We have entered into an At Market Issuance Sales Agreement (the “sales agreement”) with B. Riley Securities, Inc. and Barclays Capital Inc. (collectively, the “sales agents”), under which we may issue and sell shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $100,000,000 from time to time through or to the sales agents. The sales agents may sell the common stock by any method that is deemed to be an “at the market offering” as defined in Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act or any other method permitted under applicable law.
Each time we wish to issue and sell common stock under the sales agreement, we will notify the sales agents of the number or dollar value of shares to be issued, the dates on which such sales are anticipated to be made, any limitation on the number of shares that may be sold in one day, any minimum price below which sales may not be made, and other sales parameters as we deem appropriate. Once we have so instructed the designated sales agent, unless such sales agent declines to accept the terms of such notice, such sales 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 sales agents under the sales agreement to sell our common stock are subject to a number of customary conditions that we must meet. We may instruct the sales agents not to sell our common stock if the sales cannot be effected at or above the price designated by us in any such instruction. We and the sales agents may suspend the offering of common stock upon proper notice to the other party and subject to other conditions. We and each sales agent, with respect to itself, have the right, by giving written notice as specified in the sales agreement, to terminate the sales agreement in each party’s sole discretion at any time upon five days’ prior notice.
Under the terms of the sales agreement, no sales may be made in a privately negotiated transaction without our prior consent.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable placement notice, settlement for shares of our common stock will occur on the first trading day following the date on which the sales are made. Sales of our common stock as contemplated in this prospectus supplement will be settled through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company or by such other means as we and the sales agents may agree upon. There is no arrangement for funds to be received in an escrow, trust or similar arrangement.
We will pay the sales agents a commission for their services in acting as agents in the sale of common stock at a commission rate of up to 3.0% of the gross proceeds from each sale. We also agreed to reimburse the sales agents for certain specified fees and documented expenses, including the fees and documented expenses of their legal counsel in an amount not to exceed $85,000.00, plus an additional amount not to exceed $7,500.00 per fiscal quarter on an ongoing basis during the term of the sales agreement, as provided in the sales agreement. 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 estimate that the total expenses for the offering, excluding compensation payable to the sales agents and expense reimbursement under the terms of the sales agreement, will be up to approximately $200,000.
In addition, the sales agreement provides that we will not (i) take any action designed to cause or result in, or that constitutes or would reasonably be expected to constitute, the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any of our securities to facilitate the sale or resale of common stock, or (ii) sell, bid for, or purchase common stock in violation of Regulation M, or pay anyone any compensation for soliciting purchases of the common stock under the sales agreement other than the sales agents. If any sales agent or we have reason to believe that our common stock is no longer an “actively-traded security” as defined under Rule 101(c)(1) of Regulation M under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), that party will promptly notify the other parties.
In connection with the sale of the common stock on our behalf, each of the sales agents may be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act as amended, and their compensation may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts. We have agreed to provide indemnification and contribution to the sales agents with respect to certain liabilities, including civil liabilities under the Securities Act.
The offering of our common stock pursuant to the sales agreement will terminate upon the earlier of (1) the issuance and sale of all common stock subject to the sales agreement; and (2) the termination of the sales agreement as described therein.
The sales agents and their respective affiliates have in the past and may in the future provide various investment banking and/or other financial services for us and/or our affiliates, for which services they may in the future receive customary fees. To the extent required by Regulation M under the Exchange Act, the sales agents will not engage in any market making activities involving our common stock while the offering is ongoing under