424B5 1 tm2330792d1_424b5.htm 424B5

 

Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)

Registration No. 333-265956

 

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

(To the Prospectus dated July 11, 2022)

 

 

Up to $17,000,000 of Shares of Common Stock

 

On November 15, 2023, we entered into a certain Sales Agreement, or sales agreement, with A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners (“A.G.P.”) relating to shares of our common stock offered by this prospectus supplement. In accordance with the terms of the sales agreement, we may offer and sell shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $17,000,000 from time to time through A.G.P., acting as our sales agent or principal.

 

We are an “emerging growth company” and “smaller reporting company” as defined under U.S. federal securities laws and are subject to reduced public company reporting requirements. Our shares of common stock are listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market (“Nasdaq”) under the symbol “ACXP”. The last sale price of our shares of common stock on November 14, 2023 was $3.40 per share.

 

Sales of our common stock, if any, under this prospectus supplement 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. If authorized by us in writing, A.G.P. may also sell shares of our common stock in negotiated transactions at market prices prevailing at the time of sale or at prices related to such prevailing market prices and/or in any other method permitted by law. If we and A.G.P. agree on any method of distribution other than sales of shares of our common stock on or through the Nasdaq Capital Market or another existing trading market in the United States at market prices, we will file a further prospectus supplement providing all information about such offering as required by Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act. A.G.P. is not required to sell any specific number or dollar amount of securities but will act as a sales agent using commercially reasonable efforts consistent with its normal trading and sales practices, on mutually agreed terms between A.G.P. and us. There is no arrangement for funds to be received in any escrow, trust or similar arrangement.

 

The compensation to A.G.P. for sales of common stock sold pursuant to the sales agreement will be equal to 3.0% of the gross proceeds of any shares of common stock sold under the sales agreement, in addition to reimbursement of certain expenses, see “Plan of Distribution.” In connection with the sale of the common stock on our behalf, A.G.P. will be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act and the compensation of A.G.P. will be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts. We have also agreed to provide indemnification and contribution to A.G.P. with respect to certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act.

 

Investing in our securities involves risks. You should review carefully the risks and uncertainties described under the heading “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-8 of this prospectus supplement and under similar headings in the other documents that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

 

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

 

 

 

 

As of the date of this prospectus supplement, the aggregate market value of our outstanding shares of common stock held by non-affiliates, or public float, was determined to be $65,160,374.40 based on 13,767,977 shares of common stock outstanding, of which 11,312,565 are held by non-affiliates, and the closing sale price of our shares of common stock on Nasdaq of $5.76 on October 18, 2023, which is within 60 days of the date of this prospectus supplement. Upon any sale of shares of common stock under this prospectus supplement pursuant to General Instruction I.B.6 of Form S-3, in no event will the aggregate market value of securities sold by us or on our behalf pursuant to General Instruction I.B.6 of Form S-3 during the twelve calendar month period immediately prior to, and including, the date of any such sale exceed one-third of the aggregate market value of our shares of common stock held by non-affiliates, calculated in accordance with General Instruction I.B.6 of Form S-3. During the prior 12 calendar month period that ends on, and includes, the date of this prospectus supplement (excluding this offering), we have not sold any of our securities pursuant to General Instruction I.B.6 of Form S-3.

 

A.G.P.

 

The date of this prospectus supplement is November 15, 2023.

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

Page

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT S-1
   
NOTE ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS S-2
   
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY S-4
   
THE OFFERING S-7
   
RISK FACTORS S-8
   
USE OF PROCEEDS S-10
   
DILUTION S-11
   
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION S-12
   
LEGAL MATTERS S-14
   
EXPERTS S-14
   
WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION S-14
   
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS S-14

 

PROSPECTUS

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS 1
   
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY 2
   
RISK FACTORS 6
   
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS 7
   
USE OF PROCEEDS 9
   
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION 10
   
DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK 12
   
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK 13
   
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES 14
   
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS 20
   
DESCRIPTION OF RIGHTS 23
   
DESCRIPTION OF UNITS 24
   
CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF DELAWARE LAW AND OF THE COMPANY’S CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS 25
   
LEGAL MATTERS 27
   
EXPERTS 27
   
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION 27
   
INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE 28

 

 

 

 

You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, and the documents we incorporate by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. We do not take any responsibility for, and cannot provide any assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. We are not making an offer to sell our securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale thereof is not permitted. The information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and incorporated by reference herein and therein is accurate only as of the respective date of such information, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus supplement or of any sale or offer to sell hereunder.

 

To the extent this prospectus supplement contains summaries of the documents referred to herein, you are directed to the actual documents for complete information. All of the summaries are qualified in their entirety by the actual documents. Copies of some of the documents referred to herein have been filed, will be filed, or will be incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus supplement forms a part, and you may obtain copies of such documents as described below in the section titled Where You Can Find Additional Information.

 

This prospectus supplement contains references to a number of trademarks which are registered or for which we have pending applications or common law rights. Solely for convenience, the trademarks, service marks and trade names referred to in this prospectus supplement and the documents we incorporate by reference are listed without the ®, (sm) and (tm) symbols, but we will assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our rights or the rights of the applicable licensors to these trademarks, service marks and trade names.

 

 

 

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

 

This document consists of two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, including the documents incorporated by reference, which describes the specific terms of this offering and other matters relating to us. The second part is the accompanying prospectus, which provides more general information about us and the securities we may offer from time to time, some of which may not apply to this offering. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are part of the registration statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-265956) that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) using a “shelf” registration process. Under this “shelf” registration process, we may, from time to time, sell or issue any of the combination of securities described in the accompanying prospectus in one or more offerings with a maximum aggregate offering price of up to $50,000,000. Each time we sell securities, we provide a prospectus supplement that contains specific information about the terms of that offering. A prospectus supplement may also add, update, or change information contained in the accompanying prospectus. You should read both this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, together with the documents incorporated by reference and the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus before making an investment decision.

 

To the extent there is a conflict between the information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, you should rely on the information in this prospectus supplement. This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, and the documents we incorporate by reference herein and therein include important information about us, this offering and our securities and other information you should know before investing. If any statement in this prospectus supplement conflicts with any statement in a document that has been incorporated herein by reference, then you should consider only the statement in the more recent document.

 

This prospectus supplement relates only to an offering of up to $17.0 million of shares of our common stock through A.G.P. These sales, if any, will be made pursuant to the terms of the sales agreement entered into between us and A.G.P. on November 15, 2023, a copy of which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement.

 

You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, and any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you. We have not, and the placement agent has not, authorized any person to provide you with any information or to make any representation other than as contained in this prospectus supplement or in the accompanying prospectus and the information incorporated by reference herein and therein. We and the placement agent do not take any responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any information that others may provide you. The information appearing or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this prospectus supplement or the date of the document in which incorporated information appears unless otherwise noted in such documents. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein is accurate only as of the date of those respective documents. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates. You should carefully read this entire prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including the information included and referred to under “Risk Factors” below, the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and in the accompanying prospectus, and the financial statements and the other information incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus, before making an investment decision.

 

Unless otherwise stated in this prospectus supplement, “Acurx,” “ACXP,” “we,” “us,” “our,” or “the Company,” and similar terms refer to Acurx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

 

S-1 

 

 

NOTE ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

The statements contained in this prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement include forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), that relate to future events or our future financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Words such as, but not limited to, “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “targets,” “likely,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “continue,” and similar expressions or phrases, or the negative of those expressions or phrases, are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Although we believe that we have a reasonable basis for each forward-looking statement contained in this prospectus supplement and incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, we caution you that these statements are based on our projections of the future that are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements, to differ. The sections in our periodic reports, including our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or our Current Reports on Form 8-K, entitled “Business,” “Risk Factors,” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” as well as other sections in this prospectus supplement and the other documents or reports incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, discuss some of the factors that could contribute to these differences. These forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements about:

 

·our ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approval of ibezapolstat and/or our other product candidates;
·our ability to successfully commercialize and market ibezapolstat and/or our other product candidates, if approved;
·our ability to contract with third-party suppliers, manufacturers and other service providers and their ability to perform adequately;
·the potential market size, opportunity and growth potential for ibezapolstat and/or our other product candidates, if approved;
·our ability to build our own sales and marketing capabilities, or seek collaborative partners, to commercialize ibezapolstat and/or our other product candidates, if approved;
·our ability to obtain funding for our operations;
·the initiation, timing, progress and results of our preclinical studies and clinical trials, and our research and development programs;
·the timing of anticipated regulatory filings;
·the timing of availability of data from our clinical trials;
·the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and our response to it;
·the accuracy of our estimates regarding expenses, capital requirements and needs for additional financing;
·our ability to retain the continued service of our key professionals and to identify, hire and retain additional qualified professionals;
·our ability to advance product candidates into, and successfully complete, clinical trials;
·our ability to recruit and enroll suitable patients in our clinical trials and the timing of enrollment;
·the timing or likelihood of the accomplishment of various scientific, clinical, regulatory and other product development objectives;
·the pricing and reimbursement of our product candidates, if approved;
·the rate and degree of market acceptance of our product candidates, if approved;
·the implementation of our business model and strategic plans for our business, product candidates and technology;
·the scope of protection we are able to establish and maintain for intellectual property rights covering our product candidates and technology;
·developments relating to our competitors and our industry;

 

S-2 

 

 

·the development of major public health concerns, including the novel coronavirus outbreak or other pandemics arising globally, and the future impact of it and COVID-19 on our clinical trials, business operations and funding requirements;
·the effects of the recent disruptions to and volatility in the credit and financial markets in the United States and worldwide from the conflict between Russia and Ukraine;
·the volatility of the price of our common stock;
·our financial performance; and
·other factors described from time to time in documents that we file with the SEC.

 

We may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in our forward-looking statements, and you should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Actual results or events could differ materially from the plans, intentions and expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements we make. We have included important cautionary statements in this prospectus supplement and in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, particularly in the “Risk Factors” section, that we believe could cause actual results or events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements that we make. For a summary of such factors, please refer to the section entitled “Risk Factors” in this prospectus supplement, as updated and supplemented by the discussion of risks and uncertainties under “Risk Factors” contained in this prospectus supplement and in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or our Current Reports on Form 8-K, as well as any amendments thereto, as filed with the SEC and which are incorporated herein by reference. The information contained in this document is believed to be current as of the date of this document. We do not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this document to conform these statements to actual results or to changes in our expectations, except as required by law.

 

In light of these assumptions, risks and uncertainties, the results and events discussed in the forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus supplement or in any document incorporated herein by reference might not occur. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this prospectus supplement or the date of the document incorporated by reference. We are not under any obligation, and we expressly disclaim any obligation, to update or alter any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. All subsequent forward-looking statements attributable to us or to any person acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section.

 

S-3 

 

 

 

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY

 

This summary highlights certain information about us, this offering and selected information contained elsewhere in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. This summary is not complete and does not contain all of the information that you should consider before deciding whether to invest in our securities. For a more complete understanding of our company and this offering, we encourage you to read and consider carefully the more detailed information in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including the information incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, and the information referred to under the heading “Risk Factors” in this prospectus supplement on page S-8 and in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

 

Overview

 

We are a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing a new class of antibiotics for infections caused by bacteria listed as priority pathogens by the World Health Organization (“WHO”), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”). Priority pathogens are those which require new antibiotics to address the worldwide crisis of antimicrobial resistance (“AMR”) as identified by the WHO, CDC and FDA. The CDC estimates that, in the U.S., antibiotic-resistant pathogens infect one individual every 11 seconds and result in one death every 15 minutes. The WHO recently stated that growing antimicrobial resistance is equally as dangerous as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, threatens to unwind a century of medical progress and may leave us defenseless against infections that today can be treated easily. According to the WHO, the current clinical development pipeline remains insufficient to tackle the challenge of the increasing emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance.

 

Our approach is to develop a new class of antibiotic candidates that block the DNA polymerase IIIC (“Pol IIIC”). We believe we are developing the first Pol IIIC inhibitor to enter clinical trials and have clinically validated the bacterial target by demonstrating the efficacy of our lead antibiotic candidate in a Phase 2a clinical trial. Pol IIIC is the primary catalyst for DNA replication of several Gram-positive bacterial cells. Our research and development pipeline includes clinical stage and early-stage antibiotic candidates that target Gram-positive bacteria for oral and/or parenteral treatment of infections caused by Clostridium difficile (“C. difficile”), Enterococcus (including vancomycin-resistant strains (“VRE”), Staphylococcus (including methicillin-resistant strains), and Streptococcus (including antibiotic resistant strains).

 

Pol IIIC is required for the replication of DNA in certain Gram-positive bacterial species. By blocking this enzyme, our antibiotic candidates are believed to be bactericidal and inhibit proliferation of several common Gram-positive bacterial pathogens, including both sensitive and resistant C. difficile, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (“MRSA”), vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus, penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumonia (“PRSP”) and other resistant bacteria.

 

We intend to “de-risk” this new class of antibiotics through our drug development activities and potentially partner with a fully-integrated pharmaceutical company for late-stage clinical trials and commercialization.

 

Our lead antibiotic candidate, ibezapolstat (formerly named ACX-362E), has a novel mechanism of action that targets the Pol IIIC enzyme, a previously unexploited scientific target. Phase 2a clinical efficacy of our lead antibiotic validate the Pol IIIC bacterial target. On December 3, 2021, we commenced enrollment in a Phase 2b 64-patient, randomized (1-to-1), non-inferiority, double-blind trial of oral ibezapolstat compared to oral vancomycin, a standard of care to treat C. difficile infections (“CDI”).

 

Prior to that, we completed our Phase 2a clinical trial of ibezapolstat to treat patients with CDI and reported the top-line data in November 2020. The Phase 2a clinical trial was terminated early based upon the recommendation of our Scientific Advisory Board (the “SAB”). The SAB reviewed the study data presented by management, including adverse events and efficacy outcomes, and discussed its clinical impressions. The SAB unanimously supported the early termination of the Phase 2a trial after 10 patients were enrolled in the trial instead of 20 patients as originally planned. The early termination was further based on the evidence of meeting the treatment goals of eliminating the infection with an acceptable adverse event profile.

 

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The SAB noted that 10 out of 10 patients enrolled in the Phase 2a trial reached the clinical cure endpoint, defined in the study protocol as the resolution of diarrhea in the 24-hour period immediately before the end of treatment that is maintained for 48 hours after end of treatment. Such cure was sustained, meaning that the patients showed no sign of infection recurrence, for 30 days thereafter. This constitutes a 100% response rate for the primary and secondary endpoints of the trial. All 10 patients enrolled in the Phase 2a trial met the study’s primary and secondary efficacy endpoints, namely, clinical cure at end of treatment and sustained clinical cure of no recurrence of CDI at the 28-day follow-up visit. No treatment-related serious adverse events (“SAEs”) were reported by the investigators who enrolled patients in the trial. We believe these results represent the first-ever clinical data showing Pol IIIC has potential as a therapeutically relevant antibacterial target. Our Phase 2b clinical trial commenced enrollment on December 3, 2021.

 

Currently available antibiotics used to treat CDI infections utilize other mechanisms of action. We believe ibezapolstat is the first antibiotic candidate to work by blocking the DNA Pol IIIC enzyme in C. difficile. This enzyme is necessary for replication of the DNA of certain Gram-positive bacteria, like C. difficile.

 

We also have an early-stage pipeline of antibiotic product candidates with the same previously unexploited mechanism of action which has established proof of concept in animal studies. This pipeline includes ACX-375C, a potential oral and parenteral treatment targeting Gram-positive bacteria, including MRSA, VRE and PRSP.

 

Recent Developments

 

Completion of Phase 2b Clinical Trial

 

On October 2, 2023, we discontinued our Phase 2b clinical trial of our lead antibiotic candidate, ibezapolstat, targeting the treatment of patients with CDI and anticipate advancing to Phase 3 clinical trials more expeditiously than originally planned. We made the decision to discontinue the Phase 2b clinical trial in consultation with our medical and scientific advisors and statisticians based upon observed aggregate blinded data and other factors, including the cost to maintain clinical trial sites and slow enrollment due to COVID-19.

 

We determined that the Phase 2b clinical trial has performed as anticipated for each of ibezapolstat, our lead antibiotic candidate, and vancomycin, the control agent and a standard of care to treat patients with CDI, with high rates of clinical cure observed across the trial and no emerging safety concerns reported to date. Accordingly, the Independent Data Monitoring Committee will not be required to perform an interim analysis of the Phase 2b clinical trial data as originally planned but is supportive of our decision to early discontinue the Phase 2b clinical trial and will remain involved for our Phase 3 clinical trials. Prior to discontinuing the Phase 2b clinical trial, we notified FDA of its decision to early discontinue the trial. The trial was not discontinued due to safety concerns.

 

Top-Line Ibezapolstat Phase 2 Results

 

On November 2, 2023, we announced top-line Phase 2 efficacy and safety results from the clinical trial of ibezapolstat in patients with CDI. The overall observed Clinical Cure rate in the combined Phase 2 trials in patients with CDI was 96% (25 out of 26 patients), based on 10 out of 10 patients (100%) in Phase 2a in the modified intent to treat population, plus 15 out of 16 (94%) patients in Phase 2b in the per protocol population, who experienced Clinical Cure during treatment with ibezapolstat. Ibezapolstat was well-tolerated, with three patients each experiencing one mild adverse event assessed by the blinded investigator to be drug-related. All three events were gastrointestinal in nature and resolved without treatment. There were no drug-related treatment withdrawals or no drug-related serious adverse events, or other safety findings of concern. In the Phase 2b vancomycin control arm, 14 out of 14 patients experienced clinical cure. We are confident that based on the pooled Phase 2 ibezapolstat clinical cure rate of 96% and the historical vancomycin cure rate of approximately 81% (Vancocin® Prescribing Information, January 2021), we will demonstrate non-inferiority of ibezapolstat to vancomycin in Phase 3 trials in accordance with the applicable FDA Guidance for Industry (October, 2022). The Phase 2b clinical trial met the protocol primary objective of assessing the primary efficacy endpoint of the Clinical Cure rate after 10 days of oral treatment. Further analyses will be forthcoming regarding secondary and exploratory endpoints, including Sustained Clinical Cure data, Extended Clinical Cure data up to 94 days and comparative effects on the gut microbiome.

 

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We are preparing for an End-of-Phase 2 Meeting with FDA and advancement to Phase 3.

 

Corporate Information

 

We were organized as a limited liability company in the State of Delaware in July 2017 and we commenced operations in February 2018 upon acquiring the rights to our lead antibiotic product candidate from GLSynthesis, Inc. Our principal executive offices are located at 259 Liberty Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10305 and our telephone number is (917) 533-1469. Our website address is www.acurxpharma.com. The information contained on, or that can be accessed through, our website is not a part of this prospectus supplement. We have included our website address in this prospectus solely as an inactive textual reference. On June 23, 2021, we converted from a Delaware limited liability company into a Delaware corporation pursuant to a statutory conversion, and changed its name to Acurx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

 

Emerging Growth Company

 

We are an “emerging growth company”, as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (the “JOBS Act”). As an emerging growth company, we are eligible, and have elected, to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies. These include, but are not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation (to the extent applicable to a foreign private issuer).

 

We could remain an emerging growth company until the last day of our fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the consummation of our initial public offering. However, if our annual gross revenue is $1.07 billion or more, or our non-convertible debt issued within a three year period exceeds $1 billion, or the market value of our shares of common stock that are held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million on the last day of the second fiscal quarter of any given fiscal year, we would cease to be an emerging growth company as of the last day of that fiscal year.

 

Smaller Reporting Company

 

We are also currently a “smaller reporting company,” meaning that we are not an investment company, an asset-backed issuer, or a majority-owned subsidiary of a parent company that is not a smaller reporting company, and have a public float of less than $250 million or annual revenues of less than $100 million during the most recently completed fiscal year. In the event that we are still considered a “smaller reporting company,” at such time as we cease being an “emerging growth company,” the disclosure we will be required to provide in our SEC filings will increase, but will still be less than it would be if we were not considered either an “emerging growth company” or a “smaller reporting company.” Specifically, similar to “emerging growth companies,” “smaller reporting companies” are able to provide simplified executive compensation disclosures in their filings; are exempt from the provisions of Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requiring that independent registered public accounting firms provide an attestation report on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting; and have certain other decreased disclosure obligations in their SEC filings, including, among other things, only being required to provide two years of audited financial statements in annual reports. Decreased disclosures in our SEC filings due to our status as an “emerging growth company” or “smaller reporting company” may make it harder for investors to analyze our results of operations and financial prospects.

 

Risks Affecting Our Company

 

In evaluating an investment in our securities, you should carefully read this prospectus supplement and especially consider the factors incorporated by reference in the sections titled “Risk Factors” commencing on page S-8 of this prospectus supplement and in our accompanying prospectus and the Annual Report incorporated by reference herein.

 

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THE OFFERING

 

Issuer Acurx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
   
Common Stock Offered Shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $17.0 million pursuant to the sales agreement.
   
Manner of the Offering “At the market offering” that may be made from time to time through or to A.G.P. as sales agent. See “Plan of Distribution”.
   
Common Stock Currently Outstanding 13,005,128
   
Common Stock to Be Outstanding Immediately Following This Offering Up to 18,005,128 shares of our common stock, assuming sales at a price of $3.40 per share, which was the closing price on Nasdaq on November 14, 2023. The actual number of shares issued will vary depending on the price at which shares may be sold from time to time under this offering. Issuances will not exceed our total authorized amount of shares of common stock, which is 200,000,000 as of the date of this prospectus supplement.  
   
Use of Proceeds We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering for working capital and other general purposes, including, but not limited to, clinical trials, research and development activities, working capital, capital expenditures, investments, acquisitions, should we choose to pursue any, and collaborations. See the section titled “Use of Proceeds” on page S-10.
   
Risk Factors See the sections titled “Risk Factors” commencing on page S-8 of this prospectus supplement and in our accompanying prospectus and the Annual Report incorporated by reference herein for a discussion of factors you should consider carefully before deciding to invest in our shares of our common stock.
   
Nasdaq Capital Market Symbol “ACXP”. 

 

The number of shares of our common stock to be outstanding after this offering is based on 13,005,128 shares of our common stock outstanding as of September 30, 2023, and excludes, as of that date, the following:

 

·6,884,475 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants with a weighted average exercise price of $3.28 per share;
·2,985,000 shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of stock options, with a weighted-average exercise price of $5.64 per share; and
·485,868 shares of common stock reserved for future issuance pursuant to future awards under our 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2021 Plan”).

 

Unless otherwise indicated, this prospectus supplement reflects and assumes no exercise of outstanding stock options or warrants.

 

 

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RISK FACTORS

 

An investment in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. Before investing in our common stock, you should carefully consider the risk factors set forth below and those described under Risk Factorsin the documents incorporated by reference herein, including in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC, together with the other information included in this prospectus supplement and incorporated by reference herein from our filings with the SEC. If any of such risks or uncertainties occurs, our business, financial condition, and operating results could be materially and adversely affected. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial also may materially and adversely affect our business operations. As a result, the trading price of our common stock could decline and you could lose all or a part of your investment.

 

Risks Related to this Offering

 

You may experience immediate and substantial dilution.

 

The shares sold in this offering, if any, will be sold from time to time at various prices. The offering price per share in this offering may exceed the net tangible book value per share of our common stock outstanding prior to this offering. Assuming that an aggregate of 5,000,000 shares of our common stock are sold during the term of the sales agreement with A.G.P. at a price of $3.40 per share, the last reported sale price of our common stock on the Nasdaq on November 14, 2023, for net proceeds of approximately $16.3 million, after deducting sales agent commissions and estimated aggregate offering expenses payable by us, you will experience immediate dilution of $2.28 per share, representing the difference between our net tangible book value per share as of September 30, 2023 and the assumed offering price. The future exercise of warrants for shares of our common stock and the exercise of outstanding stock options following the date of this prospectus supplement may result in further dilution of your investment. See the section entitled “Dilution” below for a more detailed illustration of the dilution you would incur if you participate in this offering.

 

The common stock offered hereby will be sold in “at the market” offerings, and investors who buy shares at different times will likely pay different prices.

 

Investors who purchase shares in this offering 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 shares sold, and there is no minimum or maximum sales price. Investors may experience a decline in the value of their shares as a result of share sales made at prices lower than the prices they paid.

 

The actual number of shares we will issue under the sales agreement with A.G.P., at any one time or in total, is uncertain.

 

Subject to certain limitations in the sales agreement with A.G.P. and compliance with applicable law, we have the discretion to deliver placement notices to A.G.P. at any time throughout the term of the sales agreement. The number of shares that are sold by A.G.P. after delivering a placement notice will fluctuate based on the market price of the common stock during the sales period and limits we set with A.G.P.

 

If we sell additional shares of common stock in future financings, shareholders may experience immediate dilution and, as a result, our share price may decline.

 

We may from time-to-time issue additional shares of common stock at a discount from the current market price of our common stock. As a result, our shareholders would experience immediate dilution upon the purchase of any shares of common stock sold at such discount. In addition, as opportunities present themselves, we may enter into financing or similar arrangements in the future, including the issuance of debt securities, preferred stock or common stock. If we issue shares of common stock or securities convertible or exercisable into shares of common stock, our shareholders would experience additional dilution and, as a result, our share price may decline.

 

S-8 

 

 

 

We will have broad discretion in using the proceeds of this offering, and we may not effectively spend the proceeds.

 

We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering for working capital and other general purposes, including, but not limited to, clinical trials, research and development activities, working capital, capital expenditures, investments, acquisitions, should we choose to pursue any, and collaborations. We have not allocated any specific portion of the net proceeds to any particular purpose, and our management will have the discretion to allocate the proceeds as it determines. We will have significant flexibility and broad discretion in applying the net proceeds of this offering, and we may not apply these proceeds effectively. Our management might not be able to yield a significant return, if any, on any investment of these net proceeds, and you will not have the opportunity to influence our decisions on how to use our net proceeds from this offering.

 

An active trading market for our shares may not be sustained.

 

Although our shares are listed on Nasdaq, the market for our shares has demonstrated varying levels of trading activity. Furthermore, the current level of trading may not be sustained in the future. The lack of an active market for our shares may impair investors’ ability to sell their shares at the time they wish to sell them or at a price that they consider reasonable, may reduce the fair market value of their shares and may impair our ability to raise capital to continue to fund operations by selling shares and may impair our ability to acquire additional intellectual property assets by using our shares as consideration.

 

Our share price may be subject to substantial volatility, and shareholders may lose all or a substantial part of their investment.

 

Our shares currently trade on Nasdaq. There is limited public float, and trading volume historically has been low and sporadic. As a result, the market price for our shares may not necessarily be a reliable indicator of our fair market value. The price at which our shares trade may fluctuate as a result of a number of factors, including the number of shares available for sale in the market, quarterly variations in our operating results, actual or anticipated announcements of new releases by us or competitors, the gain or loss of significant customers, changes in the estimates of our operating performance, market conditions in our industry and the economy as a whole.

 

If our shares become subject to the penny stock rules, it may be more difficult to sell our shares.

 

The SEC has adopted rules that regulate broker-dealer practices in connection with transactions in penny stocks. Penny stocks are generally equity securities with a price of less than $5.00 (other than securities registered on certain national securities exchanges or authorized for quotation on certain automated quotation systems, provided that current price and volume information with respect to transactions in such securities is provided by the exchange or system). The OTC Bulletin Board does not meet such requirements and if the price of our shares is less than $5.00 and our shares are no longer listed on a national securities exchange such as Nasdaq, our shares may be deemed a penny stock. The penny stock rules require a broker-dealer, at least two business days prior to a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from those rules, to deliver to the customer a standardized risk disclosure document containing specified information and to obtain from the customer a signed and date acknowledgment of receipt of that document. In addition, the penny stock rules require that prior to effecting any transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from those rules, a broker-dealer must make a special written determination that the penny stock is a suitable investment for the purchaser and receive: (i) the purchaser’s written acknowledgment of the receipt of a risk disclosure statement; (ii) a written agreement to transactions involving penny stocks; and (iii) a signed and dated copy of a written suitability statement. These disclosure requirements may have the effect of reducing the trading activity in the secondary market for our shares, and therefore shareholders may have difficulty selling their shares.

 

We do not intend to pay any dividends on our common stock at this time.

 

We have not paid any cash dividends on our common stock to date. The payment of cash dividends on our common stock in the future will be dependent upon our revenue and earnings, if any, capital requirements, and general financial condition, and will be within the discretion of our board of directors. It is the present intention of our board of directors to retain all earnings, if any, for use in our business operations and, accordingly, our board of directors does not anticipate declaring any dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. As a result, any gain you will realize on our common stock will result solely from the appreciation of such shares.

 

Sales of a significant number of shares of our common stock in the public markets or significant short sales of our common stock, or the perception that such sales could occur, could depress the market price of our common stock and impair our ability to raise capital.

 

Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock or other equity-related securities in the public markets, could depress the market price of our common stock. This offering may contribute to a depressed market price of our common stock. If there are significant short sales of our common stock, the price decline that could result from this activity may cause the share price to decline more so, which, in turn, may cause long holders of the common stock to sell their shares, thereby contributing to sales of common stock in the market. Such sales also may impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of additional equity securities in the future at a time and price that our management deems acceptable, if at all.

 

S-9 

 

 

USE OF PROCEEDS

 

We may issue and sell shares of common stock having aggregate sales proceeds of up to $17.0 million from time to time, before deducting sales agent commissions and expenses. The amount of proceeds from this offering will depend upon the number of shares of our common stock sold and the market price at which they are sold. There can be no assurance that we will be able to sell any shares under, or fully utilize, the sales agreement with A.G.P.

 

We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering for working capital and other general purposes, including, but not limited to, clinical trials, research and development activities, capital expenditures, investments, acquisitions, should we choose to pursue any, and collaborations.

 

Our management will have broad discretion in the application of the net proceeds received from this offering. Pending use of the net proceeds of this offering as described above, we may invest the net proceeds in short-term, investment-grade, interest-bearing instruments.

 

The expected use of net proceeds from this offering reflects our intentions based on our current plans and business conditions, which could change in the future as our plans and business conditions evolve. The amounts and timing of our expenditures may vary significantly depending on numerous factors.

 

S-10 

 

 

DILUTION

 

If you invest in our securities in this offering, your ownership interest will be diluted to the extent of the difference between the public offering price per share of our common stock in this offering and the as adjusted net tangible book value per share of our common stock immediately after the closing of this offering.

 

As of September 30, 2023, our historical net tangible book value was $3,934,673 or $0.30 per share of common stock. Our historical net tangible book value per share is equal to our total tangible assets, less total liabilities, divided by the number of outstanding shares of common stock as of September 30, 2023.

 

After giving effect to the sale of 5,000,000 shares of our common stock, representing a net amount of $16.3 million after deducting sales agent commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, at an assumed offering price of $3.40 per share, the last reported sale price of our common stock on Nasdaq on November 14, 2023, our as adjusted net tangible book value as of September 30, 2023 would have been $20.2 million, or $1.12 per share of common stock. This amount represents an immediate increase in as adjusted net tangible book value of $0.82 per share to our existing shareholders and an immediate dilution of $2.28 per share to investors participating in this offering. We determine dilution per share to investors participating in this offering by subtracting as adjusted net tangible book value per share after this offering from the assumed offering price per share paid by investors participating in this offering.

 

The following table illustrates this calculation on a per share basis. The pro forma as adjusted information is illustrative only and will adjust based on the actual price to the public, the actual number of shares sold and other terms of the offering determined at the time shares of our common stock are sold pursuant to this prospectus supplement. The shares sold in this offering, if any, will be sold from time to time at various prices. We will not offer and sell shares in excess of any amount that would cause the number of our outstanding shares to exceed the number of shares then authorized to be issued under our articles of incorporation, which is 200,000,000 shares as of the date of this prospectus supplement.

 

Assumed offering price per share       $3.40 
Net tangible book value per share as of September 30, 2023  $0.30      
Increase in net tangible book value per share attributable to new investors in this offering  0.82      
As adjusted net tangible book value per share as of September 30, 2023, after giving effect to this offering  1.12      
Dilution per share to new investors in this offering       $2.28 

 

The foregoing discussion and table do not take into account further dilution to new investors that could occur upon the exercise of outstanding options or warrants. In addition, we may choose to raise additional capital due to market conditions or strategic considerations even if we believe we have sufficient funds for our current or future operating plans. To the extent that additional capital is raised through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, the issuance of these securities could result in further dilution to our stockholders.

 

The number of shares of our common stock to be outstanding after this offering is based on 13,005,128 shares of our common stock outstanding as of September 30, 2023, and excludes, as of that date, the following:

 

·6,884,475 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants with a weighted average exercise price of $3.28 per share;
·2,985,000 shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of stock options, with a weighted-average exercise price of $5.64 per share; and
·485,868 shares of common stock reserved for future issuance pursuant to future awards under our 2021 Plan.

 

S-11 

 

 

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

We have entered into the sales agreement with A.G.P. under which we may issue and sell shares of our common stock from time to time up to $17.0 million to or through A.G.P., acting as our sales agent or principal. The sales of our common stock, if any, under this prospectus supplement will be made at market prices by any method deemed to be an “at the market offering” as defined in Rule 415(a)(4) under the Securities Act, including sales made directly on Nasdaq, on any other existing trading market for our common stock or to or through a market maker. If we and A.G.P. agree on any method of distribution other than sales of shares of our common stock on or through the Nasdaq Capital Market or another existing trading market in the United States at market prices, we will file a further prospectus supplement providing all information about such offering as required by Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act.

 

Each time that we wish to issue and sell shares of our common stock under the sales agreement, we will provide A.G.P. with a placement notice describing the amount of shares to be sold, the time period during which sales are requested to be made, any limitation on the amount of shares of common stock that may be sold in any single day, any minimum price below which sales may not be made or any minimum price requested for sales in a given time period and any other instructions relevant to such requested sales. Upon receipt of a placement notice, A.G.P., acting as our sales agent, will use commercially reasonable efforts, consistent with its normal trading and sales practices and applicable state and federal laws, rules and regulations and the rules of Nasdaq, to sell shares of our common stock under the terms and subject to the conditions of the placement notice and the sales agreement. We or A.G.P. may suspend the offering of common stock pursuant to a placement notice upon notice and subject to other conditions.

 

Settlement for sales of common stock, unless the parties agree otherwise, will occur on the second trading day following the date on which any sales are made in return for payment of the net proceeds to us. There are no arrangements to place any of the proceeds of this offering in an escrow, trust or similar account. Sales of our common stock as contemplated in this prospectus supplement will be settled through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company or by such other means as we and A.G.P. may agree upon.

 

Because there are no minimum sale requirements as a condition to this offering, the actual total public offering price, commissions and net proceeds to us, if any, are not determinable at this time. The actual dollar amount and number of shares of common stock we sell through this prospectus supplement will be dependent, among other things, on market conditions and our capital raising requirements.

 

We will report at least quarterly the number of shares of common stock sold through A.G.P. under the sales agreement, the net proceeds to us and the compensation paid by us to A.G.P. in connection with the sales of common stock under the sales agreement.

 

The offering pursuant to the sales agreement will terminate upon the earlier of (i) the sale of all shares of common stock subject to the sales agreement and (ii) termination of the sales agreement as permitted therein. We may terminate the sales agreement in our sole discretion at any time by giving 5 days’ prior notice to A.G.P. A.G.P. may terminate the sales agreement under the circumstances specified in the sales agreement and in its sole discretion at any time by giving 5 days’ prior notice to us.

 

This prospectus supplement in electronic format may be made available on a website maintained by A.G.P., and A.G.P. may distribute this prospectus supplement electronically. 

 

Fees and Expenses

 

We will pay A.G.P. commissions for its services in acting as our sales agent in the sale of our common stock pursuant to the sales agreement. A.G.P. will be entitled to compensation at a fixed commission rate of 3.0% of the gross proceeds from the sale of our common stock on our behalf pursuant to the sales agreement. We have also agreed to reimburse A.G.P. for its reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses (including but not limited to the reasonable and documented fees and expenses of its legal counsel) in an amount not to exceed $50,000 and up to an additional $20,000 per fiscal year for maintenance.

 

S-12 

 

 

We estimate that the total expenses for this offering, excluding compensation payable to A.G.P. and certain expenses reimbursable to A.G.P. under the terms of the sales agreement, will be approximately $142,600. The remaining sales proceeds, after deducting any expenses payable by us and any transaction fees imposed by any governmental, regulatory, or self-regulatory organization in connection with the sales, will equal our net proceeds for the sale of such common stock.

  

Regulation M

 

In connection with the sale of the common stock on our behalf, A.G.P. will be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act, and the compensation of A.G.P. will be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts.

 

A.G.P. will not engage in any market making activities involving our common stock while the offering is ongoing under this prospectus supplement if such activity would be prohibited under Regulation M or other anti-manipulation rules under the Securities Act. As our sales agent, A.G.P. will not engage in any transactions that stabilizes our common stock.

 

Indemnification

 

We have agreed to indemnify A.G.P. against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, and to contribute to payments that the A.G.P. may be required to make in respect of such liabilities. 

 

Listing

 

Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “ACXP.”

 

Other Relationships

 

A.G.P. and/or its affiliates have in the past engaged, and may in the future engage, in transactions with, and may perform, from time to time, investment banking and advisory services for us in the ordinary course of their business and for which it would receive customary fees and expenses. In addition, in the ordinary course of its business activities, A.G.P. and its affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for its own account and for the accounts of its customers. Such investments and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of ours or our affiliates.

 

S-13 

 

 

LEGAL MATTERS

 

The validity of the common stock offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C., New York, New York. Sullivan & Worcester LLP, New York, New York, is acting as counsel for the sales agent in connection with this offering.

 

EXPERTS

 

The consolidated financial statements of Acurx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. appearing in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 have been audited by CohnReznick LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

We are a reporting company and file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3 under the Securities Act with respect to the securities being offered under this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus do not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement and the exhibits to the registration statement. For further information with respect to us and the securities being offered under this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, we refer you to the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules filed as a part of the registration statement. The SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC, including Acurx. The SEC’s website can be found at www.sec.gov.

 

These documents are also available, free of charge, through the Investors section of our website. We maintain a website at www.acurxpharma.com. Information contained in or accessible through our website does not constitute a part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus.

 

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS

 

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information into this prospectus supplement, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement contain important information that you should read about us.

 

The following documents are incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement:

 

·our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the SEC on March 15, 2023;
·the portions of our definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A that we filed with the SEC on April 27, 2023 that are incorporated by reference into our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 and deemed “filed” with the SEC under the Exchange Act;
·our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2023, June 30, 2023 and September 30, 2023, filed with the SEC on May 12, 2023, August 11, 2023 and November 13, 2023, respectively;
·our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 16, 2023, May 17, 2023, June 20, 2023, October 2, 2023 and November 3, 2023 (except for the information furnished under Item 2.02 or 7.01 and the exhibits furnished thereto); and
·the description of our common stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A initially filed on June 23, 2021, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.

 

We also incorporate by reference into this prospectus supplement all documents (other than current reports furnished under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K and exhibits filed on such form that are related to such items) that are filed by us with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (i) after the date of the initial filing of this prospectus supplement, or (ii) after the date of this prospectus supplement but prior to the termination of the offering. These documents include periodic reports, such as Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, as well as proxy statements.

 

We will provide to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a prospectus is delivered, without charge upon written or oral request, a copy of any or all of the documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement but not delivered with the prospectus, including exhibits which are specifically incorporated by reference into such documents. Requests should be directed to:

 

Acurx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

259 Liberty Avenue

Staten Island, NY 10305

Telephone: (917) 533-1469

 

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

 

S-14 

 

 

PROSPECTUS

 

Acurx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

 

$50,000,000

 

COMMON STOCK

PREFERRED STOCK

DEBT SECURITIES

WARRANTS

RIGHTS

UNITS

 

This prospectus will allow us to issue, from time to time at prices and on terms to be determined at or prior to the time of the offering, up to $50,000,000 of any combination of the securities described in this prospectus, either individually or in units. We may also offer common stock or preferred stock upon conversion of or exchange for the debt securities; common stock upon conversion of or exchange for preferred stock; or common stock, preferred stock or debt securities upon the exercise of warrants or rights.

 

This prospectus describes the general terms of these securities and the general manner in which these securities will be offered. We will provide you with the specific terms of any offering in one or more supplements to this prospectus. The prospectus supplements will also describe the specific manner in which these securities will be offered and may also supplement, update or amend information contained in this document. You should read this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, as well as any documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus or any prospectus supplement, carefully before you invest.

 

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

 

Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “ACXP.” On June 30, 2022, the last reported sale price of our common stock was $3.79 per share. The applicable prospectus supplement will contain information, where applicable, as to any other listing, if any, on The Nasdaq Capital Market or any securities market or other securities exchange of the securities covered by the prospectus supplement. Prospective purchasers of our securities are urged to obtain current information as to the market prices of our securities, where applicable.

 

 

 

Pursuant to General Instruction I.B.6 of Form S-3, in no event will we sell our common stock in a public primary offering with a value exceeding more than one-third of our public float in any 12-month period so long as our public float remains below $75.0 million. As of June 30, 2022, the aggregate market value of our outstanding common stock held by non-affiliates, or public float, was approximately $30.5 million, based on 7,867,001 shares of our outstanding common stock that were held by non-affiliates on such date and a price of $3.88 per share, which was the price at which our common stock was last sold on The Nasdaq Capital Market on May 6, 2022 (a date within 60 days of the date hereof), calculated in accordance with General Instruction I.B.6 of Form S-3. During the 12 calendar months prior to and including the date of this prospectus, we have not offered and sold any of our securities pursuant to General Instruction I.B.6 of Form S-3.

 

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors” included in any accompanying prospectus supplement and in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus for a discussion of the factors you should carefully consider before deciding to purchase these securities.

 

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

 

The date of this prospectus is July 11, 2022.

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS 1
   
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY 2
   
RISK FACTORS 6
   
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS 7
   
USE OF PROCEEDS 9
   
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION 10
   
DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK 12
   
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK 13
   
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES 14
   
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS 20
   
DESCRIPTION OF RIGHTS 23
   
DESCRIPTION OF UNITS 24
   
CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF DELAWARE LAW AND OF THE COMPANY’S CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS 25
   
LEGAL MATTERS 27
   
EXPERTS 27
   
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION 27
   
INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE 28

 

 

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

 

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may offer shares of our common stock and preferred stock, various series of debt securities and/or warrants or rights to purchase any such securities, either individually or in units, in one or more offerings, with a total value of up to $50,000,000. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we offer a type or series of securities under this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering.

 

This prospectus does not contain all of the information included in the registration statement. For a more complete understanding of the offering of the securities, you should refer to the registration statement, including its exhibits. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. However, no prospectus supplement will offer a security that is not registered and described in this prospectus at the time of its effectiveness. This prospectus, together with the applicable prospectus supplements and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus, includes all material information relating to the offering of securities under this prospectus. You should carefully read this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement, the information and documents incorporated herein by reference and the additional information under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” before making an investment decision.

 

You should rely only on the information we have provided or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information different from that contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. No dealer, salesperson or other person is authorized to give any information or to represent anything not contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. You must not rely on any unauthorized information or representation. This prospectus is an offer to sell only the securities offered hereby, but only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so. You should assume that the information in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement is accurate only as of the date on the front of the document and that any information we have incorporated herein by reference is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any sale of a security.

 

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

 

This prospectus may not be used to consummate sales of our securities, unless it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement. To the extent there are inconsistencies between any prospectus supplement, this prospectus and any documents incorporated by reference, the document with the most recent date will control.

 

Unless the context otherwise requires, “Acurx,” “ACXP,” “the Company,” “we,” “us,” “our” and similar terms refer to Acurx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

 

1

 

 

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

 

The following is a summary of what we believe to be the most important aspects of our business and the offering of our securities under this prospectus. We urge you to read this entire prospectus, including the more detailed consolidated financial statements, notes to the consolidated financial statements and other information incorporated by reference from our other filings with the SEC or included in any applicable prospectus supplement. Investing in our securities involves risks. Therefore, carefully consider the risk factors set forth in any prospectus supplements and in our most recent annual and quarterly filings with the SEC, as well as other information in this prospectus and any prospectus supplements and the documents incorporated by reference herein or therein, before purchasing our securities. Each of the risk factors could adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition, as well as adversely affect the value of an investment in our securities.

 

Overview

 

We are a publicly-held, clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing a new class of antibiotics for infections caused by bacteria listed as priority pathogens by the World Health Organization (“WHO”), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”). Priority pathogens are those which require new antibiotics to address the worldwide crisis of antimicrobial resistance (“AMR”) as identified by the WHO, CDC and FDA. The CDC estimates that, in the U.S., antibiotic-resistant pathogens infect one individual every 11 seconds and result in one death every 15 minutes. The WHO recently stated that growing antimicrobial resistance is equally as dangerous as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, threatens to unwind a century of medical progress and may leave us defenseless against infections that today can be treated easily. According to the WHO, the current clinical development pipeline remains insufficient to tackle the challenge of the increasing emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance.

 

Our approach is to develop a new class of antibiotic candidates that block the DNA polymerase IIIC (“Pol IIIC”). We believe we are developing the first Pol IIIC inhibitor to enter clinical trials and have clinically validated the efficacy of our lead antibiotic candidate in a Phase 2a clinical trial. Pol IIIC is the primary catalyst for DNA replication of several Gram-positive bacterial cells. Our research and development pipeline includes clinical stage and early-stage antibiotic candidates that target Gram-positive bacteria for oral and/or parenteral treatment of infections caused by Clostridium difficile (“C. difficile”), Enterococcus (including vancomycin-resistant strains (“VRE”)), Staphylococcus (including methicillin resistant strains), and Streptococcus (including antibiotic resistant strains).

 

Pol IIIC is required for the replication of DNA in certain Gram-positive bacterial species. By blocking this enzyme, our antibiotic candidates are believed to be bactericidal and inhibit proliferation of several common gram-positive bacterial pathogens, including C. difficile, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (“MRSA”), vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus, penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumonia (“DRSP”) and other resistant bacteria.

 

We intend to “de-risk” this new class of antibiotics through our drug development activities and potentially partner with a fully-integrated pharmaceutical company for late-stage clinical trials and commercialization.

 

Our lead antibiotic candidate, ibezapolstat (formerly named ACX-362E), has a novel mechanism of action that targets the Pol IIIC enzyme, a previously unexploited scientific target. Phase 2a clinical data validate the efficacy of our lead antibiotic candidate as well as Pol IIIC as an appropriate bacterial target.

 

On December 3, 2021, we commenced enrollment in a Phase 2b 64-patient, randomized (1-to-1), non-inferiority, double-blind trial of oral ibezapolstat compared to oral vancomycin, a standard of care to treat C. difficile infections (“CDI”).

 

Prior to that, we completed our Phase 2a clinical trial of ibezapolstat to treat patients with CDI and reported the top-line data in November 2020. The Phase 2a clinical trial was terminated early based upon the recommendation of our Scientific Advisory Board (the “SAB”). The SAB reviewed the study data presented by management, including adverse events and efficacy outcomes, and discussed its clinical impressions. The SAB unanimously supported the early termination of the Phase 2a trial after 10 patients were enrolled in the trial instead of 20 patients as originally planned. The early termination was further based on the evidence of meeting the treatment goals of eliminating the infection with an acceptable adverse event profile.

 

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The SAB noted that 10 out of 10 patients enrolled in the Phase 2a trial reached the Clinical Cure endpoint, defined in the study protocol as the resolution of diarrhea in the 24-hour period immediately before the end of treatment that is maintained for 48 hours after end of treatment. Such cure was sustained, meaning that the patients showed no sign of infection recurrence, for 30 days thereafter. This constitutes a 100% response rate for the primary and secondary endpoints of the trial. All 10 patients enrolled in the Phase 2a trial met the study’s primary and secondary efficacy endpoints, namely, Clinical Cure at end of treatment and Sustained Clinical Cure of no recurrence of CDI at the 28-day follow-up visit. No treatment-related serious adverse events (“SAEs”) were reported by the investigators who enrolled patients in the trial. We believe these results represent the first-ever clinical data showing Pol IIIC has potential as a therapeutically relevant antibacterial target. Our Phase 2b clinical trial commenced enrollment on December 3, 2021.

 

The SAB is comprised of seven scientists and clinicians who have significant expertise in the scientific disciplines required for the research and development of antibiotics. The members of the SAB serve at the pleasure of management, are paid in cash on an hourly basis for their services and do not receive equity compensation. Generally, the SAB is consulted by management during the process of designing our preclinical and clinical trials as well as in the process of analyzing data generated from these trials, although the SAB’s services are not limited to such activities.

 

Currently available antibiotics used to treat CDI infections utilize other mechanisms of action. We believe ibezapolstat is the first antibiotic candidate to work by blocking the DNA Pol IIIC enzyme in C. difficile. This enzyme is necessary for replication of the DNA of certain Gram-positive bacteria, like C. difficile.

 

We also have an early-stage pipeline of antibiotic product candidates with the same previously unexploited mechanism of action which has established proof of concept in animal studies. This pipeline includes ACX-375C, a potential oral and parenteral treatment targeting Gram-positive bacteria, including MRSA, VRE and DRSP.

 

Implication of Being an Emerging Growth Company

 

We are an “emerging growth company” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, as amended (the “JOBS Act”). We will remain an emerging growth company until the earlier of (1) the last day of the fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the completion of our initial public offering, (2) the last day of the fiscal year in which we have total annual gross revenues of at least $1.07 billion, (3) the date on which we are deemed to be a “large accelerated filer” as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), which would occur if the market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates exceeded $700.0 million as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter or (4) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities during the prior three-year period. An emerging growth company may take advantage of specified reduced reporting requirements and is relieved of certain other significant requirements that are otherwise generally applicable to public companies. As an emerging growth company,

 

we may reduce our executive compensation disclosure;

we may present only two years of audited financial statements, plus unaudited condensed financial statements for any interim period, and related Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in this Prospectus;

we may avail ourselves of the exemption from the requirement to obtain an attestation and report from our auditors on the assessment of our internal control over financial reporting pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002; and

we may not require stockholder non-binding advisory votes on executive compensation or golden parachute arrangements.

 

We have availed ourselves in this Prospectus of the reduced reporting requirements described above with respect to compensation disclosure requirements and selected financial data. As a result, the information that we provide stockholders may be less comprehensive than what you might receive from other public companies. When we are no longer deemed to be an emerging growth company, we will not be entitled to the exemptions provided in the JOBS Act discussed above. We have not elected to avail ourselves of the exemption that allows emerging growth companies to extend the transition period for complying with new or revised financial accounting standards. This election is irrevocable.

 

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As a company with less than $1.0 billion in revenue during our last fiscal year, we qualify as an “emerging growth company.”

 

Smaller Reporting Company

 

We are also currently a “smaller reporting company,” meaning that we are not an investment company, an asset-backed issuer, or a majority-owned subsidiary of a parent company that is not a smaller reporting company, and have a public float of less than $250 million or annual revenues of less than $100 million during the most recently completed fiscal year. In the event that we are still considered a “smaller reporting company,” at such time as we cease being an “emerging growth company,” the disclosure we will be required to provide in our SEC filings will increase, but will still be less than it would be if we were not considered either an “emerging growth company” or a “smaller reporting company.” Specifically, similar to “emerging growth companies,” “smaller reporting companies” are able to provide simplified executive compensation disclosures in their filings; are exempt from the provisions of Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requiring that independent registered public accounting firms provide an attestation report on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting; and have certain other decreased disclosure obligations in their SEC filings, including, among other things, only being required to provide two years of audited financial statements in annual reports. Decreased disclosures in our SEC filings due to our status as an “emerging growth company” or “smaller reporting company” may make it harder for investors to analyze our results of operations and financial prospects.

 

Corporate Information and History

 

We were organized as a limited liability company in the State of Delaware in July 2017 and we commenced operations in February 2018 upon acquiring the rights to our lead antibiotic product candidate from GLSynthesis, Inc. Our principal executive offices are located at 259 Liberty Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10305 and our telephone number is (917) 533-1469. Our website address is www.acurxpharma.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. On June 23, 2021, Acurx Pharmaceuticals, LLC converted from a Delaware limited liability company into a Delaware corporation pursuant to a statutory conversion, and changed its name to Acurx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

 

Offerings Under This Prospectus

 

Under this prospectus, we may offer shares of our common stock and preferred stock, various series of debt securities and/or warrants or rights to purchase any of such securities, either individually or in units, with a total value of up to $50,000,000, from time to time at prices and on terms to be determined by market conditions at the time of the offering. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we offer a type or series of securities under this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will describe the specific amounts, prices and other important terms of the securities, including, to the extent applicable:

 

designation or classification;

aggregate principal amount or aggregate offering price;

maturity, if applicable;

rates and times of payment of interest or dividends, if any;

redemption, conversion or sinking fund terms, if any;

voting or other rights, if any; and

conversion or exercise prices, if any.

 

The prospectus supplement also may add, update or change information contained in this prospectus or in documents we have incorporated by reference into this prospectus. However, no prospectus supplement will fundamentally change the terms that are set forth in this prospectus or offer a security that is not registered and described in this prospectus at the time of its effectiveness.

 

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We may sell the securities directly to investors or to or through agents, underwriters or dealers. We, and our agents or underwriters, reserve the right to accept or reject all or part of any proposed purchase of securities. If we offer securities through agents or underwriters, we will include in the applicable prospectus supplement:

 

the names of those agents or underwriters;

applicable fees, discounts and commissions to be paid to them;

details regarding over-allotment options, if any; and

the net proceeds to us.

 

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

 

 

 

 

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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 Acurx. 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 10-K, as revised or supplemented by our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or our Current Reports on Form 8-K that we have filed with the SEC, all of which are incorporated herein by reference, and which may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by other reports we file with the SEC in the future. The risks and uncertainties we have described are not the only ones we face. 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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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus include forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), that relate to future events or our future financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Words such as, but not limited to, “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “targets,” “likely,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “continue,” and similar expressions or phrases, or the negative of those expressions or phrases, are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Although we believe that we have a reasonable basis for each forward-looking statement contained in this prospectus and incorporated by reference in this prospectus, we caution you that these statements are based on our projections of the future that are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements, to differ. The sections in our periodic reports, including our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as revised or supplemented by our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or our Current Reports on Form 8-K, entitled “Business,” “Risk Factors,” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” as well as other sections in this prospectus and the other documents or reports incorporated by reference in this prospectus, discuss some of the factors that could contribute to these differences. These forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements about:

 

our ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approval of ibezapolstat and/or our other product candidates;
our ability to successfully commercialize and market ibezapolstat and/or our other product candidates, if approved;
our ability to contract with third-party suppliers, manufacturers and other service providers and their ability to perform adequately;
the potential market size, opportunity and growth potential for ibezapolstat and/or our other product candidates, if approved;
our ability to build our own sales and marketing capabilities, or seek collaborative partners, to commercialize ibezapolstat and/or our other product candidates, if approved;
our ability to obtain funding for our operations;
the initiation, timing, progress and results of our preclinical studies and clinical trials, and our research and development programs;
the timing of anticipated regulatory filings;
the timing of availability of data from our clinical trials;
the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and our response to it;
the accuracy of our estimates regarding expenses, capital requirements and needs for additional financing;
our ability to retain the continued service of our key professionals and to identify, hire and retain additional qualified professionals;
our ability to advance product candidates into, and successfully complete, clinical trials;
our ability to recruit and enroll suitable patients in our clinical trials and the timing of enrollment;
the timing or likelihood of the accomplishment of various scientific, clinical, regulatory and other product development objectives;
the pricing and reimbursement of our product candidates, if approved;
the rate and degree of market acceptance of our product candidates, if approved;
the implementation of our business model and strategic plans for our business, product candidates and technology;
the scope of protection we are able to establish and maintain for intellectual property rights covering our product candidates and technology;
developments relating to our competitors and our industry;

 

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the development of major public health concerns, including the novel coronavirus outbreak or other pandemics arising globally, and the future impact of it and COVID-19 on our clinical trials, business operations and funding requirements;
the volatility of the price of our common stock;
our financial performance; and
other factors described from time to time in documents that we file with the SEC.

 

We may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in our forward-looking statements, and you should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Actual results or events could differ materially from the plans, intentions and expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements we make. We have included important cautionary statements in this prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus, particularly in the “Risk Factors” section, that we believe could cause actual results or events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements that we make. For a summary of such factors, please refer to the section entitled “Risk Factors” in this prospectus, as updated and supplemented by the discussion of risks and uncertainties under “Risk Factors” contained in any supplements to this prospectus and in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as revised or supplemented by our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or our Current Reports on Form 8-K, as well as any amendments thereto, as filed with the SEC and which are incorporated herein by reference. The information contained in this document is believed to be current as of the date of this document. We do not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this document to conform these statements to actual results or to changes in our expectations, except as required by law.

 

In light of these assumptions, risks and uncertainties, the results and events discussed in the forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus or in any document incorporated herein by reference might not occur. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this prospectus or the date of the document incorporated by reference in this prospectus. We are not under any obligation, and we expressly disclaim any obligation, to update or alter any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. All subsequent forward-looking statements attributable to us or to any person acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

 

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we intend to use any net proceeds from the sale of securities under this prospectus for general corporate purposes, including, but not limited to, clinical trials, research and development activities, working capital, capital expenditures, investments, acquisitions, should we choose to pursue any, and collaborations. We have not determined the amounts we plan to spend on any of the areas listed above or the timing of these expenditures. As a result, our management will have broad discretion to allocate the net proceeds, if any, we receive in connection with securities offered pursuant to this prospectus for any purpose. Pending application of the net proceeds as described above, we may initially invest the net proceeds in short-term, investment-grade, interest-bearing securities or apply them to the reduction of short-term indebtedness.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

We may offer securities under this prospectus from time to time pursuant to underwritten public offerings, negotiated transactions, block trades or a combination of these methods. We may sell the securities (1) through underwriters or dealers, (2) through agents or (3) directly to one or more purchasers, or through a combination of such methods. We may distribute the securities from time to time in one or more transactions at:

 

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

market prices prevailing at the time of sale;

prices related to the prevailing market prices; or

negotiated prices.

 

We may directly solicit offers to purchase the securities being offered by this prospectus. We may also designate agents to solicit offers to purchase the securities from time to time, and may enter into arrangements for “at-the-market,” equity line or similar transactions. We will name in a prospectus supplement any underwriter or agent involved in the offer or sale of the securities.

 

If we utilize a dealer in the sale of the securities being offered by this prospectus, we 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.

 

If we utilize an underwriter in the sale of the securities being offered by this prospectus, we will execute an underwriting agreement with the underwriter at the time of sale, and we will provide the name of any underwriter in the prospectus supplement which the underwriter will use to make resales of the securities to the public. In connection with the sale of the securities, we, or the purchasers of the securities for whom the underwriter may act as agent, may compensate the underwriter in the form of underwriting discounts or commissions. The underwriter may sell the securities to or through dealers, and the underwriter may compensate those dealers in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions.

 

With respect to underwritten public offerings, negotiated transactions and block trades, we will provide in the applicable prospectus supplement information regarding any compensation we pay to underwriters, dealers or agents in connection with the offering of the securities, and any discounts, concessions or commissions allowed by underwriters to participating dealers. Underwriters, dealers and agents participating in the distribution of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act, and any discounts and commissions received by them and any profit realized by them on resale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions. We may enter into agreements to indemnify underwriters, dealers and agents against civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments they may be required to make in respect thereof.

 

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

 

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

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

 

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One or more firms, referred to as “remarketing firms,” may also offer or sell the securities, if a prospectus supplement so indicates, in connection with a remarketing arrangement upon their purchase. Remarketing firms will act as principals for their own accounts or as our agents. These remarketing firms will offer or sell the securities in accordance with the terms of the securities. Each prospectus supplement will identify and describe any remarketing firm and the terms of its agreement, if any, with us and will describe the remarketing firm’s compensation. Remarketing firms may be deemed to be underwriters in connection with the securities they remarket. Remarketing firms may be entitled under agreements that may be entered into with us to indemnification by us against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of business.

 

Certain underwriters may use this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement for offers and sales related to market-making transactions in the securities. These underwriters may act as principal or agent in these transactions, and the sales will be made at prices related to prevailing market prices at the time of sale. Any underwriters involved in the sale of the securities may qualify as “underwriters” within the meaning of Section 2(a)(11) of the Securities Act. In addition, the underwriters’ commissions, discounts or concessions may qualify as underwriters’ compensation under the Securities Act and the rules of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”).

 

Shares of our common stock sold pursuant to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part will be authorized for listing and trading on The Nasdaq Capital Market. The applicable prospectus supplement will contain information, where applicable, as to any other listing, if any, on The Nasdaq Capital Market or any securities market or other securities exchange of the securities covered by the prospectus supplement. Underwriters may make a market in our common stock, but will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. We can make no assurance as to the liquidity of or the existence, development or maintenance of trading markets for any of the securities.

 

In order to facilitate the offering of the securities, certain persons participating in the offering may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the securities. This may include over-allotments or short sales of the securities, which involve the sale by persons participating in the offering of more securities than we sold to them. In these circumstances, these persons would cover such over-allotments or short positions by making purchases in the open market or by exercising their over-allotment option. In addition, these persons may stabilize or maintain the price of the securities by bidding for or purchasing the applicable security in the open market or by imposing penalty bids, whereby selling concessions allowed to dealers participating in the offering may be reclaimed if the securities sold by them are repurchased in connection with stabilization transactions. The effect of these transactions may be to stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. These transactions may be discontinued at any time.

 

The underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in other transactions with us, or perform other services for us, in the ordinary course of their business.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK

 

We are authorized to issue 200,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share. As of June 30, 2022, we had 10,263,202 shares of common stock outstanding and approximately 247 stockholders of record of our common stock.

 

The following summary of certain provisions of our common stock does not purport to be complete. You should refer to the section of this prospectus entitled “Certain Provisions of Delaware Law and of the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws” and our certificate of incorporation and our bylaws, both of which are included as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. The summary below is also qualified by provisions of applicable law.

 

General

 

The holders of our common stock are entitled to receive, ratably, dividends only if, when and as declared by our board of directors out of funds legally available therefor and after provision is made for each class of capital stock having preference over the common stock. To date, we have not paid dividends on our common stock. Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders. Our common stock is not entitled to pre-emptive or similar rights. Upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the assets legally available for distribution to stockholders are distributable ratably among the holders of our common stock after payment of all debts and other liabilities, if any, and subject to the rights of each class or series of capital stock having preference over, or right to participate with, the common stock. Each outstanding share of our common stock is duly and validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

 

Transfer Agent and Registrar

 

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is VStock Transfer, LLC.

 

Stock Exchange Listing

 

Our common stock is listed for quotation on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “ACXP.”

 

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DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK

 

The following description of our preferred stock and the description of the terms of any particular series of preferred stock that we choose to issue hereunder are not complete. These descriptions are qualified in their entirety by reference to our certificate of incorporation and the certificate of designation relating to any series of preferred stock issued by us. The rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of the preferred stock of each series will be fixed by the certificate of designation relating to that series.

 

Our board of directors is authorized, without action by the stockholders, to designate and issue up to an aggregate of 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series. Any or all of these rights may be greater than the rights of our common stock.

 

The shares of preferred stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series, each of which will have such distinctive designation or title as shall be determined by our board of directors prior to the issuance of any shares thereof. Preferred stock will have such voting powers, full or limited, or no voting powers, and such preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights and such qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, as shall be stated in such resolution or resolutions providing for the issue of such class or series of preferred stock as may be adopted from time to time by our board of directors prior to the issuance of any shares thereof. The number of authorized shares of preferred stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of all the then outstanding shares of our capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of the directors, voting together as a single class, without a separate vote of the holders of the preferred stock, or any series thereof, unless a vote of any such holders is required pursuant to any preferred stock designation.

 

The issuance of such preferred stock could adversely affect the rights of the holders of common stock and, therefore, reduce the value of the common stock. It is not possible to state the actual effect of the issuance of any shares of preferred stock on the rights of holders of the common stock until the board of directors determines the specific rights of the holders of the preferred stock; however, these effects may include:

 

Restricting dividends on the common stock;

Diluting the voting power of the common stock;

Impairing the liquidation rights of the common stock; or

Delaying or preventing a change in control of the Company without further action by the stockholders.

 

Transfer Agent and Registrar

 

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

 

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

 

The following description, together with the additional information we include in any applicable prospectus supplements, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus. While the terms we have summarized below will apply generally to any future debt securities we may offer pursuant to this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any debt securities that we may offer in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. If we so indicate in a prospectus supplement, the terms of any debt securities offered under such prospectus supplement may differ from the terms we describe below, and to the extent the terms set forth in a prospectus supplement differ from the terms described below, the terms set forth in the prospectus supplement shall control.

 

We may sell from time to time, in one or more offerings under this prospectus, debt securities, which may be senior or subordinated. We will issue any such senior debt securities under a senior indenture that we will enter into with a trustee to be named in the senior indenture. We will issue any such subordinated debt securities under a subordinated indenture that we will enter into with a trustee to be named in the subordinated indenture. We have filed forms of these documents as exhibits to the registration statement, of which this prospectus is a part. We use the term “indentures” to refer to either the senior indenture or the subordinated indenture, as applicable. The indentures will be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as in effect on the date of the indenture. We use the term “debenture trustee” to refer to either the trustee under the senior indenture or the trustee under the subordinated indenture, as applicable.

 

The following summaries of material provisions of the senior debt securities, the subordinated debt securities and the indentures are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the indenture applicable to a particular series of debt securities.

 

General

 

Each indenture provides that debt securities may be issued from time to time in one or more series and may be denominated and payable in foreign currencies or units based on or relating to foreign currencies. Neither indenture limits the amount of debt securities that may be issued thereunder, and each indenture provides that the specific terms of any series of debt securities shall be set forth in, or determined pursuant to, an authorizing resolution and/or a supplemental indenture, if any, relating to such series.

 

We will describe in each prospectus supplement the following terms relating to a series of debt securities:

 

the title or designation;

the aggregate principal amount and any limit on the amount that may be issued;

the currency or units based on or relating to currencies in which debt securities of such series are denominated and the currency or units in which principal or interest or both will or may be payable;

whether we will issue the series of debt securities in global form, the terms of any global securities and who the depositary will be;

the maturity date and the date or dates on which principal will be payable;

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

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

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

the place or places where payments will be payable;

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

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

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

 

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whether the indenture will restrict our ability to pay dividends, or will require us to maintain any asset ratios or reserves;

whether we will be restricted from incurring any additional indebtedness;

a discussion of any material or special U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to a series of debt securities;

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

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

 

We may issue debt securities that provide for an amount less than their stated principal amount to be due and payable upon declaration of acceleration of their maturity pursuant to the terms of the indenture. We will provide you with information on the federal income tax considerations and other special considerations applicable to any of these debt securities in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

Conversion or Exchange Rights

 

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

 

Consolidation, Merger or Sale; No Protection in Event of a Change of Control or Highly Leveraged Transaction

 

The indentures do not contain any covenant that restricts our ability to merge or consolidate, or sell, convey, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets. However, any successor to or acquirer of such assets must assume all of our obligations under the indentures or the debt securities, as appropriate.

 

Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not contain any provisions that may afford holders of the debt securities protection in the event we have a change of control or in the event of a highly leveraged transaction (whether or not such transaction results in a change of control), which could adversely affect holders of debt securities.

 

Events of Default Under the Indenture

 

The following are events of default under the indentures with respect to any series of debt securities that we may issue:

 

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

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

if we fail to observe or perform any other covenant set forth in the debt securities of such series or the applicable indentures, other than a covenant specifically relating to and for the benefit of holders of another series of debt securities, and our failure continues for 90 days after we receive written notice from the debenture trustee or holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the applicable series; and

if specified events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occur as to us.

 

No event of default with respect to a particular series of debt securities (except as to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization) necessarily constitutes an event of default with respect to any other series of debt securities. The occurrence of an event of default may constitute an event of default under any bank credit agreements we may have in existence from time to time. In addition, the occurrence of certain events of default or an acceleration under the indenture may constitute an event of default under certain of our other indebtedness outstanding from time to time.

 

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If an event of default with respect to debt securities of any series at the time outstanding occurs and is continuing, then the trustee or the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may, by a notice in writing to us (and to the debenture trustee if given by the holders), declare to be due and payable immediately the principal (or, if the debt securities of that series are discount securities, that portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) of and premium and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all debt securities of that series. Before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained with respect to debt securities of any series, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series (or, at a meeting of holders of such series at which a quorum is present, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of such series represented at such meeting) may rescind and annul the acceleration if all events of default, other than the non-payment of accelerated principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, with respect to debt securities of that series, have been cured or waived as provided in the applicable indenture (including payments or deposits in respect of principal, premium or interest that had become due other than as a result of such acceleration). We refer you to the prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities that are discount securities for the particular provisions relating to acceleration of a portion of the principal amount of such discount securities upon the occurrence of an event of default.

 

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

 

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

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

 

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

 

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

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

the debenture trustee does not institute the proceeding, and does not receive from the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series (or at a meeting of holders of such series at which a quorum is present, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of such series represented at such meeting) other conflicting directions within 60 days after the notice, request and offer.

 

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

 

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

 

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Modification of Indenture; Waiver

 

The debenture trustee and we may change the applicable indenture without the consent of any holders with respect to specific matters, including:

 

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

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

 

In addition, under the indentures, the rights of holders of a series of debt securities may be changed by us and the debenture trustee with the written consent of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series (or, at a meeting of holders of such series at which a quorum is present, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of such series represented at such meeting) that is affected. However, the debenture trustee and we may make the following changes only with the consent of each holder of any outstanding debt securities affected:

 

extending the fixed maturity of the series of debt securities;

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

reducing the principal amount of discount securities payable upon acceleration of maturity;

making the principal of or premium or interest on any debt security payable in currency other than that stated in the debt security; or

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

 

Except for certain specified provisions, the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series (or, at a meeting of holders of such series at which a quorum is present, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of such series represented at such meeting) may on behalf of the holders of all debt securities of that series waive our compliance with provisions of the indenture. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may on behalf of the holders of all the debt securities of such series waive any past default under the indenture with respect to that series and its consequences, except a default in the payment of the principal of, premium or any interest on any debt security of that series or in respect of a covenant or provision, which cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security of the series affected; provided, however, that the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from the acceleration.

 

Discharge

 

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

 

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

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

maintain paying agencies;

hold monies for payment in trust;

compensate and indemnify the trustee; and

appoint any successor trustee.

 

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

 

Form, Exchange and Transfer

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

 

Information Concerning the Debenture Trustee

 

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

 

Payment and Paying Agents

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Governing Law

 

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

 

Subordination of Subordinated Debt Securities

 

Our obligations pursuant to any subordinated debt securities will be unsecured and will be subordinate and junior in priority of payment to certain of our other indebtedness to the extent described in a prospectus supplement. The subordinated indenture does not limit the amount of senior indebtedness we may incur. It also does not limit us from issuing any other secured or unsecured debt.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

 

General

 

We may issue warrants to purchase shares of our common stock, preferred stock and/or debt securities in one or more series together with other securities or separately, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Below is a description of certain general terms and provisions of the warrants that we may offer. Particular terms of the warrants will be described in the warrant agreements and the prospectus supplement relating to the warrants.

 

The applicable prospectus supplement will contain, where applicable, the following terms of and other information relating to the warrants:

 

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

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

·the designation, amount and terms of the securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants;

·if applicable, the exercise price for shares of our common stock and the number of shares of common stock to be received upon exercise of the warrants;

·if applicable, the exercise price for shares of our preferred stock, the number of shares of preferred stock to be received upon exercise, and a description of that series of our preferred stock;

·if applicable, the exercise price for our debt securities, the amount of debt securities to be received upon exercise, and a description of that series of debt securities;

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

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

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

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

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

·if applicable, the date from and after which the warrants and the common stock, preferred stock and/or debt securities will be separately transferable;

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

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

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

·any redemption or call provisions;

·whether the warrants may be sold separately or with other securities as parts of units; and

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

 

Transfer Agent and Registrar

 

The transfer agent and registrar for any warrants will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

Outstanding Warrants

 

As of June 30, 2022, we had the following warrants outstanding.

 

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Purchase Warrants

 

We have 1,432,227 warrants (the “Purchase Warrants”) to purchase common stock outstanding with a weighted average exercise price of $2.88 per share that were issued in connection with private placement financings prior to our initial public offering (“IPO”).

 

The following summary of certain terms and provisions of the Purchase Warrants is not complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the provisions of the Purchase Warrants, the forms of which are filed as exhibits to our public reports filed with the SEC.

 

Duration

 

Each Purchase Warrant is exercisable and will expire on the tenth anniversary of each respective issuance. The exercise price and number of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the Purchase Warrants is subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of stock dividends, stock splits, reorganizations or similar events affecting our common stock and the exercise price.

 

Exercisability

 

The Purchase Warrants are exercisable, at the option of each holder, in whole or in part, by delivering a duly executed exercise notice accompanied by payment in full for the number of shares of our common stock purchased upon such exercise (except in the case of a cashless exercise as discussed below).

 

Cashless Exercise

 

If the holder provides written notice at the time they exercise their Purchase Warrants that they elect to effect a “net exercise” of their Purchase Warrants, then in lieu of making the cash payment otherwise contemplated to be made to us upon such exercise in payment of the aggregate exercise price, the holder may elect instead to receive upon such exercise (either in whole or in part) the net number of shares of common stock determined according to a formula set forth in the Purchase Warrants.

 

Transferability

 

Subject to applicable laws, a Purchase Warrant may be transferred at the option of the holder upon surrender of the Purchase Warrant together with the appropriate instruments of transfer.

 

Exchange Listing

 

The Purchase Warrants are not listed on any securities exchange or nationally recognized trading system.

 

Right as a Stockholder

 

Except as otherwise provided in the Purchase Warrants or by virtue of such holder’s ownership of shares of our common stock, the holders of the Purchase Warrants do not have the rights or privileges of holders of our common stock, including any voting rights, until they exercise their Purchase Warrants.

 

Underwriter Warrants

 

In connection with our IPO, we issued 150,000 warrants (the “Underwriter Warrants”) to the underwriter. Each warrant is exercisable until June 24, 2026 at an exercise price of $7.50 per share.

 

The following summary of certain terms and provisions of the Underwriter Warrants is not complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the provisions of the Underwriter Warrants, the forms of which are filed as exhibits to our public reports filed with the SEC.

 

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Duration

 

Each Underwriter Warrant is exercisable from December 21, 2021. The Underwriter Warrants will expire on June 24, 2026. The exercise price and number of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the Underwriter Warrants is subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of stock dividends, stock splits, reorganizations or similar events affecting our common stock and the exercise price.

 

Exercisability

 

The Underwriter Warrants are exercisable, at the option of each holder, in whole or in part, by delivering a duly executed exercise notice accompanied by payment in full for the number of shares of our common stock purchased upon such exercise (except in the case of a cashless exercise as discussed below).

 

Cashless Exercise

 

If, at the time a holder exercises its Underwriter Warrants, a registration statement registering the issuance of the shares of common stock underlying the Underwriter Warrants under the Securities Act is not then effective or available, then in lieu of making the cash payment otherwise contemplated to be made to us upon such exercise in payment of the aggregate exercise price, the holder may elect instead to receive upon such exercise (either in whole or in part) the net number of shares of common stock determined according to a formula set forth in the Underwriter Warrants.

 

Transferability

 

Subject to applicable laws, an Underwriter Warrant may be transferred at the option of the holder upon surrender of the Underwriter Warrant together with the appropriate instruments of transfer.

 

Exchange Listing

 

The Underwriter Warrants are not listed on any securities exchange or nationally recognized trading system.

 

Right as a Stockholder

 

Except as otherwise provided in the Underwriter Warrants or by virtue of such holder’s ownership of shares of our common stock, the holders of the Underwriter Warrants do not have the rights or privileges of holders of our common stock, including any voting rights, until they exercise their Underwriter Warrants.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF RIGHTS

 

General

 

We may issue rights to our stockholders to purchase shares of our common stock, preferred stock or the other securities described in this prospectus. We may offer rights separately or together with one or more additional rights, debt securities, preferred stock, common stock or warrants, or any combination of those securities in the form of units, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Each series of rights will be issued under a separate rights agreement to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as rights agent. The rights agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the certificates relating to the rights of the series of certificates and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders of rights certificates or beneficial owners of rights. The following description sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the rights to which any prospectus supplement may relate. The particular terms of the rights to which any prospectus supplement may relate and the extent, if any, to which the general provisions may apply to the rights so offered will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. To the extent that any particular terms of the rights, rights agreement or rights certificates described in a prospectus supplement differ from any of the terms described below, then the terms described below will be deemed to have been superseded by that prospectus supplement. We encourage you to read the applicable rights agreement and rights certificate for additional information before you decide whether to purchase any of our rights. We will provide in a prospectus supplement the following terms of the rights being issued:

 

·the date of determining the stockholders entitled to the rights distribution;

·the aggregate number of shares of common stock, preferred stock or other securities purchasable upon exercise of the rights;

·the exercise price;

·the aggregate number of rights issued;

·whether the rights are transferrable and the date, if any, on and after which the rights may be separately transferred;

·the date on which the right to exercise the rights will commence, and the date on which the right to exercise the rights will expire;

·the method by which holders of rights will be entitled to exercise;

·the conditions to the completion of the offering, if any;

·the withdrawal, termination and cancellation rights, if any;

·whether there are any backstop or standby purchaser or purchasers and the terms of their commitment, if any;

·whether stockholders are entitled to oversubscription rights, if any;

·any applicable material U.S. federal income tax considerations; and

·any other terms of the rights, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the distribution, exchange and exercise of the rights, as applicable.

 

Each right will entitle the holder of rights to purchase for cash the principal amount of shares of common stock, preferred stock or other securities at the exercise price provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. Rights may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date for the rights provided in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

Holders may exercise rights as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Upon receipt of payment and the rights certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the rights agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement, we will, as soon as practicable, forward the shares of common stock, preferred stock or other securities, as applicable, purchasable upon exercise of the rights. If less than all of the rights issued in any rights offering are exercised, we may offer any unsubscribed securities directly to persons other than stockholders, to or through agents, underwriters or dealers or through a combination of such methods, including pursuant to standby arrangements, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

Rights Agent

 

The rights agent for any rights we offer will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

 

The following description, together with the additional information that we include in any applicable prospectus supplements, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the units that we may offer under this prospectus. While the terms we have summarized below will apply generally to any units that we may offer under this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any series of units in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms of any units offered under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below.

 

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

 

General

 

We may issue units consisting of common stock, preferred stock, one or more debt securities, warrants or rights for the purchase of common stock, preferred stock and/or debt securities in one or more series, 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 security included in the unit. The unit agreement under which a unit is issued may provide that the securities included in the unit may not be held or transferred separately, at any time or at any time before a specified date.

 

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

 

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

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

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

 

The provisions described in this section, as well as those set forth in any prospectus supplement or as described under “Description of Common Stock,” “Description of Preferred Stock,” “Description of Debt Securities,” “Description of Warrants,” and “Description of Rights” will apply to each unit, as applicable, and to any common stock, preferred stock, debt security, warrant or right included in each unit, as applicable.

 

Unit Agent

 

The name and address of the unit agent, if any, for any units we offer will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

Issuance in Series

 

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

 

Enforceability of Rights by Holders of Units

 

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

 

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CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF DELAWARE LAW AND

 

OF THE COMPANY’S CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS

 

Delaware Takeover Statute

 

Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, subject to certain exceptions, prohibits a Delaware corporation from engaging in any “business combination” (as defined below) with any “interested stockholder” (as defined below) for a period of three years following the date that such stockholder became an interested stockholder, unless: (1) prior to such date, the board of directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder; (2) on consummation of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the number of shares outstanding those shares owned (x) by persons who are directors and also officers and (y) by employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or (3) on or subsequent to such date, the business combination is approved by the board of directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least 66 2∕3% of the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder.

 

Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law defines “business combination” to include: (1) any merger or consolidation involving the corporation and the interested stockholder; (2) any sale, transfer, pledge or other disposition of 10% or more of the assets of the corporation involving the interested stockholder; (3) subject to certain exceptions, any transaction that results in the issuance or transfer by the corporation of any stock of the corporation to the interested stockholder; (4) any transaction involving the corporation that has the effect of increasing the proportionate share of the stock of any class or series of the corporation beneficially owned by the interested stockholder; or (5) the receipt by the interested stockholder of the benefit of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits provided by or through the corporation. In general, Section 203 defines an “interested stockholder” as any entity or person beneficially owning 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation and any entity or person affiliated with or controlling or controlled by such entity or person.

 

Limitation on Liability of Directors and Indemnification of Directors and Officers

 

Under Delaware law, a corporation may indemnify any individual made a party or threatened to be made a party to any type of proceeding, other than an action by or in the right of the corporation, because he or she is or was an officer, director, employee or agent of the corporation or was serving at the request of the corporation as an officer, director, employee or agent of another corporation or entity against expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred in connection with such proceeding if (1) he or she acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation or (2) in the case of a criminal proceeding, he or she had no reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful. A corporation may indemnify any individual made a party or threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit brought by or in the right of the corporation because he or she was an officer, director, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or other entity, against expenses actually and reasonably incurred in connection with such action or suit if he or she acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, provided that such indemnification will be denied if the individual is found liable to the corporation unless, in such a case, the court determines the person is nonetheless entitled to indemnification for such expenses. A corporation must indemnify a present or former director or officer who successfully defends himself or herself in a proceeding to which he or she was a party because he or she was a director or officer of the corporation against expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or her. Expenses incurred by an officer or director, or any employees or agents as deemed appropriate by the board of directors, in defending civil or criminal proceedings may be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of such proceedings upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director, officer, employee or agent to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he or she is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation. The Delaware law regarding indemnification and expense advancement is not exclusive of any other rights which may be granted by our Certificate of Incorporation or our bylaws, a vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, agreement or otherwise.

 

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Under Delaware law, termination of any proceeding by conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent does not, of itself, create a presumption that such person is prohibited from being indemnified.

 

Delaware law permits a corporation to adopt a provision in its certificate of incorporation eliminating or limiting the personal liability of a director, but not an officer, in his or her capacity as such, to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except that such provision may not limit the liability of a director for (1) any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (2) acts or omissions not in good faith or that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (3) unlawful payment of dividends or stock purchases or redemptions or (4) any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. Our Certificate of Incorporation provides that, to the fullest extent permitted under Delaware law, no Company director shall be liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director.

 

Our bylaws require indemnification, to the fullest extent permitted under Delaware law, of any person who is or was a director or officer of the Company or any of its direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries and who is or was a party or is threatened to be made a party to, or was or is otherwise directly involved in (including as a witness), any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of the Company or any direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, or is or was serving at our request as a director, officer, employee, partner, member or agent of another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity or in any other capacity, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to a director or officer with respect to a proceeding that was commenced by such director or officer except under certain circumstances.

 

In addition, our bylaws provide that expenses incurred by or on behalf of a current or former director or officer in connection with defending any action, suit or proceeding will be advanced to the director or officer by us upon the request of the director or officer, which request, if required by law, will include an undertaking by or on behalf of the director or officer to repay the amounts advanced if ultimately it is determined that the director or officer was not entitled to be indemnified against the expenses.

 

The indemnification rights provided in our bylaws are not exclusive of any other right to which persons seeking indemnification may otherwise be entitled.

 

As permitted by Delaware law, our bylaws authorize us to purchase and maintain insurance to protect any director, officer, employee or agent against claims and liabilities that such persons may incur in such capacities.

 

Charter Documents

 

Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws divide our board of directors into three classes with staggered three-year terms. The provision for a classified board could prevent a party who acquires control of a majority of our outstanding voting stock from obtaining control of our board of directors until the second annual stockholders meeting following the date the acquirer obtains the controlling stock interest. Our classified board provision could discourage a potential acquirer from making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to obtain control of Acurx and could increase the likelihood that incumbent directors will retain their positions. Our certificate of incorporation provides that, subject to the special rights of holders of one or more series of preferred stock, directors may be removed at any time, but only for cause by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of all our outstanding voting stock.

 

Our certificate of incorporation provides that certain amendments of our certificate of incorporation and amendments by our stockholders of our bylaws require the approval of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of all outstanding stock. These provisions could discourage a potential acquirer from making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to obtain control of us.

 

Our bylaws provide that a special meeting of our stockholders may be called only by (i) our board of directors or (ii) the chair of our board of directors. Because our stockholders do not have the right to call a special meeting, our stockholders cannot force stockholder consideration of a proposal over the opposition of our board of directors by calling a special meeting of stockholders prior to such time as a majority of our board of directors believed the matter should be considered and such stockholder would only be able to force consideration of such proposal at the next annual meeting, provided that the requestor met the notice requirements. The restriction on the ability of our stockholders to call a special meeting means that a proposal to replace one or more directors on our board of directors also could be delayed until the next annual meeting.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

 

Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C., New York, New York, will pass upon the validity of the issuance of the securities to be offered by this prospectus.

 

EXPERTS

 

The financial statements of Acurx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (formerly Acurx Pharmaceuticals, LLC) appearing in Acurx Pharmaceuticals, Inc's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, have been audited by CohnReznick LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon, included therein, and incorporated by reference herein. Such financial statements are incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

 

We are subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. SEC filings are available at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. This prospectus is only part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we have filed with the SEC under the Securities Act and therefore omits certain information contained in the registration statement. We have also filed exhibits and schedules with the registration statement that are excluded from this prospectus, and you should refer to the applicable exhibit or schedule for a complete description of any statement referring to any contract or other document.

 

We also maintain a website at www.acurxpharma.com, through which you can access our SEC filings. The information set forth on our website is not part of this prospectus.

 

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INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

 

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information that we file with them. Incorporation by reference allows us to disclose important information to you by referring you to those other documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. We filed a registration statement on Form S-3 under the Securities Act with the SEC with respect to the securities we may offer pursuant to this prospectus. This prospectus omits certain information contained in the registration statement, as permitted by the SEC. You should refer to the registration statement, including the exhibits, for further information about us and the securities we may offer pursuant to this prospectus. Statements in this prospectus regarding the provisions of certain documents filed with, or incorporated by reference in, the registration statement are not necessarily complete and each statement is qualified in all respects by that reference. The documents we are incorporating by reference are:

 

·our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, filed with the SEC on March 16, 2022;

·our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2022, filed with the SEC on May 10, 2022;

·our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 7, 2022;

·the description of our common stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A initially filed on June 23, 2021, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description; and

·all reports and other documents subsequently filed by us pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus and prior to the termination or completion of the offering of securities under this prospectus shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus and to be a part hereof from the date of filing such reports and other documents.

 

The SEC file number for each of the documents listed above is 001-40536.

 

In addition, all reports and other documents filed by us pursuant to the Exchange Act after the date of the initial registration statement and prior to effectiveness of the registration statement shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

 

Any statement contained in this prospectus or in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus or any other subsequently filed document that is deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus modifies or supersedes the statement. Any statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus.

 

You may request, orally or in writing, a copy of any or all of the documents incorporated herein by reference. These documents will be provided to you at no cost, by contacting:

 

Acurx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 

259 Liberty Avenue 

Staten Island, NY 10305 

Telephone: (917) 533-1469

 

You may also access these documents on our website, http://www.acurxpharma.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 and any prospectus supplement. 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 $17,000,000 OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK

 

Prospectus Supplement

 

 

A.G.P.

 

 

November 15, 2023