424B3 1 f424b3_013019.htm 424B3

 

Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)

Registration No. 333-228926

PROSPECTUS

 

 

 

Up to $50,000,000

 

Common Shares

 

 

We have entered into a Controlled Equity OfferingSM Sales Agreement, or sales agreement, with Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. relating to our common shares offered by this prospectus. In accordance with the terms of the sales agreement, we may offer and sell shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $50 million from time to time through Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., acting as sales agent.

 

Our common shares are listed on the NYSE American and the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol “ZOM.” On January 29, 2019, the last reported closing sale price of our common shares on the NYSE American was $0.95 per share.

 

We are an “emerging growth company” as that term is used in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, as amended, or the JOBS Act, and, as such, we have elected to comply with certain reduced public company reporting requirements.

 

Investing in our common shares involves risks. Before buying any shares, you should read the discussion of material risks of investing in our common shares in “Risk Factors” beginning on page 3 of this prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference in 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.

 

Upon delivery of a placement notice, and subject to our instructions in that notice and the terms and conditions of the sales agreement generally, Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. may sell our common shares by any method permitted by law deemed to be an “at the market offering” as defined by Rule 415(a)(4) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act. Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. is not required to sell any specific number or dollar amount of securities, but will act as a sales agent using commercially reasonable efforts consistent with its normal trading and sales practices, on mutually agreed terms between Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. and us. There is no arrangement for funds to be received in any escrow, trust or similar arrangement.

 

Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. will be entitled to compensation at a fixed commission rate equal to 3% of the gross sales price per share sold. In connection with the sale of our common shares on our behalf, Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. will be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act and the compensation of Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. will be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts. See “Plan of Distribution” beginning on page 11 for additional information regarding the compensation to be paid to Cantor Fitzgerald & Co.

 

 

 

The date of this prospectus is January 30, 2019.

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

  Page
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS ii
SUMMARY 1
THE OFFERING 2
RISK FACTORS 3
CAUTIONARY NOTE ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS 5
USE OF PROCEEDS 6
MARKET PRICE OF OUR COMMON SHARES 6
DILUTION 7
DESCRIPTION OF COMMON SHARES 8
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION 11
MATERIAL UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS 11
CERTAIN CANADIAN INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS 20
LEGAL MATTERS 22
EXPERTS 22
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION 22

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

i

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

 

This prospectus is part of registration statement on Form S-3 that we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, using a “shelf” registration process. Under the shelf registration process, we may offer our common shares having an aggregate offering price of up to $50 million from time to time under this prospectus at prices and on terms to be determined by market conditions at the time of the offering.

 

We provide information to you about this offering of our common shares in this at the market sales agreement prospectus, which describes the specific terms of this offering of our common shares. To the extent there is a conflict between the information contained in this at the market sales agreement prospectus, on the one hand, and the information contained in any document incorporated by reference that was filed with the SEC before the date of this prospectus, on the other hand, you should rely on the information in this at the market sales agreement prospectus. 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 this prospectus — the statement in the document having the later date modifies or supersedes the earlier statement.

 

We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information different from or inconsistent with the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date of those respective documents, regardless of the time of delivery of those respective documents. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates. You should read this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus in their entirety before making an investment decision. You should also read and consider the information in the documents to which we have referred you in the section of this prospectus entitled “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

We are offering to sell, and seeking offers to buy, our common shares only in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted. The distribution of this prospectus and the offering of our common shares in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law. Persons outside the United States who come into possession of this prospectus must inform themselves about, and observe any restrictions relating to, the offering of our common shares and the distribution of this prospectus outside the United States. This prospectus does not constitute, and may not be used in connection with, an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities offered by this prospectus by any person in any jurisdiction in which it is unlawful for such person to make such an offer or solicitation.

 

All references in this prospectus to “Zomedica,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our” mean Zomedica Pharmaceuticals Corp. and its subsidiaries unless we state otherwise or the context otherwise indicates. This prospectus and the information incorporated herein by reference contain references to trademarks, service marks and trade names owned by us or other companies. Solely for convenience, trademarks, service marks and trade names referred to in this prospectus and the information incorporated herein, including logos, artwork, and other visual displays, may appear without the ® or ™ 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, service marks and trade names. We do not intend our use or display of other companies’ trade names, service marks or trademarks to imply a relationship with, or endorsement or sponsorship of us by, any other companies. Other trademarks, trade names and service marks appearing in this prospectus are the property of their respective owners.

 

ii

 

SUMMARY

 

This summary highlights selected information about us and this offering of our common shares. This summary is not complete and may not contain all of the information that is important to you. We encourage you to read this prospectus, including the information under the caption “Risk Factors” and the information we incorporate by reference, in its entirety.

 

Overview

 

We are a development stage veterinary diagnostic and pharmaceutical company creating products for companion animals (canine, feline, and equine) by focusing on the unmet needs of clinical veterinarians. We believe that we have identified and are developing diagnostics and therapeutics that have the potential to significantly improve the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases affecting companion animals. We believe that there are significant unmet medical needs for pets, and that the pet diagnostic and therapeutic segments of the animal health industry are likely to grow substantially as new diagnostic tools and treatments are identified, developed, and marketed specifically for companion animals.

 

Together with our strategic partners, we are developing a Bulk Acoustic Wave sensor-based veterinary point-of-care diagnostic platform for diagnosis and treatment management of disorders such as thyroid and adrenal abnormalities, a Raman spectroscopy-based point-of-care diagnostic platform for the detection of pathogens, and liquid biopsy assays for the detection of cancer and related consumables. The regulatory pathway to obtain pre-market regulatory approval of companion animal diagnostics is significantly shorter than for similar diagnostic products intended for human use. In certain cases, pre-market regulatory approval may be unnecessary, depending on the intended use of the diagnostic.

 

We also have identified a number of drugs that have proven safe and effective in humans that we are developing for use in canines and felines. We believe this development approach enables us to reduce the risks associated with obtaining regulatory approval for unproven product candidates and shortens the development timeline necessary to bring our product candidates to market. We have four drug product candidates in early development and have identified several other potential product candidates for further investigation.

 

In addition, we are investigating the development of alternative drug delivery technologies for our drug product candidates. Many of the human-approved therapeutics used in companion animals are only available in pill or injectable form. However, it can be difficult to give a companion animal an injection or to assure that the animal has swallowed a pill. As a result, we believe that compliance with treatment regimens is a significant problem for veterinarians and pet owners. The challenges associated with medicating pets are unique, and we believe that developing product candidates that can be easily taken by the pet or easily administered by pet owners will help increase compliance.

 

Corporate Information

 

Zomedica Pharmaceuticals Corp. (formerly, Wise Oakwood Ventures Inc.) was originally incorporated as Wise Oakwood Ventures Inc. on January 7, 2013 under the Business Corporations Act (Alberta) (“ABCA”). On October 28, 2013, we completed our initial public offering in Canada and became classified as a Capital Pool Company, as defined under the rules of the TSX Venture Exchange, or TSX-V. On April 21, 2016, we changed our name to Zomedica Pharmaceuticals Corp. and consolidated our common shares on a one-for-two and one-half basis. ZoMedica Pharmaceuticals Inc., or ZoMedica Inc., was incorporated on May 14, 2015 under the ABCA. On April 21, 2016, we completed a qualifying transaction, or the Qualifying Transaction, under TSX-V Policy 2.4 – Capital Pool Companies, consisting of a three-cornered amalgamation among our company, ZoMedica Inc. and our wholly-owned subsidiary. Under the Qualifying Transaction, ZoMedica Inc. and our subsidiary were amalgamated to form Zomedica Pharmaceuticals Ltd., or Zomedica Ltd. As consideration for the amalgamation, shareholders of ZoMedica Inc. became the owners of 97.6% (non-diluted) of our common shares, and ZoMedica Ltd. became our wholly-owned subsidiary. Subsequent to the Qualifying Transaction, Zomedica Ltd. was vertically amalgamated into our company. We have one wholly-owned subsidiary, Zomedica Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware company. Our principal executive offices are located at 100 Phoenix Drive, Suite 190, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, and our telephone number is (734) 369-2555. Our website address is www.zomedica.com. We have not incorporated by reference into this prospectus the information on our website, and you should not consider it to be a part of this document.

 

1

 

THE OFFERING

 

 

Common shares offered by us

Common shares having an aggregate offering price of up to $50 million.

 

Common shares to be outstanding after this offering

Up to 153,753,501 common shares, assuming sales of 52,631,578 shares in this offering at a public offering price of $0.95 per share, which was the closing price of our common shares on the NYSE American on January 29, 2019. The actual number of shares issued will vary depending on the sales price under this offering.

 

Manner of offering

“At the market” offering that may be made from time to time through our sales agent, Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. See “Plan of Distribution” beginning on page 11 of this prospectus.

 

Use of Proceeds

We currently intend to use the net proceeds from this offering for the development of our product candidates, the funding of our working capital needs and other general corporate purposes. See “Use of Proceeds” on page 6 of this prospectus.

 

Risk Factors

Investing in our common shares involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 3 of this prospectus and under similar headings in the other documents that are filed after the date hereof and incorporated by reference in this prospectus for a discussion of factors to consider before deciding to purchase our common shares.

 

NYSE American and TSX-V symbol “ZOM”

 

The number of common shares to be outstanding after this offering is based on 101,121,923 common shares outstanding on January 14, 2019 and excludes, as of that date, the following:

 

  · 6,417,004 common shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding options with a weighted average exercise price of $1.56 per share; and

 

  · 3,695,188 common shares available for future issuance under our equity incentive plan.

 

2

 

RISK FACTORS

 

An investment in our shares of common stock involves a high degree of risk. Prior to making a decision about investing in our common shares, you should carefully consider the risks, uncertainties and assumptions discussed under Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, as such risk factors may be updated in our subsequent reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are incorporated herein by reference and as may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by other reports we file with the SEC in the future, together with information in this prospectus and any other information incorporated by reference into this prospectus, including the risk factors set forth below. See the sections of this prospectus entitled “Where You Can Find More Information.” Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us, or that we currently see as immaterial, may also harm our business. If any of these risks occur, our business, financial condition and operating results could be harmed, the trading price of our common shares could decline and you could lose part or all of your investment.

 

This prospectus also contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including the risks faced by us described below and elsewhere in this prospectus. See “Cautionary Note On Forward-Looking Statements” for information relating to these forward-looking statements.

 

Risks Relating to this Offering

 

You may experience immediate and substantial dilution in the book value per share of the common shares you purchase.

 

Because the price per share of our common shares being offered may be higher than the book value per share of our common shares, you may suffer substantial dilution in the net tangible book value of the common shares you purchase in this offering. See the section entitled “Dilution” below for a more detailed discussion of the dilution you will incur if you purchase common shares in this offering. In addition, we have a significant number of options outstanding. If the holders of these securities exercise them you may incur further dilution.

 

Sales of a significant number of our common shares in the public markets, or the perception that such sales could occur, could depress the market price of our common shares.

 

Sales of a significant number of our common shares in the public markets, or the perception that such sales could occur, could depress the market price of our common shares and impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of additional equity securities. We have agreed, without the prior written consent of Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. and subject to certain exceptions set forth in the sales agreement, not to sell or otherwise dispose of any common shares or securities convertible into or exchangeable for common shares, warrants or any rights to purchase or acquire common shares during the period beginning on the fifth trading day immediately prior to the delivery of any placement notice delivered by us to Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. and ending on the fifth trading day immediately following the final settlement date with respect to the shares sold pursuant to such notice. We have further agreed, subject to certain exceptions set forth in the sales agreement, not to sell or otherwise dispose of any common shares or securities convertible into or exchangeable for common shares, warrants or any rights to purchase or acquire common shares in any other “at the market” or continuous equity transaction prior to the termination of the sales agreement with Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. Therefore, it is possible that we could issue and sell additional common shares in the public markets. We cannot predict the effect that future sales of our common shares would have on the market price of our common shares.

 

Our share price has been and could remain volatile.

 

The market price of our common shares has historically experienced and may continue to experience significant volatility. From November 21, 2017 through January 29, 2019, the market price of our common shares has fluctuated from a high of $2.98 per share to a low of $0.82 per share. Our progress in developing and commercializing our drug candidates and diagnostic products, the impact of government regulations on our drug candidates and diagnostic products and our industry, the potential sales of common shares by our shareholders, our quarterly operating results, changes in general conditions in the economy or the financial markets and other developments affecting us or our competitors could cause the market price of our common shares to fluctuate substantially with significant market losses. If our shareholders sell a substantial number of our common shares, especially if those sales are made during a short period of time, those sales could adversely affect the market price of our common shares and could impair our ability to raise capital. In addition, in recent years, the stock market has experienced significant price and volume fluctuations. This volatility has affected the market prices of securities issued by many companies for reasons unrelated to their operating performance and may adversely affect the price of our common shares. In addition, we could be subject to a securities class action litigation as a result of volatility in the price of our common shares, which could result in substantial costs and diversion of management’s attention and resources and could harm the price of our common shares, business, prospects, results of operations and financial condition.

 

3

 

Our management may invest or spend the proceeds of this offering in ways with which you may not agree or in ways which may not yield a significant return.

 

Our management will have considerable discretion in the application of the net proceeds of this offering, and you will not have the opportunity, as part of your investment decision, to assess whether the proceeds are being used appropriately. The net proceeds may be used for corporate purposes that do not increase our operating results or enhance the value of our common shares. Pending their use, we may invest the net proceeds from this offering in short-term, investment-grade, interest-bearing securities. These investments may not yield a favorable return to our shareholders. If we do not invest or apply the net proceeds from this offering in ways that enhance shareholder value, we may fail to achieve expected financial results, which could cause the price of our common shares to decline.

 

4

 

CAUTIONARY NOTE ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This prospectus, including the documents incorporated by reference herein, contains forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential” or “continue,” the negative or plural of these words and other comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements in this prospectus include, but are not limited to, statements about:

 

  · the success, cost and timing of our research and development activities, validation studies and pivotal trials, including with respect to our lead product candidates, ZM-017, ZM-012, ZM-006, ZM-007 and ZM-011;

 

  · our ability to obtain regulatory approval from the Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine and/or the USDA Center for Veterinary Biologics for our pharmaceutical and diagnostic product candidates, as applicable;

 

  · our ability to obtain funding for our operations;

 

  · the ability of our contract research organizations to appropriately conduct our safety studies and certain development activities;

 

  · the ability of our contract manufacturing organizations to manufacture and supply our product candidates in accordance with current Good Manufacturing Practices and our clinical needs;

 

  · our plans to develop and commercialize our product candidates;

 

  · our ability to develop and commercialize product candidates that can compete effectively against the product candidates developed and commercialized by our competitors or the current standards of care (including human generic drugs);

 

  · the size and growth of the veterinary diagnostics and therapeutics markets;

 

  · our ability to obtain and maintain intellectual property protection for our current and future product candidates;

 

  · regulatory developments in the United States;

 

  · the loss of key scientific or management personnel;

 

  · our expectations regarding the period during which we will be an “emerging growth company” under the JOBS Act;

 

  · the accuracy of our estimates regarding expenses, future revenues, capital requirements and needs for additional financing; and

 

  · our status as a “passive foreign investment company” for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

These forward-looking statements, which are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions about us, may include projections of our future financial performance, our anticipated growth strategies and anticipated trends in our business. These statements are only predictions based on our current expectations and projections about future events. There are important factors that could cause our actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from the results, level of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including those factors discussed under the caption entitled “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, as modified under the caption “Risk Factors” in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2018 and our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 20, 2018.

 

5

 

Although we believe the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, level of activity, performance or achievements. Moreover, neither we nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of any of these forward-looking statements. We are under no duty to update any of these forward-looking statements after the date of this prospectus to conform our prior statements to actual results or revised expectations.

 

USE OF PROCEEDS

 

The amount of proceeds from this offering will depend upon the number of our common shares sold and the market price at which they are sold. There can be no assurance that we will be able to sell any shares under or fully utilize the sales agreement with Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. as a source of financing. We currently intend to use the net proceeds from this offering for the development of our product candidates, the funding of our working capital needs and other general corporate purposes. Until we use the net proceeds of this offering, we intend to invest the funds in short-term, investment grade, interest-bearing securities.

 

The amount and timing of actual expenditures for the purposes set forth above may vary based on several factors, and our management will retain broad discretion as to the ultimate allocation of the proceeds.

 

MARKET PRICE OF OUR COMMON SHARES

 

Our common shares commenced trading on the NYSE American on November 21, 2017 under the symbol “ZOM.” The following table sets forth the high and low sale prices for our common shares for the periods indicated as reported on the NYSE American:

 

Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2019 High Sales Price Low Sales Price
First Quarter (through January 29, 2019) $1.27 $0.82
     
Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2018 High Sales Price Low Sales Price
Fourth Quarter $1.97 $1.04
Third Quarter $2.40 $1.81
Second Quarter $2.98 $1.75
First Quarter $2.33 $1.79
     
Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2017 High Sales Price Low Sales Price
Fourth Quarter (from November 21, 2017) $2.47 $1.91

 

6

 

DILUTION

 

If you invest in our common shares in this offering, your ownership interest will be diluted to the extent of the difference between the price per share you pay in this offering and our as adjusted net tangible book value per share after this offering. We calculate net tangible book value per share by dividing our net tangible book value, which is tangible assets less total liabilities, by the number of our common shares outstanding.

 

Our net tangible book value as of September 30, 2018 was approximately $2.9 million, or $0.03 per share. Our as adjusted net tangible book value per share after this offering gives effect to the sale of $50 million of common shares in this offering at an assumed offering price of $0.95 per share, which was the closing price of our common shares as reported on the NYSE American on January 29, 2019, after deducting offering commissions and estimated expenses payable by us. Our as adjusted net tangible book value as of September 30, 2018, after giving effect to this offering as described above, would have been approximately $51.2 million, or $0.35 per common share. This represents an immediate increase in as adjusted net tangible book value of $0.32 per share to existing shareholders and an immediate dilution of $0.60 per share to new investors purchasing our common shares in this offering. The following table illustrates this per share dilution:

 

Assumed offering price per share

  $0.95 

Net tangible book value per share as of September 30, 2018

$0.03  

Increase in net tangible book value per share attributable to new investors

$0.32  
     

As adjusted net tangible book value per share as of September 30, 2018 after giving effect to this offering

  $0.35
     
Dilution per share to new investors in this offering   $0.60

 

The above discussion and table are based on 94,596,209 common shares outstanding as of September 30, 2018 and excludes, as of that date, the following:

 

  · 3,687,004 common shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding options with a weighted average exercise price of $1.33 per share; and

 

  · 5,772,616 common shares available for future issuance under our equity incentive plan.

 

To the extent that options are exercised, new options are issued under our equity incentive plan, or we issue additional common shares in the future, there may be further dilution to investors participating in this offering. In addition, we may choose to raise additional capital because of market conditions or strategic considerations, even if we believe that we have sufficient funds for our current or future operating plans. If we raise additional capital through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, the issuance of these securities could result in further dilution to our shareholders.

 

7

 

DESCRIPTION OF COMMON SHARES

 

The following is a summary of the rights of our common shares as set forth in our Articles of Incorporation, as amended, and By-laws, which are included as exhibits to the registration statement relating to this offering filed by us with the SEC. This summary does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the full text of our aforementioned constating documents and by applicable law.

 

Our authorized capital consists of an unlimited number of common shares without nominal or par value and an unlimited number of preferred shares without nominal or par value, which are issuable in series.

 

As of January 14, 2019, 101,121,923 common shares were issued and outstanding as fully paid and non-assessable shares. No preferred shares had been issued as of that date and accordingly, none were issued and outstanding. In addition, as of January 14, 2019, we had outstanding options to purchase an aggregate of 6,417,004 common shares outstanding with a weighted average exercise price of $1.56 per share.

 

The additional shares of our authorized stock available for issuance may be issued at times and under circumstances so as to have a dilutive effect on earnings per share and on the equity ownership of the holders of our common shares. The ability of our board of directors to issue additional shares could enhance the board’s ability to negotiate on behalf of the shareholders in a take-over situation but could also be used by the board of directors to make a change-in-control more difficult, thereby denying shareholders the potential to sell their shares at a premium and entrenching current management.

 

Dividend Rights

 

Subject to any rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions which may apply to any series of preferred shares that are issued, holders of our common shares are entitled to receive dividends, if, as and when declared by the board of directors.

 

Voting Rights

 

The holders of the common shares are entitled to receive notice of and attend any meeting of our shareholders and are entitled to cast one vote for each common share held.

 

No Preemptive, Conversion or Redemption Rights

 

Holders of our common shares are not entitled to preemptive rights and our common shares are not subject to conversion or redemption.

 

Rights upon Liquidation

 

On the winding-up, liquidation or dissolution of our company or upon the happening of any other event giving rise to a distribution of our assets other than by way of dividend amongst our shareholders for the purposes of winding-up our affairs, subject to any rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions which may have been determined by the directors to attach to any series of preferred shares, the holders of all common shares shall be entitled to participate pari passu.

 

Action Necessary to Change the Rights of Holders of our Shares

 

Under the ABCA, a company can amend its articles and governing documents via a special resolution of its shareholders. A “special resolution” is a resolution passed by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the votes cast by the shareholders who voted in respect of that resolution or signed by all the shareholders entitled to vote on that resolution. Items that can be amended via special resolution include (but are not limited to): a change in our name; changing any maximum number of shares that we are authorized to issue; creating new classes of shares; reducing or increasing our stated capital; changing the designation of our shares to add, change or remove any rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions, including rights to accrued dividends, in respect of all or any of our shares, whether issued or unissued; dividing a class of shares, whether issued or unissued, into series and fixing the number of shares in each series and the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions thereof; authorizing the directors to divide any class of unissued shares into series and to fix the number of shares in each series and the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions thereof; authorizing the directors to change the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attached to unissued shares of any series; or adding, changing or removing restrictions on the issue, transfer or ownership of shares.

 

8

 

Shareholder Meetings

 

Under the ABCA: (1) We must hold an annual meeting of shareholders not later than 15 months after holding the last preceding annual meeting; (2) the directors may at any time call a special meeting of shareholders; and (3) the holders of not less than 5% of our issued shares that carry the right to vote at a meeting sought to be held may requisition the directors to call a meeting of shareholders for the purposes stated in the requisition. The most recent annual meeting of our shareholders was held on August 15, 2018.

 

The ABCA requires that notice of the time and place of a meeting of shareholders shall be sent not less than 21 days and not more than 50 days before the meeting: (1) to each shareholder on record that is entitled to vote at the meeting; (2) to each director; and (3) to our auditor.

 

We also comply with certain continuous disclosure obligations of a reporting issuer in Canada respecting shareholder meetings, in addition to the rules and policies of the TSX-V. 

 

Certain Take-over Bid Requirements

 

Canadian laws applicable to us provide for early warning disclosure requirements and for take-over bid rules for bids made to security holders in various jurisdictions in Canada, a summary of which is set forth below.

 

In Canada, securities laws are a matter of provincial/territorial jurisdiction and, as a result, bids are governed by applicable corporate and securities legislation in each province or territory in addition to policy and instruments implemented by Canadian Securities Administrators.

 

Under the laws of the Provinces of Alberta and British Columbia, the jurisdictions in Canada in which we are a reporting issuer (as defined under provincial securities law), when any person (an “offeror”) acquires, except pursuant to a formal take-over bid, beneficial ownership of, or the power to exercise control or direction over, or securities convertible into, voting or equity securities of any class of a reporting issuer that, together with such offeror’s securities of that class, would constitute 10% or more of the outstanding securities of that class, the offeror must immediately (i) issue and file a press release announcing the acquisition and (ii) file a report of such acquisition with the applicable securities regulatory authorities within two business days of the acquisition. Once an offeror has filed such report, the offeror is required to issue further press releases and file further reports each time that the offeror, or any person acting jointly or in concert with the offeror, acquires beneficial ownership of, or the power to exercise control or direction over, or securities convertible into, an additional 2% or more of the outstanding securities of the applicable class and upon a change of any other material fact set out in previous reports. Certain institutional investors may elect an alternative monthly reporting system.

 

In Alberta, British Columbia and other Canadian jurisdictions, a take-over bid is generally defined as an offer to acquire outstanding voting or equity securities of a class made to any holder in the jurisdiction of securities subject to the offer to acquire, if the securities subject to the offer to acquire, together with securities held by the offeror and any person acting jointly or in concert with the offeror, constitute in aggregate 20% or more of the outstanding securities of that class of securities at the date of the offer to acquire. Subject to limited exemptions, a take-over bid must generally be made to all holders of securities of the class that is subject to the bid who are in the jurisdiction and must allow such security holders 35 days to accept the bid. Unless exemptions are available, the offeror must deliver to the security holders a take-over bid circular which describes the terms of the take-over bid and the directors of the reporting issuer must deliver a directors’ circular not later than 15 days after the date of the bid, either making or declining to make a recommendation to security holders to accept or reject the bid and the reasons for their making or not making a recommendation. Whilst provincial securities laws in Canada only regulate offers to residents of the particular province, the Canadian Securities Administrators have adopted a policy whereby they may issue a cease trade order against a company if a take-over bid is not made to all Canadian security holders. It should be noted that one exemption from the aforementioned provisions is in the case of a “foreign take-over bid.” Such an exemption may be available where (among other criteria): (a) security holders whose last address as shown on the books of the offeree issuer is in Canada hold less than 10% of the outstanding securities of the class subject to the bid at the commencement of the bid; (b) the offeror reasonably believes that security holders in Canada beneficially own less than 10% of the outstanding securities of the class subject to the bid at the commencement of the bid; (c) the published market on which the greatest volume of trading in securities of that class occurred during the 12 months immediately preceding the commencement of the bid was not in Canada; (d) security holders in the local jurisdiction are entitled to participate in the bid on terms at least as favourable as the terms that apply to the general body of security holders of the same class; (e) at the same time as material relating to the bid is sent by or on behalf of the offeror to security holders of the class that is subject to the bid, the material is filed and sent to security holders whose last address as shown on the books of the offeree issuer is in the local jurisdiction. For a complete description of the foreign take-over bid exemption, readers are referenced to Multilateral Instrument 62-104 – Take-over Bids and Issuer Bids, issued by the Canadian Securities Administrators.

 

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Transfer Agent and Registrar

 

The transfer agent and registrar for our common shares is AST Trust Company (Canada). Our transfer agent’s address is 1 Toronto Street, Suite 1200, Toronto, Ontario M5C 2VC and its telephone number is (416) 682-3844.

 

Our co-transfer agent is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company.

 

Listing

 

Our common shares are listed on the NYSE American and the TSX-V under the symbol “ZOM.”

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

We have entered into a Controlled Equity OfferingSM sales agreement with Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. pursuant to which we may offer and sell our common shares from time to time through Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. acting as sales agent, including sales having an aggregate gross sales price of up to $50.0 million pursuant to this prospectus supplement. This summary of the material provisions of the sales agreement does not purport to be a complete statement of its terms and conditions. The sales agreement has been filed with the SEC and is included as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

 

Upon delivery of a placement notice, and subject to the Company’s instructions in that notice, and the terms and conditions of the sales agreement generally, Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. may sell our common shares by any method permitted by law deemed to be an “at the market offering” as defined by Rule 415(a)(4) promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

We will pay Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. in cash, upon each sale of our common shares pursuant to the sales agreement, a commission in an amount equal to 3.0% of the aggregate gross proceeds from each sale of our common shares. Because there is no minimum offering amount required as a condition to this offering, the actual total public offering amount, commissions and proceeds to us, if any, are not determinable at this time. We have agreed to reimburse a portion of Cantor Fitzgerald & Co.’s expenses, including legal fees, in connection with this offering up to a maximum of $75,000. In accordance with FINRA Rule 5110 these reimbursed fees and expenses are deemed sales compensation to Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. in connection with this offering. We estimate that the total expenses for the offering, excluding compensation and expense reimbursement payable to Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. under the terms of the sales agreement, will be approximately $150,000.

 

Settlement for sales of common shares will occur on the second trading day following the date on which any sales are made, or on some other date that is agreed upon by us and Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. in connection with a particular transaction, in return for payment of the net proceeds to us. There is no arrangement for funds to be received in an escrow, trust or similar arrangement. Sales of our common shares as contemplated in this prospectus will be settled through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company or by such other means as we and Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. may agree upon.

 

Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. will act as sales agent on a commercially reasonable efforts basis consistent with its normal trading and sales practices and applicable state and federal laws, rules and regulations and the rules of the NYSE American. In connection with the sale of common shares on our behalf, Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. will be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act and the compensation of Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. will be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts. We have agreed to provide indemnification and contribution to Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

 

The offering of our common shares pursuant to the sales agreement will terminate as permitted therein. We or Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. may terminate the sales agreement at any time upon ten (10) days’ prior notice.

 

Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. and its affiliates may in the future provide various investment banking, commercial banking and other financial services for us and our affiliates, for which services they may in the future receive customary fees.

 

This prospectus in electronic format may be made available on a website maintained by Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. and Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. may distribute this prospectus electronically.

 

MATERIAL UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

 

The following summary describes the material U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. Holders (as defined below) of acquiring, owning, and disposing of our common shares acquired pursuant to this prospectus.

 

Scope of this Summary

 

Tax Consequences Not Addressed

 

This summary does not address all potential U.S. federal income tax considerations that may be relevant to a particular U.S. Holder. In addition, this summary does not take into account the individual facts and circumstances that may affect the U.S. federal income tax consequences to a particular U.S. Holder, including specific tax consequences under an applicable income tax treaty. Accordingly, this summary is not intended to be, and should not be construed as, legal or U.S. federal income tax advice with respect to any U.S. Holder. This summary does not address any U.S. federal alternative minimum, U.S. federal estate and gift, U.S. state and local, or non-U.S. tax considerations. Except as specifically set forth below, this summary does not discuss tax reporting requirements that may be applicable to any particular U.S. Holder. Each prospective U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of acquiring, owning, and disposing of our common shares acquired pursuant to this prospectus.

 

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Authorities

 

This summary is based upon the provisions of the Code, the United States Treasury Regulations (whether final, temporary, or proposed) promulgated thereunder, the Convention Between Canada and the United States of America with Respect to Taxes on Income and on Capital, signed September 26, 1980, as amended (the “Canada-U.S. Tax Convention”), and administrative rulings and judicial decisions interpreting the Code and the United States Treasury Regulations, all as currently in effect, and all subject to differing interpretations or change, possibly on a retroactive basis. We have not sought, and will not seek, a ruling from the IRS regarding any matter discussed herein, and no assurance can be given that the IRS would not assert, or that a court would not sustain, a position that is different from, and contrary to, the positions taken in this summary.

 

U.S. Holders

 

For purposes of this summary, the term “U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of common shares acquired pursuant to this prospectus that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

 

· an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States (as determined under U.S. federal income tax rules);

 

· a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or of any political subdivision of the United States;

 

· an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or

 

· a trust that (i) is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and the control of one or more U.S. persons for all substantial decisions or (ii) has a valid election in effect under applicable United States Treasury Regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.

 

An individual may be a resident for U.S. federal income tax purposes in any calendar year if the individual was present in the United States for at least 31 days in that calendar year and for an aggregate of at least 183 days during the three-year period ending with the current calendar year. For purposes of this calculation, all of the days present in the current year, one-third of the days present in the immediately preceding year, and one-sixth of the days present in the second preceding year are counted. Residents are taxed for U.S. federal income tax purposes as if they were U.S. citizens.

 

Non-U.S. Holders Not Addressed

 

For purposes of this summary, a “non-U.S. Holder” is a beneficial owner of common shares that is not a U.S. Holder and is not a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. This summary does not address the U.S. federal income tax consequences to non-U.S. Holders of acquiring, owning, and disposing of common shares. Each prospective investor should consult a professional tax advisor with respect to the U.S. federal income, U.S. alternative minimum, U.S. federal estate and gift, U.S. state and local, and non-U.S. tax consequences of acquiring, owning, and disposing of our common shares.

 

Certain U.S. Holders Not Addressed

 

This summary does not address the U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable U.S. Holders that are subject to special provisions under the Code, including, but not limited to, U.S. Holders that:

 

· are tax-exempt organizations, qualified retirement plans, individual retirement accounts, or other tax-deferred accounts;

 

· are financial institutions, underwriters, insurance companies, real estate investment trusts, or regulated investment companies;

 

· are broker-dealers, dealers, or traders in securities or currencies that elect to apply a mark-to-market accounting method;

 

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· have a “functional currency” other than the U.S. dollar;

 

· own common shares as part of a straddle, hedging transaction, conversion transaction, constructive sale, or other arrangement involving more than one position;

 

· acquired common shares in connection with the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation for services;

 

· hold common shares other than as a capital asset within the meaning of section 1221 of the Code (generally, property held for investment purposes);

 

· are partnerships or other “pass-through” entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes (or investors in such partnerships or entities);

 

· own, have owned, or will own (directly, indirectly, or by attribution) 10% or more of the total combined voting power or total value of the outstanding shares of our company;

 

· are U.S. expatriates or former long-term residents of the United States;

 

· have been, are, or will be residents or deemed to be residents in Canada for purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada) and the regulations thereunder (the “Tax Act”);

 

· use or hold, will use or hold, or that are or will be deemed to use or hold common shares in connection with carrying on a business in Canada;

 

· are persons whose common shares constitute “taxable Canadian property” under the Tax Act; or

 

· have a permanent establishment in Canada for the purposes of the Canada-U.S. Tax Convention.

 

U.S. Holders that are subject to special provisions under the Code, including, but not limited to, U.S. Holders described immediately above, should consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income, U.S. federal alternative minimum, U.S. federal estate and gift, U.S. state and local, and non-U.S. tax consequences of acquiring, owning, and disposing of our common shares.

 

The following summary is not a substitute for careful tax planning and advice. U.S. Holders of common shares are urged to consult their own tax advisors concerning the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the issues discussed herein, in light of their particular circumstances, as well as any considerations arising under the laws of any foreign, state, local, or other taxing jurisdiction.

 

PFIC Status and Related Tax Consequences

 

Status as a PFIC

 

We believe we were classified as a PFIC during our taxable year ended 2017, and based on current business plans and financial expectations, we believe we will continue to be a PFIC for the current and future taxable years. As a result, certain potentially adverse rules may affect the U.S. federal income tax consequences to a U.S. Holder of acquiring, owning, and disposing of our common shares. No opinion of legal counsel or ruling from the IRS concerning our status as a PFIC has been obtained or is currently planned to be requested. The determination of whether any corporation was, or will be, a PFIC for a taxable year depends, in part, on the application of complex U.S. federal income tax rules, which are subject to differing interpretations. In addition, whether any corporation will be a PFIC for any taxable year depends on the assets and income of such corporation calculated on an annual basis and, as a result, cannot be predicted with certainty as of the date of this prospectus. Each U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisors regarding the PFIC status of our company.

 

A foreign corporation generally will be classified as a PFIC under Section 1297 of the Code in any taxable year in which either:

 

· at least 75% of its gross income is “passive income,” or the PFIC Income Test; or

 

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· at least 50% of the gross value of its assets is attributable to assets that produce, or are held for the production of, passive income, based on the quarterly average of the fair market value of such assets, or the PFIC Asset Test.

 

For this purpose, passive income generally includes, among other things, dividends, interest, rents, royalties, gains from the disposition of passive assets and gains from commodities and securities transactions. Passive assets include cash and liquid securities, even if used as working capital.

 

If our company is a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder owns common shares, such U.S. Holder will be subject to different taxation rules with respect to an investment in our common shares depending on whether such U.S. Holder makes an election to treat our company as a “qualified electing fund” under Section 1295 of the Code, or a QEF Election or makes a mark-to-market election under Section 1296 of the Code, or a Mark-to-Market Election. A U.S. Holder that does not make either election is referred to in this summary as a “Non-Electing U.S. Holder.”

 

Default PFIC Rules

 

A Non-Electing U.S. Holder will be subject to the rules of Section 1291 of the Code.

 

Distributions are divided into two categories, “excess distributions” and others. An excess distribution is the amount received in a taxable year that exceeds 125% of the average annual distributions paid on our common shares in the three preceding taxable years.

 

Any gain realized on the sale, exchange or other disposition of our common shares is also considered an excess distribution.

 

Under these rules:

 

· the excess distribution is allocated ratably over the holding period (on a daily basis) for the common shares;

 

· the amount allocated to prior taxable years is subject to tax at the highest rate of tax applicable to ordinary income in each such year;

 

· an interest charge for the deemed tax deferral is imposed with respect to the resulting tax attributable to each such prior taxable year. A taxpayer that is not a corporation must treat any such interest paid as “personal interest,” which is not deductible; and

 

· the amount allocated to the current taxable year is taxed as ordinary income and would not be “qualified dividend income” or long-term capital gain (see “General Rules Applicable to the Ownership and Disposition of Common Shares – Distributions on Common Shares” below).

 

In addition, if a Non-Electing U.S. Holder who is an individual dies while owning our common shares the Non-Electing U.S. Holder’s successor would be ineligible to receive a step-up in tax basis of the common shares.

 

To the extent a distribution on our common shares does not constitute an excess distribution to a Non-Electing U.S. Holder, such Non-Electing U.S. Holder generally will be required to include the amount of such distribution in gross income as a dividend to the extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes) that are not allocated to excess distributions, and will not be eligible for the reduced rates applicable to “qualified dividend income” with respect to such distribution.

 

Although a determination as to our PFIC status will be made annually, an initial determination that we are a PFIC will generally apply for subsequent years to a Non-Electing U.S. Holder who held common shares while we are a PFIC, whether or not we meet the PFIC Income Test or PFIC Asset Test in those subsequent years. Non-Electing U.S. Holders are encouraged to consult their tax advisors regarding the application of the PFIC rules to their specific situation.

 

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QEF Election

 

A U.S. Holder that makes a timely and effective QEF Election with respect to our common shares, referred to in this disclosure as an “Electing U.S. Holder,” will not be subject to the default PFIC tax, or Section 1291, and interest charge rules (or the denial of basis step-up at death) discussed above with respect to such shares. Instead, an Electing U.S. Holder must include in income such shareholder’s pro rata share of our ordinary earnings and net capital gain, if any, for our taxable year that ends with or within the taxable year of the Electing U.S. Holder. The amount so included in income generally will be treated as ordinary income to the extent of such Electing U.S. Holder’s allocable share of the PFIC’s ordinary earnings and as long-term capital gain to the extent of such Electing U.S. Holder’s allocable share of the PFIC’s net capital gains. No portion of any such inclusion of ordinary earnings will be eligible to be treated as “qualified dividend income.” If an Electing U.S. Holder is an individual, any such net capital gain inclusions would be eligible for taxation at the preferential capital gain tax rates. Such income inclusions generally will be treated as income from sources outside the United States for foreign tax credit purposes.

 

An Electing U.S. Holder will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on such income inclusions for each taxable year in which we are a PFIC, regardless of whether such amounts are actually distributed to such Electing U.S. Holder. However, an Electing U.S. Holder may, subject to certain limitations, elect to defer payment of current U.S. federal income tax on such amounts, subject to an interest charge. If an Electing U.S. Holder is an individual, any such interest will be treated as non-deductible “personal interest.”

 

Any net operating loss or net capital loss of a PFIC will not pass through to the Electing U.S. Holder and will not offset any ordinary earnings or net capital gain of a PFIC recognized by Electing U.S. Holders in subsequent years (although such losses would ultimately reduce the gain, or increase the loss, recognized by the Electing U.S. Holder on its disposition of the common shares).

 

An Electing U.S. Holder generally (i) may receive a tax-free distribution from our company to the extent that such distribution represents earnings and profits of our company that were previously included in income by the Electing U.S. Holder because of such QEF Election and (ii) will adjust such Electing U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the common shares to reflect the amount included in income or allowed as a tax-free distribution because of such QEF Election. In addition, an Electing U.S. Holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss on the sale, exchange, or other taxable disposition of common shares.

 

A U.S. Holder may make a timely QEF Election with respect to its ownership of our common shares by filing one copy of IRS Form 8621, including a PFIC Annual Information Statement, to a timely filed United States federal income tax return for the first year in which it holds our common shares. If a U.S. Holder does not make a timely and effective QEF Election for the first year in the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the common shares, the U.S. Holder may still be able to make a timely and effective QEF Election in a subsequent year if such U.S. Holder meets certain requirements and makes a “purging election” pursuant to Section 1291(d) of the Code recognizing gain as if its common shares were sold for their fair market value on the day the QEF Election is effective (which will be taxed under the default rules of Section 1291 of the Code discussed above). If a U.S. Holder makes a QEF Election but does not make a “purging election,” then such U.S. Holder shall not be subject to the QEF Election rules and shall continue to be subject to tax under the rules of Section 1291 discussed above with respect to its common shares. If a U.S. Holder owns PFIC stock indirectly through another PFIC, separate QEF Elections must be made for the PFIC in which the U.S. Holder is a direct shareholder and the subsidiary PFIC for the QEF rules to apply to both PFICs.  A QEF Election for a U.S. Holder will be effective only if we agree to provide certain information to such holder annually.  At this time, we intend to provide U.S. Holders with such information as may be required to make a QEF Election effective, but we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.

 

A QEF Election will apply to the taxable year for which such QEF Election is timely made and to all subsequent taxable years, unless such QEF Election is invalidated or terminated or the IRS consents to revocation of such QEF Election. If a U.S. Holder makes a QEF Election and, in a subsequent taxable year we cease to be a PFIC, the QEF Election will remain in effect (although it will not be applicable) during those taxable years in which we are not a PFIC. Accordingly, if we become a PFIC in another subsequent taxable year, the QEF Election will be effective and the Electing U.S. Holder will be subject to the QEF rules described above during any subsequent taxable year in which the Company qualifies as a PFIC.

 

Each U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisors regarding tax consequences of a QEF Election with respect to us and any subsidiary PFIC.

 

Mark-to-Market Election

 

Alternatively, if our common shares are “marketable stock,” a U.S. Holder generally would be permitted to make a Mark-to-Market Election. Generally, stock will be considered “marketable stock” if it is “regularly traded” on a “qualified exchange” within the meaning of applicable United States Treasury Regulations. A class of stock is “regularly traded” on an exchange during any calendar year in which such class of stock is traded, other than in de minimis quantities, on at least 15 days during each calendar quarter. A “qualified exchange” includes: (i) a national securities exchange that is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, (ii) the national market system established pursuant to section 11A of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, or (iii) a foreign securities exchange that is regulated or supervised by a governmental authority of the country in which the market is located, provided that (a) such foreign exchange has trading volume, listing, financial disclosure, and surveillance requirements, and meets other requirements and the laws of the country in which such foreign exchange is located, together with the rules of such foreign exchange, ensure that such requirements are actually enforced and (b) the rules of such foreign exchange effectively promote active trading of listed stocks.

 

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If a Mark-to-Market Election is made, the U.S. Holder generally would include as ordinary income in each taxable year the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the common shares at the end of the taxable year over such U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the common shares. The U.S. Holder would also be permitted an ordinary loss in respect of the excess, if any, of the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the common shares over their fair market value at the end of the taxable year, but only to the extent of the net amount previously included in income as a result of the Mark-to-Mark Election. A U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the common shares would be adjusted to reflect the amount included in gross income or allowed as a deduction because of the Mark-to-Market Election. Gain realized on the sale, exchange, or other disposition of the common shares would be treated as ordinary income, and any loss realized on the sale, exchange, or other disposition of the common shares would be treated as ordinary loss to the extent that such loss does not exceed the net mark-to-market gains previously included in income by the U.S. Holder. Losses that exceed this limitation are subject to the rules generally applicable to losses provided in the Code and Treasury Regulations (see “General Rules Applicable to the Ownership and Disposition of Common Shares – Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Shares” below). Amounts treated as ordinary income are not eligible for the preferential tax rates applicable to “qualified dividend income” or long-term capital gains.

 

A U.S. Holder makes a Mark-to-Market Election by attaching a completed IRS Form 8621 to a timely filed United States federal income tax return. A Mark-to-Market Election applies to the taxable year in which such Mark-to-Market Election is made and to each subsequent taxable year, unless the common shares cease to be marketable stock or the IRS consents to revocation of such election. If a U.S. Holder does not make a Mark-to-Market Election beginning in the first taxable year of such U.S. Holder’s holding period for the common shares for which we are a PFIC and such U.S. Holder has not made a timely QEF Election, the rules of Section 1291 of the Code discussed above will apply to certain dispositions of, and distributions on, the common shares. Each U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisors regarding the availability of, and procedure for making, a Mark-to-Market Election.

 

Although a U.S. Holder may be eligible to make a Mark-to-Market Election with respect to the common shares, no such election may be made with respect to the stock of any subsidiary PFIC that a U.S. Holder is treated as owning, because such stock is not marketable. Hence, the Mark-to-Market Election will not be effective to avoid the application of the default rules of Section 1291 of the Code described above with respect to deemed dispositions of subsidiary PFIC stock or excess distributions from a subsidiary PFIC to its shareholder.

 

Other PFIC Rules

 

Under Section 1291(f) of the Code, the IRS has issued proposed Treasury Regulations that, subject to certain exceptions, would cause a U.S. Holder that had not made a timely QEF Election to recognize gain (but not loss) upon certain transfers of common shares that would otherwise be tax-deferred (e.g., gifts and exchanges pursuant to corporate reorganizations). However, the specific U.S. federal income tax consequences to a U.S. Holder may vary based on the manner in which common shares are transferred.

 

Certain additional adverse rules may apply with respect to a U.S. Holder if we are a PFIC, regardless of whether such U.S. Holder makes a QEF Election. For example, under Section 1298(b)(6) of the Code, a U.S. Holder that uses our common shares as security for a loan will, except as may be provided in Treasury Regulations, be treated as having made a taxable disposition of such common shares. Special rules also apply to the amount of foreign tax credit that a U.S. Holder may claim on a distribution from a PFIC. In addition, if a U.S. Holder owns common shares during any taxable year that we are treated as a PFIC, it will be required to file IRS Form 8621 (regardless of whether a QEF or Mark-to-Market Election is made). There are certain de minimis exceptions to this requirement.

 

Lastly, if we are not treated as a PFIC, and you paid taxes as if we were a PFIC, then you may be able to claim a refund for taxes you paid in excess of the taxes you actually owed. If you do not timely make such a refund claim, then your refund will be disallowed and you will bear more taxes than you actually owe.

 

The rules dealing with PFICs and with the QEF and Mark-to-Market Election are very complex and are affected by various factors in addition to those described above. Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisors regarding the application of the PFIC rules to our common shares, the availability and advisability of making a QEF or Mark-to-Market Election and the application of the reporting rules to your particular situation.

 

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General Rules Applicable to the Ownership and Disposition of Common Shares

 

The following discussion describes the general rules applicable to the ownership and disposition of the common shares but is subject in its entirety to the special rules described above under the heading “PFIC Status and Related Tax Consequences.”

 

Distributions on Common Shares

 

The gross amount of any distribution (including amounts, if any, withheld in respect of Canadian withholding tax) actually or constructively received by a U.S. Holder with respect to our common shares will be taxable to the U.S. Holder as a dividend to the extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. Distributions to a U.S. Holder in excess of earnings and profits will be treated first as a return of capital that reduces a U.S. Holder’s tax basis in such common shares (thereby increasing the amount of gain or decreasing the amount of loss that a U.S. Holder would recognize on a subsequent disposition of our common shares), and then as gain from the sale or exchange of such common shares (see “Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Shares”). The amount of any distribution of property other than cash will be the fair market value of that property on the date of distribution. In the event we make distributions to holders of common shares, we may or may not calculate our earnings and profits under U.S. federal income tax principles. If we do not do so, any distribution may be required to be regarded as a dividend, even if that distribution would otherwise be treated as a non-taxable return of capital or as capital gain. The amount of the dividend will generally be treated as foreign-source dividend income to U.S. Holders.

 

Non-corporate U.S. Holders, including individuals, will generally be eligible for the preferential U.S. federal rate on “qualified dividend income,” provided that we are a “qualified foreign corporation,” the stock on which the dividend is paid is held for a minimum holding period, and other requirements are satisfied. A “qualified foreign corporation” includes a foreign corporation that is not a PFIC in the year of the distribution or in the prior taxable year and that is eligible for the benefits of an income tax treaty with the United States that contains an exchange of information provision and has been determined by the United States Treasury Department to be satisfactory for purposes of the legislation (such as the Canada-U.S. Tax Convention).

 

Distributions to U.S. Holders generally will not be eligible for the “dividends received deduction” generally allowed to U.S. corporations in respect of dividends received from other U.S. corporations.

 

Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Shares

 

Upon the sale, exchange, or other taxable disposition of common shares, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized upon the sale, exchange, or other disposition and such U.S. Holder's tax basis in such common shares sold or otherwise disposed of. If the U.S. holder receives Canadian dollars in the transaction, the amount realized will be the U.S. dollar value of the Canadian dollars received, which is determined for cash basis taxpayers on the settlement date for the transaction and for accrual basis taxpayers on the trade date (although accrual basis taxpayers can also elect the settlement date). A U.S. Holder’s tax basis in common shares generally will be such holder’s U.S. dollar cost for such common shares. Gain or loss recognized on such sale or other disposition generally will be long-term capital gain or loss if, at the time of the sale or other disposition, the common shares have been held for more than one year.

 

Preferential tax rates currently apply to long-term capital gain of a U.S. Holder that is an individual, estate, or trust. There are currently no preferential tax rates for long-term capital gain of a corporate U.S. Holder. Deductions for capital losses are subject to significant limitations under the Code. The gain or loss will generally be U.S.-source gain or loss for foreign tax credit purposes.

 

Additional Considerations

 

Additional Medicare Tax on Net Investment Income

 

Certain U.S. Holders that are individuals, estates, or trusts (other than trusts that are exempt from tax) are subject to a tax of 3.8% on “net investment income” (or undistributed “net investment income,” in the case of estates and trusts) for each taxable year, with such tax applying to the lesser of such income or the excess of such person’s adjusted gross income (with certain adjustments) over a specified amount. Net investment income includes dividends on the common shares and net gains from the disposition of the common shares.

 

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Further, excess distributions treated as dividends, gains treated as excess distributions under the PFIC rules discussed above, and mark-to-market inclusions and deductions are all included in the calculation of net investment income. United States Treasury Regulations provide, subject to the election described in the following paragraph, that solely for purposes of this additional tax, distributions of previously taxed income will be treated as dividends and included in net investment income subject to the additional 3.8% tax. Additionally, to determine the amount of any capital gain from the sale or other taxable disposition of common shares that will be subject to the additional tax on net investment income, a U.S. Holder who has made a QEF Election will be required to recalculate its basis in the common shares excluding QEF basis adjustments. Alternatively, a U.S. Holder may make an election which will be effective with respect to all interests in a PFIC for which a QEF Election has been made and which is held in that year or acquired in future years. Under this election, a U.S. Holder pays the additional 3.8% tax on QEF income inclusions and on gains calculated after giving effect to related tax basis adjustments.

 

U.S. Holders that are individuals, estates, or trusts should consult their own tax advisors regarding the applicability of this tax to any of their income or gains in respect of the common shares.

 

Receipt of Foreign Currency

 

The amount of any distribution paid to a U.S. Holder in foreign currency, or on the sale, exchange, or other taxable disposition of common shares, generally will be equal to the U.S. dollar value of such foreign currency based on the exchange rate applicable on the date of receipt (regardless of whether such foreign currency is converted into U.S. dollars at that time). If the foreign currency received is not converted into U.S. dollars on the date of receipt, a U.S. Holder will have a tax basis in the foreign currency equal to its U.S. dollar value on the date of receipt. Any U.S. Holder who converts or otherwise disposes of the foreign currency after the date of receipt may have a foreign currency exchange gain or loss that would be treated as ordinary income or loss, and generally will be U.S. source income or loss for foreign tax credit purposes. Different rules apply to U.S. Holders who use the accrual method of tax accounting. Each U.S. Holder should consult its own U.S. tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of receiving, owning, and disposing of foreign currency.

 

Foreign Tax Credit

 

Subject to the PFIC rules discussed above, a U.S. Holder that pays (whether directly or through withholding) Canadian income tax with respect to dividends paid on the common shares generally will be entitled, at the election of such U.S. Holder, to receive either a deduction or a credit for such Canadian income tax paid. Generally, a credit will reduce a U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability on a dollar-for-dollar basis, whereas a deduction will reduce a U.S. Holder’s income that is subject to U.S. federal income tax. This election is made on a year-by-year basis and applies to all creditable foreign taxes paid (whether directly or through withholding) by a U.S. Holder during a year.

 

Complex limitations apply to the foreign tax credit, including the general limitation that the credit cannot exceed the proportionate share of a U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability that such U.S. Holder’s “foreign source” taxable income bears to such U.S. Holder’s worldwide taxable income. In applying this limitation, a U.S. Holder’s various items of income and deduction must be classified, under complex rules, as either “foreign source” or “U.S. source.” Generally, dividends paid by a foreign corporation (including constructive dividends) should be treated as foreign source for this purpose, and gains recognized on the sale of stock of a foreign corporation by a U.S. Holder should be treated as U.S. source for this purpose, except as otherwise provided in an applicable income tax treaty, and if an election is properly made under the Code. However, the amount of a distribution with respect to the common shares that is treated as a “dividend” may be lower for U.S. federal income tax purposes than it is for Canadian federal income tax purposes, resulting in a reduced foreign tax credit allowance to a U.S. Holder. In addition, this limitation is calculated separately with respect to specific categories of income. The foreign tax credit rules are complex, and each U.S. Holder should consult its own U.S. tax advisors regarding the foreign tax credit rules.

 

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

 

Under U.S. federal income tax law, certain categories of U.S. Holders must file information returns with respect to their investment in, or involvement in, a foreign corporation. For example, certain U.S. Holders who hold certain “specified foreign financial assets” that exceed certain thresholds are required to report information relating to such assets. The definition of “specified foreign financial assets” generally includes not only financial accounts maintained in foreign financial institutions, but also, unless held in accounts maintained by a financial institution, any stock or security issued by a non-U.S. person, any financial instrument or contract held for investment that has an issuer or counterparty other than a U.S. person, and any interest in a foreign entity. U.S. Holders may be subject to these reporting requirements unless their common shares are held in an account at certain financial institutions. Significant penalties may apply for failure to satisfy applicable reporting obligations.

 

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Distributions paid with respect to common shares and proceeds from a sale, exchange, or redemption of common shares made within the United States or through certain U.S.-related financial intermediaries may be subject to information reporting to the IRS and possible U.S. backup withholding (at a rate of 24%). Backup withholding will not apply, however, to a U.S. Holder who furnishes a correct U.S. taxpayer identification number and makes any other required certification on IRS Form W-9 or that is a corporation or other entity that is otherwise exempt from backup withholding. Each U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisors regarding the application of the U.S. information reporting and backup withholding rules. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Amounts withheld as backup withholding may be credited against a holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, and such holder may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules by filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS and furnishing any required information in a timely manner.

 

The discussion of reporting requirements set forth above is not intended to constitute a complete description of all reporting requirements that may apply to a U.S. Holder. A failure to satisfy certain reporting requirements may result in an extension of the time period during which the IRS can assess a tax and, under certain circumstances, such an extension may apply to assessments of amounts unrelated to any unsatisfied reporting requirement. U.S. Holders should consult with their own tax advisors regarding their reporting obligations, if any, as a result of their acquisition, ownership, or disposition of our common shares.

 

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CERTAIN CANADIAN INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

 

The following is, as of the date of this prospectus, a summary of the principal Canadian federal income tax considerations pursuant to the Tax Act that generally apply to the acquisition, holding and disposition of common shares by a person who is neither resident nor deemed to be resident in Canada for purposes of the Tax Act, is a resident of the U.S. for purposes of the Canada - U.S. Income Tax Convention (“Treaty”) and acquires a beneficial interest in the common shares (a “U.S. Holder”).

 

This summary applies only to a U.S. Holder who, at all relevant times, for purposes of the Tax Act:

 

· holds the common shares as capital property;

 

· does not, and is not deemed to, use or hold the common shares in the course of carrying on a business in Canada;

 

· deals at arm’s length and is not affiliated with us; and

 

· is a “qualifying person” or otherwise entitled to benefits under the Treaty.

 

Special rules, which are not discussed in this summary, may apply to a U.S. Holder that is an insurer that carries on an insurance business in Canada and elsewhere.

 

This summary is based on the current provisions of the Tax Act, all specific proposals to amend the Tax Act publicly announced by or on behalf of the Minister of Finance (Canada) prior to the date hereof (“Tax Proposals”), and an understanding of the current administrative policies and assessing practices of the Canada Revenue Agency (the “CRA”) made publicly available prior to the date hereof. This summary assumes the Tax Proposals will be enacted in the form proposed, however, no assurance can be given that the Tax Proposals will be enacted in the form proposed, or at all. Except for the Tax Proposals, this summary does not take into account or anticipate any changes in law or administrative policies or assessing practices of the CRA, whether by legislative, governmental or judicial action, nor does it take into account other federal or any provincial, territorial or foreign income tax legislation or considerations, which may differ significantly from those discussed herein.

 

This summary is not exhaustive of all possible Canadian federal income tax considerations that apply to an investment in common shares. Moreover, the income and other tax consequences of acquiring, holding or disposing of common shares will vary depending on an investor’s particular circumstances. Accordingly, this summary is of a general nature only and is not intended to be, nor should it be construed to be, legal or tax advice to any investor. Consequently, investors should consult their own tax advisors for advice with respect to the income tax consequences of an investment in common shares based on their particular circumstances.

 

Dividends on Common Shares

 

Dividends paid or credited on the common shares (or deemed to be paid or credited on the common shares) to a U.S. Holder will generally be subject to Canadian withholding tax at the rate of 15%.

 

Dispositions of Common Shares

 

A U.S. Holder will not be subject to tax under the Tax Act on any capital gain realized on a disposition or deemed disposition of common shares (other than a disposition to us, unless purchased by us in the open market in the manner in which shares are normally purchased by any member of the public in the open market, in which case other considerations may arise), unless the common shares are “taxable Canadian property” of the U.S. Holder for purposes of the Tax Act and the U.S. Holder is not entitled to relief under the Treaty.

 

Generally, the common shares will not constitute “taxable Canadian property” of a U.S. Holder at a particular time provided that the common shares are listed at that time on a “designated stock exchange” for purposes of the Tax Act (which currently includes the TSX-V and NYSE American), unless at any particular time during the 60-month period that ends at that time both of the following are true:

 

  1. (a) the U.S. Holder, (b) persons with whom the U.S. Holder does not deal with at arm’s length (for purposes of the Tax Act), (c) partnerships in which the U.S. Holder or a person described in (b) holds an interest directly or indirectly through one or more partnerships, or (d) any combination of (a) to (c) owned 25% or more of the issued shares of any class or series of our capital stock; and

 

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  2. more than 50% of the fair market value of the common shares was derived directly or indirectly from one or any combination of: (a) real or immovable properties situated in Canada, (b) “Canadian resource properties” (as defined in the Tax Act), (c) “timber resource properties” (as defined in the Tax Act), and (d) options in respect of, or interests in, or for civil law rights in, property in any of the foregoing whether or not the property exists.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in certain circumstances set out in the Tax Act, common shares may be deemed to be taxable Canadian property. U.S. Holders whose common shares may constitute taxable Canadian property should consult their own tax advisors.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

 

The validity of the common shares being offered will be passed upon for us by Tingle Merrett LLP, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Partners and associates of Tingle Merrett LLP own or exert control or direction over an aggregate of 1,300,000 common shares. Lowenstein Sandler LLP, New York, New York has acted as our United States counsel in connection with this offering. Lowenstein Sandler LLP owns 92,955 common shares. Covington & Burling LLP, New York, New York is counsel for Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. in connection with this offering.

 

EXPERTS

 

The consolidated financial statements incorporated in this prospectus by reference from our Annual Report on Form 10-K have been audited by MNP LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which is incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements have been incorporated herein by reference in reliance on the report of such firm, given upon their authority 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. You may read or obtain a copy of these reports at the SEC’s public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549, on official business days during the hours of 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. You may obtain information on the operation of the public reference room and its copy charges by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC maintains a website, at http://www.sec.gov, that contains registration statements, reports, proxy information statements and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the SEC, including us. Our website address is http://www.zomedica.com. We have not incorporated by reference into this prospectus the information on our website, and you should not consider it to be a part of this document.

 

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information that we file with it into this prospectus, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede information contained in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement.

 

We incorporate by reference the documents listed below that we have previously filed with the SEC, each of which has Exchange Act File No. 000-38298 unless otherwise noted:

 

· our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, filed with the SEC on February 28, 2018;

 

· our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2018, June 30, 2018 and September 30, 2018, which were filed with the SEC on May 15, 2018, August 9, 2018 and November 13, 2018, respectively;

 

· our definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on July 5, 2018;

 

· our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 10, 2018, June 15, 2018, June 19, 2018, June 29, 2018, August 15, 2018, November 28, 2018, and December 20, 2018; and

 

· the description of our common shares as set forth in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the SEC on November 15, 2017, including any amendments thereto or reports filed for the purposes of updating this description.

 

All reports and other documents that we file with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus but prior to the termination of the offering of the common shares hereunder will also be considered to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus from the date of the filing of these reports and documents, and will supersede the information herein; provided, however, that all reports, exhibits and other information that we “furnish” to the SEC will not be considered incorporated by reference into this prospectus. Any statement contained in a document incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement shall be deemed to be modified or superseded to the extent that a statement contained herein, therein or in any other subsequently filed document that also is incorporated by reference herein or therein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus or any prospectus supplement.

 

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We will provide you without charge, upon your oral or written request, with a copy of any or all reports, proxy statements and other documents we file with the SEC, as well as any or all of the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus or the registration statement (other than exhibits to such documents unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference into such documents). Requests for such copies should be directed to:

 

Zomedica Pharmaceuticals Corp.

100 Phoenix Drive, Suite 190

Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108

(734) 369-2555

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Up to $50,000,000

 

Common Shares

 

 

PROSPECTUS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

January 30, 2019