to reporting if the holder (1) fails to provide an accurate U.S. taxpayer identification number or otherwise establish a basis for exemption, or (2) is described in certain other categories of persons. However, U.S. Holders that are corporations generally are excluded from these information reporting and backup withholding tax rules.

 

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules generally will be allowed as a refund or a credit against a U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability if the required information is furnished by the U.S. Holder on a timely basis to the IRS.

 

U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the backup withholding tax and information reporting rules.

 

S-49

 

 

EACH PROSPECTIVE INVESTOR IS URGED TO CONSULT ITS OWN TAX ADVISOR ABOUT THE TAX CONSEQUENCES TO IT OF AN INVESTMENT IN OUR ADSs IN LIGHT OF THE INVESTOR’S OWN CIRCUMSTANCES. IN ADDITION, SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX LAWS WERE RECENTLY ENACTED. PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS SHOULD ALSO CONSULT WITH THEIR TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO SUCH CHANGES IN U.S. TAX LAW AS WELL AS POTENTIAL CONFORMING CHANGES IN STATE TAX LAWS.

 

U.K. Taxation

 

The following is intended as a general guide to current U.K. tax law and HM Revenue and Customs, or HMRC, published practice applying as at the date of this prospectus (both of which are subject to change at any time, possibly with retrospective effect) relating to the holding of ADSs. It does not constitute legal or tax advice and does not purport to be a complete analysis of all U.K. tax considerations relating to the holding of ADSs, or all of the circumstances in which holders of ADSs may benefit from an exemption or relief from U.K. taxation. It is written on the basis that the company does not (and will not) directly or indirectly derive 75% or more of its qualifying asset value form U.K. land, and that the company is and remains solely resident in the U.K. for tax purposes and will therefore be subject to the U.K. tax regime and not the U.S. tax regime save as set out above under “U.S. Federal Income Taxation.”

 

Except to the extent that the position of non-U.K. resident persons is expressly referred to, this guide relates only to persons who are resident (and, in the case of individuals, domiciled or deemed domiciled) for tax purposes solely in the U.K. and do not have a permanent establishment or fixed base in any other jurisdiction with which the holding of the ADSs is connected, or U.K. Holders, who are absolute beneficial owners of the ADSs (where the ADSs are not held through an Individual Savings Account or a Self-Invested Personal Pension) and who hold the ADSs as investments.

 

This guide may not relate to certain classes of U.K. Holders, such as (but not limited to):

 

persons who are connected with the company;

 

financial institutions;

 

insurance companies;

 

charities or tax-exempt organizations;

 

collective investment schemes;

 

pension schemes;

 

market makers, intermediaries, brokers or dealers in securities;

 

persons who have (or are deemed to have) acquired their ADSs by virtue of an office or employment or who are or have been officers or employees of the company or any of its affiliates; and

 

individuals who are subject to U.K. taxation on a remittance basis.

 

The decision of the First-tier Tribunal (Tax Chamber) in HSBC Holdings plc and The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation v HMRC (2012) cast some doubt on whether a holder of a depositary receipt is the beneficial owner of the underlying shares. However, based on published HMRC guidance we would expect that HMRC will regard a holder of ADSs as holding the beneficial interest in the underlying shares and therefore these paragraphs assume that a holder of ADSs is the beneficial owner of the underlying ordinary shares and any dividends paid in respect of the underlying ordinary shares (where the dividends are regarded for U.K. purposes as that person’s own income) for U.K. direct tax purposes.

 

THESE PARAGRAPHS ARE A SUMMARY OF CERTAIN U.K. TAX CONSIDERATIONS AND ARE INTENDED AS A GENERAL GUIDE ONLY. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT ALL HOLDERS OF ADSs OBTAIN ADVICE AS TO THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE ACQUISITION, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSAL OF THE ADSs IN THEIR OWN SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES FROM THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS. IN PARTICULAR, NON-U.K. RESIDENT OR DOMICILED PERSONS ARE ADVISED TO CONSIDER THE POTENTIAL IMPACT OF ANY RELEVANT DOUBLE TAXATION AGREEMENTS.

 

S-50

 

 

Dividends

 

Withholding Tax

 

Dividends paid by the company will not be subject to any withholding or deduction for or on account of U.K. tax, irrespective of the residence or particular circumstances of the holders of ADSs.

 

Income Tax

 

An individual U.K. Holder may, depending on his or her particular circumstances, be subject to U.K. tax on dividends received from the company. An individual holder of ADSs who is not resident for tax purposes in the United Kingdom should not be chargeable to U.K. income tax on dividends received from the company unless he or she carries on (whether solely or in partnership) a trade, profession or vocation in the U.K. through a branch or agency to which the ADSs are attributable. There are certain exceptions for trading in the U.K. through independent agents, such as some brokers and investment managers.

 

All dividends received by an individual U.K. Holder from us or from other sources will form part of that U.K. Holder’s total income for income tax purposes and will constitute the top slice of that income. A nil rate of income tax will apply to the first £2,000 of taxable dividend income received by the individual U.K. Holder in a tax year. Income within the nil-rate band will be taken into account in determining whether income in excess of the £2,000 tax-free allowance falls within the basic rate, higher rate or additional rate tax bands. Dividend income in excess of the tax-free allowance will (subject to the availability of any income tax personal allowance) be taxed at 7.5 per cent. to the extent that the excess amount falls within the basic rate tax band, 32.5 per cent. to the extent that the excess amount falls within the higher rate tax band and 38.1 per cent. to the extent that the excess amount falls within the additional rate tax band.

 

Corporation Tax

 

A corporate holder of ADSs who is not resident for tax purposes in the United Kingdom should not be chargeable to U.K. corporation tax on dividends received from the company unless it carries on (whether solely or in partnership) a trade in the United Kingdom through a permanent establishment to which the ADSs are attributable.

 

Corporate U.K. Holders should not be subject to U.K. corporation tax on any dividend received from the company so long as the dividends qualify for exemption, which should be the case, provided the dividends fall within an exempt class and certain conditions are met. If the conditions for the exemption are not satisfied, or such U.K. Holder elects for an otherwise exempt dividend to be taxable, U.K. corporation tax will be chargeable on the amount of any dividends (at the current rate of 19%).

 

Chargeable Gains

 

A disposal or deemed disposal of ADSs by a U.K. Holder may, depending on the U.K. Holder’s circumstances and subject to any available exemptions or reliefs (such as the annual exemption), give rise to a chargeable gain or an allowable loss for the purposes of U.K. capital gains tax and corporation tax on chargeable gains.

 

If an individual U.K. Holder who is subject to U.K. income tax at either the higher or the additional rate is liable to U.K. capital gains tax on the disposal of ADSs, the current applicable rate will be 20%. For an individual U.K. Holder who is subject to U.K. income tax at the basic rate and liable to capital gains tax on such disposal, the current applicable rate would be 10%, save to the extent that any capital gains when aggregated with the U.K. Holder’s other taxable income and gains in the relevant tax year exceed the unused basic rate tax band. In that case, the rate currently applicable to the excess would be 20%.

 

S-51

 

 

If a corporate U.K. Holder becomes liable to U.K. corporation tax on the disposal (or deemed disposal) of ADSs, the main rate of U.K. corporation tax (currently 19%) would apply. Indexation allowance is not available in respect of disposals of ADSs acquired on or after January 1, 2018 (and only covers the movement in the retail prices index up until 31 December 2017, in respect of assets acquired prior to that date). A holder of ADSs which is not resident for tax purposes in the United Kingdom should not normally be liable to U.K. capital gains tax or corporation tax on chargeable gains on a disposal (or deemed disposal) of ADSs unless the person is carrying on (whether solely or in partnership) a trade, profession or vocation in the United Kingdom through a branch or agency (or, in the case of a corporate holder of ADSs, through a permanent establishment) to which the ADSs are attributable. However, an individual holder of ADSs who is treated as resident outside the United Kingdom for the purposes of a double tax treaty, or who has ceased to be resident for tax purposes in the United Kingdom for a period of less than five years and who disposes of ADSs during that period may be liable on his or her return to the United Kingdom to U.K. tax on any capital gain realized (subject to any available exemption or relief).

 

Stamp Duty and Stamp Duty Reserve Tax

 

The discussion below relates to the holders of our ordinary shares or ADSs wherever resident, however it should be noted that special rules may apply to certain persons such as market makers, brokers, dealers or intermediaries.

 

Issue of Shares

 

No U.K. stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax, or SDRT, is payable on the issue of the underlying ordinary shares in the company.

 

Transfers of Shares

 

Neither U.K. stamp duty nor SDRT should arise on transfers of the underlying ordinary shares (including instruments transferring ordinary shares and agreements to transfer ordinary shares) on the basis that the ordinary shares are admitted to trading on AIM, provided the following requirements are (and continue to be) met:

 

the ordinary shares are admitted to trading on AIM, but are not listed on any market (with the term “listed” being construed in accordance with section 99A of the Finance Act 1986), and this has been certified to Euroclear; and

 

AIM continues to be accepted as a “recognized growth market” as construed in accordance with section 99A of the Finance Act 1986).

 

In the event that either of the above requirements is not met, stamp duty or SDRT will generally apply to transfers of, or agreements to transfer, ordinary shares. Where applicable, the purchaser normally pays the stamp duty or SDRT.

 

Issue and Transfers of ADSs

 

No U.K. stamp duty or SDRT is payable on the issue or transfer of (including an agreement to transfer) ADSs in the company.

 

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

We have entered into the Sales Agreement, dated January __, 2021, with B. Riley under which we may issue and sell up to US$100,000,000 of ADSs representing our ordinary shares from time to time pursuant to this prospectus through or to B. Riley acting as sales agent or principal.

 

The Agent may sell the ADSs by any method permitted by law deemed to be an “at the market offering” ” as defined in Rule 415(a)(4) under the Securities Act.

 

Each time that we wish to sell ADSs under the Sales Agreement, we will provide the Agent with a placement notice describing the number of ADSs to be sold, the time period during which sales are requested to be made, any limitation on the number of ADSs that may be sold in any one day and any minimum price below which sales may not be made.

 

Upon receipt of a placement notice from us, and subject to the terms and conditions of the Sales Agreement, the Agent has agreed to use its commercially reasonable efforts consistent with its normal trading and sales practices to sell such ADSs up to the amount specified on such terms. Unless otherwise specified, the settlement between us and the Agent will occur on the second trading day following the date on which the sale was made. The obligation of the Agent under the Sales Agreement to sell ADSs pursuant to a placement notice is subject to a number of conditions. There is no arrangement for funds to be received in an escrow, trust or similar arrangement.

 

S-52

 

 

We will pay the Agent a commission of 3% of the gross proceeds of the sales price of all ADSs sold through the Agent as sales agent under the Sales Agreement. Because there is no minimum offering amount required as a condition to closing this offering, the actual total public offering amount, commissions and proceeds to us, if any, are not determinable at this time.

 

We estimate that the total expenses for the offering, excluding compensation payable to the Agent under the terms of the Sales Agreement, will be approximately US$[ ].

 

In connection with the sale of ADSs contemplated in this prospectus, the Agent will be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act, and the compensation paid to the Agent will be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts. We have agreed to provide indemnification and contribution to B. Riley against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

 

Sales of ADSs as contemplated in this prospectus will be settled through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company or by such other means as we and the Agent may agree upon.

 

The offering of ADSs pursuant to the Sales Agreement will terminate on the earlier of (1) the sale of all of the ADSs subject to the Sales Agreement or (2) termination of the Sales Agreement by us or the Agent.

 

This summary of the material provisions of the Sales Agreement does not purport to be a complete statement of its terms and conditions. A copy of the Sales Agreement has been or will be filed with the SEC as an exhibit to registration statement of which this prospectus is a part of.

 

The Agent does not have any relationship with us other than its role as a sales agent for our current “at the market offerings” of ADSs. The Agent and its affiliates may in the future provide various investment banking and other financial services for us, for which services they may in the future receive customary fees.

 

European Economic Area

  

In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area (each, a “Relevant State”), no ADSs have been offered or will be offered pursuant to the offering to the public in that Relevant State prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the ADSs which has been approved by the competent authority in that Relevant State or, where appropriate, approved in another Relevant State and notified to the competent authority in that Relevant State, all in accordance with the Prospectus Regulation, except that offers of ADSs may be made to the public in that Relevant State at any time under the following exemptions under the Prospectus Regulation:

 

(a)to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined under Article 2 of the Prospectus Regulation;

 

(b)to fewer than 150 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined under Article 2 of the Prospectus Regulation), subject to obtaining the prior consent of the Representatives 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 ADSs shall require the Issuer or any underwriter to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Regulation or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 23 of the Prospectus Regulation and each person who initially acquires any ADSs or to whom any offer is made will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed to and with each of the underwriters and the Issuer that it is a “qualified investor” within the meaning of Article 2(e) of the Prospectus Regulation. In the case of any ADSs being offered to a financial intermediary as that term is used in the Prospectus Regulation, each such financial intermediary will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed that the ADSs acquired by it in the offer have not been acquired on a non-discretionary basis on behalf of, nor have they been acquired with a view to their offer or resale to, persons in circumstances which may give rise to an offer of any ADSs to the public other than their offer or resale in a Relevant State to qualified investors as so defined or in circumstances in which the prior consent of the underwriters has been obtained to each such proposed offer or resale.

 

S-53

 

 

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

 

United Kingdom

 

No ADSs have been offered or will be offered pursuant to the offering to the public in the United Kingdom prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the ADSs which has been approved by the Financial Conduct Authority, except that the ADSs may be offered to the public in the United Kingdom at any time:

 

(a)to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined under Article 2 of the U.K. Prospectus Regulation;

 

(b)to fewer than 150 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined under Article 2 of the U.K. Prospectus Regulation), subject to obtaining the prior consent of the Representatives for any such offer; or

 

(c)in any other circumstances falling within Section 86 of FSMA,

 

provided that no such offer of the ADSs shall require the Issuer or any underwriter to publish a prospectus pursuant to Section 85 of FSMA or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 23 of the U.K. Prospectus Regulation. For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer to the public” in relation to the ADSs in the United Kingdom means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and any ADSs to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for any ADSs and the expression “U.K. Prospectus Regulation” means Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018.

 

In addition, in the United Kingdom, this document is being distributed only to, and is directed only at, and any offer subsequently made may only be directed at persons who are “qualified investors” (as defined in the U.K. Prospectus Regulation) (i) who have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended, or the “Order,” and/or (ii) who are high net worth companies (or persons to whom it may otherwise be lawfully communicated) falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (e) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as “relevant persons”) or otherwise in circumstances which have not resulted and will not result in an offer to the public of the ADSs in the United Kingdom within the meaning of FSMA. In the United Kingdom, any investment or investment activity to which this document relates is only available to, and will be engaged in with, relevant persons. Any person in the UK who is not a relevant person must not act on or rely upon this document or any of its contents.

 

LEGAL MATTERS

 

The validity of our ordinary shares registered hereby and certain other matters of English law will be passed upon for us by Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe (UK) LLP and certain matters of U.S. federal law will be passed upon for us by Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP, New York, New York. Certain legal matters relating to this offering will be passed upon for the sales agent by Duane Morris LLP, New York, New York.

 

EXPERTS

 

The consolidated financial statements of Tiziana Pharma Limited as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and for each of the years then ended, have been incorporated by reference herein and in the registration statement in reliance on the report of Mazars LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, appearing elsewhere herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing. The report on the consolidated financial statements of the Company includes an explanatory paragraph about the existence of a material uncertainty concerning the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The registered business address of Mazars LLP is Tower Bridge House, St Katharine’s Way, London E1W 1DD.

 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

 

This prospectus constitutes a part of a registration statement on Form F-3 filed under the Securities Act. As permitted by the SEC’s rules, this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, which form a part of the registration statement, do not contain all the information that is included in the registration statement. You will find additional information about us in the registration statement. Any statements made in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement concerning legal documents are not necessarily complete and you should read the documents that are filed as exhibits to the registration statement or otherwise filed with the SEC for a more complete understanding of the document or matter.

 

We are subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act. Our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ending December 30, 2019 has been filed with the SEC. We have also filed periodic reports with the SEC on Form 6-K. Such reports and other information filed with the SEC are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

 

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As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt under the Exchange Act from, among other things, the rules prescribing the furnishing and content of proxy statements, and our executive officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act. In addition, we are required under the Exchange Act to file periodic reports and financial statements with the SEC as frequently or as promptly as U.S. companies whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act.

 

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

 

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information into this prospectus, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to other documents which we have filed or will file with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is considered a part of this prospectus and should be read carefully. Certain information in this prospectus supersedes information incorporated by reference that we filed with the SEC prior to the date of this prospectus. Certain information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede the information in this prospectus. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus.

 

We incorporate by reference into this prospectus and the registration statement of which it is a part the following documents, including any amendments to such filings:

  

our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019;

  

our Reports on Form 6-K furnished to the SEC on January 9, 2020, January 13, 2020, January 21, 2020, January 23, 2020, February 3, 2020, February 4, 2020, February 18, 2020, February 20, 2020, March 11, 2020, March 12, 2020, March 13, 2020, March 16, 2020, April 1, 2020, April 9, 2020, April 14, 2020, April 15, 2020, April 24, 2020 (two on this date), April 27, 2020, May 6, 2020, May 11, 2020, May 14, 2020 (two on this date), May 22, 2020, June 1, 2020, June 2, 2020 (two on this date), June 4, 2020, June 12, 2020, June 18, 2020 (two on this date), June 19, 2020, June 22, 2020, June 23, 2020, June 29, 2020, July 1, 2020, July 10, 2020, July 16, 2020 (two on this date), July 20, 2020, July 24, 2020, July 30, 2020 (two on this date), July 31, 2020 (two on this date), August 4, 2020 (two on this date), August 5, 2020, August 10, 2020, August 11, 2020, August 18, 2020, August 20, 2020, August 21, 2020, August 24, 2020, August 26, 2020, August 27, 2020 (two on this date), August 28, 2020 (two on this date), September 16, 2020, September 17, 2020, September 21, 2020 (two on this date), September 25, 2020, September 30, 2020, October 2, 2020, October 20, 2020, October 21, 2020, October 22, 2020, October 26, 2020, October 27, 2020, October 28, 2020 October 29, 2020 (two on this date), November 2, 2020, November 12, 2020, November 18, 2020, December 1, 2020, December 10, 2020, December 17, 2020, December 18, 2020, January 4, 2021, January 13, 2021 and January 26, 2021; and

  

the description of ADSs representing our ordinary shares contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the SEC on October 30, 2018, including any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description.

 

We are also incorporating by reference all subsequent Annual Reports on Form 20-F that we file with the SEC and certain reports on Form 6-K that we furnish to the SEC after the date of this prospectus (if they state that they are incorporated by reference into this prospectus) prior to the termination of this offering. In all cases, you should rely on the later information over different information included in this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement.

 

Unless expressly incorporated by reference, nothing in this prospectus shall be deemed to incorporate by reference information furnished to, but not filed with, the SEC. Copies of all documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus, other than exhibits to those documents unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference in this prospectus, will be provided at no cost to each person, including any beneficial owner, who receives a copy of this prospectus on the written or oral request of that person made to:

 

Tiziana Life Sciences plc
3rd Floor, 11-12 St James’s Square
London SW1Y 4LB
+44 (0) 20 7495 2379

 

You may also access these documents on our website, www.tizianalifesciences.com. The information contained on, or that can be accessed through, our website is not a part of this prospectus. We have included our website address in this prospectus solely as an inactive textual reference.

 

You should rely only on information contained in, or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information different from that contained in this prospectus or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. We are not making offers to sell the securities in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or solicitation is not authorized or in which the person making such offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so or to anyone to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation.

 

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Up to US$100,000,000 American Depositary Shares

 

 

 

Representing Ordinary Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tiziana Life Sciences plc

 

 

 

 

 

PROSPECTUS

  

 

 

 

 

B. Riley Securities

 

 

[       ], 2021

 

 

 

 

 

PART II

 

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

Item 8. Indemnification Of Directors And Officers

 

Subject to the U.K. Companies Act 2006, members of the registrant’s board of directors and its officers (excluding auditors) have the benefit of the following indemnification provisions in the registrant’s Articles:

 

Current and former members of the registrant’s board of directors or officers shall be reimbursed for:

 

(iii)all costs, charges, losses, expenses and liabilities sustained or incurred in relation to his or her actual or purported execution of his or her duties in relation to the registrant, including any liability incurred in defending any criminal or civil proceedings; and

 

(iv)expenses incurred or to be incurred in defending any criminal or civil proceedings, in an investigation by a regulatory authority or against a proposed action to be taken by a regulatory authority, or in connection with any application for relief under the statutes of the United Kingdom and any other statutes that concern and affect the registrant as a company, or collectively the Statutes, arising in relation to the registrant or an associated company, by virtue of the actual or purposed execution of the duties of his or her office or the exercise of his or her powers.

 

In the case of current or former members of the registrant’s board of directors, there shall be no entitlement to reimbursement as referred to above for (i) any liability incurred to the registrant or any associated company, (ii) the payment of a fine imposed in any criminal proceeding or a penalty imposed by a regulatory authority for non-compliance with any requirement of a regulatory nature, (iii) the defense of any criminal proceeding if the member of the registrant’s board of directors is convicted, (iv) the defense of any civil proceeding brought by the registrant or an associated company in which judgment is given against the director, and (v) any application for relief under the statutes of the United Kingdom and any other statutes that concern and affect the registrant as a company in which the court refuses to grant relief to the director.

 

In addition, members of the registrant’s board of directors and its officers who have received payment from the registrant under these indemnification provisions must repay the amount they received in accordance with the Statutes or in any other circumstances that the registrant may prescribe or where the registrant has reserved the right to require repayment.

  

Reference is made to Item 10 of the Registrant’s undertakings with respect to liabilities arising under the Securities Act.

 

Item 9. Exhibits

 

See the Exhibit Index included herewith which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 10. Undertakings

 

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

 

(a)

 

(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

 

(i) to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;

 

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(ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and

 

(iii) to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

 

provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(i), (1)(ii) and (1)(iii) do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3 or Form F-3 and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

 

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

 

(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser:

 

(i) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

 

(ii) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5) or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii) or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which the prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date; or

 

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(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the undersigned registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

 

(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

 

(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;

 

(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and

 

(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

 

(b) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act), that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

(c) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to supplement the prospectus, after the expiration of the subscription period, to set forth the results of the subscription offer, the transactions by the underwriters during the subscription period, the amount of unsubscribed securities to be purchased by the underwriters, and the terms of any subsequent reoffering thereof. If any public offering by the underwriters is to be made on terms differing from those set forth on the cover page of the prospectus, a post-effective amendment will be filed to set forth the terms of such offering.

 

(d) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

(e) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that:

 

i. For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this Registration Statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of this Registration Statement as of the time it was declared effective.

  

ii. For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

(f) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the SEC under Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act.

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX 

 

Exhibit No.   Exhibit Description
1.1**   Form of Underwriting Agreement
1.2+   At Market Issuance Sales Agreement dated ___, 2021 between Tiziana Life Sciences plc and B. Riley Securities, Inc.
3.1   Memorandum and Articles of Association of Tiziana Life Sciences plc (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Amendment No. 1 to Form F-1 filed on August 23, 2018).
4.1   [Form of Deposit Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Amendment No. 2 to Form F-1 filed on September 25, 2018).]
4.2   Form of Amendment No. 1 to Deposit Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99(A)(2) to Form F-6 POS filed on October 8, 2019).
4.3   Form of Amendment No. 2 to Deposit Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99(A)(3) to Form F-6 POS filed on July 14, 2020).
4.4   Form of American Depositary Receipt (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99(A)(4) to Form F-6 POS filed on August 27, 2020).
4.5**   Form of ADS Warrant Agent Agreement.
4.6**   Form of Global Warrant to Purchase ADSs (included in Exhibit 4.3)
4.7**   Form of Unit Agreement (including form of Unit Certificate).
5.1+   Opinion of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe (UK) LLP
23.1*   Consent of Mazars LLP
23.2+   Consent of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe (UK) LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)
24.1   Power of Attorney (included on signature page to this registration statement)

   

 

*Filed herewith.

**To be filed, if applicable, by amendment, or as an exhibit to a report on Form 6-K and incorporated herein by reference.

+To be filed by amendment.

 

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SIGNATURES

  

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form F-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of London, United Kingdom, on the 26th day of January, 2021.

 

  TIZIANA LIFE SCIENCES PLC
   
  By: /s/ Kunwar Shailubhai
    Kunwar Shailubhai, Chief Executive Officer

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

  

Each person whose signature appears below does hereby constitute and appoint Kunwar Shailubhai and Gabriele Cerrone and each of them singly (with full power to act alone), as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, each with full power of substitution and re-substitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, in connection with this registration statement, including to sign and file in the name and on behalf of the undersigned as director or officer of the registrant, any and all amendments and supplements (and any and all prospectus supplements, stickers and post-effective amendments) to this registration statement with all exhibits thereto, and sign any registration statement for the same offering covered by this registration statement that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and all post-effective amendments thereto and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and any applicable securities exchange, securities self-regulatory body or other regulatory entity, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them (with full power to act alone) full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith and in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or their or his substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature   Title   Date
         
 /s/ Kunwar Shailubhai   Chief Executive Officer and Director   January 26, 2021
Kunwar Shailubhai   (Principal Executive Officer)    
         
 /s/ Keeren Shah   Finance Director   January 26, 2021
Keeren Shah   (Principal Financial Officer and
Principal Accounting Officer)
   
         
 /s/ Gabriele Cerrone   Executive Chairman   January 26, 2021
Gabriele Cerrone        
         
 /s/ Willy Simon   Director   January 26, 2021
Willy Simon        
         
 /s/ John Brancaccio   Director    
John Brancaccio       January 26, 2021

  

Tiziana Therapeutics, Inc.
           
By: /s/ Kunwar Shailubhai   Authorized U.S. Representative   January 26, 2021
  Name: Kunwar Shailubhai        
  Title: Director        

 

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