Description of Securities
Exhibit 4.1
DESCRIPTION OF REGISTERED SECURITIES
(For information about securities we issued subsequent to December 31, 2023, please refer to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 23, 2024)
The following summary describes the material provisions of our common stock and the warrants that are listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market LLC.
Common Stock
The holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders. The holders of our common stock do not have any cumulative voting rights. Holders of our common stock are entitled to receive ratably any dividends declared by our board of directors out of funds legally available for that purpose, subject to any preferential dividend rights of any outstanding preferred stock. Our common stock has no preemptive rights, conversion rights or other subscription rights or redemption or sinking fund provisions.
In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, holders of our common stock will be entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining after payment of all debts and other liabilities and any liquidation preference of any outstanding preferred stock. The shares as part of the units to be issued by us in this offering will be, when issued and paid for, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
Upon our dissolution or liquidation, after payment in full of all amounts required to be paid to creditors and to the holders of preferred stock having liquidation preferences, if any, the holders of shares of our common stock will be entitled to receive pro rata our remaining assets available for distribution for distribution to stockholders after the payment of all of our debts and other liabilities, subject to the prior rights of any preferred stock then outstanding.
Our common stock is listed for trading on The NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “BFRI”.
Warrants
The following summary of certain terms and provisions of the warrants to purchase one share of our common stock issued in connection with our initial public offering is not complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the provisions of the warrant agent agreement between us and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as warrant agent, and the form of warrant, both of which are filed as exhibits to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 of which this exhibit is a part. There are currently 76,620 warrants outstanding that were issued in connection with our public offering and have not been exercised.
Exercisability
The warrants are immediately exercisable at any time following the consummation of this offering and at any time up to the date that is five years after their original issuance. The warrants will be exercisable, at the option of each holder, in whole or in part by delivering to us a duly executed exercise notice and, at any time a registration statement registering the issuance of the shares of common stock underlying the warrants under the Securities Act is effective and available for the issuance of such shares, or an exemption from registration under the Securities Act is available for the issuance of such shares, by payment in full in immediately available funds for the number of shares of common stock purchased upon such exercise. If a registration statement registering the issuance of the shares of common stock underlying the warrants under the Securities Act is not effective or available and an exemption from registration under the Securities Act is not available for the issuance of such shares, the holder may, in its sole discretion, elect to exercise the warrant through a cashless exercise, in which case the holder would receive upon such exercise the net number of shares of common stock determined according to the formula set forth in the warrant. No fractional shares of common stock will be issued in connection with the exercise of a warrant. In lieu of fractional shares, we will pay the holder an amount in cash equal to the fractional amount multiplied by the exercise price.
We will not effect the exercise of any portion of these warrants, and the holder will not have the right to exercise any portion of the warrants, and any such exercise shall be null and void and treated as if never made, to the extent that after giving effect to such exercise, the holder together with its affiliates and certain other persons specified in these warrants collectively would own beneficially in excess of 4.99% (or, upon election by a holder prior to the issuance of any warrants, 9.99%) of the shares of common stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to such exercise.
Exercise Price
The exercise price per whole share of common stock purchasable upon exercise of the warrants is $100.00 per share. The exercise price is subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of certain stock dividends and distributions, stock splits, stock combinations, reclassifications or similar events affecting our common stock and also upon any distributions of assets, including cash, stock or other property to our stockholders.
Transferability
Subject to applicable laws, the warrants may be offered for sale, sold, transferred or assigned without our consent.
Exchange Listing
The warrants offered in connection with our initial public offering are listed for trading on The NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “BFRIW”.
Warrant Agent
The warrants were issued in registered form under a warrant agent agreement between Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as warrant agent, and us. The warrants are represented by one or more global warrants deposited with the warrant agent, as custodian on behalf of The Depository Trust Company (DTC) and registered in the name of Cede & Co., a nominee of DTC, or as otherwise directed by DTC.
Fundamental Transactions
In the event of a fundamental transaction, as described in the warrants and generally including any reorganization, recapitalization or reclassification of our common stock, the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of our properties or assets, our consolidation or merger with or into another person, the acquisition of more than 50% of our outstanding common stock, or any person or group becoming the beneficial owner of 50% of the voting power represented by our outstanding common stock, the holders of the warrants will be entitled to receive upon exercise of the warrants the kind and amount of securities, cash or other property that the holders would have received had they exercised the warrants immediately prior to such fundamental transaction
Rights as a Stockholder
Except as otherwise provided in the warrants or by virtue of such holder’s ownership of shares of our common stock, the holder of a warrant does not have the rights or privileges of a holder of our common stock, including any voting rights, until the holder exercises the warrant.
Governing Law
The warrants and the warrant agent agreement are governed by New York law.
Stockholder Rights Plan
On October 13, 2022, the Board of Directors of the Company adopted a stockholder rights plan, as set forth in the Stockholder Rights Agreement, dated October 13, 2022, between the Company and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as Rights Agent, as amended on April 26, 2023 (the “Rights Agreement”). The following description of the terms of the Rights Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Rights Agreement, which is attached as an exhibit to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Rights Dividend
Pursuant to the terms of the Rights Agreement, the Board of Directors declared a dividend distribution of one Preferred Stock Purchase Right (a “Right”) for each outstanding share of Common Stock, to stockholders of record as of the close of business on October 24, 2022 (the “Record Date”). In addition, one Right will automatically attach to each share of Common Stock issued between the Record Date and the earlier of the Distribution Date (as defined below) and the expiration date of the Rights. Each Right entitles the registered holder thereof to purchase from the Company a unit consisting of one ten-thousandth of a share (a “Unit”) of Series A Junior Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Company (the “Preferred Stock”) at a cash exercise price of $5.00 per Unit (the “Exercise Price”), subject to adjustment, under certain conditions specified in the Rights Agreement and summarized below.
Distribution Date
Initially, the Rights are not exercisable and are attached to and trade with all shares of Common Stock outstanding as of, and issued subsequent to, the Record Date. The Rights will separate from the Common Stock and will become exercisable upon the earlier of (i) the close of business on the tenth calendar day following the first public announcement that a person or group of affiliated or associated persons or any other person acting in concert with such persons (an “Acquiring Person”) has acquired beneficial ownership of 20% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, other than as a result of repurchases of stock by the Company or certain inadvertent actions by a stockholder (the date of such announcement being referred to as the “Stock Acquisition Date”), or (ii) the close of business on the tenth business day (or such later day as the Board of Directors may determine) following the commencement of a tender offer or exchange offer that could result upon its consummation in a person or group becoming an Acquiring Person (the earlier of such dates being herein referred to as the “Distribution Date”).
A person or group who beneficially owned 20% or more of the Company’s outstanding Common Stock prior to the first public announcement by the Company of the adoption of the Rights Agreement will not trigger the Rights Agreement so long as they do not acquire beneficial ownership of any additional shares of Common Stock at a time when they still beneficially own 20% or more of such Common Stock.
For purposes of the Rights Agreement, beneficial ownership is defined to include ownership of securities that are subject to a derivative transaction and acquired derivative securities. Swaps dealers unassociated with any control intent or intent to evade the purposes of the Rights Agreement are excepted from such imputed beneficial ownership.
Until the Distribution Date (or earlier redemption, exchange or expiration of the Rights), (i) the Rights will be evidenced by the Common Stock certificates (or, with respect to any uncertificated shares of Common Stock registered in book entry form (“Book Entry Shares”), by notation in book entry) and will be transferred with and only with such shares of Common Stock, (ii) new Common Stock certificates or Book Entry Shares issued after the Record Date will contain a notation incorporating the Rights Agreement by reference, and (iii) the surrender for transfer of any certificates for Common Stock or Book Entry Shares will also constitute the transfer of the Rights associated with the Common Stock represented thereby.
As soon as practicable after the Distribution Date, one or more certificates evidencing Rights (the “Right Certificates”) will be mailed to holders of record of Common Stock as of the close of business on the Distribution Date and, thereafter, the separate Right Certificates alone will represent the Rights. Except as otherwise determined by the Board of Directors, only shares of Common Stock issued prior to the Distribution Date will be issued with Rights.
Subscription and Merger Rights
In the event that a Stock Acquisition Date occurs, proper provision will be made so that each holder of a Right (other than an Acquiring Person or its associates or affiliates or any other person acting in concert with such persons, whose Rights shall become null and void) will thereafter have the right to receive upon exercise, in lieu of a number of shares of Preferred Stock, that number of shares of Common Stock of the Company (or, in certain circumstances, including if there are insufficient shares of Common Stock to permit the exercise in full of the Rights, Units of Preferred Stock, other securities, cash or property, or any combination of the foregoing) having a market value of two times the Exercise Price of the Right (such right being referred to as the “Subscription Right”). In the event that, at any time following the Stock Acquisition Date, (i) the Company consolidates with, or merges with and into, any other person, and the Company is not the continuing or surviving corporation, (ii) any person consolidates with the Company, or merges with and into the Company and the Company is the continuing or surviving corporation of such merger and, in connection with such merger, all or part of the shares of Common Stock are changed into or exchanged for stock or other securities of any other person or cash or any other property, or (iii) 50% or more of the Company’s assets or earning power is sold, mortgaged or otherwise transferred, each holder of a Right (other than an Acquiring Person or its associates or affiliates or any other person acting in concert with such persons, whose Rights shall become null and void) will thereafter have the right to receive, upon exercise, common stock of the acquiring company having a market value equal to two times the Exercise Price of the Right (such right being referred to as the “Merger Right”). The holder of a Right will continue to have the Merger Right whether or not such holder has exercised the Subscription Right. Rights that are or were beneficially owned by an Acquiring Person may (under certain circumstances specified in the Rights Agreement) become null and void.
Until a Right is exercised, the holder will have no rights as a stockholder of the Company (beyond those as an existing stockholder), including the right to vote or to receive dividends. While the distribution of the Rights will not be taxable to stockholders or to the Company, stockholders may, depending upon the circumstances, recognize taxable income in the event that the Rights become exercisable for shares of Common Stock, other securities of the Company, other consideration or for common stock of an acquiring company.
Exchange Feature
At any time after a person becomes an Acquiring Person, the Board of Directors may, at its option, exchange all or any part of the then outstanding and exercisable Rights for shares of Common Stock at an exchange ratio of one share of Common Stock for each Right, subject to adjustment as specified in the Rights Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board of Directors generally will not be empowered to effect such exchange at any time after any person becomes the beneficial owner of 50% or more of the Common Stock of the Company.
Preferred Stock Provisions
Each share of Preferred Stock, if issued:
● | will not be redeemable, | |
● | will entitle the holder thereof to quarterly dividend payments equal to the greater of (a) $1.00 per share and (b) 10,000 times the amount of all cash dividends plus 10,000 times the amount of non-cash dividends or other distributions paid on one share of Common Stock, | |
● | will entitle the holder thereof to receive the greater of (1) $10,000.00 per share or (2) an aggregate amount per share, subject to the provision for adjustment hereinafter set forth, equal to 10,000 times the aggregate amount of all cash or other property to be distributed per share to holders of Common Stock upon such liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, | |
● | will have the same voting power as 10,000 shares of Common Stock and, | |
● | if shares of Common Stock are exchanged via merger, consolidation or a similar transaction, will entitle the holder thereof to a per share payment equal to the payment made on 10,000 shares of Common Stock. |
Adjustments
The Exercise Price payable, and the number of shares of Common Stock or other securities or property issuable, upon exercise of the Rights are subject to adjustment from time to time to prevent dilution (i) in the event of a stock dividend on, or a subdivision, combination or reclassification of, the Preferred Stock, (ii) if holders of the Preferred Stock are granted certain rights or warrants to subscribe for Preferred Stock or convertible securities at less than the current market price of the Preferred Stock, or (iii) upon the distribution to holders of the Preferred Stock of evidences of indebtedness or assets (excluding regular quarterly cash dividends) or of subscription rights or warrants (other than those referred to above).
With certain exceptions, no adjustment in the Exercise Price will be required until cumulative adjustments amount to at least 1% of the Exercise Price. The Company is not obligated to issue fractional shares. If the Company elects not to issue fractional shares, in lieu thereof an adjustment in cash will be made based on the fair market value of the Preferred Stock on the last trading date prior to the date of exercise.
Redemption
The Rights may be redeemed in whole, but not in part, at a price of $0.0001 per Right (payable in cash, Common Stock or other consideration deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors) by the Board of Directors only until the earlier of (i) the time at which any person becomes an Acquiring Person or (ii) the expiration date of the Rights Agreement. Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors ordering redemption of the Rights, the Rights will terminate and thereafter the only right of the holders of Rights will be to receive the redemption price.
Amendment
The Rights Agreement may be amended by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion at any time prior to the time at which any person becomes an Acquiring Person. After such time the Board of Directors may, subject to certain limitations set forth in the Rights Agreement, amend the Rights Agreement only to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency, to shorten or lengthen any time period, or to make changes that do not adversely affect the interests of Rights holders (excluding the interests of an Acquiring Person or its associates or affiliates).
Expiration Date
The Rights are not exercisable until the Distribution Date and will expire at the close of business on June 30, 2026; provided that if the Company’s stockholders have not ratified the Rights Agreement by the close of business on the first day after the Company’s 2025 annual meeting of stockholders (including any adjournments or postponement thereof), the Rights will expire at such time, in each case, unless previously redeemed or exchanged by the Company.
Transfer Agent
The transfer agent for our common stock and our preferred stock is Computershare, Inc.