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Delaware		11-3516358
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

Large accelerated filer	☐		Accelerated filer	☒
Non-accelerated filer (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)	☐		Smaller reporting company	☐
			Emerging growth company	☐

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

 

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

 

Subject to Completion, dated May 26, 2017.

 

PROSPECTUS

 

 

UP TO $150,000,000 OF OUR

COMMON STOCK

PREFERRED STOCK

WARRANTS

UNITS

 

We may offer and sell from time to time our common stock, preferred stock, warrants and units separately or together, in separate series, in amounts, at prices and on terms to be set forth in one or more supplements to this prospectus.  The preferred stock and warrants we may offer may be convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for common or preferred stock or other securities of ours or equity securities of one or more other entities.  When we decide to issue securities, we will provide you with the specific terms and the public offering price of the securities in prospectus supplements. In the case of shares of preferred stock, these terms will include, as applicable, the specific title and stated value, and any dividend, liquidation, redemption, conversion, voting and other rights.  You should read this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement carefully before you invest.  This prospectus may not be used to offer or sell securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

 

Our common stock is listed on the NYSE MKT under the symbol “RNN.”  None of the other securities are currently publicly traded.  We may sell these securities to or through underwriters and also to other purchasers or through agents.  We will set forth the names of any underwriters or agents in an accompanying prospectus supplement, if applicable.  See “Plan of Distribution” on page for more information.

 

Investing in our securities involves risks.  Please see “Risk Factors” on page for more information.  You should read carefully this prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement before you invest.

 

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

 

The date of this prospectus is          , 2017

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

	Page
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS	ii
RISK FACTORS	3
the Company	3
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS	3
USE OF PROCEEDS	4
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION	4
DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK	5
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK	7
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS	8
DESCRIPTION OF UNITS	9
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO COMBINED FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS	9
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE	10
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION	10
LEGAL MATTERS	10
EXPERTS	11

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

 

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may from time to time offer up to $150,000,000 in total of (i) shares of our common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, (ii) shares of our preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share, in one or more series, (iii) warrants to purchase shares of common stock or preferred stock or (iv) any combination of our common stock, preferred stock or warrants, either individually or as units consisting of one or more of the foregoing, each at prices and on terms to be determined at the time of sale. The common stock, preferred stock, warrants and units are collectively referred to in this prospectus as “securities.” The securities offered pursuant to this prospectus may be one or more series of issuances and the total offering price of the securities will not exceed $150,000,000 or its equivalent (based on the applicable exchange rate at the time of the sale) in one or more foreign currencies, currency units or composite currencies as shall be designated by us.

 

This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement with specific information about the terms of that offering and may also provide a free writing prospectus. The prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and the prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with the additional information described below under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference.”

 

The registration statement that contains this prospectus, including the exhibits to the registration statement and the information incorporated by reference, contains additional information about the securities offered under this prospectus. That registration statement can be read at the SEC website or at the SEC offices mentioned below under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

We have not authorized any dealer, salesman or other person to give any information or to make any representation other than those contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any accompanying supplement to this prospectus or any free writing prospectus that may be incorporated by reference into this prospectus or any prospectus supplement or any documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus or any prospectus supplement. We take no responsibility for any information or representation not contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectus. Neither this prospectus nor any accompanying prospectus supplement nor any free writing prospectus constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the common stock to which they relate, nor do this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectus constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy common stock in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectus or any other offering materials is accurate on any date subsequent to the date set forth on the front of such document or that any information we have incorporated by reference is correct on any date subsequent to the date of the document incorporated by reference, even though this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectus is delivered or securities are sold on a later date.

 

Unless the context otherwise requires or as otherwise expressly stated, references in this prospectus to the “Company,” “Rexahn,” “we,” “us,” “our” and similar terms refer to Rexahn Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

 

RISK FACTORS

 

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider and evaluate all of the information contained in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement and in the documents we incorporate by reference into this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement before you decide to purchase our securities. In particular, you should carefully consider and evaluate the risks and uncertainties described under the heading “Risk Factors” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as updated by the additional risks and uncertainties set forth in other filings we make with the SEC and any accompanying prospectus supplement, before deciding whether to buy our securities.  Any of the risks and uncertainties set forth in those filings could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition, which in turn could materially and adversely affect the value of any securities offered by this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement. As a result, you could lose all or part of your investment.

 

See also the information contained under the heading “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” immediately below.

 

THE COMPANY

We trace our history to the March 2001 founding of Rexahn, Corp, which in 2005 merged with and into Rexahn Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (formerly Corporate Road Show.com Inc.).  Our principal executive offices are located at 15245 Shady Grove Road, Suite 455, Rockville, Maryland 20850, and our telephone number is (240) 268-5300. Our website is http://www.rexahn.com.  We make our electronic filings with the SEC, including our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to these reports available on our website free of charge as soon as practicable after we file them with or furnish them to the SEC. Information on the website is not part of, or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus.

 

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

Any statements in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement and the information incorporated herein and therein by reference relating to future financial or business performance, conditions or strategies and other financial and business matters, including expectations regarding future revenues and operating expenses, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements that are not descriptions of historical facts are forward-looking statements and are based on management’s estimates, assumptions, and projections that are subject to risks and uncertainties. These statements can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “anticipate,” “estimate” or similar terminology. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in our forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the date we make them, actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors, including risks relating to:

 

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our understandings and beliefs regarding the role of certain biological mechanisms and processes in cancer;

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our drug candidates being in early stages of development, including in pre-clinical development;

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our ability to initially develop drug candidates for orphan indications to reduce the time-to-market and take advantage of certain incentives provided by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration;

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our ability to transition from our initial focus on developing drug candidates for orphan indications to candidates for more highly prevalent indications;

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our ability to successfully and timely complete clinical trials for our drug candidates in clinical development;

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uncertainties related to the timing, results and analyses related to our drug candidates in pre-clinical development;

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our ability to obtain the necessary U.S. and international regulatory approvals for our drug candidates;

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our reliance on third-party contract research organizations and other investigators and collaborators for certain research and development services;

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our ability to maintain or engage third-party manufacturers to manufacture, supply, store and distribute supplies of our drug candidates for our clinical trials;

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our ability to form strategic alliances and partnerships with pharmaceutical companies and other partners for sales and marketing of certain of our product candidates;

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demand for and market acceptance of our drug candidates;

 

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the scope and validity of our intellectual property protection for our drug candidates and our ability to develop our candidates without infringing the intellectual property rights of others; and

•

our lack of profitability and the need for additional capital to operate our business.

 

Further information on the factors and risks that could affect our business, financial condition and results of operations, are set forth in this prospectus under “Risk Factors” and in our filings with the SEC, which are available at http://www.sec.gov. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which the statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict which factors will arise. In addition, we cannot assess the impact of each factor on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to publicly revise our forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date of this prospectus or the date of documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

 

USE OF PROCEEDS

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

We may sell the securities being offered by this prospectus separately or together:

 

•

directly to purchasers;

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through agents;

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to or through underwriters;

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through dealers;

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

•

through a combination of any of these methods of sale.

 

In addition, we may issue the securities being offered by this prospectus as a dividend or distribution.

 

We may effect the distribution of 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;

•

at market prices prevailing at the times of sale;

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at prices related to prevailing market prices; or

•

at negotiated prices.

 

For example, we may engage in at-the-market offerings into an existing trading market in accordance with Rule 415(a)(4) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). We may also sell securities through a rights offering, forward contracts or similar arrangements. In any distribution of subscription rights to stockholders, if all of the underlying securities are not subscribed for, we may then sell the unsubscribed securities directly to third parties or may engage the services of one or more underwriters, dealers or agents, including standby underwriters, to sell the unsubscribed securities to third parties.

 

The securities issued and sold under this prospectus will have no established trading market, other than our common stock, which is listed on the NYSE MKT. Any shares of our common stock sold pursuant to this prospectus will be eligible for listing and trading on the NYSE MKT, subject to official notice of issuance. Any underwriters to whom securities are sold by us for public offering and sale may make a market in the securities, but the underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. The securities, other than our common stock, may or may not be listed on a national securities exchange or other trading market.

 

We will describe the method of distribution of the securities in a prospectus supplement. We may directly solicit offers to purchase the securities offered by this prospectus. Agents designated by us from time to time may solicit offers to purchase the securities. We will name any agent involved in the offer of sale of the securities and set forth any commissions payable by us to an agent in a prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement, any agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment. Any agent may be deemed to be an “underwriter” of the securities as that term is defined in the Securities Act.

 

We may directly solicit offers to purchase the securities, and we may sell directly to institutional investors or others. These persons may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any resale of the securities. A prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any direct sales, including the terms of any bidding or auction process.

 

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

 

If we use an underwriter or underwriters in the sale of securities, we will execute an underwriting agreement with the underwriter or underwriters at the time we reach an agreement for sale. We will set forth in a prospectus supplement the names of the specific managing underwriter or underwriters, as well as any other underwriters, and the terms of the transactions, including compensation of the underwriters and dealers. This compensation may be in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions. Underwriters and others participating in any offering of the securities may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the securities. We will describe any of these activities in a prospectus supplement.

 

Agreements we enter into with agents, underwriters and dealers may entitle them to indemnification by us against specified liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution by us to payments they may be required to make in respect of these liabilities. A prospectus supplement will describe the terms and conditions of indemnification or contribution.

 

We may authorize underwriters, dealers and agents to solicit offers by certain institutional investors to purchase offered securities under contracts providing for payment and delivery on a future date specified in a prospectus supplement. The prospectus supplement will also describe the public offering price for the securities and the commission payable for solicitation of these delayed delivery contracts. Delayed delivery contracts will contain definite fixed price and quantity terms. The obligations of a purchase under these delayed delivery contracts will be subject to only two conditions:

 

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that the institution’s purchase of the securities at the time of delivery of the securities is not prohibited under the law of any jurisdiction to which the institution is subject; and

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that we shall have sold to the underwriters the total principal amount of the offered securities, less the principal amount covered by the delayed contracts.

 

To the extent permitted by and in accordance with Regulation M under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), in connection with an offering an underwriter may engage in over-allotments, stabilizing transactions, short covering transactions and penalty bids. Over-allotments involve sales in excess of the offering size, which creates a short position. Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum. Short covering transactions involve purchases of the securities in the open market after the distribution is completed to cover short positions. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a dealer when the securities originally sold by the dealer are purchased in a covering transaction to cover short positions. Those activities may cause the price of the securities to be higher than it would be otherwise. If commenced, the underwriters may discontinue any of the activities at any time.

 

To the extent permitted by and in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act, any underwriters who are qualified market makers on the NYSE MKT may engage in passive market making transactions in the securities on the NYSE MKT during the business day prior to the pricing of an offering, before the commencement of offers or sales of the securities. Passive market makers must comply with applicable volume and price limitations and must be identified as passive market makers. In general, a passive market maker must display its bid at a price not in excess of the highest independent bid for such security; if all independent bids are lowered below the passive market maker’s bid, however, the passive market maker’s bid must then be lowered when certain purchase limits are exceeded.

 

The specific terms of any lock-up provisions in respect of any given offering will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

The underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with us, or perform services for us, in the ordinary course of business for which they receive compensation.

 

No securities may be sold under this prospectus without delivery, in paper format, in electronic format on the Internet, or both, of the applicable prospectus supplement describing the method and terms of the offering.

 

DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK

 

The following description of our common stock, together with the additional information we include in any applicable prospectus supplement, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the common stock that we may offer under this prospectus. For the complete terms of our common stock, please refer to our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws that are filed as exhibits to our reports incorporated by reference into the registration statement that includes this prospectus. The Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”) may also affect the terms of our common stock.

 

Authorized and Outstanding Common Stock

 

Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that we have authority to issue 50,000,000 shares of our common stock, par value $0.0001 per share. As of May 22, 2017, there were 25,422,001 shares of common stock issued and outstanding, and there were outstanding warrants to purchase up to an additional 3,591,496 shares of our common stock, options to purchase 1,947,871 shares of our common stock and restricted stock units to acquire 54,300 shares of our common stock.

 

Listing

 

Our common stock is listed on the NYSE MKT under the symbol “RNN.”

 

Dividends

 

Our Board of Directors may authorize, and we may make, distributions to our common stockholders, subject to any restriction in our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and to those limitations prescribed by law. However, we have never paid cash dividends on our common stock or any other securities. We anticipate that we will retain all of our future earnings, if any, for use in the expansion and operation of our business and do not anticipate paying cash dividends in the foreseeable future.

 

Fully Paid and Non-Assessable

 

All shares of our outstanding common stock are fully paid and non-assessable.

 

Voting Rights

 

Each share of our common stock is entitled to one vote in each matter submitted to a vote at a meeting of stockholders including in all elections for directors; stockholders are not entitled to cumulative voting in the election for directors. Our stockholders may vote either in person or by proxy.

 

Preemptive and Other Rights

 

Holders of our common stock have no preemptive rights and have no other rights to subscribe for additional securities of the Company under Delaware law. Nor does the common stock have any conversion rights or rights of redemption (or, if any such rights have been granted in relation to the common stock, any such rights have been waived). Upon liquidation, all holders of our common stock are entitled to participate pro rata in our assets available for distribution, subject to the rights of any class of preferred stock then outstanding.

 

Stockholder Action by Written Consent; Meetings

 

Pursuant to our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, stockholders holding at least a majority of our voting stock may take action by written consent in lieu of voting at a meeting.

 

Our Amended and Restated Bylaws provide that we must hold an annual meeting of stockholders. Special meetings of our stockholders may be called at any time only by the Board of Directors or by the Chairman of the Board.

 

Transfer Agent and Registrar

 

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Olde Monmouth Stock Transfer Co., Inc.

 

Limitations of Director Liability

 

Delaware law authorizes corporations to limit or eliminate the personal liability of directors to corporations and their stockholders for monetary damages for breach of directors’ fiduciary duty of care. Although Delaware law does not change directors’ duty of care, it enables corporations to limit available relief to equitable remedies such as injunction or rescission. Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation limits the liability of our directors to us and our stockholders to the full extent permitted by Delaware law. Specifically, directors are not personally liable for monetary damages to us or our stockholders for breach of the director’s fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability for:

 

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any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to us or our stockholders;

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

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unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or redemptions; and

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any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.

 

Indemnification

 

To the maximum extent permitted by law, our Amended and Restated Bylaws provide for mandatory indemnification of directors and officers against any expense, liability or loss to which they may become subject, or which they may incur as a result of being or having been a director or officer. In addition, we must advance or reimburse directors and officers for expenses they incur in connection with indemnifiable claims. We also maintain directors’ and officers’ liability insurance.

 

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK

 

The following description of our preferred stock, together with the additional information we include in any applicable prospectus supplement, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the preferred stock that we may offer under this prospectus. For the complete terms of our preferred stock, please refer to our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws that are filed as exhibits to our reports incorporated by reference into the registration statement that includes this prospectus. The DGCL may also affect the terms of our preferred stock.

 

Preferred Stock That We May Offer and Sell to You

 

Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation authorizes our Board of Directors, without further stockholder action, to provide for the issuance of up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, in one or more classes or series and to fix the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions thereof, including dividend rights, dividend rates, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption, redemption prices, liquidation preferences and the number of shares constituting any series of the designation of such series, without further vote or action by the stockholders. We may amend from time to time our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of preferred stock. Any such amendment would require the approval of the holders of a majority of the voting power of all of the shares of capital stock entitled to vote for directors, without a vote of the holders of preferred stock or any series thereof unless any such holder is entitled to vote for directors or a vote of any such holder is otherwise required pursuant to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or certificates of designations establishing a series of preferred stock. As of the date of this prospectus, no shares of preferred stock are outstanding.

 

The particular terms of any series of preferred stock being offered by us under this shelf registration statement will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to that series of preferred stock.

 

Those terms may include:

 

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the title and liquidation preference per share of the preferred stock and the number of shares offered;

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the purchase price of the preferred stock;

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the dividend rate (or method of calculation), the dates on which dividends will be paid and the date from which dividends will begin to accumulate;

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any redemption or sinking fund provisions of the preferred stock;

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any conversion provisions of the preferred stock;

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the voting rights, if any, of the preferred stock; and

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any additional dividend, liquidation, redemption, sinking fund and other rights, preferences, privileges, limitations and restrictions of the preferred stock.

 

The preferred stock will, when issued, be fully paid and non-assessable.

 

The description of preferred stock above and the description of the terms of a particular series of preferred stock in any prospectus supplement are not complete. You should refer to the applicable certificate of designations for complete information. The prospectus supplement will also contain a description of U.S. federal income tax consequences relating to the preferred stock, if material.

 

Voting Rights

 

The DGCL provides that the holders of preferred stock will have the right to vote separately as a class on any proposal involving fundamental changes in the rights of holders of that preferred stock. This right is in addition to any voting rights that may be provided for in the applicable certificate of designations.

 

Other

 

Our issuance of preferred stock may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control. Our issuance of preferred stock could decrease the amount of earnings and assets available for distribution to the holders of common stock or other preferred stock or could adversely affect the rights and powers, including voting rights, of the holders of common stock or other preferred stock. The issuance of preferred stock could have the effect of decreasing the market price of our common stock.

 

Transfer Agent and Registrar

 

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

 

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

 

The following description of our warrants, together with the additional information we may include in any applicable prospectus supplement, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the warrants that we may offer under this prospectus and the related warrant agreements and warrant certificates. While the terms summarized below will apply generally to any warrants we may offer, we will describe the particular terms of any series of warrants in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement.  As of May 22, 2017, we had outstanding warrants to purchase up to 3,591,496 shares of common stock, having exercise prices ranging from $3.00 to $12.80 and expiration dates from December 4, 2017 to March 19, 2022. Those warrants are not related to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part and the shares issued to the warrant holders upon exercise will not be issued pursuant to this prospectus or the registration statement.

 

We may issue warrants for the purchase of shares of our common stock or preferred stock. Warrants may be issued independently or together with the shares of common stock or preferred stock offered by any prospectus supplement to this prospectus and may be attached to or separate from such shares. Further terms of the warrants will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the warrants in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered, including, where applicable, the following:

 

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the title of such warrants;

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the aggregate number of such warrants;

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

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the designation, terms and number of shares of common stock or preferred stock purchasable upon exercise of such warrants;

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the designation and terms of the shares of common stock or preferred stock with which such warrants are issued and the number of such warrants issued with such shares;

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the date on and after which such warrants and the related common stock or preferred stock will be separately transferable, including any limitations on ownership and transfer of such warrants;

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the price at which each share of common stock or preferred stock purchasable upon exercise of such warrants may be purchased;

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

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

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

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a discussion of certain federal income tax consequences; and

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

 

This summary of the warrants is not complete. We urge you to read the warrants filed as exhibits to the registration statement that includes this prospectus and the description of the additional terms of the warrants included in the prospectus supplement.

 

Before exercising their warrants, holders of warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities purchasable upon such exercise, including the right to receive dividends, if any, or payments upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up or to exercise voting rights, if any.

 

Exercise of Warrants

 

Each warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase for cash the number of shares of common stock and the number of shares of preferred stock at the exercise price as shall in each case be set forth in, or be determinable as set forth in, the applicable prospectus supplement. Warrants may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will become void.

 

Warrants may be exercised as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to the warrants offered thereby. Upon receipt of payment and the warrant certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent, if any, or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will, as soon as practicable, forward the purchased securities. If less than all of the warrants represented by the warrant certificate are exercised, a new warrant certificate will be issued for the remaining warrants. Holders of warrants will be required to pay any tax or governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with transferring the underlying securities in connection with the exercise of the warrants.

 

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

 

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

 

We may, from time to time, issue units comprised of one or more of the other securities that may be offered under this prospectus, in any combination. Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. The unit agreement under which a unit is issued may provide that the securities included in the unit may not be held or transferred separately at any time or at any time before a specified date.

 

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the following terms of the units in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered:

 

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

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

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

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

 

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

 

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO COMBINED FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS

 

The table below presents the ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends and the coverage deficiency for the last five fiscal years and the three months ended March 31, 2017.

 

		For the				For the Year Ended December 31,
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2017				2016				2015				2014				2013				2012
Ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends		Deficiency				Deficiency				Deficiency				Deficiency				Deficiency				Deficiency
Deficiency (in thousands)		$	(21,611	)		$	(9,307	)		$	(14,385	)		$	(18,522	)		$	(9,499	)		$	(6,227	)

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2017 and the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013 and 2012, earnings are inadequate to cover fixed charges and the dollar amount of the coverage deficiency is disclosed in the above table, in thousands.

 

 

This prospectus incorporates by reference the documents listed below that we previously have filed with the SEC (other than, in each case, documents or information deemed to have been "furnished" and not "filed" in accordance with SEC rules). These documents contain important information about us.

 

•

our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 (File No. 001-34079);

•

our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2017 (File No. 001-34079);

•

our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on April 13, 2017 and May 5, 2017 (File No. 001-34079); and

•

the description of our Common Stock contained in our Form 8-A (File No. 001-34079), as filed with the SEC pursuant to Sections 12(b) and 12(g) of the Exchange Act on May 23, 2008.

 

In addition, all documents that we file with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of the initial registration statement of which this prospectus is a part and all such documents that we file with the SEC after the date of this prospectus and before the termination of the offering of our securities shall be deemed incorporated by reference into this prospectus and to be a part of this prospectus from the respective dates of filing such documents. Unless specifically stated to the contrary, none of the information that we disclose under Items 2.02 or 7.01 of any Current Report on Form 8-K that we may from time to time furnish to the SEC will be incorporated by reference into, or otherwise included in, this prospectus.

 

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

 

You can obtain a copy of any or all of the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus (other than an exhibit to a document unless that exhibit is specifically incorporated by reference into that document) from the SEC on its website at http://www.sec.gov. You also can obtain these documents from us without charge by visiting our website http://www.rexahn.com or by requesting them in writing or by telephone at:

 

Tae Heum (Ted) Jeong

Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

Rexahn Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

15245 Shady Grove Road, Suite 455

Rockville, Maryland 20850

(240) 268-5300

 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

 

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement under the Securities Act that registers the distribution of the securities offered under this prospectus. The registration statement, including the attached exhibits and schedules and the information incorporated by reference, contains additional relevant information about the securities and us. The rules and regulations of the SEC allow us to omit from this prospectus certain information included in the registration statement. In addition, we file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy this information and the registration statement at the SEC public reference room located at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for more information about the operation of the public reference room.

 

In addition, the SEC maintains an Internet website that contains reports, proxy statements and other information about issuers of securities, like us, who file such material electronically with the SEC. The address of that website is http://www.sec.gov. We also maintain a website at http://www.rexahn.com, which provides additional information about us. The contents of our website, however, are not a part of, or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus.

 

LEGAL MATTERS

 

Hogan Lovells US LLP, Baltimore, Maryland, has passed upon certain legal matters in connection with the securities offered hereby.

 

EXPERTS

 

The financial statements of the Company appearing in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016, have been audited by Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

Item 14.

Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

 

The following table sets forth the estimated costs and expenses in connection with the sale and distribution of the securities being registered, all of which will be paid by us.

 

SEC registration fee		$	17,385
Accounting fees and expenses			7,000	*
Printing fees and expenses			1,000	*
Legal fees and expenses			40,000	*
Miscellaneous expenses			5,000	*
Total		$	70,385	*

 

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*       Because the amount of securities and number of offerings are indeterminable, all expenses are estimated except for the SEC  registration fee.

 

Item 15.

Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

 

Delaware General Corporation Law

 

Section 145(a) of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”) provides that a corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, 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, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the person’s conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that the person’s conduct was unlawful.

 

Section 145(b) of the DGCL states that a corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, 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, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which the person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Delaware Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, the person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses as the Delaware Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.

 

Section 145(c) of the DGCL provides that to the extent that a present or former director or officer of a corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in subsections (a) and (b) of Section 145, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith.

 

Section 145(d) of the DGCL states that any indemnification under subsections (a) and (b) of Section 145 (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the present or former director, officer, employee or agent is proper in the circumstances because the person has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in subsections (a) and (b) of Section 145. Such determination shall be made with respect to a person who is a director or officer at the time of such determination (i) by a majority vote of the directors who are not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, even though less than a quorum, (ii) by a committee of such directors designated by majority vote of such directors, even though less than a quorum, (iii) if there are no such directors, or if such directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion or (iv) by the stockholders.

 

Section 145(f) of the DGCL states that the indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, the other subsections of Section 145 shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in such person’s official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office.

 

Section 145(g) of the DGCL provides that a corporation shall have the power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, 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, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity or arising out of such person’s status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under the provisions of Section 145.

 

Section 145(j) of the DGCL states that the indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, Section 145 shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.

 

Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws

 

We have adopted provisions in our Amended and Restated Bylaws that provide for indemnification of our officers and directors to the maximum extent permitted under the DGCL. As authorized by the DGCL, our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation limits the liability of our directors for monetary damages. The effect of this provision is to eliminate our rights and that of our stockholders to recover monetary damages against a director for breach of the fiduciary duty of care as a director except in certain limited situations. This provision does not limit or eliminate our rights or that of any stockholder to seek non-monetary relief such as an injunction or rescission in the event of a breach of a director’s duty of care. These provisions will not alter the liability of directors under federal securities laws.

 

Insurance Policy

 

We have purchased an insurance policy that purports to insure our officers and directors against certain liabilities incurred by them in the discharge of their functions as such officers and directors.

 

The foregoing descriptions are only general summaries.

 

Item 16.

Exhibits

 

The exhibits listed on the Index to Exhibits of this registration statement are filed herewith or are incorporated herein by reference to other filings.

 

Item 17.

Undertakings

 

(a)           The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

 

(1)   To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

 

(i)    To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;

 

(ii)   To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and

 

(iii)  To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

 

provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii), and (a)(1)(iii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

 

(2)   That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

(3)   To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

 

(5)   That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser:

 

(A)  Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

 

(B)  Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.

 

(6)   That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities:

 

The undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

 

(i)    Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

 

(ii)   Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;

 

(iii)  The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and

 

(iv)  Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

 

(b)           The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

(h)           Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Rockville, State of Maryland, on May 26, 2017.

 

	REXAHN PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
	By:	/s/ Peter D. Suzdak
		Peter D. Suzdak
		Chief Executive Officer

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated and on May 26, 2017.

 

Name		Title
/s/ Peter D. Suzdak
Peter D. Suzdak		Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ Tae Heum Jeong
Tae Heum Jeong		Chief Financial Officer and Secretary (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)
*
Peter Brandt		Chairman
*
Chang H. Ahn		Director
*
Charles Beever		Director
*
Mark Carthy		Director
*
Kwang Soo Cheong		Director
*
Richard J. Rodgers		Director

*  By:	/s/ Tae Heum Jeong
	Tae Heum Jeong
	Attorney-in-Fact

 

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

The following documents are filed herewith (unless otherwise indicated) and made a part of this registration statement.

 

Exhibit Number		Description
1.1*		Form of Underwriting Agreement.
3.1		Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Appendix G to the registrant’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A (File No. 000-50590) filed on April 29, 2005).
3.2		Certificate of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-34079) filed on May 5, 2017).
3.3		Amended and Restated Bylaws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-34079) filed on March 21, 2014).
4.1		Specimen Common Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-129294) filed on October 28, 2005).
4.2*		Certificate of Designations of Preferred Stock.
4.3*		Form of Preferred Stock Certificate.
4.4*		Form of Warrant.
4.5*		Form of Warrant Agreement.
4.6*		Form of Unit.
4.7*		Form of Unit Agreement.
5.1		Opinion of Hogan Lovells US LLP.
12.1		Statement Regarding the Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends.
23.1		Consent of Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP.
23.2		Consent of Hogan Lovells US LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).
24.1		Power of Attorney.

 

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*	To be filed, if necessary, by amendment or incorporated by reference as an exhibit to a report pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, in connection with the offering of specific securities.

 

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