PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(To Prospectus dated September 30, 2024) |
Filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration Statement No. 333-281062 |
Up to $20,000,000
Common Stock
We previously entered into
an Open Market Sale AgreementSM (the “Sale Agreement”) with Jefferies LLC (“Jefferies” or the “Agent”),
dated December 30, 2021, relating to the sale of shares of our common stock, $0.001 par value per share (the “Common Stock”),
that we may offer from time to time through Jefferies as our sales agent. This prospectus supplement registers for sale under our registration
statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-281062) (the “Registration Statement”), which was declared effective by the Securities
and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on September 30, 2024, $20 million shares of our Common Stock that we may offer and
sell from time to time through Jefferies, acting as our sales agent, in accordance with the terms of the Sale Agreement.
Sales of our Common Stock,
if any, under this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus may be made in sales deemed to be “at the market offerings”
as defined in Rule 415(a)(4) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Jefferies is
not required to sell any specific amount of securities but will act as our sales agent using commercially reasonable efforts consistent
with its normal trading and sales practices, on mutually agreed terms between the Jefferies and us. There is no arrangement for funds
to be received in any escrow, trust or similar arrangement.
Jefferies will be entitled
to compensation at a commission rate equal to 3.0% of the gross sales price per share of Common Stock sold pursuant to the terms of the
Sale Agreement. In connection with the sale of the Common Stock on our behalf, the Jefferies will be deemed to be an “underwriter”
within the meaning of the Securities Act and the compensation of the Agent will be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts.
We also have agreed to provide indemnification and contribution to the Jefferies with respect to certain liabilities, including liabilities
under the Securities Act or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). See “Plan of Distribution”
beginning on page S-12 for additional information regarding the compensation to be paid to the Jefferies.
Our Common Stock is listed
on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “CTSO.” The last reported sale price of our Common Stock on September 30, 2024
was $1.50 per share.
Investing in our Common
Stock involves significant risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-8 of this prospectus supplement and in the documents
incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement for a discussion of the factors you should consider before deciding to purchase
our Common Stock.
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 supplement or the accompanying prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Jefferies
The date of this prospectus supplement is October
1, 2024.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Prospectus Supplement
Prospectus
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
This prospectus supplement
and the accompanying prospectus relates to the offering of shares of our Common Stock. Before buying any shares of our Common Stock offered
hereby, we urge you to read carefully this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, and any free writing prospectus that we
have authorized for use in connection with this offering, together with the information incorporated herein by reference as described
under the headings “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation by Reference.” These documents contain
important information that you should consider when making your investment decision. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus
contains information about the Common Stock offered hereby.
You should rely only on the
information that we have provided or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. We have not,
and the Agent has not, authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or
inconsistent information, you should not rely on it.
This document is in two parts.
The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes the terms of this offering and also adds to and updates information contained
in the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.
The second part, the accompanying prospectus dated September 30, 2024, including the documents incorporated by reference therein, provides
more general information, some of which may not apply to this offering. Generally, when we refer to this prospectus, we are referring
to both parts of this document combined. To the extent there is a conflict between (i) the information contained in this prospectus supplement
and (ii) the information contained in the accompanying prospectus or in any document incorporated by reference that was filed with the
SEC before the date of this prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in this prospectus supplement. If any statement
in one of these documents is inconsistent with a statement in another document having a later date — for example, a document incorporated
by reference in the accompanying prospectus — the statement in the document having the later date modifies or supersedes the earlier
statement.
We are not making offers to
sell or solicitations to buy our Common Stock in any jurisdiction in which an offer or solicitation is not authorized or in which the
person making that offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so or to anyone to whom it is unlawful to make an offer or solicitation.
You should assume that the information in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or any related free writing prospectus
is accurate only as of the date on the front of the document and that any information that we have incorporated by reference is accurate
only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus supplement or any
related free writing prospectus, or any sale of a security.
This prospectus supplement
includes our trademarks and trade names, such as “CytoSorb,” “CytoSorb XL,” “ECOS-300CY,” “BetaSorb,”
“ContrastSorb,” “DrugSorb,” “DrugSorb-ATR,” “HemoDefend-RBC,” “HemoDefend-BGA, “K+ontrol”
and “VetResQ,” which are protected under applicable intellectual property laws and are the property of CytoSorbents Corporation
and its subsidiaries. This prospectus supplement also contains the trademarks, trade names and service marks of other companies, which
are the property of their respective owners. Solely for convenience, trademarks, trade names and service marks referred to in this prospectus
may appear without the ™, ®, or SM symbols, but such references are not intended to indicate, in any way, that we will not assert,
to the fullest extent under applicable law, our rights or the rights of the applicable licensor to these trademarks, trade names and service
marks. We do not intend our use or display of other parties’ trademarks, trade names or service marks to imply, and such use or
display should not be construed to imply, a relationship with, or endorsement or sponsorship of us by, these other parties.
Unless the context otherwise
indicates, references in this prospectus supplement to “we,” “our” and “us” collectively refer to
CytoSorbents Corporation, a Delaware corporation.
MARKET DATA
This prospectus supplement
and the documents incorporated by reference herein include market and industry data and forecasts concerning our business and the markets
in which we operate, including data regarding the estimated size of those markets and the prevalence of certain medical conditions, that
we have derived from independent consultant reports, publicly available information, various industry, medical and general publications,
other published industry sources, government data and our internal data and estimates. Independent consultant reports, industry publications
and other published industry sources generally indicate that the information contained therein was obtained from sources believed to be
reliable. Our internal data and estimates are based upon information obtained from trade and business organizations and other contacts
in the markets in which we operate and our management’s understanding of industry conditions.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus supplement,
the accompanying prospectus or any related free writing prospectus, and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein may
contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities
Act, Section 21E of the Exchange Act, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements
only provide our current expectations or forecasts of future events and financial performance and may be identified by the use of forward-looking
terminology, including the terms “believes,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “plans,”
“intends,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “predicts,” or the
negative thereof, or other variations or comparable terminology, though the absence of these words does not necessarily mean that a statement
is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements include all matters that are not historical facts and include, without limitation,
statements concerning possible or assumed future results of our operations; business strategies; future cash flows; financing plans; plans
and objectives of management; any other statements regarding future operations, future cash needs, business plans and future financial
results, and any other statements that are not historical facts. You should be aware that the forward-looking statements included herein
represent management’s current judgment and expectations, but our actual results, events and performance could differ materially
from those in the forward-looking statements.
You should read carefully
the risks described in the section entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-8 of this prospectus supplement and those contained
in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for our most recent fiscal year, in any Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q that have been filed
since our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and in any other documents that we file with the SEC under the Exchange Act, each
of which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement the accompanying prospectus and in any related free writing prospectus,
together with all information incorporated by reference herein and therein, to better understand the significant risks and uncertainties
inherent in our business and underlying any forward-looking statements. As a result of these risks, actual results could differ materially
and adversely from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus
and in any related free writing prospectus, or incorporated by reference herein and therein, and you should not place undue reliance on
any forward-looking statements.
Any forward-looking statements
that we make in this prospectus supplement speak only as of the date of such statements and we undertake no obligation to publicly update
any forward-looking statements or to publicly announce revisions to any of the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise.
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. This summary is not complete and does not contain all of the information that you should consider before deciding whether
to invest in our Common Stock. For a more complete understanding of 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 in this prospectus supplement, and the information included in any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use
in connection with this offering, including the information under the heading “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-8 and in
the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement.
Our Business
We are a leader in the treatment
of life-threatening conditions in the intensive care (“ICU”) and cardiac surgery using blood purification via our proprietary
polymer adsorption technology. We have a number of products commercialized and in development based on this technology platform. Our
flagship product, CytoSorb, is already commercialized, and is being used to reduce deadly uncontrolled inflammation and dangerous substances
in hospitalized patients around the world, with the goal of preventing or treating multiple organ failure, bleeding due to antithrombotic
drugs, and other potentially fatal complications. Organ failure is the cause of nearly half of all deaths in the ICU, with little to
improve clinical outcome. CytoSorb is approved in the European Union (“EU”) as an effective extracorporeal cytokine absorber,
designed to reduce the “cytokine storm” or “cytokine release syndrome” that could otherwise cause massive inflammation,
organ failure and death in common critical illnesses such as sepsis, burn injury, trauma, lung injury, liver failure, cytokine release
syndrome due to cancer immunotherapy, and pancreatitis. These are conditions where the mortality is extremely high, yet few to no effective
treatments exist. In May 2018, we received a label expansion for CytoSorb covering use of the device for the removal of bilirubin and
myoglobin in the treatment of liver disease and trauma, respectively. In January 2020, we received CE-Mark label expansion for CytoSorb
covering the use of the device for the removal of the anti-platelet agent, ticagrelor, in patients undergoing surgery requiring cardiopulmonary
bypass. In April 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) granted Breakthrough Device Designation to CytoSorb
for the removal of ticagrelor in a cardiopulmonary bypass circuit during emergent and urgent cardiothoracic surgery. In May 2020, we
received a CE-Mark label expansion for CytoSorb for the removal of rivaroxaban during cardiothoracic surgery requiring cardiopulmonary
bypass. In August 2021, we announced that we were granted a second Breakthrough Device Designation for its DrugSorb-ATR Antithrombotic
Removal System by the FDA to remove the direct oral anticoagulants, rivaroxaban and apixaban. We have completed our pivotal randomized,
controlled clinical trial in the U.S. and Canada, called the STAR-T trial, evaluating the use of DrugSorb-ATR during cardiothoracic surgery
to prevent or reduce perioperative bleeding complications in pursuit of FDA and Health Canada marketing approval. We believe that the
safety and efficacy results of the STAR-T trial will support our recently submitted DrugSorb ATR medical device De Novo marketing application
to the FDA to reduce the severity of perioperative bleeding
in patients on ticagrelor undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Given that the FDA has previously granted Breakthrough Device
Designation to DrugSorb-ATR to address this major unmet medical need, it is eligible for priority review.
CytoSorb is used during and
after cardiac surgery to remove inflammatory mediators, such as cytokines, activated complement, and free hemoglobin that can lead to
post-operative complications such as acute kidney injury, lung injury, shock, and stroke. We believe CytoSorb has the potential to be
used in many other inflammatory conditions, including the treatment of autoimmune disease flares, cytokine release syndrome in cancer
immunotherapy, and other applications in cancer, such as cancer cachexia. CytoSorb has been used globally in more than 248,000 human treatments
to date in critical illnesses and in cardiac surgery. CytoSorb has received CE-Mark label expansions for the removal of bilirubin (liver
disease), myoglobin (trauma) and both ticagrelor and rivaroxaban during cardiothoracic surgery. CytoSorb has also received FDA Emergency
Use Authorization (“EUA”) in the United States for use in critically-ill COVID-19 patients with imminent or confirmed respiratory
failure, in defined circumstances. The EUA will be effective until a declaration is made that the circumstances justifying the EUA have
terminated or until revoked by the FDA. CytoSorb has been used globally in more than 7,650 human treatments to date in COVID-19 patients.
CytoSorb has also been granted FDA Breakthrough Designation for the removal of ticagrelor in a cardiopulmonary bypass circuit during emergent
and urgent cardiothoracic surgery.
CytoSorb was also granted
a second FDA Breakthrough Device designation for the removal of the Direct Oral Anticoagulants (DOACs) apixaban and rivaroxaban in a cardiopulmonary
bypass circuit to reduce the likelihood of serious perioperative bleeding during urgent cardiothoracic surgery.
We are focusing on three key
objectives that we believe are the key to driving sustainable, long-term growth:
| · | open the U.S. and Canadian markets by obtaining FDA and Health Canada marketing approval for DrugSorb-ATR
to reduce the perioperative bleeding risk caused by Brilinta and in the future, potentially other blood thinning drugs, in patients undergoing
cardiothoracic surgery; |
| · | grow core CytoSorb sales to profitability, driven by numerous internal initiatives; and |
| · | reduce cash burn and maintain tight control over expenses. |
Our purification technologies
are based on biocompatible, highly porous polymer beads that can actively remove toxic substances from blood and other bodily fluids by
pore capture and surface adsorption. The technology is protected by 22 issued U.S. patents and multiple international patents, with applications
pending both in the U.S. and internationally. We have numerous other product candidates under development based upon this unique blood
purification technology, including CytoSorb XL, K+ontrol, HemoDefend-RBC, HemoDefend-BGA, ContrastSorb, DrugSorb, DrugSorb-ATR
and others.
Our proprietary polymer technologies
form the basis of a broad technology portfolio. Some of our products and product candidates include:
| · | CytoSorb — an extracorporeal hemoperfusion cartridge approved in the EU for cytokine, bilirubin,
myoglobin, and antithrombotic drug removal, with the goal of reducing deadly inflammation and toxic substances that can cause serious
complications such as bleeding, organ failure, and death. |
| · | DrugSorb-ATR — an investigational extracorporeal antithrombotic removal system based on the same
polymer technology as CytoSorb that was evaluated in the U.S. and Canadian STAR-T pivotal randomized, controlled trial to reduce perioperative
bleeding complications in patients undergoing cardiothoracic surgery while on the antithrombotic drug Brilinta. |
| · | ECOS-300CY — an adsorption cartridge approved in the EU for use with ex vivo organ perfusion
systems to remove cytokines and other inflammatory mediators in the organ perfusate, with the goal of maintaining or improving solid organ
function prior to transplant and improving postoperative outcomes. In 2021, commercialization of PerSorb (a private label version of ECOS-300CY)
and Aferetica’s PerLife ex vivo organ perfusion system commenced in Italy. |
| · | CytoSorb XL — an intended next generation successor to CytoSorb currently in advanced pre-clinical
testing designed to reduce a broad range of cytokines and inflammatory mediators, including lipopolysaccharide endotoxin, from blood. |
| · | VetResQ — a broad spectrum blood purification adsorber designed to help treat deadly inflammation
and toxic injury in animals with critical illnesses such as septic shock, toxic shock syndrome, severe systemic inflammation, toxin-mediated
diseases, pancreatitis, trauma, liver failure, and drug intoxication. VetResQ is being commercialized in the United States. |
| · | HemoDefend-RBC—a development-stage blood purification technology designed to remove non-infectious
contaminants in blood transfusion products, with the goal of reducing transfusion reactions and improving the quality and safety of blood. |
| · | HemoDefend-BGA—a development-stage purification technology that can remove anti-A and anti-B antibodies
from plasma and whole blood, to enable “universal plasma” and safer whole blood transfusions, respectively. |
| · | K+ontrol—a development-stage blood purification technology designed to reduce excessive
levels of potassium in the blood that can be fatal in severe hyperkalemia. |
| · | ContrastSorb—a development-stage extracorporeal hemoperfusion cartridge designed to remove IV contrast
from the blood of high-risk patients undergoing radiological imaging with contrast, or interventional radiology procedures such as cardiac
catheterization and angioplasty. The goal of ContrastSorb is to prevent contrast-induced nephropathy. |
| · | DrugSorb—a development-stage extracorporeal hemoperfusion cartridge designed to remove toxic chemicals
from the blood (e.g., drug overdose, high dose regional chemotherapy). |
| · | BetaSorb—a development-stage extracorporeal hemoperfusion cartridge designed to remove mid-molecular
weight toxins, such as b2-microglobulin, that standard high-flux dialysis cannot remove effectively. The goal of BetaSorb is to improve
the efficacy of dialysis or hemofiltration. |
Business Update
| · | We recently submitted a DrugSorb ATR medical device De Novo marketing application to the FDA to reduce the severity of perioperative bleeding in patients
on ticagrelor undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Given that the FDA has previously granted Breakthrough Device Designation
to DrugSorb-ATR to address this major unmet medical need, it is eligible for priority review. We have also completed our DrugSorb-ATR Health Canada Medical Device License application, which will be submitted
with the expected near-term receipt of Medical Device Single Audit Program certification. |
| · | We estimate that our Q3 2024 Product Sales (excluding grant income)
will be in the range of approximately $8.3 million to $8.5 million, representing growth of 7% to 10%, versus $7.8 million in Q3 2023. |
| · | A planned temporary slowdown in production to rebalance inventory levels coupled with a short-term
manufacturing issue resulted in a significantly lower number of CytoSorb devices produced in the quarter. Because of this, we
estimate that our product gross margins for Q3 2024 will be in the range of approximately 50% - 60%, compared to 71% in Q3
2023. The Company believes the short-term manufacturing issue has been resolved and expects a return to more normalized production
levels and product gross margins in Q4 2024. The Company continues to have sufficient inventory to meet demand. |
Corporate Information
Our executive offices are
located at 305 College Road East, Princeton, New Jersey 08540, and our telephone number is (732) 329-8885. Our website address is http://www.cytosorbents.com.
We have included our website address as an inactive textual reference only. We are not including the information contained at http://www.cytosorbents.com,
or at any other website address, as part of, or incorporating it by reference into, this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement
or related free writing prospectus.
THE OFFERING
Common Stock
offered by us: |
Shares of Common Stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $20,000,000. |
Common Stock to
be outstanding after
this offering: |
Up to 67,639,748 shares, assuming sales of 13,333,333 shares of Common Stock
in this offering at an offering price of $1.50 per share, which was the last reported sale price of our Common Stock on the Nasdaq
Capital Market on September 30, 2024. The actual number of shares of our Common Stock issued will vary depending on the sales price
under this offering. |
Plan of Distribution: |
“At the market offering” made from time to time through our sales agent, Jefferies LLC. See “Plan of Distribution” beginning on page S-12 of this prospectus supplement. |
Use of Proceeds: |
We intend to use the net proceeds received from the sale of our Common Stock for general corporate purposes that include, but are not limited to, funding clinical studies in the United States and abroad, supporting manufacturing, supporting our sales and marketing efforts, repaying debt, and further developing our products, and we will retain broad discretion with respect to the allocation thereof. See “Use of Proceeds” on page S-10. |
Risk Factors: |
See “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-8 of this prospectus supplement and the other information included in, or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus supplement for a discussion of certain factors you should carefully consider before deciding to invest in shares of our Common Stock. |
Nasdaq Capital
Market symbol |
“CTSO” |
The number of shares of Common Stock to be outstanding
after this offering, as set forth above, is based on 54,306,415 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of June 30, 2024, which amount excludes:
| · | 12,474,838 aggregate shares of our Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of stock options outstanding
under our Amended and Restated CytoSorbents Corporation 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “LTIP”) and our 2006 Long-Term
Incentive Plan (the “2006 LTIP”) as of June 30, 2024, at a weighted-average exercise price of $3.62 per share, 5,385,858 options
of which were exercisable as of such date; |
| · | 743,505 shares of our Common Stock underlying non-vested restricted stock units outstanding under our
LTIP as of June 30, 2024, excluding restricted stock units that will only vest upon a “Change of Control” as defined
in our LTIP; |
| · | 4,358,914 shares of our Common Stock reserved for future awards under our LTIP as of June 30, 2024; |
| · | 4,352,130 warrants outstanding as of June 30, 2024; and |
| · | 2,696,000 Change of Control restricted stock units as of June 30, 2024, which would only vest upon a Change
of Control to the Company, as defined in our LTIP. |
RISK FACTORS
An investment in our Common
Stock involves a high degree of risk. Before deciding whether to invest in our Common Stock, you should carefully consider the risks described
below and discussed under the sections captioned “Risk Factors” contained in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as
well as in any of our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety, together
with other information in this prospectus supplement, the information and documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement,
in the accompanying prospectus and in any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering. If
any of these risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flow could be seriously harmed. This
could cause the trading price of our Common Stock to decline, resulting in a loss of all or part of your investment.
We have broad discretion in the use of the
net proceeds of this offering and, despite our efforts, we may use the proceeds in a manner that does not improve our operating results
or increase the value of your investment.
We currently anticipate that
the net proceeds from the sale of our Common Stock will be used primarily for general corporate purposes that include, but are not limited
to, funding clinical studies in the United States and abroad, supporting manufacturing, supporting our sales and marketing efforts, repaying
debt, and further developing our products. However, we have not determined the specific allocation of the net proceeds among these potential
uses. Our management will have broad discretion over the use and investment of the net proceeds of this offering, and, accordingly, investors
in this offering will need to rely upon the judgment of our management with respect to the use of proceeds, with only limited information
concerning our specific intentions. These proceeds could be applied in ways that do not improve our operating results or increase the
value of your investment. Please see the section entitled “Use of Proceeds” on page S-10 for further information.
If you purchase Common Stock in this offering,
you may experience immediate dilution. You may also experience dilution as a result of future issuances of Common Stock or other equity
securities.
Because the prices per share
of our Common Stock being offered may be higher than the book value per share of our Common Stock, you may suffer immediate substantial
dilution in the net tangible book value of the Common Stock if you purchase in this offering. See the section entitled “Dilution”
on page S-12 for a more detailed discussion of the dilution you may incur if you purchase Common Stock in this offering.
In addition, in order to raise
additional capital, we may in the future offer, issue or sell additional shares of Common Stock or other securities convertible into or
exchangeable for shares of our Common Stock. We cannot assure you that we will be able to sell shares or other securities in any other
transaction at a price per share or that have an exercise price or conversion price per share that is equal to or greater than the prices
for the Common Stock purchased by investors in this offering, and investors purchasing shares or other securities in the future could
have rights superior to existing stockholders. If we sell shares or other securities in any future transaction at a price per share or
that have an exercise price or conversion price per share that is less than the price you pay for shares of Common Stock in this offering,
you will experience dilution.
Moreover, if outstanding options
or warrants are exercised at prices per share that are less than the price you pay in this offering, or shares of Common Stock issue upon
the vesting of outstanding restricted stock units, or if we issue options or warrants to purchase, or securities convertible into or exchangeable
for, shares of our Common Stock in the future at a price per share that is less than the price you pay in this offering and such options,
warrants or other securities are exercised, converted or exchanged, you will experience further dilution.
Sales of a significant number of shares of
our Common Stock in the public markets, or the perception that such sales could occur, could depress the market price of our Common Stock.
Sales of a substantial number
of shares of our Common Stock in the public markets could depress the market price of our Common Stock, which could impair your ability
to sell any shares of Common Stock that you purchase in this offering at prices above the price you pay in this offering and impair our
ability to raise capital through the sale of additional equity securities. We cannot predict the effect that future sales of our Common
Stock would have on the market price of our Common Stock.
We do not intend to pay any cash dividends
on our Common Stock in the foreseeable future and, therefore, any return on your investment in our Common Stock must come from increases
in the fair market value and trading price of our Common Stock.
We do not intend to pay any
cash dividends on our Common Stock in the foreseeable future and, therefore, any return on your investment in our Common Stock must come
from increases in the fair market value and trading price of our Common Stock.
The shares of our Common Stock offered hereby
will be sold in “at the market” offerings, and investors who buy shares of our Common Stock at different times will likely
pay different prices.
Investors who purchase shares
of Common Stock in this offering at different times will likely pay different prices, and so may experience different levels of dilution
and different outcomes in their investment results. We will have discretion, subject to market demand, to vary the timing, prices, and
numbers of shares of Common Stock sold in this offering. In addition, subject to the final determination by our board of directors or
a committee thereof, there is no minimum or maximum sales price for ordinary shares to be sold in this offering. Investors may experience
a decline in the value of the ordinary shares they purchase in this offering as a result of sales made at prices lower than the prices
they paid.
USE OF PROCEEDS
We may issue and sell shares
of our Common Stock having aggregate sales proceeds of up to $20,000,000 from time to time. Because there is no minimum offering amount
required as a condition to close this offering, the actual total public offering amount, commissions and proceeds to us, if any, are not
determinable at this time.
We currently estimate that
we will use the net proceeds from this offering general corporate purposes that include, but are not limited to, funding clinical studies
in the United States and abroad, supporting manufacturing, supporting our sales and marketing efforts, repaying debt, and further developing
our products.
The amounts and timing of
our actual expenditures will depend on numerous factors, including the progress of our clinical trials and other development efforts and
other factors described under “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-8 in this prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated
by reference herein, as well as the amount of cash used in our operations. We may find it necessary or advisable to use the net proceeds
for other purposes, and we will have broad discretion in the application of the net proceeds. Pending the uses described above, we may
invest the net proceeds from this offering in investment-grade, interest-bearing securities.
DILUTION
If you invest in our Common
Stock, your interest will be diluted to the extent of the difference between the price per share you pay in this offering and the net
tangible book value per share of our Common Stock immediately after this offering. Our net tangible book value of our Common Stock as
of June 30, 2024 was approximately $13.0 million, or approximately $0.24 per share of Common Stock based upon 54,306,415 shares outstanding.
Net tangible book value per share is equal to our total tangible assets, less our total liabilities, divided by the total number of shares
outstanding as of June 30, 2024.
After giving effect to the
sale of our Common Stock in the aggregate amount of $20,000,000 at an assumed offering price of $1.50 per share, the last reported
sale price of our Common Stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market on September 30, 2024, and after deducting commissions and estimated offering
expenses payable by us, our as adjusted net tangible book value as of June 30, 2024 would have been approximately $32.3 million, or $0.48
per share of Common Stock. This represents an immediate increase in net tangible book value of $0.24 per share to our existing stockholders
and an immediate dilution in net tangible book value of $1.02 per share to new investors in this offering. The following table illustrates
this calculation on a per share basis. The as adjusted information is illustrative only and will adjust based on the actual prices to
the public, the actual number of shares sold and other terms of the offering determined at the times shares of our Common Stock are sold
pursuant to this prospectus supplement. The shares of our Common Stock sold in this offering, if any, will be sold from time to time
at various prices.
Assumed public offering price per share | |
| | | |
$ | 1.50 | |
Net tangible book value per share as June 30, 2024 | |
$ | 0.24 | | |
| | |
Increase in net tangible book value per share attributable to the offering | |
$ | 0.24 | | |
| | |
As adjusted net tangible book value per share after giving effect to this offering | |
| | | |
$ | 0.48 | |
Dilution per share to new investors participating in the offering | |
| | | |
$ | 1.02 | |
The number of shares of Common
Stock to be outstanding after this offering, as set forth above, is based on 54,306,415 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of June
30, 2024, which amount excludes:
| · | 12,474,838 aggregate shares of our Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of stock options outstanding
under the LTIP and the 2006 LTIP as of June 30, 2024, at a weighted-average exercise price of $3.62 per share, 5,385,858 options of which
were exercisable as of such date; |
| · | 743,505 shares of our Common Stock underlying non-vested restricted stock units outstanding under our
LTIP as of June 30, 2024, excluding restricted stock units that will only vest upon a “Change of Control” as defined
in our LTIP; |
| · | 4,358,914 shares of our Common Stock reserved for future awards under our LTIP as of June 30, 2024; |
| · | 4,352,130 warrants outstanding as of June 30, 2024; and |
| · | 2,696,000 Change of Control restricted stock units as of June 30, 2024, which would only vest upon a Change
of Control to the Company, as defined in our LTIP. |
To the extent outstanding
warrants or options are exercised at prices per share that are less than the prices paid by investors in this offering, or shares of Common
Stock issue upon the vesting of outstanding restricted stock units, there will be further dilution to investors. In addition, to the extent
that we issue additional equity securities in connection with future capital raising activities, our then-existing stockholders may experience
dilution.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We previously entered into
the Sale Agreement with Jefferies on December 30, 2021, under which we may offer and sell our shares of Common Stock from time to time
through Jefferies acting as our sales agent. Pursuant to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, we may offer and
sell up to $20,000,000 of our shares of Common Stock. Sales of our shares of Common Stock, if any, under this prospectus supplement and
the accompanying prospectus will be made by any method that is deemed to be an “at the market offering” as defined in Rule
415(a)(4) under the Securities Act.
Each time we wish to issue
and sell our shares of Common Stock under the Sale Agreement, we will notify Jefferies of the number of shares to be issued, the dates
on which such sales are anticipated to be made, any limitation on the number of shares to be sold in any one day and any minimum price
below which sales may not be made. Once we have so notified the Agent, unless the Agent declines to accept the terms of such notice, the
Agent has agreed to use its commercially reasonable efforts consistent with its normal trading and sales practices to sell such shares
up to the amount specified on such terms. The obligations of the Agent under the Sale Agreement to sell our shares of Common Stock are
subject to a number of conditions that we must meet.
The settlement of sales of
shares between us and the Agent is generally anticipated to occur on the first trading day following the date on which the sale was made.
Sales of our shares of 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 the Agent may agree upon. There is no arrangement for funds to be received in an escrow,
trust or similar arrangement.
We will pay the Agent a commission
equal to 3.0% of the aggregate gross proceeds we receive from each sale of shares of Common Stock by the Agent. Because there is no minimum
offering amount required as a condition to close this offering, the actual total public offering amount, commissions and proceeds to us,
if any, are not determinable at this time. In addition, we have agreed to reimburse the Agent for certain fees and disbursements of its
counsel, unless we and the Agent otherwise agree. We estimate that the total expenses for the offering, excluding any commissions or expense
reimbursement payable to the Agent under the terms of the Sale Agreement, will be approximately $75,000. The remaining sale proceeds,
after deducting any other transaction fees, will equal our net proceeds from the sale of such shares.
The Agent will provide written
confirmation to us before the open on The Nasdaq Capital Market on the day following each day on which our shares of Common Stock are
sold by the Agent under the Sale Agreement. Each confirmation will include the number of shares sold on that day, the aggregate gross
proceeds of such sales and the proceeds to us.
In connection with the sale
of our shares of Common Stock on our behalf, the Agent will be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities
Act, and the compensation of the Agent will be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts. We have agreed to indemnify the Agent
against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. We have also agreed to contribute to payments the Agent
may be required to make in respect of such liabilities.
The offering of our shares
of common stock pursuant to the Sale Agreement will terminate as permitted therein. This summary of the material provisions of the Sale
Agreement does not purport to be a complete statement of its terms and conditions. A copy of the Sale Agreement has previously been filed
as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and is incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement.
Jefferies and its respective
affiliates may in the future provide various investment banking, commercial banking, financial advisory and other financial services for
us and our affiliates, for which services they may in the future receive customary fees. In the course of its business, Jefferies may
actively trade our securities for its own account or for the accounts of its customers, and, accordingly, Jefferies may at any time hold
long or short positions in such securities.
The prospectus supplement
and the accompanying prospectus in electronic format may be made available on a website maintained by Jefferies, and Jefferies may distribute
the prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus electronically.
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the securities
offered hereby will be passed upon by Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, Princeton, New Jersey. Jefferies LLC is being represented in connection
with this offering by Cooley LLP, New York, New York.
EXPERTS
The
consolidated financial statements of CytoSorbents Corporation appearing in CytoSorbents Corporation’s annual report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2023, have been audited by WithumSmith+Brown, PC, independent registered public accounting firm,
as set forth in their reports thereon, (which report includes an explanatory paragraph regarding the existence of substantial doubt about
the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern) included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated
financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of such firm as experts
in accounting and auditing.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly
and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public over the internet
at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Copies of certain information filed by us with the SEC are also available on our website at
www.cytosorbents.com. Our website is not a part of this prospectus supplement and is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus
supplement or the accompanying prospectus.
This prospectus supplement
is only part of a registration statement we filed with the SEC and therefore omits some information contained in our registration statement
in accordance with the SEC’s rules and regulations. You should review the information contained in any exhibits filed to the registration
statement for further information on us and the securities we are offering. Statements in this prospectus supplement concerning any document
we filed as an exhibit to the registration statement or that we otherwise filed with the SEC are not intended to be comprehensive and
are qualified by reference to those filings. You should review the complete document to evaluate these statements.
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to incorporate
by reference into this prospectus supplement much of the information we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important
information to you by referring you to those publicly available documents. The information that we incorporate by reference into this
prospectus supplement is considered to be part of this prospectus supplement. Because we are incorporating by reference future filings
with the SEC, this prospectus supplement is continually updated and those future filings may modify or supersede some of the information
included or incorporated in this prospectus supplement. This means that you must look at all of the SEC filings that we incorporate by
reference to determine if any of the statements in this prospectus supplement or in any document previously incorporated by reference
have been modified or superseded. This prospectus supplement incorporates by reference the documents listed below and any future filings
we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (in each case, other than those documents or the portions
of those documents deemed to be furnished and not filed) until the termination of this offering:
| · | our definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for our 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, filed with
the SEC on April 19, 2024 (but only with respect to information required by Part III of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2023, which information updated and superseded information included in Part III of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2023); |
| · | our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2024 and June 30, 2024, filed with
the SEC on May 9, 2024 and August 13, 2024, respectively; |
| · | our current reports on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on January 17, 2024, March 15, 2024, April 3, 2024,
May 6, 2024, May 9, 2024, May 22, 2024, June 10, 2024 July 5, 2024, August 16, 2024 and August 20, 2024 (provided that any portions of
such reports that are deemed furnished and not filed pursuant to instructions to Form 8-K shall not be incorporated by reference into
this prospectus); and |
| · | the description of our common stock set forth in the registration statement on Form 8-A registering our
common stock under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, which was filed with the SEC on December 17, 2014, as updated by Exhibit 4.1 to our
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on March 15, 2024. |
We will provide, upon written
or oral request, at no cost, to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom this prospectus supplement is delivered, a copy of
any or all of the information that has been incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement but not delivered. You may request
a copy of these filings by writing us at CytoSorbents Corporation, 305 College Road East, Princeton, New Jersey 08540. Our telephone number
is (732) 329-8885. A copy of all documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus can also be found on our website by
accessing http://www.cytosorbents.com.
PROSPECTUS
$150,000,000
Common Stock, Preferred Stock,
Debt Securities, Warrants and Units
We may offer from time to
time in one or more offerings up to an aggregate of $150,000,000 of the common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants or units
described in this prospectus, separately or together in one or more combinations. The preferred stock, debt securities, and warrants
may be convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for common stock or preferred stock or other securities, as identified in the
applicable prospectus supplement.
This prospectus provides
a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we offer securities pursuant to this prospectus, we will provide specific
terms of the securities offered in a supplement to this prospectus. We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be
provided to you in connection with these offerings. The prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus may add, update
or change information contained in this prospectus. You should carefully read this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and
any related free writing prospectus, as well as the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein, before you invest in any
of our securities. This prospectus may not be used to sell the securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.
We may offer and sell the
securities through underwriters, dealers or agents, or directly to purchasers, or through a combination of these methods. See “Plan
of Distribution” beginning on page 29 of this prospectus. If any agents or underwriters are involved in the sale of any securities
with respect to which this prospectus is being delivered, the names of such agents or underwriters and any applicable fees, commissions,
discounts or over-allotment options will be set forth in a prospectus supplement. The price to the public of such securities and the
net proceeds we expect to receive from such sale will also be set forth in a prospectus supplement.
We are a “smaller reporting
company” under federal securities laws and as such, have elected to comply with reduced public company reporting requirements for
this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein and may elect to comply with reduced public company reporting requirements
in future filings. See “Summary—Implications of Being a Smaller Reporting Company.”
Our common stock is listed
on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “CTSO.” The last reported sale price of our common stock on the Nasdaq Capital
Market on September 25, 2024 was $1.30 per share.
Investing in our securities
involves significant risks. You should carefully read this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing
prospectus, as well as the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein, before you invest in any of our securities. See “Risk
Factors” beginning on page 5 of this prospectus.
Neither the Securities
and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus
is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is September 30,
2024
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of
a registration statement that we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) using a “shelf”
registration process under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Under this shelf registration process,
we may offer and sell, from time to time, any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings up
to a total dollar amount of $150,000,000.
This prospectus provides
you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell any type of securities under this prospectus, we will,
to the extent required by law, provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of such offering.
We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you in connection with such offering. The prospectus supplement
and any related free writing prospectus may add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. 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. You should carefully read this prospectus, the applicable prospectus
supplement, and any applicable free writing prospectus, as well as the information and documents incorporated herein and therein by reference
and the additional information under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information,” before making an investment decision.
We have not authorized any
dealer, salesman or other person to give any information or to make any representation other than those contained in, or incorporated
by reference into, this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, and any free writing prospectus we have authorized for use
in connection with a specific offering. You must not rely upon any other information or representation.
This prospectus and any accompanying
supplement to this prospectus do not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the
registered securities to which they relate, nor do this prospectus and any accompanying supplement to this prospectus constitute an offer
to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities 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, any accompanying prospectus
supplement and any applicable free writing prospectus is accurate on any date subsequent to the date set forth on the front of the 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, any accompanying prospectus supplement or any applicable free writing prospectus is delivered,
or securities sold, on a later date.
This prospectus may not be
used by us 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.
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 the prospectus
or any prospectus summary 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 includes
summaries of certain provisions contained in some of the documents described herein, but reference is made 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 are incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus
is a part, and you may obtain copies of those documents as described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”
This prospectus includes
our trademarks and trade names, such as “CytoSorb,” “CytoSorb XL,” “ECOS-300CY,” “BetaSorb,”
“ContrastSorb,” “DrugSorb,” “DrugSorb-ATR,” “HemoDefend-RBC,” “HemoDefend-BGA,
“K+ontrol” and “VetResQ,” which are protected under applicable intellectual property laws and are
the property of CytoSorbents Corporation and its subsidiaries. This prospectus also contains the trademarks, trade names and service
marks of other companies, which are the property of their respective owners. Solely for convenience, trademarks, trade names and service
marks referred to in this prospectus may appear without the ™, ®, or SM symbols, but such references are not intended to indicate,
in any way, that we will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our rights or the rights of the applicable licensor
to these trademarks, trade names and service marks. We do not intend our use or display of other parties’ trademarks, trade names
or service marks to imply, and such use or display should not be construed to imply, a relationship with, or endorsement or sponsorship
of us by, these other parties.
Unless the context otherwise
requires, references in this prospectus to “we,” “us,” “our,” or the “Company” refer
to CytoSorbents Corporation, a Delaware corporation, and its subsidiaries.
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
This summary highlights
selected information contained elsewhere in this prospectus or incorporated by reference into this prospectus. This summary does not
contain all the information that you should consider before investing in our securities. Before investing in our securities, you should
carefully read this entire prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, including the information
under the caption “Risk Factors” herein and the applicable prospectus supplement and under similar headings in the other
documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus, including our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and our
most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q on file with the SEC and any amendments thereto. You should also carefully read the other
information incorporated by reference into this prospectus, including our financial statements and the related notes, and the exhibits
to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
We
are a leader in the treatment of life-threatening conditions in the intensive care unit (“ICU”)
and cardiac surgery using blood purification via our proprietary polymer adsorption technology.
We have a number of products commercialized and in development based on this technology platform.
Our flagship product, CytoSorb, is already commercialized, and is being used to reduce deadly
uncontrolled inflammation and dangerous substances in hospitalized patients around the world,
with the goal of preventing or treating multiple organ failure, bleeding due to antithrombotic
drugs, and other potentially fatal complications. Organ failure is the cause of nearly half
of all deaths in the ICU, with little to improve clinical outcome. CytoSorb is approved in
the European Union (“EU”) as an effective extracorporeal cytokine absorber, designed
to reduce the “cytokine storm” or “cytokine release syndrome” that
could otherwise cause massive inflammation, organ failure and death in common critical illnesses
such as sepsis, burn injury, trauma, lung injury, liver failure, cytokine release syndrome
due to cancer immunotherapy, and pancreatitis. These are conditions where the mortality is
extremely high, yet few to no effective treatments exist. In May 2018, we received a label
expansion for CytoSorb covering use of the device for the removal of bilirubin and myoglobin
in the treatment of liver disease and trauma, respectively. In January 2020, we received
CE-Mark label expansion for CytoSorb covering the use of the device for the removal of the
anti-platelet agent, ticagrelor (brand name Brilinta), in patients undergoing surgery requiring
cardiopulmonary bypass. In April 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”)
granted Breakthrough Device Designation to CytoSorb for the removal of ticagrelor in a cardiopulmonary
bypass circuit during emergent and urgent cardiothoracic surgery. In May 2020, we received
a CE-Mark label expansion for CytoSorb for the removal of rivaroxaban during cardiothoracic
surgery requiring cardiopulmonary bypass. In August 2021, we announced that we were granted
a second Breakthrough Device Designation for our DrugSorb-ATR Antithrombotic Removal System
by the FDA to remove the direct oral anticoagulants, rivaroxaban and apixaban. We have completed
our pivotal randomized, controlled clinical trial in the U.S. and Canada, called the STAR-T
trial, evaluating the use of DrugSorb-ATR during cardiothoracic surgery to prevent or reduce
perioperative bleeding complications in pursuit of FDA and Health Canada marketing approval.
We believe that the safety and efficacy results of the STAR-T trial will support regulatory
submissions expected in the third quarter of 2024 for marketing approval by the FDA and Health
Canada.
CytoSorb is used during and
after cardiac surgery to remove inflammatory mediators, such as cytokines, activated complement, and free hemoglobin that can lead to
post-operative complications such as acute kidney injury, lung injury, shock, and stroke. We believe CytoSorb has the potential to be
used in many other inflammatory conditions, including the treatment of autoimmune disease flares, cytokine release syndrome in cancer
immunotherapy, and other applications in cancer, such as cancer cachexia. CytoSorb has been used globally in more than 248,000 human
treatments to date in critical illnesses and in cardiac surgery. CytoSorb has received CE-Mark label expansions for the removal of bilirubin
(liver disease), myoglobin (trauma) and both ticagrelor and rivaroxaban during cardiothoracic surgery. CytoSorb has also received FDA
Emergency Use Authorization (“EUA”) in the United States for use in critically-ill COVID-19 patients with imminent or confirmed
respiratory failure, in defined circumstances. The EUA will be effective until a declaration is made that the circumstances justifying
the EUA have terminated or until revoked by the FDA. CytoSorb has been used globally in more than 7,650 human treatments to date in COVID-19
patients. CytoSorb has also been granted FDA Breakthrough Designation for the removal of ticagrelor in a cardiopulmonary bypass circuit
during emergent and urgent cardiothoracic surgery.
CytoSorb was also granted
a second FDA Breakthrough Device designation for the removal of the Direct Oral Anticoagulants (DOACs) apixaban and rivaroxaban in a
cardiopulmonary bypass circuit to reduce the likelihood of serious perioperative bleeding during urgent cardiothoracic surgery.
We are focusing on three key objectives that we
believe are the key to driving sustainable, long-term growth:
| · | open
the U.S. and Canadian markets by obtaining FDA and Health Canada marketing approval for DrugSorb-ATR
to reduce the perioperative bleeding risk caused by Brilinta and in the future, potentially
other blood thinning drugs, in patients undergoing cardiothoracic surgery; |
| · | grow
core CytoSorb sales to profitability, driven by numerous internal initiatives; and |
| · | reduce
cash burn and maintain tight control over expenses. |
Our purification technologies
are based on biocompatible, highly porous polymer beads that can actively remove toxic substances from blood and other bodily fluids
by pore capture and surface adsorption. The technology is protected by 22 issued U.S. patents and multiple international patents, with
applications pending both in the U.S. and internationally. We have numerous other product candidates under development based upon this
unique blood purification technology, including CytoSorb XL, K+ontrol, HemoDefend-RBC, HemoDefend-BGA, ContrastSorb, DrugSorb,
DrugSorb-ATR and others.
Our proprietary polymer
technologies form the basis of a broad technology portfolio. Some of our products and product candidates include:
| · | CytoSorb
— an extracorporeal hemoperfusion cartridge approved in the EU for cytokine, bilirubin,
myoglobin, and antithrombotic drug removal, with the goal of reducing deadly inflammation
and toxic substances that can cause serious complications such as bleeding, organ failure,
and death. |
| · | DrugSorb-ATR
— an investigational extracorporeal antithrombotic removal system based on the same
polymer technology as CytoSorb that was evaluated in the U.S. and Canadian STAR-T pivotal
randomized, controlled trial to reduce perioperative bleeding complications in patients undergoing
cardiothoracic surgery while on the antithrombotic drug Brilinta. |
| · | ECOS-300CY
— an adsorption cartridge approved in the EU for use with ex vivo organ perfusion
systems to remove cytokines and other inflammatory mediators in the organ perfusate, with
the goal of maintaining or improving solid organ function prior to transplant and improving
postoperative outcomes. In 2021, commercialization of PerSorb (a private label version of
ECOS-300CY) and Aferetica’s PerLife ex vivo organ perfusion system commenced
in Italy. |
| · | CytoSorb
XL — an intended next generation successor to CytoSorb currently in advanced pre-clinical
testing designed to reduce a broad range of cytokines and inflammatory mediators, including
lipopolysaccharide endotoxin, from blood. |
| · | VetResQ
— a broad spectrum blood purification adsorber designed to help treat deadly inflammation
and toxic injury in animals with critical illnesses such as septic shock, toxic shock syndrome,
severe systemic inflammation, toxin-mediated diseases, pancreatitis, trauma, liver failure,
and drug intoxication. VetResQ is being commercialized in the United States. |
| · | HemoDefend-RBC—a
development-stage blood purification technology designed to remove non-infectious contaminants
in blood transfusion products, with the goal of reducing transfusion reactions and improving
the quality and safety of blood. |
| · | HemoDefend-BGA—a
development-stage purification technology that can remove anti-A and anti-B antibodies from
plasma and whole blood, to enable “universal plasma” and safer whole blood transfusions,
respectively. |
| · | K+ontrol—a
development-stage blood purification technology designed to reduce excessive levels of potassium
in the blood that can be fatal in severe hyperkalemia. |
| · | ContrastSorb—a
development-stage extracorporeal hemoperfusion cartridge designed to remove IV contrast from
the blood of high-risk patients undergoing radiological imaging with contrast, or interventional
radiology procedures such as cardiac catheterization and angioplasty. The goal of ContrastSorb
is to prevent contrast-induced nephropathy. |
| · | DrugSorb—a
development-stage extracorporeal hemoperfusion cartridge designed to remove toxic chemicals
from the blood (e.g., drug overdose, high dose regional chemotherapy). |
| · | BetaSorb—a
development-stage extracorporeal hemoperfusion cartridge designed to remove mid-molecular
weight toxins, such as b2-microglobulin, that standard high-flux dialysis cannot remove effectively.
The goal of BetaSorb is to improve the efficacy of dialysis or hemofiltration. |
Corporate Information
Our executive offices are
located at 305 College Road East, Princeton, New Jersey 08540, and our telephone number is (732) 329-8885. Our website address is http://www.cytosorbents.com.
We have included our website address as an inactive textual reference only. We are not including the information contained at http://www.cytosorbents.com,
or at any other website address, as part of, or incorporating it by reference into, this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement
or related free writing prospectus.
Implications of Being a Smaller Reporting
Company
We are a “smaller reporting
company,” as defined in Regulation S-K. As a result, we may take advantage of certain of the scaled disclosures available to smaller
reporting companies. Specifically, as a smaller reporting company, we may choose to present only the two most recent fiscal years of
audited financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and have reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation.
We will remain a smaller reporting company if we have (i) less than $250 million in market value of our shares held by non-affiliates
as of the last business day of our second fiscal quarter or (ii) less than $100 million of annual revenues in our most recent fiscal
year completed before the last business day of our second fiscal quarter and less than $700 million in market value of our shares held
by non-affiliates as of the last business day of our second fiscal quarter.
RISK FACTORS
Investing in our securities
involves a high degree of risk. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider these risks as well as other information
we include or incorporate by reference in this prospectus. In particular, you should carefully consider the information under the heading
“Risk Factors,” as well as the factors listed under the heading “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,”
in each case contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for our most recent fiscal year, in any Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q
that have been filed since our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and in any other documents that we file with the SEC which
is incorporated by reference in this prospectus. New risks may emerge in the future at any time, and we cannot predict such risks or
estimate the extent to which they may affect our financial condition or performance. The prospectus supplement applicable to a specific
offering may contain a discussion of additional risks applicable to an investment in us and our securities we are offering under that
prospectus supplement. Each of the risks described could result in a decrease in the value of the securities and your investment therein.
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus, any accompanying
prospectus supplement or related free writing prospectus, and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein may contain
“forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements only provide our current expectations or forecasts of future
events and financial performance and may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the terms “believes,”
“estimates,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “plans,” “intends,” “may,”
“will,” “should,” “could,” “predicts,” or the negative thereof, or other variations or
comparable terminology, though the absence of these words does not necessarily mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking
statements include all matters that are not historical facts and include, without limitation, statements concerning possible or assumed
future results of our operations; business strategies; future cash flows; financing plans; plans and objectives of management; any other
statements regarding future operations, future cash needs, business plans and future financial results, and any other statements that
are not historical facts. You should be aware that the forward-looking statements included herein represent management’s current
judgment and expectations, but our actual results, events and performance could differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements.
You should read carefully
the risks described in the section entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 5 of this prospectus and those contained
in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for our most recent fiscal year, in any Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q that have been filed
since our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and in any other documents that we file with the SEC under the Exchange Act, each
of which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus. and in any accompanying prospectus supplement or related free writing prospectus,
together with all information incorporated by reference herein and therein, to better understand the significant risks and uncertainties
inherent in our business and underlying any forward-looking statements. As a result of these risks, actual results could differ materially
and adversely from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements in this prospectus or in any accompanying prospectus
supplement or related free writing prospectus, or incorporated by reference herein and therein, and you should not place undue reliance
on any forward-looking statements.
Any forward-looking statements
that we make in this prospectus speak only as of the date of such statements and we undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking
statements or to publicly announce revisions to any of the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future
events or otherwise.
USE OF PROCEEDS
Unless the applicable prospectus
supplement states otherwise, we anticipate that the net proceeds from the sale of our securities will be used for general corporate purposes,
that include, but are not limited to, funding clinical studies in the United States and abroad, supporting manufacturing, supporting
our sales and marketing efforts, repaying debt, and further developing our products, and we will retain broad discretion with respect
to the allocation thereof. Our preexisting shelf registration statement expired in July 2024. We believe it is good corporate practice
to have an effective shelf registration statement on file with the SEC to preserve the flexibility to raise capital if and when needed.
Additional information on the use of net proceeds from the sale of the securities that we may offer from time to time by this prospectus
may be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to a particular offering.
DESCRIPTION OF THE SECURITIES
WE MAY OFFER
The descriptions of the securities
contained in this prospectus summarize the material terms and provisions of the various types of securities that we may offer. We will
describe in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to any securities the particular terms of the securities offered by that prospectus
supplement. If we so indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, the terms of the securities may differ from the terms we have
summarized below. We will also include in the prospectus supplement information, where applicable, about material U.S. federal income
tax considerations relating to the securities, and the securities exchange, if any, on which the securities will be listed. In this prospectus,
we refer to the common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants or units, or any combination of the foregoing securities to
be sold by us in a primary offering collectively as “securities.”
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL
STOCK
The following description
of our common stock and preferred stock, together with the additional information we include in the applicable prospectus supplement,
summarizes the material terms and provisions of the common stock and preferred stock that we may offer under this prospectus. It may
not contain all the information that is important to you. For the complete terms of our common stock and preferred stock, please refer
to our Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Certificate of Incorporation”) and Second Amended and
Restated Bylaws (the “Bylaws”), which are incorporated by reference into the registration statement which includes this prospectus.
The Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”) may also affect the terms of these securities.
General
The total number of shares
of capital stock that we have authority to issue is 105,000,000, consisting of (i) 100,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.001 par
value per share, and (ii) 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value per share $0.001. The outstanding shares of our Common
Stock are fully paid and nonassessable.
Common Stock
Voting.
For all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders, each holder of our Common Stock is entitled to one vote for each share registered
in such holder’s name. Except as may be required by law and in connection with some significant actions, such as mergers, consolidations,
or amendments to our Certificate of Incorporation that affect the rights of stockholders, holders of our Common Stock vote together as
a single class. Generally, the election of members of our Board of Directors (the “Board”) is determined by the vote of the
majority of the votes cast by stockholders with respect to that director’s election. However, in a Contested Election (as defined
in our Bylaws), directors of the Board are elected by a plurality of the votes cast by the stockholders entitled to vote (and not by
majority vote).
Dividends.
Subject to preferential dividend rights of any then outstanding preferred stock, the holders of Common Stock are entitled to receive
dividends, as and when declared by our Board.
Liquidation.
In the event we are liquidated, dissolved or our affairs are wound up, after we pay or make adequate provision for all of our known debts
and liabilities, each holder of our Common Stock will be entitled to receive all of our assets available for distribution to our stockholders,
subject to any preferential or other rights of any then outstanding preferred stock.
Other
Rights and Restrictions. Subject to the preferential rights of any other class or series of stock, all shares of our Common
Stock have equal dividend, distribution, liquidation and other rights, and have no preference, appraisal or exchange rights, except for
any appraisal rights provided by Delaware law. Furthermore, holders of our Common Stock have no conversion, sinking fund or redemption
rights, or preemptive rights to subscribe for any of our securities. Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws do not restrict the
ability of a holder of our Common Stock to transfer such holder’s shares of our Common Stock.
The rights, powers, preferences
and privileges of holders of our Common Stock are subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of holders of shares of any
series of preferred stock which we may designate and issue in the future.
Listing.
Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “CTSO.”
Transfer
Agent and Registrar. The transfer agent for our common stock is Equiniti Trust Company, LLC.
Preferred Stock
Under our Certificate of
Incorporation, we have the authority to issue preferred stock from time to time in one or more series, with such distinctive serial designations
as shall be stated and expressed in the resolution or resolutions providing for the issue of such shares from time to time adopted by
our Board. The resolutions of the Board providing for the issue of shares of each particular series of preferred stock may fix the annual
rate or rates for dividends for the particular series, the dividend payment dates for the particular series and the date from which dividends
on all shares of such series issued prior to the record date for the first dividend payment date shall be cumulative, the redemption
price or prices for the particular series, the rights, if any, of holders of the shares of the particular series to convert the same
into shares of any other series or other securities of the Company or of any other corporation, with any provisions for the subsequent
adjustment of such conversion rights, and to classify or reclassify any unissued preferred stock by fixing or altering from time to time
any of the foregoing rights, privileges and qualifications.
All of the preferred stock
of any one series shall be identical with each other in all respects, except that shares of any one series issued at different times
may differ as to the dates from which dividends thereon shall be cumulative; and all preferred stock shall be of equal rank, regardless
of series, and shall be identical in all respects except as to the particulars fixed by the Board as provided in the Certificate of Incorporation.
When we issue shares of our preferred stock, the shares will be fully paid and nonassessable and, unless specified in the applicable
prospectus supplement, will not have or be subject to any rights of first refusal or similar 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 designation.
Certain Effects of Authorized but Unissued
Stock
We have shares of common
stock and preferred stock available for future issuance without stockholder approval. We may issue these additional shares for a variety
of corporate purposes, including future public offerings to raise additional capital or facilitate corporate acquisitions or for payment
as a dividend on our capital stock. The existence of unissued and unreserved common stock and preferred stock may enable our Board of
Directors to issue shares to persons friendly to current management or to issue preferred stock with terms that could render more difficult
or discourage a third-party attempt to obtain control of us by means of a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise, thereby protecting
the continuity of our management. In addition, if we issue preferred stock, the issuance could adversely affect the voting power of holders
of common stock and the likelihood that such holders will receive dividend payments and payments upon liquidation.
Delaware Law and Certificate of Incorporation
and Bylaws Provisions
Board
of Directors. Our Bylaws provide that:
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subject to the rights of
the holders of any series of preferred stock then outstanding, any directors, or the entire Board of Directors, may be removed from
office at any time, with or without cause, by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of all of the
outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class; and |
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vacancies in the Board
of Directors resulting from such removal may be filled by a majority of the directors then in office, though less than a quorum,
or by the sole remaining director. Directors so chosen shall hold office until the next annual meeting of stockholders at which the
term of office of the class to which they have been elected expires. |
These provisions could discourage,
delay or prevent a change in control of our company or an acquisition of our company at a price which many stockholders may find attractive.
The existence of these provisions could limit the price that investors might be willing to pay in the future for shares of our common
stock. These provisions may also have the effect of discouraging a third party from initiating a proxy contest, making a tender offer
or attempting to change the composition or policies of our Board of Directors.
Stockholder
Action; Special Meeting of Stockholders. Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws also provide that:
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stockholder action may
be taken only at a duly called and convened annual or special meeting of stockholders and then only if properly brought before the
meeting; |
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stockholder action may
not be taken by written action in lieu of a meeting; |
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special meetings of stockholders
may be called only by our Board, the Chairman of our Board or by our Chief Executive Officer; and |
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in order for any matter
to be considered “properly brought” before a meeting, a stockholder must comply with requirements regarding specified
information and advance notice to us. |
These provisions could delay,
until the next stockholders’ meeting, actions which are favored by the holders of a majority of our outstanding voting securities.
These provisions may also discourage another person or entity from making a tender offer for our common stock, because a person or entity,
even if it acquired a majority of our outstanding voting securities, would be able to take action as a stockholder only at a duly called
stockholders’ meeting, and not by written consent.
Indemnification.
Our Certificate of Incorporation provides that we shall, to the fullest extent permitted by, and in accordance with the provisions of,
the DGCL, indemnify each of our directors or officers or employees against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, taxes,
fines and amounts paid in settlement, incurred by him in connection with, and shall advance expenses (including attorneys’ fees)
incurred by him in defending, any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding (whether civil, criminal, administrative
or investigative) to which such director, officer or employee is, or is threatened to be made, a party by reason of the fact that such
director, officer or employee is or was a director or officer or employee of ours, or is or was serving at the request of us as a director,
officer, partner, employee or agent of another domestic or foreign corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise.
Advancement of expenses shall be made upon receipt of an undertaking, with such security, if any, as the Board of Directors or stockholders
may reasonably require, by or on behalf of the person seeking indemnification to repay amounts advanced if it shall ultimately be determined
that he or she is not entitled to be indemnified by us as authorized therein.
Delaware Anti-Takeover Law
We are subject to the provisions of Section 203
of the DGCL. Section 203 prohibits publicly held Delaware corporations from engaging in a “business combination” with
an “interested stockholder” for a period of three years after the date of the transaction in which the person became an interested
stockholder, unless the business combination is approved in a prescribed manner. A “business combination” includes mergers,
asset sales and other transactions resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. Subject to certain exceptions, an
“interested stockholder” is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns, or within three years did own, 15%
or more of the corporation’s voting stock. These provisions could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change
of control of our company or reducing the price that certain investors might be willing to pay in the future for shares of our stock.
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
We may issue from time to
time, in one or more offerings, senior or subordinated debt securities covered by this prospectus. When we offer to sell a particular
series of debt securities, we will describe the specific terms of the series in a supplement to this prospectus.
As required by Federal law
for all bonds and notes of companies that are publicly offered, any debt securities we issue will be governed by a document called an
“indenture.” We have summarized the general features of the debt securities to be governed by the indenture. The summary
is not complete. An indenture is a contract between us and a financial institution acting as trustee on behalf of the holders of the
debt securities, and is subject to and governed by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”).
The trustee has two main roles. First, the trustee can enforce holders’ rights against us if we default. There are some limitations
on the extent to which the trustee acts on holders’ behalf, described in the second paragraph under “Description of Debt
Securities — Events of Default.” Second, the trustee performs certain administrative duties, such as sending
interest and principal payments to holders.
Because this section is a
summary, it does not describe every aspect of any debt securities we may issue or the indenture governing any such debt securities. Particular
terms of any debt securities we offer will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to such debt securities, and we urge you
to read the applicable executed indenture, which will be filed with the SEC at the time of any offering of debt securities, because it,
and not this description, will define the rights of holders of such debt securities.
A prospectus supplement will
describe the particular terms of any series of debt securities we may issue, including some or all of the following:
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the designation or title
of the series of debt securities; |
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the total principal amount
of the series of debt securities, the denominations in which the offered debt securities will be issued and whether the offering
may be reopened for additional securities of that series and on what terms; |
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the percentage of the principal
amount at which the series of debt securities will be offered; |
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the date or dates on which
principal will be payable; |
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the rate or rates (which
may be either fixed or variable) and/or the method of determining such rate or rates of interest, if any; |
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the date or dates from
which any interest will accrue, or the method of determining such date or dates, and the date or dates on which any interest will
be payable; |
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the terms for redemption,
extension or early repayment, if any; |
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the currencies in which
the series of debt securities are issued and payable; |
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whether the amount of payments
of principal, interest or premium, if any, on a series of debt securities will be determined with reference to an index, formula
or other method and how these amounts will be determined; |
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the place or places of
payment, transfer, conversion and/or exchange of the debt securities; |
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the provision for any sinking
fund; |
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any restrictive covenants; |
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whether the series of debt
securities are issuable in certificated form ; |
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any provisions for legal
defeasance or covenant defeasance; |
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whether
and under what circumstances we will pay additional amounts in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge and, if so,
whether we will have the option to redeem the debt securities rather than pay the additional amounts (and the terms of this option); |
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any provisions
for convertibility or exchangeability of the debt securities into or for any other securities; |
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whether
the debt securities are subject to subordination and the terms of such subordination; |
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any listing
of the debt securities on any securities exchange; |
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whether
the issuance of the debt securities may limit the incurrence of additional debt; |
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if applicable,
a discussion of material United States federal income tax considerations, including those related to original issue discount, if
applicable; and |
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any other
material terms. |
The debt securities may be
secured or unsecured obligations. Unless the prospectus supplement states otherwise, principal, interest and premium, if any, will be
paid by us in immediately available funds.
General
The indenture may provide
that any debt securities proposed to be sold under this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement relating to such debt securities
(“offered debt securities”) and any debt securities issuable upon conversion or exchange of other offered securities (“underlying
debt securities”) may be issued under the indenture in one or more series.
For purposes of this prospectus,
any reference to the payment of principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on, debt securities will include additional amounts if
required by the terms of the debt securities.
Debt securities issued under
an indenture, when a single trustee is acting for all debt securities issued under the indenture, are called the “indenture securities.”
The indenture may also provide that there may be more than one trustee thereunder, each with respect to one or more different series
of securities issued thereunder. See “Description of Debt Securities — Resignation of Trustee” below.
At a time when two or more trustees are acting under an indenture, each with respect to only certain series, the term “indenture
securities” means the one or more series of debt securities with respect to which each respective trustee is acting. In the event
that there is more than one trustee under an indenture, the powers and trust obligations of each trustee described in this prospectus
will extend only to the one or more series of indenture securities for which it is trustee. If two or more trustees are acting under
an indenture, then the indenture securities for which each trustee is acting would be treated as if issued under separate indentures.
We refer you to the applicable
prospectus supplement relating to any debt securities we may issue from time to time for information with respect to any deletions from,
modifications of or additions to the Events of Default or covenants that are described below, including any addition of a covenant or
other provision providing event risk or similar protection, that will be applicable with respect to such debt securities.
We have the ability to issue
indenture securities with terms different from those of indenture securities previously issued and, without the consent of the holders
thereof, to reopen a previous issue of a series of indenture securities and issue additional indenture securities of that series unless
the reopening was restricted when that series was created.
Conversion and Exchange
If any debt securities are
convertible into or exchangeable for other securities, the related prospectus supplement will explain the terms and conditions of the
conversion or exchange, including the conversion price or exchange ratio (or the calculation method), the conversion or exchange period
(or how the period will be determined), if conversion or exchange will be mandatory or at the option of the holder or us, provisions
for adjusting the conversion price or the exchange ratio and provisions affecting conversion or exchange in the event of the redemption
of the underlying debt securities. These terms may also include provisions under which the number or amount of other securities to be
received by the holders of the debt securities upon conversion or exchange would be calculated according to the market price of the other
securities as of a time stated in the prospectus supplement.
Payment and Paying Agents
We will pay interest to the
person listed in the applicable trustee’s records as the owner of the debt security at the close of business on a particular day
in advance of each due date for interest, even if that person no longer owns the debt security on the interest due date. That day, often
approximately two weeks in advance of the interest due date, is called the “record date.” Because we will pay all the interest
for an interest period to the holders on the record date, holders buying and selling debt securities must work out between themselves
the appropriate purchase price. The most common manner is to adjust the sales price of the debt securities to prorate interest fairly
between buyer and seller based on their respective ownership periods within the particular interest period. This prorated interest amount
is called “accrued interest.”
Events of Default
Holders of debt securities
of any series will have rights if an Event of Default occurs in respect of the debt securities of such series and is not cured, as described
later in this subsection. The term “Event of Default” in respect of the debt securities of any series means any of the following:
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we do
not pay the principal of, or any premium on, a debt security of the series on its due date; |
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we do
not pay interest on a debt security of the series within 30 days of its due date; |
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we remain
in breach of a covenant in respect of debt securities of the series for 60 days after we receive a written notice of default
stating we are in breach. The notice must be sent by either the trustee or holders of at least 25% of the principal amount of debt
securities of the series; |
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we file
for bankruptcy or certain other events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occur; |
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any guarantee
in respect of a debt security of the series ceases to be in full force and effect or any guarantor denies or disaffirms is obligation
under its guarantee; and |
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any other
Event of Default occurs in respect of debt securities of the series described in the prospectus supplement. |
An Event of Default for a
particular series of debt securities does not necessarily constitute an Event of Default for any other series of debt securities issued
under the same or any other indenture. The trustee may withhold notice to the holders of debt securities of any default, except in the
payment of principal, premium or interest, if it considers the withholding of notice to be in the best interests of the holders.
Remedies if an Event of Default Occurs
If an Event of Default has
occurred and has not been cured or waived, the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the debt securities
of the affected series may declare the entire principal amount of all the debt securities of that series to be due and immediately payable.
This is called a declaration of acceleration of maturity. A declaration of acceleration of maturity may be cancelled by the holders of
a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of the affected series if the default is cured or waived and certain other conditions
are satisfied.
Except in cases of default,
where the trustee has some special duties, the trustee typically is not required to take any action under an indenture at the request
of any holders unless the holders offer the trustee reasonable protection from expenses and liability (called an “indemnity”).
If reasonable indemnity is provided, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the relevant
series may direct the time, method and place of conducting any lawsuit or other formal legal action seeking any remedy available to the
trustee. The trustee may refuse to follow those directions in certain circumstances.
Before a holder is allowed
to bypass the trustee and bring its own lawsuit or other formal legal action or take other steps to enforce its rights or protect its
interests relating to any debt securities, the following must occur:
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the holder
must give the trustee written notice that an Event of Default has occurred and remains uncured; |
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the holders
of at least 25% in principal amount of all outstanding debt securities of the relevant series must make a written request that the
trustee take action because of the default and must offer reasonable indemnity to the trustee against the cost and other liabilities
of taking that action; |
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the trustee
must not have taken action for 60 days after receipt of the above notice and offer of indemnity; and |
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the holders
of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities must not have given the trustee a direction inconsistent with the above
notice during that 60-day period. |
However, a holder is entitled
at any time to bring a lawsuit for the payment of money due on its debt securities on or after the due date. Each year, we will furnish
to each trustee a written statement of certain of our officers certifying that to their knowledge we are in compliance with the indenture
and the debt securities, or else specifying any default.
Waiver of Default
The holders of a majority
in principal amount of the relevant series of debt securities may waive a default for all such series of debt securities. If this happens,
the default will be treated as if it had not occurred. No one can waive a payment default on a holder’s debt security, however,
without the holder’s approval.
Merger or Consolidation
Under the terms of an indenture,
we may be permitted to consolidate or merge with another entity. We may also be permitted to sell all or substantially all of our assets
to another entity. However, typically we may not take any of these actions unless all the following conditions are met:
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if we
do not survive such transaction or we convey, transfer or lease our properties and assets substantially as an entirety, the acquiring
company must be a corporation, limited liability company, partnership or trust, or other corporate form, organized under the laws
of any state of the United States or the District of Columbia, and such company must agree to be legally responsible for our debt
securities, and, if not already subject to the jurisdiction of any state of the United States or the District of Columbia, the new
company must submit to such jurisdiction for all purposes with respect to the debt securities and appoint an agent for service of
process; |
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alternatively,
we must be the surviving company; |
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immediately
after the transaction no Event of Default or event that would become an Event of Default will exist; |
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we must
deliver certain certificates and documents to the trustee; and |
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we must
satisfy any other requirements specified in the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of debt securities. |
Modification or Waiver
There are three types of
changes we may make to an indenture and the debt securities issued thereunder.
Changes Requiring Approval
First, there are changes
that we may not be able to make to debt securities without specific approval of all of the affected holders. The following is a list
of the types of changes that may require specific approval:
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change
the stated maturity of the principal of or rate of interest on a debt security; |
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reduce
any amounts due on a debt security; |
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reduce
the amount of principal payable upon acceleration of the maturity of a security following a default; |
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change
the place or currency of payment on a debt security (except as otherwise described in the prospectus or prospectus supplement; |
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impair
the right of holders to sue for payment; |
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adversely
affect any right to convert or exchange a debt security in accordance with its terms; |
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reduce
the percentage of holders of debt securities whose consent is needed to modify or amend the indenture; |
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reduce
the percentage of holders of debt securities whose consent is needed to waive compliance with certain provisions of the indenture
or to waive certain defaults; |
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modify
any other aspect of the provisions of the indenture dealing with supplemental indentures, modification and waiver of past defaults,
changes to the quorum or voting requirements or the waiver of certain covenants; and |
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change
any obligation we or any guarantor may have in respect of the payment of principal, interest or other amounts. |
Changes Not Requiring
Approval
The second type of change
does not require any vote by the holders of the debt securities. This type is limited to clarifications and certain other changes that
would not adversely affect holders of the outstanding debt securities in any material respect, including the addition of covenants and
guarantees.
Changes Requiring Majority
Approval
Any other change to the indenture
and the debt securities must be approved by the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of all of the series issued under
the same supplemental indenture affected by the change, with all affected series voting together as one class for this purpose.
The holders of a majority
in principal amount of all of the series of debt securities issued under a supplemental indenture, voting together as one class for this
purpose, may waive our compliance obligations with respect to some of our covenants in that supplemental indenture. However, we cannot
obtain a waiver of a payment default or of any of the matters covered by the bullet points included above under “Description of
Debt Securities — Modification or Waiver — Changes Requiring Approval.”
Further Details Concerning Voting
Debt securities will not
be considered outstanding, and therefore not eligible to vote, if we have deposited or set aside in trust money for their payment or
redemption. Debt securities will also not be eligible to vote if they have been fully defeased as described later under “Description
of Debt Securities — Defeasance — Legal Defeasance.”
We generally will be entitled
to set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the holders of outstanding indenture securities that are entitled to vote
or take other action under the indenture not more than 90 calendar days nor less than 20 calendar days prior to the proposed date of
such vote or consent.
Book-entry and other indirect
holders will need to consult their banks or brokers for information on how approval may be granted or denied if we seek to change the
indenture or the debt securities or request a waiver.
Defeasance
The following provisions
will be applicable to each series of debt securities unless we state in the applicable prospectus supplement that the provisions of covenant
defeasance and legal defeasance will not be applicable to that series.
Covenant Defeasance
We can make the deposit described
below and be released from some of the restrictive covenants in the indenture under which the particular series was issued. This is called
“covenant defeasance.” In that event, the holders would lose the protection of those restrictive covenants but would gain
the protection of having money and government securities set aside in trust to repay holders’ debt securities. If applicable, a
holder also would be released from the subordination provisions described under “Description of Debt Securities — Indenture
Provisions — Subordination” below. In order to achieve covenant defeasance, we must do the following:
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We must
deposit in trust for the benefit of all holders of such debt securities a combination of money and non-callable U.S. government notes
or bonds that will be sufficient to pay and discharge all interest, principal and any other payments on the debt securities on their
various due dates; |
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We may
be required to deliver to the trustee a legal opinion of our counsel confirming that, under current U.S. Federal income tax law,
we may make the above deposit without causing the holders to be taxed on the debt securities any differently than if we did not make
the deposit and just repaid the debt securities ourselves at maturity; and |
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We must
deliver to the trustee certain documentation stating that all conditions precedent to covenant defeasance have been complied with. |
If we accomplish covenant
defeasance, holders can still look to us for repayment of the debt securities if there were a shortfall in the trust deposit or the trustee
is prevented from making payment. In fact, if one of the remaining Events of Default occurred (such as our bankruptcy) and the debt securities
became immediately due and payable, there might be a shortfall. Depending on the event causing the default, holders may not be able to
obtain payment of the shortfall.
Legal Defeasance
As described below, we can
legally release ourselves from all payment and other obligations on the debt securities of a particular series (called “legal defeasance”),
(1) if there is a change in U.S. Federal tax law that allows us to effect the release without causing the holders to be taxed any
differently than if the release had not occurred, and (2) if we put in place the following other arrangements for holders to be
repaid:
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We must
deposit in trust for the benefit of all holders of such debt securities a combination of money and U.S. government notes or bonds
that will be sufficient to pay and discharge all interest, principal and any other payments on the debt securities on their various
due dates; |
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We may
be required to deliver to the trustee a legal opinion confirming that there has been a change in current U.S. Federal tax law or
an Internal Revenue Service ruling that allows us to make the above deposit without causing the holders to be taxed on the debt securities
any differently than if we did not make the deposit and just repaid the debt securities ourselves at maturity; and |
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We must
deliver to the trustee a legal opinion and officers’ certificate stating that all conditions precedent to legal defeasance
have been complied with. |
If we ever did accomplish
legal defeasance, as described above, holders would have to rely solely on the trust deposit for repayment of the debt securities. Holders
could not look to us for repayment in the unlikely event of any shortfall. Conversely, the trust deposit would most likely be protected
from claims of our lenders and other creditors if we ever became bankrupt or insolvent. If applicable, holders would also be released
from the subordination provisions described later under “Description of Debt Securities — Indenture Provisions — Subordination.”
Resignation of Trustee
Each trustee may resign or
be removed with respect to one or more series of indenture securities provided that a successor trustee is appointed to act with respect
to such series. In the event that two or more persons are acting as trustee with respect to different series of indenture securities
under the indenture, each of the trustees will be a trustee of a trust separate and apart from the trust administered by any other trustee.
Indenture Provisions — Subordination
Upon any distribution of
our assets upon our dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization, the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and
interest on any indenture securities denominated as subordinated debt securities is to be subordinated to the extent provided in the
indenture in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness (defined below), but our obligation to holders
to make payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on such subordinated debt securities will not otherwise be affected.
In addition, no payment on account of principal (or premium, if any), interest or sinking fund, if any, may be made on such subordinated
debt securities at any time unless full payment of all amounts due in respect of the principal (and premium, if any), interest and sinking
fund, if any, on Senior Indebtedness has been made or duly provided for in money or money’s worth.
In the event that, notwithstanding
the foregoing, any payment from us is received by the trustee in respect of subordinated debt securities or by the holders of any of
such subordinated debt securities before all Senior Indebtedness is paid in full, the payment or distribution must be paid over to the
holders of the Senior Indebtedness or on their behalf for application to the payment of all the Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid
until all the Senior Indebtedness has been paid in full, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to the holders
of the Senior Indebtedness. Subject to the payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness, the holders of such subordinated debt securities
will be subrogated to the rights of the holders of the Senior Indebtedness to the extent of payments made to the holders of the Senior
Indebtedness out of the distributive share of such subordinated debt securities.
By reason of this subordination,
in the event of a distribution of our assets upon our insolvency, certain of our senior creditors may recover more, ratably, than holders
of any subordinated debt securities. The related indenture will provide that these subordination provisions will not apply to money and
securities held in trust under the defeasance provisions of the indenture.
“Senior Indebtedness”
will be defined in an applicable indenture as the principal of (and premium, if any) and unpaid interest on:
|
· |
our indebtedness
(including indebtedness of others guaranteed by us), whenever created, incurred, assumed or guaranteed, for money borrowed (other
than indenture securities issued under the indenture and denominated as subordinated debt securities), unless in the instrument creating
or evidencing the same or under which the same is outstanding it is provided that this indebtedness is not senior or prior in right
of payment to the subordinated debt securities; and |
|
· |
renewals,
extensions, modifications and refinancings of any of such indebtedness. |
The prospectus supplement
accompanying any series of indenture securities denominated as subordinated debt securities will set forth the approximate amount of
our Senior Indebtedness outstanding as of a recent date.
Trustee
We intend to name the indenture
trustee for each series of indenture securities in the related prospectus supplement.
Certain Considerations Relating to Foreign
Currencies
Debt securities denominated
or payable in foreign currencies may entail significant risks. These risks include the possibility of significant fluctuations in the
foreign currency markets, the imposition or modification of foreign exchange controls and potential illiquidity in the secondary market.
These risks will vary depending upon the currency or currencies involved and will be more fully described in the applicable prospectus
supplement.
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
Please note that in this
section references to holders mean those who own warrants registered in their own names, on the books that we or our agent maintain for
this purpose, and not those who own beneficial interests in warrants registered in street name or in warrants issued in book-entry form
through one or more depositaries. Owners of beneficial interests in the warrants should read the section below entitled “Book-Entry
Procedures and Settlement”.
General
We may offer warrants separately
or together with our debt or equity securities.
We may issue warrants in
such amounts or in as many distinct series as we wish. This section summarizes terms of the warrants that apply generally to all series.
Most of the financial and other specific terms of your warrant will be described in the prospectus supplement. Those terms may vary from
the terms described here.
The warrants of a series
will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and one or more banks or trust companies, as warrant
agent, as set forth in the prospectus supplement. A form of each warrant agreement, including a form of warrant certificate representing
each warrant, reflecting the particular terms and provisions of a series of offered warrants, will be filed with the SEC at the time
of the offering and incorporated by reference in the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. You can obtain a copy
of any form of warrant agreement when it has been filed by following the directions outlined in “Where You Can Find More Information;
Incorporation of Documents by Reference” or by contacting the applicable warrant agent.
The following briefly summarizes
the material provisions of the warrant agreements and the warrants. As you read this section, please remember that the specific terms
of your warrant as described in the prospectus supplement will supplement and, if applicable, may modify or replace the general terms
described in this section. You should carefully read the prospectus supplement and the more detailed provisions of the warrant agreement
and the warrant certificate, including the defined terms, for provisions that may be important to you. If there are differences between
the prospectus supplement and this prospectus, the prospectus supplement will control. Thus, the statements made in this section may
not apply to your warrant.
Types of Warrants
We may issue debt warrants
or equity warrants. A debt warrant is a warrant for the purchase of our debt securities on terms to be determined at the time of sale.
An equity warrant is a warrant for the purchase or sale of our equity securities. We may also issue warrants for the purchase or sale
of, or whose cash value is determined by reference to the performance, level or value of, one or more of the following: securities of
one or more issuers, including those issued by us and described in this prospectus or debt or equity securities issued by third parties;
a currency or currencies; a commodity or commodities; and other financial, economic or other measure or instrument, including the occurrence
or non-occurrence of any event or circumstances, or one or more indices or baskets of these items.
Information in the Prospectus Supplement
The prospectus supplement
will contain, where applicable, the following information about the warrants:
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· |
the specific
designation and aggregate number of, and the price at which we will issue, the warrants; |
|
· |
the currency
or currency unit with which the warrants may be purchased and in which any payments due to or from the holder upon exercise must
be made; |
|
· |
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 exercise price may be paid in cash, by the exchange of warrants or other securities or both, and the method of exercising the
warrants; |
|
· |
whether
the warrants will be settled by delivery of the underlying securities or other property or in cash; |
|
· |
whether
and under what circumstances we may cancel the warrants prior to their expiration date, in which case the holders will be entitled
to receive only the applicable cancellation amount, which may be either a fixed amount or an amount that varies during the term of
the warrants in accordance with a schedule or formula; |
|
· |
whether
the warrants will be issued in global or non-global form; |
|
· |
the identities
of the warrant agent, any depositaries and any paying, transfer, calculation or other agents for the warrants; |
|
· |
any securities
exchange or quotation system on which the warrants or any securities deliverable upon exercise of the warrants may be listed; |
|
· |
whether
the warrants are to be sold separately or with other securities, and if the warrants are to be sold with the securities of another
company or other companies, certain information regarding such company or companies; and |
|
· |
any other
terms of the warrants. |
No holder of a warrant will, as such, have any
rights of a holder of the debt securities, equity securities or other warrant property purchasable under or in the warrant, including
any right to receive payment thereunder.
Additional Information in the Prospectus Supplement
for Debt Warrants
In the case of debt warrants,
the prospectus supplement will contain, where appropriate, the following additional information:
|
· |
the designation,
aggregate principal amount, currency and terms of the debt securities that may be purchased upon exercise of the debt warrants; and |
|
· |
the designation,
terms and amount of debt securities, if any, to be issued together with each of the debt warrants and the date, if any, after which
the debt warrants and debt securities will be separately transferable. |
No Limit on Issuance of Warrants
The warrant agreements will
not limit the number of warrants or other securities that we may issue, except for the limitation of the number of shares authorized.
Modifications
We and the relevant warrant
agent may, without the consent of the holders, amend each warrant agreement and the terms of each issue of warrants, for the purpose
of curing any ambiguity or of correcting or supplementing any defective or inconsistent provision, or in any other manner that we may
deem necessary or desirable and that will not adversely affect the interests of the holders of the outstanding unexercised warrants in
any material respect.
We and the relevant warrant
agent also may, with the consent of the holders of at least a majority in number of the outstanding unexercised warrants affected, modify
or amend the warrant agreement and the terms of the warrants. No such modification or amendment may, without the consent of each holder
of an affected warrant:
|
· |
reduce
the amount receivable upon exercise, cancellation or expiration; |
|
· |
shorten
the period of time during which the warrants may be exercised; |
|
· |
otherwise
materially and adversely affect the exercise rights of the beneficial owners of the warrants; or |
|
· |
reduce
the percentage of outstanding warrants whose holders must consent to modification or amendment of the applicable warrant agreement
or the terms of the warrants. |
Warrant Agreements Will Not Be Qualified under
Trust Indenture Act
No warrant agreement will
be qualified as an indenture, and no warrant agent will be required to qualify as a trustee, under the Trust Indenture Act. Therefore,
holders of warrants issued under a warrant agreement will not have the protection of the Trust Indenture Act with respect to their warrants.
Enforceability of Rights by Beneficial Owner
Each warrant agent will act
solely as our agent in connection with the issuance and exercise of the applicable warrants and will not assume any obligation or relationship
of agency or trust for or with any registered holder of or owner of a beneficial interest in any warrant. A warrant agent will have no
duty or responsibility in case of any default by us under the applicable warrant agreement or warrant certificate, including any duty
or responsibility to initiate any proceedings at law or otherwise or to make any demand upon us.
Holders may, without the
consent of the applicable warrant agent, enforce by appropriate legal action, on their own behalf, their right to exercise their warrants,
to receive debt securities, in the case of debt warrants, and to receive payment, if any, for their warrants, in the case of universal
warrants.
Governing Law
Unless otherwise stated in
the prospectus supplement, the warrants and each warrant agreement will be governed by Delaware law.
DESCRIPTION OF UNITS
We may issue units comprised
of shares of common stock, shares of preferred stock, debt securities and warrants in any combination. We may issue units in such amounts
and in as many distinct series as we wish. This section outlines certain provisions of the units that we may issue. If we issue units,
they will be issued under one or more unit agreements to be entered into between us and a bank or other financial institution, as unit
agent. The information described in this section may not be complete in all respects and is qualified entirely by reference to the unit
agreement with respect to the units of any particular series. The specific terms of any series of units offered will be described in
the applicable prospectus supplement. If so described in a particular supplement, the specific terms of any series of units may differ
from the general description of terms presented below. We urge you to read any prospectus supplement related to any series of units we
may offer, as well as the complete unit agreement and unit certificate that contain the terms of the units. If we issue units, forms
of unit agreements and unit certificates relating to such units will be incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement,
which includes this prospectus.
Each unit that we may issue
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 may describe:
|
· |
the designation
and terms of the units and of the securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances those securities
may be held or transferred separately; |
|
· |
any provisions
of the governing unit agreement; |
|
· |
the price
or prices at which such units will be issued; |
|
· |
the applicable
United States federal income tax considerations relating to the units; |
|
· |
any provisions
for the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units or of the securities comprising the units; and |
|
· |
any other
terms of the units and of the securities comprising the units. |
The provisions described
in this section, as well as those described under “Description of Capital Stock,” “Description of Debt Securities”
and “Description of Warrants” will apply to the securities included in each unit, to the extent relevant and as may be updated
in any prospectus supplements.
Issuance in Series
We may issue units in such
amounts and in as many distinct series as we wish. This section summarizes terms of the units that apply generally to all series. Most
of the financial and other specific terms of your series will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Unit Agreements
We will issue the units under
one or more unit agreements to be entered into between us and a bank or other financial institution, as unit agent. We may add, replace
or terminate unit agents from time to time. We will identify the unit agreement under which each series of units will be issued and the
unit agent under that agreement in the applicable prospectus supplement.
The following provisions
will generally apply to all unit agreements unless otherwise stated in the applicable prospectus supplement:
Modification without Consent
We and the applicable unit
agent may amend any unit or unit agreement without the consent of any holder:
|
· |
to cure
any ambiguity; any provisions of the governing unit agreement that differ from those described below; |
|
· |
to correct
or supplement any defective or inconsistent provision; or |
|
· |
to make
any other change that we believe is necessary or desirable and will not adversely affect the interests of the affected holders in
any material respect. |
We do not need any approval
to make changes that affect only units to be issued after the changes take effect. We may also make changes that do not adversely affect
a particular unit in any material respect, even if they adversely affect other units in a material respect. In those cases, we do not
need to obtain the approval of the holder of the unaffected unit; we need only obtain any required approvals from the holders of the
affected units.
Modification with Consent
We may not amend any particular
unit or a unit agreement with respect to any particular unit unless we obtain the consent of the holder of that unit, if the amendment
would:
|
· |
impair
any right of the holder to exercise or enforce any right under a security included in the unit if the terms of that security require
the consent of the holder to any changes that would impair the exercise or enforcement of that right; or |
|
· |
reduce
the percentage of outstanding units or any series or class the consent of whose holders is required to amend that series or class,
or the applicable unit agreement with respect to that series or class, as described below. |
Any other change to a particular
unit agreement and the units issued under that agreement would require the following approval:
|
· |
If the
change affects only the units of a particular series issued under that agreement, the change must be approved by the holders of a
majority of the outstanding units of that series; or |
|
· |
If the
change affects the units of more than one series issued under that agreement, it must be approved by the holders of a majority of
all outstanding units of all series affected by the change, with the units of all the affected series voting together as one class
for this purpose. |
These provisions regarding
changes with majority approval also apply to changes affecting any securities issued under a unit agreement, as the governing document.
In each case, the required approval must be given by written consent.
Unit Agreements Will Not Be Qualified under
Trust Indenture Act
No unit agreement will be
qualified as an indenture, and no unit agent will be required to qualify as a trustee, under the Trust Indenture Act. Therefore, holders
of units issued under unit agreements will not have the protections of the Trust Indenture Act with respect to their units.
Governing Law
The unit agreements and the
units will be governed by Delaware law.
Form, Exchange and Transfer
We will issue each unit in
global—i.e., book-entry—form only. Units in book-entry form will be represented by a global security registered in the name
of a depositary, which will be the holder of all the units represented by the global security. Those who own beneficial interests in
a unit will do so through participants in the depositary’s system, and the rights of these indirect owners will be governed solely
by the applicable procedures of the depositary and its participants. We will describe book-entry securities, and other terms regarding
the issuance and registration of the units in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Each unit and all securities
comprising the unit will be issued in the same form.
If we issue any units in
registered, non-global form, the following will apply to them.
The units will be issued
in the denominations stated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Holders may exchange their units for units of smaller denominations
or combined into fewer units of larger denominations, as long as the total amount is not changed.
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· |
Holders
may exchange or transfer their units at the office of the unit agent. Holders may also replace lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated
units at that office. We may appoint another entity to perform these functions or perform them ourselves. |
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· |
Holders
will not be required to pay a service charge to transfer or exchange their units, but they may be required to pay for any tax or
other governmental charge associated with the transfer or exchange. The transfer or exchange, and any replacement, will be made only
if our transfer agent is satisfied with the holder’s proof of legal ownership. The transfer agent may also require an indemnity
before replacing any units |
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· |
If we
have the right to redeem, accelerate or settle any units before their maturity, and we exercise our right as to less than all those
units or other securities, we may block the exchange or transfer of those units during the period beginning 15 days before the day
we mail the notice of exercise and ending on the day of that mailing, in order to freeze the list of holders to prepare the mailing.
We may also refuse to register transfers of or exchange any unit selected for early settlement, except that we will continue to permit
transfers and exchanges of the unsettled portion of any unit being partially settled. We may also block the transfer or exchange
of any unit in this manner if the unit includes securities that are or may be selected for early settlement. |
Only the depositary will
be entitled to transfer or exchange a unit in global form, since it will be the sole holder of the unit.
Payments and Notices
In making payments and giving
notices with respect to our units, we will follow the procedures as described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
LEGAL OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES
We can issue securities in
registered form or in the form of one or more global securities. We describe global securities in greater detail below. We refer to those
persons who have securities registered in their own names on the books that we or any applicable trustee maintain for this purpose as
the “holders” of those securities. These persons are the legal holders of the securities. We refer to those persons who,
indirectly through others, own beneficial interests in securities that are not registered in their own names, as “indirect holders”
of those securities. As we discuss below, indirect holders are not legal holders, and investors in securities issued in book-entry form
or in street name will be indirect holders.
Book-Entry Holders
We may issue securities in
book-entry form only, as we will specify in the applicable prospectus supplement. This means securities may be represented by one or
more global securities registered in the name of a financial institution that holds them as depositary on behalf of other financial institutions
that participate in the depositary’s book-entry system. These participating institutions, which are referred to as participants,
in turn, hold beneficial interests in the securities on behalf of themselves or their customers.
Only the person in whose
name a security is registered is recognized as the holder of that security. Securities issued in global form will be registered in the
name of the depositary or its nominee. Consequently, for securities issued in global form, we will recognize only the depositary as the
holder of the securities, and we will make all payments on the securities to the depositary. The depositary passes along the payments
it receives to its participants, which in turn pass the payments along to their customers who are the beneficial owners. The depositary
and its participants do so under agreements they have made with one another or with their customers; they are not obligated to do so
under the terms of the securities.
As a result, investors in
a book-entry security will not own securities directly. Instead, they will own beneficial interests in a global security, through a bank,
broker or other financial institution that participates in the depositary’s book-entry system or holds an interest through a participant.
As long as the securities are issued in global form, investors will be indirect holders, and not holders, of the securities.
Street Name Holders
We may terminate a global
security or issue securities in non-global form. In these cases, investors may choose to hold their securities in their own names or
in “street name.” Securities held by an investor in street name would be registered in the name of a bank, broker or other
financial institution that the investor chooses, and the investor would hold only a beneficial interest in those securities through an
account he or she maintains at that institution.
For securities held in street
name, we will recognize only the intermediary banks, brokers and other financial institutions in whose names the securities are registered
as the holders of those securities, and we will make all payments on those securities to them. These institutions pass along the payments
they receive to their customers who are the beneficial owners, but only because they agree to do so in their customer agreements or because
they are legally required to do so. Investors who hold securities in street name will be indirect holders, not holders, of those securities.
Legal Holders
Our obligations, as well
as the obligations of any applicable trustee and of any third parties employed by us or a trustee, run only to the legal holders of the
securities. We do not have obligations to investors who hold beneficial interests in global securities, in street name or by any other
indirect means. This will be the case whether an investor chooses to be an indirect holder of a security or has no choice because we
are issuing the securities only in global form.
For example, once we make
a payment or give a notice to the holder, we have no further responsibility for the payment or notice even if that holder is required,
under agreements with depositary participants or customers or by law, to pass it along to the indirect holders but does not do so. Similarly,
we may want to obtain the approval of the holders to amend an indenture, to relieve us of the consequences of a default or of our obligation
to comply with a particular provision of the indenture or for other purposes. In such an event, we would seek approval only from the
holders, and not the indirect holders, of the securities. Whether and how the holders contact the indirect holders is up to the holders.
Special Considerations for Indirect Holders
If you hold securities through
a bank, broker or other financial institution, either in book-entry form or in street name, you should check with your own institution
to find out:
|
· |
how it
handles securities payments and notices; |
|
· |
whether
it imposes fees or charges; |
|
· |
how it
would handle a request for the holders’ consent, if ever required; |
|
· |
whether
and how you can instruct it to send you securities registered in your own name so you can be a holder, if that is permitted in the
future; |
|
· |
how it
would exercise rights under the securities if there were a default or other event triggering the need for holders to act to protect
their interests; and |
|
· |
if the
securities are in book entry form, how the depositary’s rules and procedures will affect these matters. |
Global Securities
A global security is a security
held by a depositary that represents one or any other number of individual securities. Generally, all securities represented by the same
global securities will have the same terms.
Each security issued in book-entry
form will be represented by a global security that we deposit with and register in the name of a financial institution or its nominee
that we select. The financial institution that we select for this purpose is called the depositary. Unless we specify otherwise in the
applicable prospectus supplement, DTC will be the depositary for all securities issued in book-entry form.
A global security may not
be transferred to or registered in the name of anyone other than the depositary, its nominee or a successor depositary, unless special
termination situations arise. We describe those situations below under “—Special Situations When a Global Security Will Be
Terminated.” As a result of these arrangements, the depositary, or its nominee, will be the sole registered owner and holder of
all securities represented by a global security, and investors will be permitted to own only beneficial interests in a global security.
Beneficial interests must be held by means of an account with a broker, bank or other financial institution that in turn has an account
with the depositary or with another institution that does. Thus, an investor whose security is represented by a global security will
not be a holder of the security, but only an indirect holder of a beneficial interest in the global security.
If the prospectus supplement
for a particular security indicates that the security will be issued in global form only, then the security will be represented by a
global security at all times unless and until the global security is terminated. If termination occurs, we may issue the securities through
another book-entry clearing system or decide that the securities may no longer be held through any book-entry clearing system.
Special Considerations for Global Securities
As an indirect holder, an
investor’s rights relating to a global security will be governed by the account rules of the investor’s financial institution
and of the depositary, as well as general laws relating to securities transfers. We do not recognize an indirect holder as a holder of
securities and instead deal only with the depositary that holds the global security.
If securities are issued
only in the form of a global security, an investor should be aware of the following:
|
· |
an investor
cannot cause the securities to be registered in his or her name, and cannot obtain non global certificates for his or her interest
in the securities, except in the special situations we describe below; |
|
· |
an investor
will be an indirect holder and must look to his or her own bank or broker for payments on the securities and protection of his or
her legal rights relating to the securities, as we describe under “—Legal Holders” above; |
|
· |
an investor
may not be able to sell interests in the securities to some insurance companies and to other institutions that are required by law
to own their securities in non-book entry form; |
|
· |
an investor
may not be able to pledge his or her interest in a global security in circumstances where certificates representing the securities
must be delivered to the lender or other beneficiary of the pledge in order for the pledge to be effective; |
|
· |
the depositary’s
policies, which may change from time to time, will govern payments, transfers, exchanges and other matters relating to an investor’s
interest in a global security. We and any applicable trustee have no responsibility for any aspect of the depositary’s actions
or for its records of ownership interests in a global security. We and the trustee also do not supervise the depositary in any way; |
|
· |
the depositary
may, and we understand that DTC will, require that those who purchase and sell interests in a global security within its book entry
system use immediately available funds, and your broker or bank may require you to do so as well; and |
|
· |
financial
institutions that participate in the depositary’s book entry system, and through which an investor holds its interest in a
global security, may also have their own policies affecting payments, notices and other matters relating to the securities. There
may be more than one financial intermediary in the chain of ownership for an investor. We do not monitor and are not responsible
for the actions of any of those intermediaries. |
Special Situations When A Global Security
Will Be Terminated
In a few special situations
described below, the global security will terminate and interests in it will be exchanged for physical certificates representing those
interests. After that exchange, the choice of whether to hold securities directly or in street name will be up to the investor. Investors
must consult their own banks or brokers to find out how to have their interests in securities transferred to their own name, so that
they will be direct holders. We have described the rights of holders and street name investors above.
The global security will
terminate when the following special situations occur:
|
· |
if the
depositary notifies us that it is unwilling, unable or no longer qualified to continue as depositary for that global security and
we do not appoint another institution to act as depositary within 90 days; |
|
· |
if we
notify any applicable trustee that we wish to terminate that global security; or |
|
· |
if an
event of default has occurred with regard to securities represented by that global security and has not been cured or waived. |
The prospectus supplement
may also list additional situations for terminating a global security that would apply only to the particular series of securities covered
by the prospectus supplement. When a global security terminates, the depositary, and not we or any applicable trustee, is responsible
for deciding the names of the institutions that will be the initial direct holders.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We may offer securities under
this prospectus from time to time pursuant to underwritten public offerings, negotiated transactions, block trades or a combination of
these methods or through underwriters or dealers, through agents and/or directly to one or more purchasers. The securities may be distributed
from time to time in one or more transactions:
|
· |
at a fixed
price or prices, which may be changed; |
|
· |
at market
prices prevailing at the time of sale; |
|
· |
at prices
related to such prevailing market prices; |
|
· |
at negotiated
prices; or |
|
· |
a combination
of these pricing methods. |
We may also sell equity securities
covered by this registration statement in an “at the market offering” as defined in Rule 415(a)(4) under the Securities
Act. Such offering may be made into an existing trading market for such securities in transactions at other than a fixed price on or
through the facilities of Nasdaq or any other securities exchange or quotation or trading service on which such securities may be listed,
quoted or traded at the time of sale. Such at the market offerings, if any, may be conducted by underwriters acting as principal or agent.
Each time that securities
covered by this prospectus are sold, we will provide a prospectus supplement or supplements that will describe the method of distribution
and set forth the terms and conditions of the offering of such securities, including the offering price of the securities and the proceeds
to us, if applicable.
Offers to purchase the securities
being offered by this prospectus may be solicited directly. Agents may also be designated to solicit offers to purchase the securities
from time to time. Any agent involved in the offer or sale of our securities will be identified in a prospectus supplement.
If a dealer is utilized in
the sale of the securities being offered by this prospectus, the securities will be sold 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 an underwriter is utilized
in the sale of the securities being offered by this prospectus, an underwriting agreement will be executed with the underwriter at the
time of sale and the name of any underwriter will be provided in the prospectus supplement that 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 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 those dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters
and/or commissions from the purchasers for which they may act as agent. Unless otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement, an agent
will be acting on a best efforts basis and a dealer will purchase securities as a principal, and may then resell the securities at varying
prices to be determined by the dealer.
Any compensation paid 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 will be provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. 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 and to reimburse those persons
for certain expenses.
The securities may or may
not be listed on a national securities exchange. To facilitate the offering of 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 were 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, if any. In addition, these persons may stabilize or maintain the price of the securities
by bidding for or purchasing securities in the open market or by imposing penalty bids, whereby selling concessions allowed to dealers
participating in the offering may be reclaimed if 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.
If indicated in the applicable
prospectus supplement, underwriters or other persons acting as agents may be authorized to solicit offers by institutions or other suitable
purchasers to purchase the securities at the public offering price set forth in the prospectus supplement, pursuant to delayed delivery
contracts providing for payment and delivery on the date or dates stated in the prospectus supplement. These purchasers may include,
among others, commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies and educational and charitable institutions.
Delayed delivery contracts will be subject to the condition that the purchase of the securities covered by the delayed delivery contracts
will not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of any jurisdiction in the United States to which the purchaser is subject.
The underwriters and agents will not have any responsibility with respect to the validity or performance of these contracts.
We may enter into derivative
transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions.
If the applicable prospectus supplement so indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered
by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third party may use securities
pledged by us or borrowed from us or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock, and may use securities
received from us in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of stock. The third party in such sale transactions
will be an underwriter and, if not identified in this prospectus, will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement (or a post-effective
amendment). In addition, we may otherwise loan or pledge securities to a financial institution or other third party that in turn may
sell the securities short using this prospectus and an applicable prospectus supplement. Such financial institution or other third party
may transfer its economic short position to investors in our securities or in connection with a concurrent offering of other securities.
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.
General Information
Underwriters, dealers and
agents that participate in the distribution of our securities may be underwriters as defined in the Securities Act, and any discounts
or commissions they receive and any profit they make on the resale of the offered securities may be treated as underwriting discounts
and commissions under the Securities Act. Any underwriters or agents will be identified and their compensation described in a prospectus
supplement. We may indemnify agents, underwriters, and dealers against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities
Act, or make contributions to payments they may be required to make relating to those liabilities. Our agents, underwriters, and dealers,
or their affiliates, may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services for us in the ordinary course of business.
Each series of securities
offered by this prospectus may be a new issue of securities with no established trading market. Any underwriters to whom securities offered
by this prospectus are sold by us for public offering and sale may make a market in the securities offered by this prospectus, but the
underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. No assurance can be given
as to the liquidity of the trading market for any securities offered by this prospectus.
Representatives of the underwriters
through whom our securities are sold for public offering and sale may engage in over-allotment, stabilizing transactions, syndicate short
covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act. Over-allotment involves syndicate sales
in excess of the offering size, which creates a syndicate short position. Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the offered
securities so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum.
Syndicate covering transactions
involve purchases of the offered securities in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover syndicate
short positions. Penalty bids permit the representative of the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when
the offered securities originally sold by such syndicate member are purchased in a syndicate covering transaction to cover syndicate
short positions. Such stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids may cause the price of the offered securities
to be higher than it would otherwise be in the absence of such transactions. These transactions may be effected on a national securities
exchange and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.
Underwriters, dealers and
agents may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for, us and our subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business.
We will bear all costs, expenses
and fees in connection with the registration of the securities as well as the expense of all commissions and discounts, if any, attributable
to the sales of any of our securities by us.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE
INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly
and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. The SEC maintains a website at http://www.sec.gov that contains
reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. In addition,
we maintain a website at http://www.cytosorbents.com and make available free of charge on this website our annual reports on Form 10-K,
quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to
Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material
with, or furnish it to, the SEC. Information contained in, or accessible through, our website does not constitute a part of this prospectus
or any accompanying prospectus supplement.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN
DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The
SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” much of the information we file with
it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those
publicly available documents. All of the information that we incorporate by reference is
considered to be part of this prospectus, and any of our subsequent filings with the SEC
will automatically update and supersede this information. This prospectus incorporates by
reference the documents listed below and all documents that are filed by CytoSorbents Corporation
with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, except for
information furnished under Items 2.02 or 7.01 of our current reports on Form 8-K, or
exhibits related thereto, (i) after the date of the initial filing of the registration statement
of which this prospectus forms a part and prior to effectiveness of the registration statement,
and (ii) between the date of this prospectus and the termination of the offering of the securities:
|
· |
our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters
ended March 31, 2024 and June 30, 2024, filed with the SEC on May 9,
2024 and August
13, 2024, respectively; |
|
· |
our current reports on Form 8-K, filed on January 17,
2024, March 15, 2024, April 3, 2024, May 6, 2024, May 9, 2024, May 22, 2024, June 10, 2024, July
5, 2024, August
1, 2024, August
16, 2024 and August
20, 2024 (provided that any portions of such reports that are deemed furnished and not filed pursuant to instructions to
Form 8-K shall not be incorporated by reference into this prospectus); and |
Any statement contained in
any document incorporated by reference herein 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 additional prospectus supplements modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement
so modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus.
We will provide, upon written
or oral request, at no cost, to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a prospectus is delivered, a copy of any or all
of the information that has been incorporated by reference in the prospectus but not delivered with the prospectus. You may request a
copy of these filings by writing us at CytoSorbents Corporation, 305 College Road East, Princeton, New Jersey 08540. Our telephone number
is (732) 329-8885. A copy of all documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus can also be found on our website by
accessing http://www.cytosorbents.com.
You should rely only on the
information incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus or any supplement. We have not authorized anyone else to provide
you with different information. You should not assume that information in this prospectus or any supplement is accurate as of any date
other than the date on the front of these documents.
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the shares
of common stock offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, Princeton, New Jersey. Additional
legal matters may be passed upon by us or any underwriters, dealers or agents, by counsel that we will name in the applicable prospectus
supplement.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial
statements of CytoSorbents Corporation appearing in CytoSorbents Corporation’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2023, have been audited by WithumSmith+Brown, PC, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their
reports thereon, (which report includes an explanatory paragraph regarding the existence of substantial doubt about the Company’s
ability to continue as a going concern) included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements
are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
Up to $20,000,000
Common Stock
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
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