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Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration No. 333-231320

Calculation of Registration Fee

       
 
Title of each class of
securities offered

  Maximum amount
to be registered

  Amount of
registration fee(1)

 

Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share

  $149,500,000   $18,119.40

 

(1)
Calculated in accordance with Rule 457(r) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r) under the Securities Act, this "Calculation of Registration Fee" table shall be deemed to update the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Reg. No. 333-231320).

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PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(to Prospectus dated May 9, 2019)

4,000,000 Shares

LOGO

Common Stock

We are offering 4,000,000 shares of our common stock, par value $0.001 per share. Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol "RARX." The last reported sale price of our common stock on The Nasdaq Global Market on July 23, 2019 was $33.59 per share.

Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. See "Risk Factors" beginning on page S-10 of this prospectus supplement, page 5 of the accompanying prospectus and under similar headings in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

We are an "emerging growth company" as the term is used in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, as amended, and, as such, have elected to comply with certain reduced public company reporting requirements. See "Prospectus Supplement Summary — Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company."

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined whether this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.


 
  Per Share   Total

Public Offering Price

  $ 32.50   $ 130,000,000

Underwriting Discounts and Commissions(1)

  $ 1.95   $ 7,800,000

Proceeds to Ra Pharmaceuticals, Inc. before expenses

  $ 30.55   $ 122,200,000

(1)
We have agreed to reimburse the underwriters for certain expenses. See "Underwriting" beginning on page S-16 of this prospectus supplement for additional information regarding underwriter compensation.

Delivery of the shares of common stock is expected to be made on or about July 26, 2019. We have granted the underwriters an option for a period of 30 days to purchase up to an additional 600,000 shares of our common stock. If the underwriters exercise the option in full, the total underwriting discounts and commissions payable by us will be $8,970,000, and the total proceeds to us, before expenses, will be $140,530,000.

Joint Book-Running Managers

Jefferies   BMO Capital Markets   Stifel   Guggenheim Securities

Lead Manager

Baird

   

Prospectus Supplement dated July 23, 2019


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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

This document is in two parts. The first part is the prospectus supplement, including the documents incorporated by reference, which describes the specific terms of this offering. The second part, the accompanying prospectus, including the documents incorporated by reference, provides more general information. Generally, when we refer to this prospectus, we are referring to both parts of this document combined. Before you invest, you should carefully read this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, all information incorporated by reference herein and therein, as well as the additional information described under "Where You Can Find More Information; Incorporation by Reference" on page S-31 of this prospectus supplement. These documents contain information you should consider when making your investment decision. This prospectus supplement may add, update or change information contained in the accompanying prospectus. To the extent that any statement that we make in this prospectus supplement is inconsistent with statements made in the accompanying prospectus, the statements made in this prospectus supplement or any documents incorporated by reference will be deemed to modify or supersede those made in the accompanying prospectus and such documents incorporated by reference.

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and in any free writing prospectus we may provide to you in connection with this offering. Neither we nor the underwriters have authorized any other person to provide you with any information that is different. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are offering to sell, and seeking offers to buy, shares of our common stock only in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted. The distribution of this prospectus supplement and the offering of the common stock in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law. Persons outside the United States who come into possession of this prospectus supplement must inform themselves about, and observe any restrictions relating to, the offering of the common stock and the distribution of this prospectus supplement outside the United States. This prospectus supplement 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 supplement by any person in any jurisdiction in which it is unlawful for such person to make such an offer or solicitation.

Unless otherwise indicated, information contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or the documents incorporated by reference, concerning our industry and the markets in which we operate, including our general expectations and market position, market opportunity and market share, is based on information from our own management estimates and research, as well as from industry and general publications and research, surveys and studies conducted by third parties. Management estimates are derived from publicly available information, our knowledge of our industry and assumptions based on such information and knowledge, which we believe to be reasonable. In addition, assumptions and estimates of our and our industry's future performance are necessarily subject to a high degree of uncertainty and risk due to a variety of factors, including those described in "Risk Factors" in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2019, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement. These and other important factors could cause our future performance to differ materially from our assumptions and estimates. See "Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements."

When we refer to "Ra Pharmaceuticals," "Ra Pharma," "we," "our," "us," the "Company" and "our company" in this prospectus supplement, we mean Ra Pharmaceuticals, Inc., unless otherwise specified. When we refer to "you," we mean the holders of the applicable series of securities.

Ra Pharmaceuticals, Inc. holds registered trademarks to the word marks Ra Pharmaceuticals and Ra Pharma, as well as to the Ra Pharma logo mark, each of which is used in this prospectus supplement, the

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accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference. This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference also include trademarks, tradenames and service marks that are the property of other organizations. Solely for convenience, trademarks and tradenames referred to in this prospectus supplement appear without the ® and ™ symbols, but those references are not intended to indicate, in any way, that we will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our rights or that the applicable owner will not assert its rights, to these trademarks and tradenames.

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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, and the filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus contain or incorporate by reference "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends affecting the financial condition of our business. Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of the times at, or by, which such performance or results will be achieved. Any forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the factors discussed throughout this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, and in particular those factors set forth under the heading "Risk Factors."

Forward-looking statements include all statements that are not historical facts. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as "may," "might," "will," "objective," "intend," "should," "could," "can," "would," "expect," "believe," "anticipate," "project," "target," "design," "estimate," "predict," "potential," "plan" or the negative of these terms, and similar expressions and comparable terminology intended to identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, and the SEC filings that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus reflect our current views with respect to future events and are based on assumptions and subject to risks and uncertainties and other important factors that could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to:

    §
    the initiation, timing, progress and results of our research and development programs and future pre-clinical studies and clinical trials;

    §
    the risk that data from our Phase 2 clinical program in generalized myasthenia gravis, or gMG, and from our Phase 2 clinical program in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, or PNH, may not be indicative of results from future trials;

    §
    our ability to advance any product candidates into, and successfully complete, clinical studies and obtain regulatory approval for them;

    §
    our ability to identify additional product candidates using our Extreme Diversity platform;

    §
    the timing or likelihood of regulatory filings and approvals;

    §
    our ability to commercialize, market and manufacture our product candidates, if approved;

    §
    the pricing and reimbursement of our product candidates, if approved;

    §
    the rate and degree of market acceptance and clinical utility of any products for which we receive marketing approval;

    §
    the implementation of our strategic plans for our business, product candidates and technology;

    §
    the scope of protection we are able to establish and maintain for intellectual property rights covering our product candidates and technology;

    §
    our expectations related to the use of proceeds from our public offering, and estimates of our expenses, future revenues, capital requirements and our needs for additional financing;

    §
    our ability to maintain and establish collaborations;

    §
    our financial performance;

    §
    developments relating to our competitors and our industry, including the impact of government regulation; and

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    §
    other risks and uncertainties, including the important factors listed under the caption "Risk Factors" in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus or any other documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements represent our estimates and assumptions only as of the date on which the statements were made and, except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking-statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise after the date of this prospectus supplement. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements.

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PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY

The following summary is qualified in its entirety by, and should be read together with, the more detailed information and financial statements and related notes thereto appearing elsewhere or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Before you decide to invest in our securities, you should read the entire prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus carefully, including the risk factors and the financial statements and related notes included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.


Our Company

Overview

We are a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company using our proprietary peptide chemistry platform to create novel therapeutics to treat life-threatening diseases that are caused by excessive or uncontrolled activation of the complement system, an essential component of the body's innate immune system. Our lead product candidate, zilucoplan, is being developed as a convenient self-administered subcutaneous injection, which is an injection into the tissue under the skin, for the treatment of various complement-mediated diseases, including gMG, immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy, or IMNM, and other tissue-based, complement-mediated disorders with high unmet medical need.

We have a life cycle management plan with an extended release, or XR, program for zilucoplan and an oral, small molecule C5 inhibitor, as well as inhibitors of other complement factors for certain renal, autoimmune, and central nervous system, or CNS, diseases. In addition to our focus on developing novel therapeutics to treat complement-mediated diseases, we have validated our Extreme Diversity platform by successfully identifying and delivering orally-available cyclic peptides for a non-complement cardiovascular target with a large market opportunity in a collaboration with Merck & Co., Inc.

Recent Developments

Myasthenia gravis, or MG, is a rare, complement-mediated, autoimmune disease that causes weakness in the skeletal muscles. Patients with MG present muscle weakness that characteristically becomes increasingly severe with repeated use and recovers with rest. Muscle weakness can be localized to specific muscles, such as those responsible for eye movements, but often progresses to affect a broader range, including head, limb, and respiratory muscles. This is often described as the generalized, or severe, form of the disease. We initiated a Phase 2 clinical trial with zilucoplan for gMG in the fourth quarter of 2017. In August 2018, we announced the early completion of enrollment of 44 patients in our Phase 2 trial in gMG, surpassing our original enrollment target of 36 patients. In November 2018, we announced completion of dosing of all patients, and we reported positive top-line data in December 2018. Based on feedback provided by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, in April 2019, we announced our plans to initiate a single, pivotal, Phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of zilucoplan in patients with gMG. We expect to initiate the global Phase 3 clinical trial in the second half of 2019. In May 2019, we presented results from the open-label, long-term extension study, in which statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements in primary and secondary endpoints were sustained in patients treated with zilucoplan at 24 weeks.

With alignment reached with the FDA on a single, 12-week, pivotal Phase 3 trial, we decided to prioritize gMG as the lead indication for zilucoplan as part of our goal to build a leading complement-focused neurology franchise. Leveraging the unique properties of a small peptide C5 inhibitor, we plan to expand development into other tissue-based, complement-mediated disorders with high unmet medical need.

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In June 2019, we announced that the FDA cleared our investigational new drug, or IND, application for zilucoplan for the treatment of IMNM. IMNM is an autoimmune myopathy characterized by skeletal muscle necrosis, severe proximal limb weakness, and elevated creatine kinase, or CK, levels. IMNM is categorized into two subtypes defined by the presence of distinct autoantibodies against 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase, or signal recognition particle. In IMNM, these autoantibodies drive complement-mediated necrosis of muscle fibers, resulting in severe, progressive, and debilitating proximal muscle weakness. IMNM affects more than 15,000 patients in the United States, European Union, and Japan. There are currently no approved therapies for the treatment of IMNM. We expect to initiate a Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating zilucoplan for the treatment of IMNM in the second half of 2019.

We have a life cycle management plan with an XR program for zilucoplan and an oral, small molecule C5 inhibitor, as well as inhibitors of other complement factors for certain renal, autoimmune, and CNS diseases. Our XR program includes two formulations: the poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid), or PLGA, XR formulation of zilucoplan and the FluidCrystal™, or FC, XR formulation of zilucoplan. In April 2019, we presented pre-clinical data for the PLGA XR formulation of zilucoplan, in which rapid and sustained pharmacodynamic inhibition of complement C5 was achieved with once-weekly subcutaneous dosing in non-human primates. We believe these data support the possibility of once weekly or less frequent dosing for zilucoplan.

In July 2019, we entered into an exclusive worldwide license agreement for the use of Camurus AB's proprietary FC technology to develop, manufacture, and commercialize a long-acting formulation of zilucoplan. In pre-clinical testing, non-human primates receiving a single dose of the FC XR formulation of zilucoplan rapidly achieved and maintained target levels of complement inhibition for at least seven days without the need for intravenous loading. We anticipate the XR program entering human clinical studies in the first half of 2020.

Company Information

We were incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware in June 2008 under the name Ra Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Our executive offices are located at 87 Cambridge Park Drive, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02140, and our telephone number is (617) 401-4060. Our website address is www.rapharma.com. We do not incorporate the information on or accessible through our website into this prospectus, and you should not consider any information on, or that can be accessed through, our website as part of this prospectus.

Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company

We qualify as an "emerging growth company" as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, as amended, or the JOBS Act. As an emerging growth company, we may take advantage of specified reduced disclosure and other requirements that are otherwise applicable generally to public companies.

These provisions include:

    §
    only two years of audited financial statements in addition to any required unaudited interim financial statements with correspondingly reduced "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" disclosure;

    §
    reduced disclosure about our executive compensation arrangements;

    §
    no non-binding advisory votes on executive compensation or golden parachute arrangements;

    §
    exemption from the auditor attestation requirement in the assessment of our internal control over financial reporting; and

    §
    an exemption from new or revised financial accounting standards until they would apply to private companies and from compliance with any new requirements adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board requiring mandatory audit firm rotation.

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We will cease to be an emerging growth company on December 31, 2019 or on such earlier date as of which we have issued more than $1 billion in nonconvertible debt during the previous three years. We have irrevocably elected to "opt out" of the exemption for the delayed adoption of certain accounting standards and, therefore, will be subject to the same new or revised accounting standards as other public companies that are not emerging growth companies.

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THE OFFERING

Common stock offered by us

  4,000,000 shares of common stock.

Option to purchase additional shares

 

We have granted the underwriters an option for a period of 30 days to purchase up to an additional 600,000 shares of common stock.

Common stock to be outstanding immediately after this offering

 

46,254,137 shares of common stock (or 46,854,137 shares of common stock if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full).

Use of proceeds

 

We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering, in addition to our existing cash resources, to fund pre-commercialization activities for zilucoplan, extended release (XR) formulation of zilucoplan (life-cycle extension program), clinical development of pipeline programs, and for working capital and general corporate purposes. See "Use of Proceeds" on page S-12.

Risk factors

 

This investment involves a high degree of risk. You should read the description of risks set forth under "Risk Factors" beginning on page S-10 of this prospectus supplement or otherwise incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement for a discussion of factors to consider before deciding to purchase our securities.

Nasdaq Global Market symbol

 

"RARX"

The number of shares of our common stock to be outstanding immediately after this offering is based on 42,254,137 shares of our common stock outstanding as of March 31, 2019, gives effect to the sale of 4,000,000 shares of common stock in this offering, and excludes:

    §
    an aggregate of 5,410,764 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding options under our 2016 Stock Award and Incentive Plan, or the 2016 Plan, and under our 2010 Stock Option and Grant Plan, or the 2010 Plan, with a weighted-average exercise price of $12.83 per share, as of March 31, 2019 (of which 95,804 shares of common stock were issued pursuant to the exercise of stock options from April 1, 2019 through June 30, 2019, at a weighted-average exercise price of $7.81 per share);

    §
    178,875 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of stock options granted from April 1, 2019 through June 30, 2019, at a weighted-average exercise price of $20.74 per share;

    §
    212,869 shares of common stock issuable upon the vesting of outstanding restricted stock units under the 2016 Plan as of March 31, 2019 (of which 15,329 shares of common stock were issued upon the vesting of restricted stock units from April 1, 2019 through June 30, 2019 and 4,506 shares of common stock were repurchased by us upon the net settlement of such restricted stock units and are available for future issuance under the 2016 Plan);

    §
    966,317 shares of common stock available for future issuance under the 2016 Plan as of March 31, 2019 (which shall be reduced to the extent of any stock options granted, and increased to the extent of any shares repurchased upon net settlement of restricted stock units, in each case, after March 31, 2019, described above), as well as shares that become available pursuant to provisions in the 2016 Plan that automatically increase the share reserve under the 2016 Plan on January 1 of each calendar year; and

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    §
    920,401 shares of common stock available for future issuance under the 2016 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, or the 2016 ESPP, as of March 31, 2019 (of which 12,787 shares were issued under the 2016 ESPP from April 1, 2019 through June 30, 2019), as well as shares that become available pursuant to provisions in the 2016 ESPP that automatically increase the share reserve under the 2016 ESPP on January 1 of each calendar year.

Except as otherwise indicated, all information contained in this prospectus supplement assumes the following:

    §
    no exercise of any outstanding options under the 2016 Plan or the 2010 Plan subsequent to March 31, 2019;

    §
    no issuance of any shares of our common stock upon the vesting of outstanding restricted stock units under the 2016 Plan subsequent to March 31, 2019;

    §
    no issuance of any shares of our common stock under the 2016 ESPP subsequent to March 31, 2019; and

    §
    no exercise by the underwriters of their option to purchase additional shares of our common stock.

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RISK FACTORS

Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. Before investing in our common stock, you should consider carefully the risks described below, together with the other information contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or incorporated by reference herein or therein, including the risks and uncertainties discussed under "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 and in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2019, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement, any amendment or update thereto reflected in subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including in our Annual Reports on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and all other information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, as updated by our subsequent filings under the Exchange Act. If any of the risks incorporated by reference or set forth below occur, our business, financial condition, results of operations and future growth prospects could be materially and adversely affected. In these circumstances, the market price of our common stock could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment.

Risks Related to this Offering

If you purchase shares of our common stock sold in this offering, you will experience immediate and substantial dilution in the net tangible book value of your shares. In addition, we may issue additional equity or convertible debt securities in the future, which may result in additional dilution to you.

The price per share of our common stock being offered may be higher than the net tangible book value per share of our outstanding common stock prior to this offering. Based on the public offering price of $32.50 per share, and after deducting estimated commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, new investors in this offering will incur immediate and substantial dilution of approximately $25.74 per share, representing the difference between the public offering price and our as adjusted net tangible book value as of March 31, 2019. For a more detailed discussion of dilution to new investors in this offering, see the section entitled "Dilution" below. To the extent outstanding stock options are exercised, outstanding restricted stock units vest, new stock options, restricted stock units or other equity awards are issued under our 2016 Plan or additional shares of common stock are issued under our 2016 ESPP, there may be further dilution to new investors. In addition, to the extent we need to raise additional capital in the future and we issue additional shares of common stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock, our then existing stockholders may experience dilution and the new securities may have rights senior to those of our common stock offered in this offering.

A significant portion of our total outstanding shares is restricted from immediate resale but may be sold into the market in the near future, which could cause the market price of our common stock to decline significantly, even if our business is doing well.

Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the public market could occur at any time. These sales, or the perception in the market that the holders of a large number of shares of common stock intend to sell shares, could reduce the market price of our common stock. As of March 31, 2019, we had 42,254,137 shares of outstanding common stock, of which approximately 11.5 million shares are subject to restrictions on transfer under 30-day lock-up arrangements with the underwriters of this offering. These restrictions are due to expire on August 22, 2019 resulting in these shares becoming eligible for public sale at that time if they are registered under the Securities Act or if they qualify for an exemption from registration under the Securities Act, including under Rule 144.

Moreover, based on filings with the SEC as of June 30, 2019, holders of an aggregate of approximately 8.1 million shares of our common stock have rights, subject to conditions, to require us to file registration statements covering their shares or to include their shares in registration statements that we may file for

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ourselves or other stockholders. We have also registered shares of our common stock issued and available for issuance under our equity compensation plans, which can be freely sold in the public market, subject to vesting requirements, volume limitations applicable to affiliates and lock-up agreements. If these additional shares are sold, or if it is perceived that they will be sold, in the public market, the trading price of our common stock could decline.

We have broad discretion in the use of the net proceeds from this offering and our existing cash and may not use them effectively.

Our management will have broad discretion in the application of the net proceeds from this offering, including for any of the purposes described in the section entitled "Use of Proceeds," as well as our existing cash and cash equivalents, and you will be relying on the judgment of our management regarding such application. You will not have the opportunity, as part of your investment decision, to assess whether the proceeds are being used appropriately. Our management might not apply the net proceeds or our existing cash in ways that ultimately increase the value of your investment. If we do not invest or apply the net proceeds from this offering or our existing cash and cash equivalents in ways that enhance stockholder value, we may fail to achieve expected financial results, which could cause our stock price to decline. 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 stockholders.

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We estimate that the net proceeds from the sale of the shares of common stock we are offering will be $121.9 million after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering costs payable by us. If the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares, we estimate that our net proceeds from this offering will be approximately $140.2 million.

The principal purpose of this offering is to obtain additional capital to support our operations. We expect to use the net proceeds of this offering, in addition to our existing cash resources, to fund pre-commercialization activities for zilucoplan, extended release (XR) formulation of zilucoplan (life-cycle extension program), clinical development of pipeline programs, and for working capital and general corporate purposes.

The amounts and timing of our use of the net proceeds from this offering will depend on a number of factors, such as the timing and progress of our research and development efforts, the timing and progress of any collaborative or strategic partnering efforts, and the competitive environment for our planned products. As of the date of this prospectus supplement, we cannot specify with certainty all of the particular uses for the net proceeds to us from this offering. Accordingly, our management will have broad discretion in the timing and application of these proceeds. Pending application of the net proceeds as described above, we intend to temporarily invest the proceeds in short-term, interest-bearing instruments.

Based on the planned use of proceeds described above, we believe that the net proceeds from this offering and our existing cash resources will be sufficient to enable us to fund our operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements at least through the end of 2021. We have based this estimate on assumptions that may prove to be incorrect, and we could use our available capital resources sooner than we currently expect.

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DIVIDEND POLICY

We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our capital stock. We intend to retain future earnings, if any, to finance the operation and expansion of our business and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Any future determination related to our dividend policy will be made at the discretion of our board of directors after considering our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements, business prospects and other factors the board of directors deems relevant, and subject to the restrictions contained in any future financing instruments.

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DILUTION

If you purchase shares of our common stock in this offering, your interest will be diluted to the extent of the difference between the public offering price per share of our common stock and the net tangible book value per share of our common stock after this offering. Our net tangible book value as of March 31, 2019 was $191.0 million, or $4.52 per share of common stock. "Net tangible book value" is total assets minus the sum of liabilities and intangible assets. "Net tangible book value per share" is net tangible book value divided by the total number of shares of common stock outstanding.

After giving effect to the sale by us of 4,000,000 shares of common stock in this offering, and after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses that we will pay, our as adjusted net tangible book value as of March 31, 2019 would have been approximately $312.9 million, or $6.76 per share of common stock. This amount represents an immediate increase in net tangible book value of $2.24 per share to existing stockholders and an immediate dilution of $25.74 per share to purchasers in this offering.

The following table illustrates the dilution:


Public offering price per share of common stock

        $ 32.50  

Net tangible book value per share as of March 31, 2019

  $ 4.52        

Increase in net tangible book value per share attributable to this offering

    2.24        

As adjusted net tangible book value per share after this offering

          6.76  

Dilution per share to investors in this offering

        $ 25.74  

If the underwriters exercise their option to purchase 600,000 additional shares in full at the public offering price of $32.50 per share, the as adjusted net tangible book value will increase to $7.07 per share, representing an immediate increase in net tangible book value of $2.55 per share and an immediate dilution of $25.43 per share to purchasers in this offering.

The above table and discussion does not include:

    §
    an aggregate of 5,410,764 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding options under our 2016 Stock Award and Incentive Plan, or the 2016 Plan, and under our 2010 Stock Option and Grant Plan, or the 2010 Plan, with a weighted-average exercise price of $12.83 per share, as of March 31, 2019 (of which 95,804 shares of common stock were issued pursuant to the exercise of stock options from April 1, 2019 through June 30, 2019, at a weighted-average exercise price of $7.81 per share);

    §
    178,875 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of stock options granted from April 1, 2019 through June 30, 2019, at a weighted-average exercise price of $20.74 per share;

    §
    212,869 shares of common stock issuable upon the vesting of outstanding restricted stock units under the 2016 Plan as of March 31, 2019 (of which 15,329 shares of common stock were issued upon the vesting of restricted stock units from April 1, 2019 through June 30, 2019 and 4,506 shares of common stock were repurchased by us upon the net settlement of such restricted stock units and are available for future issuance under the 2016 Plan);

    §
    966,317 shares of common stock available for future issuance under the 2016 Plan as of March 31, 2019 (which shall be reduced to the extent of any stock options granted, and increased to the extent of any shares repurchased upon net settlement of restricted stock units, in each case, after March 31, 2019, described above), as well as shares that become available pursuant to provisions in

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      the 2016 Plan that automatically increase the share reserve under the 2016 Plan on January 1 of each calendar year; and

    §
    920,401 shares of common stock available for future issuance under the 2016 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, or the 2016 ESPP, as of March 31, 2019 (of which 12,787 shares were issued under the 2016 ESPP from April 1, 2019 through June 30, 2019), as well as shares that become available pursuant to provisions in the 2016 ESPP that automatically increase the share reserve under the 2016 ESPP on January 1 of each calendar year.

To the extent that any stock options are exercised, restricted stock units vest, new stock options, restricted stock units or other equity awards are issued under our 2016 Plan, additional shares of common stock are issued under our 2016 ESPP or we otherwise issue additional shares of common stock in the future at a price less than the public offering price, there may be further dilution to new investors purchasing common stock in this offering.

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UNDERWRITING

Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the underwriting agreement, dated July 23, 2019, between us and Jefferies LLC, BMO Capital Markets Corp. and Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated as the representatives of the underwriters named below and the joint book-running managers of this offering, we have agreed to sell to the underwriters, and each of the underwriters has agreed, severally and not jointly, to purchase from us, the respective amount of shares of common stock shown opposite its name below:


Underwriter
  Number of Shares  

Jefferies LLC

    1,400,000  

BMO Capital Markets Corp. 

    1,000,000  

Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated

    1,000,000  

Guggenheim Securities, LLC

    420,000  

Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated

    180,000  

Total

    4,000,000  

The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the several underwriters are subject to certain conditions precedent such as the receipt by the underwriters of officers' certificates and legal opinions and approval of certain legal matters by their counsel. The underwriting agreement provides that the underwriters will purchase all of the shares of common stock if any of them are purchased. If an underwriter defaults, the underwriting agreement provides that the purchase commitments of the nondefaulting underwriters may be increased or the underwriting agreement may be terminated. We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters and certain of their controlling persons against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and to contribute to payments that the underwriters may be required to make in respect of those liabilities.

The underwriters have advised us that, following the completion of this offering, they currently intend to make a market in the common stock as permitted by applicable laws and regulations. However, the underwriters are not obligated to do so, and the underwriters may discontinue any market-making activities at any time without notice in their sole discretion. Accordingly, no assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the trading market for the common stock, that you will be able to sell any of the common stock held by you at a particular time or that the prices that you receive when you sell will be favorable.

The underwriters are offering the shares of common stock subject to their acceptance of the shares of common stock from us and subject to prior sale. The underwriters reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or modify offers to the public and to reject orders in whole or in part.

Commission and Expenses

The underwriters have advised us that they propose to offer the shares of common stock to the public at the initial public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement and to certain dealers, which may include the underwriters, at that price less a concession not in excess of $1.17 per share of common stock. The underwriters may allow, and certain dealers may reallow, a discount from the concession not in excess of $0.39 per share of common stock to certain brokers and dealers. After the offering, the initial public offering price, concession and reallowance to dealers may be reduced by the representatives. No such reduction will change the amount of proceeds to be received by us as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement.

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The following table shows the public offering price, the underwriting discounts and commissions that we are to pay the underwriters and the proceeds, before expenses, to us in connection with this offering. Such amounts are shown assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters' option to purchase additional shares.


 
  Per Share   Total  
 
  Without Option
to Purchase
Additional
Shares
  With Option to
Purchase
Additional
Shares
  Without Option
to Purchase
Additional
Shares
  With Option to
Purchase
Additional
Shares
 

Public offering price

  $ 32.50   $ 32.50   $ 130,000,000   $ 149,500,000  

Underwriting discounts and commissions paid by us

  $ 1.95   $ 1.95   $ 7,800,000   $ 8,970,000  

Proceeds to us, before expenses

  $ 30.55   $ 30.55   $ 122,200,000   $ 140,530,000  

We estimate expenses payable by us in connection with this offering, other than the underwriting discounts and commissions referred to above, will be approximately $0.3 million. We have also agreed to reimburse the underwriters for certain expenses incurred in connection with this offering in an amount of up to $45,000.

Listing

Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Global Market under the trading symbol "RARX."

Stamp Taxes

If you purchase shares of common stock offered in this prospectus supplement, you may be required to pay stamp taxes and other charges under the laws and practices of the country of purchase, in addition to the offering price listed on the cover page of this prospectus supplement.

Option to Purchase Additional Shares

We have granted to the underwriters an option, exercisable for 30 days from the date of this prospectus supplement, to purchase, from time to time, in whole or in part, up to an additional 600,000 shares of common stock from us at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement, less underwriting discounts and commissions. If the underwriters exercise this option, each underwriter will be obligated, subject to specified conditions, to purchase an amount of additional shares of common stock proportionate to that underwriter's initial purchase commitment as indicated in the table above.

No Sales of Similar Securities

We have agreed that we will not offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, or file with the SEC a registration statement under the Securities Act relating to, any shares of our common stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any shares of our common stock, or publicly disclose the intention to make any offer, sale, pledge, disposition or filing, without the prior written consent of Jefferies LLC, BMO Capital Markets Corp., and Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated for a period of 90 days after the date of this prospectus supplement. The restrictions described in this paragraph do not apply in certain circumstances, including grants of employee stock options pursuant to our existing plans or issuances pursuant to the exercise of such employee options.

Our officers and directors and certain other stockholders have agreed that they will not offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of our common stock or securities

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convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any shares of our common stock, enter into a transaction that would have the same effect, or enter into any swap, hedge or other arrangement that transfers, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of our common stock, whether any of these transactions are to be settled by delivery of our common stock or other securities, in cash or otherwise, or publicly disclose the intention to make any offer, sale, pledge or disposition, or to enter into any transaction, swap, hedge or other arrangement, without, in each case, the prior written consent of Jefferies LLC, BMO Capital Markets Corp. and Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated for a period of 30 days after the date of this prospectus supplement. The restrictions described in this paragraph do not apply in certain circumstances, including: (i) transfers as a bona fide gift or gifts or for bona fide estate planning purposes; (ii) transfers to a trust or limited family partnership for the direct or indirect benefit of the securityholder or the immediate family of the securityholder; (iii) transfers by will, other testamentary document or intestate succession; (iv) transfers pursuant to a court order in respect of, or by operation of law, as a result of a divorce; (v) transfers to us in connection with the exercise, including any "net" exercise, of any options or warrants or the conversion of any convertible security in accordance with its terms, provided that any securities issued upon such exercise or conversion will be subject to the lock-up restrictions and no filing or public announcement under the Exchange Act, is required or is voluntarily made in connection with such transfer, exercise, or conversion, other than a filing on a Form 5 made after the expiration of the lock-up period or, in the case of a "net" exercise, a filing on a Form 4 that reports such "net" exercise under the transaction code "F"); (vi) transfers to wholly-owned and controlled limited liability company or partnership; (vii) with respect to a securityholder that is a trust, transfers to any beneficiary or the estate of any such beneficiary; (viii) transfers or distributions to members, limited partners, stockholders or affiliates of, or any investment fund or other entity that controls or manages, the securityholder; (ix) transfers or distributions in connection with a merger or sale of all or substantially all of our voting securities or assets; (x) the entering into of a written trading plan pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 of the Exchange Act during the lock-up period, provided that no sales of the securities are made pursuant to such plan, and no public disclosures are made regarding such plan, prior to the expiration of the lock-up period; and (xi) securities purchased in the open market or in this offering so long as no filing or public announcement by any party under Section 16 of the Exchange Act is required or will be voluntarily made, other than a filing on a Form 5 made after the expiration of the lock-up period.

Stabilization

The underwriters have advised us that they, pursuant to Regulation M under the Exchange Act, and certain persons participating in the offering may engage in short sale transactions, stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions or the imposition of penalty bids in connection with this offering. These activities may have the effect of stabilizing or maintaining the market price of the common stock at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. Establishing short sales positions may involve either "covered" short sales or "naked" short sales.

"Covered" short sales are sales made in an amount not greater than the underwriters' option to purchase additional shares of our common stock in this offering. The underwriters may close out any covered short position by either exercising their option to purchase additional shares of our common stock or purchasing shares of our common stock in the open market. In determining the source of shares to close out the covered short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of shares available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase shares through the option to purchase additional shares.

"Naked" short sales are sales in excess of the option to purchase additional shares of our common stock. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing shares in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the shares of our common stock in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in this offering.

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A stabilizing bid is a bid for the purchase of shares of common stock on behalf of the underwriters for the purpose of fixing or maintaining the price of the common stock. A syndicate covering transaction is the bid for or the purchase of shares of common stock on behalf of the underwriters to reduce a short position incurred by the underwriters in connection with the offering. Similar to other purchase transactions, the underwriter's purchases to cover the syndicate short sales may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our common stock or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of our common stock. As a result, the price of our common stock may be higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the open market. A penalty bid is an arrangement permitting the underwriters to reclaim the selling concession otherwise accruing to a syndicate member in connection with the offering if the common stock originally sold by such syndicate member are purchased in a syndicate covering transaction and therefore have not been effectively placed by such syndicate member.

Neither we nor any of the underwriters make any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of our common stock. The underwriters are not obligated to engage in these activities and, if commenced, any of the activities may be discontinued at any time.

The underwriters may also engage in passive market making transactions in our common stock on The Nasdaq Global Market in accordance with Rule 103 of Regulation M during a period before the commencement of offers or sales of shares of our common stock in this offering and extending through the completion of distribution. A passive market maker must display its bid at a price not in excess of the highest independent bid of that security. However, if all independent bids are lowered below the passive market maker's bid, that bid must then be lowered when specified purchase limits are exceeded.

Electronic Distribution

A prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus in electronic format may be made available by e-mail or on the web sites or through online services maintained by one or more of the underwriters or their affiliates. In those cases, prospective investors may view offering terms online and may be allowed to place orders online. The underwriters may agree with us to allocate a specific number of shares of common stock for sale to online brokerage account holders. Any such allocation for online distributions will be made by the underwriters on the same basis as other allocations. Other than the prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus in electronic format, the information on the underwriters' web sites and any information contained in any other web site maintained by any of the underwriters is not part of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, has not been approved and/or endorsed by us or the underwriters and should not be relied upon by investors.

Other Activities and Relationships

The underwriters and certain of their affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, financing and brokerage activities. The underwriters and certain of their affiliates have, from time to time, performed, and may in the future perform, various commercial and investment banking and financial advisory services for us and our affiliates, for which they received or will receive customary fees and expenses. Jefferies LLC is the agent under that certain Open Market Sale AgreementSM, dated as of May 9, 2019, or the Sales Agreement, by and between us and Jefferies LLC. Under the Sales Agreement, we may offer and sell, from time to time, up to an aggregate of $100.0 million of shares of our common stock through Jefferies LLC through an "at the market offering" as defined in Rule 415(a)(4) promulgated under the Securities Act.

In the ordinary course of their various business activities, the underwriters and certain of their affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of

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their customers, and such investment and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments issued by us and our affiliates. If the underwriters or their respective affiliates have a lending relationship with us, they routinely hedge their credit exposure to us consistent with their customary risk management policies. The underwriters and their respective affiliates may hedge such exposure by entering into transactions which consist of either the purchase of credit default swaps or the creation of short positions in our securities or the securities of our affiliates, including potentially the common stock offered hereby. Any such short positions could adversely affect future trading prices of the common stock offered hereby. The underwriters and certain of their respective affiliates may also communicate independent investment recommendations, market color or trading ideas and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or instruments and may at any time hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.

Selling Restrictions

Australia

This prospectus supplement is not a disclosure document for the purposes of Australia's Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) of Australia, or Corporations Act, has not been lodged with the Australian Securities & Investments Commission and is only directed to the categories of exempt persons set out below. Accordingly, if you receive this prospectus supplement in Australia:

You confirm and warrant that you are either:

    §
    a "sophisticated investor" under section 708(8)(a) or (b) of the Corporations Act;

    §
    a "sophisticated investor" under section 708(8)(c) or (d) of the Corporations Act and that you have provided an accountant's certificate to the company which complies with the requirements of section 708(8)(c)(i) or (ii) of the Corporations Act and related regulations before the offer has been made;

    §
    a person associated with the company under Section 708(12) of the Corporations Act; or

    §
    a "professional investor" within the meaning of section 708(11)(a) or (b) of the Corporations Act.

To the extent that you are unable to confirm or warrant that you are an exempt sophisticated investor, associated person or professional investor under the Corporations Act any offer made to you under this prospectus supplement is void and incapable of acceptance.

You warrant and agree that you will not offer any of the shares issued to you pursuant to this prospectus supplement for resale in Australia within 12 months of those shares being issued unless any such resale offer is exempt from the requirement to issue a disclosure document under section 708 of the Corporations Act.

European Economic Area

In relation to each member state of the European Economic Area (each, an "EEA Member State"), an offer to the public of any common shares which are the subject of the offering contemplated by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus may not be made in that EEA Member State except that an offer to the public in that EEA Member State of any common shares may be made at any time under the following exemptions under the Prospectus Regulation:

    §
    to any legal entity which is a "qualified investor" as defined in the Prospectus Regulation;

    §
    to fewer than 150 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Regulation), as permitted under the Prospectus Regulation, subject to obtaining the prior consent of the underwriters or the underwriters nominated by us for any such offer; or

    §
    in any other circumstances falling within Article 1(4) of the Prospectus Regulation,

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provided that no such offer of common shares shall require us or any of the underwriters to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Regulation or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 23 of the Prospectus Regulation.

For the purposes of this provision, the expression an "offer to the public" in relation to the common shares in any EEA Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the common shares to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe to the common shares, and the expression "Prospectus Regulation" means Regulation (EU) 2017/1129.

Hong Kong

No securities have been offered or sold, and no securities may be offered or sold, in Hong Kong, by means of any document, other than to persons whose ordinary business is to buy or sell shares or debentures, whether as principal or agent; or to "professional investors" as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571) of Hong Kong ("SFO") and any rules made under that Ordinance; or in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a "prospectus" as defined in the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32) of Hong Kong ("CO") or which do not constitute an offer or invitation to the public for the purpose of the CO or the SFO. No document, invitation or advertisement relating to the securities has been issued or may be issued or may be in the possession of any person for the purpose of issue (in each case whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere), which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public of Hong Kong (except if permitted under the securities laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to securities which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to "professional investors" as defined in the SFO and any rules made under that Ordinance.

This prospectus supplement has not been registered with the Registrar of Companies in Hong Kong. Accordingly, this prospectus supplement may not be issued, circulated or distributed in Hong Kong, and the securities may not be offered for subscription to members of the public in Hong Kong. Each person acquiring the securities will be required, and is deemed by the acquisition of the securities, to confirm that he is aware of the restriction on offers of the securities described in this prospectus supplement and the relevant offering documents and that he is not acquiring, and has not been offered any securities in circumstances that contravene any such restrictions.

Japan

The offering has not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan (Law No. 25 of 1948 of Japan, as amended), or FIEL, and the underwriters will not offer or sell any securities, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of Japan (which term as used herein means any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan), or to others for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of Japan, except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of, and otherwise in compliance with, the FIEL and any other applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines of Japan.

Singapore

This prospectus supplement has not been and will not be lodged or registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this prospectus supplement and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase of the securities may not be issued, circulated or distributed, nor may the securities be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore (the "SFA"), (ii) to a relevant person pursuant to Section 275(1), or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275, of the SFA, or

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(iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA.

Where the securities are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 of the SFA by a relevant person which is:

    §
    a corporation (which is not an accredited investor (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA)) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor; or

    §
    a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary of the trust is an individual who is an accredited investor,

securities (as defined in Section 239(1) of the SFA) of that corporation or the beneficiaries' rights and interest (howsoever described) in that trust shall not be transferred within six months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the shares of common stock pursuant to an offer made under Section 275 of the SFA except:

    §
    to an institutional investor or to a relevant person defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA, or to any person arising from an offer referred to in Section 275(1A) or Section 276(4)(i)(B) of the SFA;

    §
    where no consideration is or will be given for the transfer;

    §
    where the transfer is by operation of law;

    §
    as specified in Section 276(7) of the SFA; or

    §
    as specified in Regulation 32 of the Securities and Futures (Offers of Investments) (Shares and Debentures) Regulations 2005 of Singapore.

Switzerland

The securities may not be publicly offered in Switzerland and will not be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (SIX), or on any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. This prospectus supplement has been prepared without regard to the disclosure standards for issuance prospectuses under art. 652a or art. 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations or the disclosure standards for listing prospectuses under art. 27 ff. of the SIX Listing Rules or the listing rules of any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. Neither this prospectus supplement nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the securities or the offering may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland.

Neither this prospectus supplement nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the offering, us or the securities have been or will be filed with or approved by any Swiss regulatory authority. In particular, this prospectus supplement will not be filed with, and the offer of securities will not be supervised by, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA, and the offer of securities has not been and will not be authorized under the Swiss Federal Act on Collective Investment Schemes ("CISA"). The investor protection afforded to acquirers of interests in collective investment schemes under the CISA does not extend to acquirers of securities.

United Kingdom

This prospectus supplement is only being distributed to, and is only directed at, persons in the United Kingdom that are qualified investors within the meaning of Article 2(1)(e) of the Prospectus Regulation that are also (i) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the "Order") and/or (ii) high net worth entities falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order and other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated (each such person being referred to as a "relevant person").

This prospectus supplement and its contents are confidential and should not be distributed, published or reproduced (in whole or in part) or disclosed by recipients to any other persons in the United Kingdom. Any

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person in the United Kingdom that is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this document or any of its contents.

United Arab Emirates

The offering contemplated hereunder has not been approved or licensed by the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Securities and Commodities Authority of the UAE and/or any other relevant licensing authority in the UAE including any licensing authority incorporated under the laws and regulations of any of the free zones established and operating in the territory of the UAE, in particular the Dubai Financial Services Authority, or DFSA, a regulatory authority of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). This offering does not constitute a public offer of shares in the UAE, DIFC and/or any other free zone in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law, Federal Law No. 8 of 1984 (as amended), or the DFSA Markets Rules, accordingly, or otherwise. The shares of common stock may not be offered to the public in the UAE and/or any of the free zones.

The shares of common stock may be offered and issued only to a limited number of investors in the UAE or any of its free zones who qualify as sophisticated investors under the relevant laws and regulations of the UAE or the free zone concerned. We represent and warrant that the shares will not be offered, sold, transferred or delivered to the public in the UAE or any of its free zones.

Dubai International Financial Centre

This document relates to an Exempt Offer in accordance with the Markets Rules of the Dubai Financial Services Authority. This document is intended for distribution only to Persons of a type specified in those rules to whom Exempt Offers can be made. It must not be delivered to, or relied on by, any other Person. The Dubai Financial Services Authority has no responsibility for reviewing or verifying any documents in connection with Exempt Offers. The Dubai Financial Services Authority has not approved this document nor taken steps to verify the information set out in it, and has no responsibility for it. The shares of common stock to which this document relates may be illiquid and/or subject to restrictions on their resale. Prospective purchasers of the shares of common stock offered should conduct their own due diligence on the shares. If you do not understand the contents of this document you should consult an authorized financial adviser.

Canada

(A)
Resale Restrictions

The distribution of common stock in Canada is being made only in the provinces of Ontario, Quebec, Alberta and British Columbia on a private placement basis exempt from the requirement that we prepare and file a prospectus with the securities regulatory authorities in each province where trades of these securities are made. Any resale of the common stock in Canada must be made under applicable securities laws which may vary depending on the relevant jurisdiction, and which may require resales to be made under available statutory exemptions or under a discretionary exemption granted by the applicable Canadian securities regulatory authority. Purchasers are advised to seek legal advice prior to any resale of the securities.

(B)
Representations of Canadian Purchasers

By purchasing common stock in Canada and accepting delivery of a purchase confirmation, a purchaser is representing to us and the dealer from whom the purchase confirmation is received that:

    §
    the purchaser is entitled under applicable provincial securities laws to purchase the common stock without the benefit of a prospectus qualified under those securities laws as it is an "accredited investor" as defined under National Instrument 45-106 — Prospectus Exemptions,

    §
    the purchaser is a "permitted client" as defined in National Instrument 31-103 — Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations,

    §
    where required by law, the purchaser is purchasing as principal and not as agent, and

    §
    the purchaser has reviewed the text above under Resale Restrictions.

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(C)
Conflicts of Interest

Canadian purchasers are hereby notified that the underwriters are relying on the exemption set out in section 3A.3 or 3A.4, if applicable, of National Instrument 33-105 — Underwriting Conflicts from having to provide certain conflict of interest disclosure in this document.

(D)
Statutory Rights of Action

Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if the offering memorandum (including any amendment thereto) such as this document contains a misrepresentation, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser's province or territory. The purchaser of these securities in Canada should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser's province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal advisor.

(E)
Enforcement of Legal Rights

All of our directors and officers as well as the experts named herein may be located outside of Canada and, as a result, it may not be possible for Canadian purchasers to effect service of process within Canada upon us or those persons. All or a substantial portion of our assets and the assets of those persons may be located outside of Canada and, as a result, it may not be possible to satisfy a judgment against us or those persons in Canada or to enforce a judgment obtained in Canadian courts against us or those persons outside of Canada.

(F)
Taxation and Eligibility for Investment

Canadian purchasers of common stock should consult their own legal and tax advisors with respect to the tax consequences of an investment in the common stock in their particular circumstances and about the eligibility of the common stock for investment by the purchaser under relevant Canadian legislation.

Israel

This document does not constitute a prospectus under the Israeli Securities Law, 5728-1968, or the Securities Law, and has not been filed with or approved by the Israel Securities Authority. In Israel, this prospectus supplement is being distributed only to, and is directed only at, and any offer of the shares of common stock is directed only at, (i) a limited number of persons in accordance with the Israeli Securities Law and (ii) investors listed in the first addendum, or the Addendum, to the Israeli Securities Law, consisting primarily of joint investment in trust funds, provident funds, insurance companies, banks, portfolio managers, investment advisors, members of the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, underwriters, venture capital funds, entities with equity in excess of NIS 50 million and "qualified individuals," each as defined in the Addendum (as it may be amended from time to time), collectively referred to as qualified investors (in each case, purchasing for their own account or, where permitted under the Addendum, for the accounts of their clients who are investors listed in the Addendum). Qualified investors are required to submit written confirmation that they fall within the scope of the Addendum, are aware of the meaning of same and agree to it.

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MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES TO NON-U.S. HOLDERS

The following discussion is a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences to Non-U.S. Holders (as defined below) of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the shares of common stock to be issued pursuant to this offering, but does not purport to be a complete analysis of all potential tax effects. The effects of other U.S. federal tax laws, such as estate and gift tax laws, and any applicable state, local or foreign tax laws are not discussed. This discussion is based on the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, judicial decisions, and published rulings and administrative pronouncements of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, in effect as of the date of this offering. These authorities may change or be subject to differing interpretations. Any such change or differing interpretation may be applied retroactively in a manner that could adversely affect a holder of our common stock. We have not sought and do not currently intend to seek any rulings from the IRS regarding the matters discussed below. There can be no assurance the IRS or a court will not take a contrary position regarding the tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of our common stock.

This discussion is limited to Non-U.S. Holders that hold our common stock as a "capital asset" within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (property held for investment). This discussion does not address all U.S. federal income tax consequences relevant to a Non-U.S. Holder's particular circumstances, including the impact of the alternative minimum tax or the Medicare contribution tax on net investment income. In addition, it does not address consequences relevant to Non-U.S. Holders subject to particular rules, including, without limitation:

    §
    U.S. expatriates and certain former citizens or long-term residents of the United States;

    §
    persons holding our common stock as part of a hedge, straddle or other risk reduction strategy or as part of a conversion transaction or other integrated investment;

    §
    banks, insurance companies, and other financial institutions;

    §
    brokers, dealers or traders in securities or currencies;

    §
    "controlled foreign corporations," "passive foreign investment companies," and corporations that accumulate earnings to avoid U.S. federal income tax;

    §
    partnerships or other entities or arrangements treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes (and investors therein);

    §
    tax-exempt organizations or governmental organizations;

    §
    persons deemed to sell our common stock under the constructive sale provisions of the Code;

    §
    persons for whom our common stock constitutes "qualified small business stock" within the meaning of Section 1202 of the Code;

    §
    persons subject to special tax accounting rules as a result of any item of gross income with respect to our common stock being taken into account in an "applicable financial statement" (as defined in the Code);

    §
    "qualified foreign pension funds" as defined in Section 897(l)(2) of the Code and entities all of the interests of which are held by qualified foreign pension funds;

    §
    persons who hold or receive our common stock pursuant to the exercise of any employee stock option or otherwise as compensation; and

    §
    tax-qualified retirement plans.

If a partnership (or other entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds our common stock, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will depend on the status of the partner, the activities of the partnership and certain determinations made at the partner level. Accordingly, partnerships holding our common stock and the partners in such partnerships should consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences to them.

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THIS DISCUSSION IS FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT INTENDED AS LEGAL OR TAX ADVICE. INVESTORS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO THE APPLICATION OF THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX LAWS TO THEIR PARTICULAR SITUATIONS AS WELL AS ANY TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF OUR COMMON STOCK ARISING UNDER THE U.S. FEDERAL ESTATE OR GIFT TAX LAWS OR UNDER THE LAWS OF ANY STATE, LOCAL OR NON-U.S. TAXING JURISDICTION OR UNDER ANY APPLICABLE INCOME TAX TREATY.

Definition of a Non-U.S. Holder

For purposes of this discussion, a "Non-U.S. Holder" is a beneficial owner of our common stock that is neither a "U.S. person" nor an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. A U.S. person is any person that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is or is treated as any of the following:

    §
    an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;

    §
    a corporation created or organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, or the District of Columbia;

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

    §
    a trust that (1) is subject to the primary supervision of a U.S. court and the control of one or more "United States persons" (within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code), or (2) has a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury Regulations to continue to be treated as a United States person.

Distributions

As described in the section entitled "Dividend Policy," we do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. However, if we do make distributions of cash or property on our common stock, such distributions will constitute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent paid from our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. Amounts not treated as dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes will constitute a return of capital and first be applied against and reduce a Non-U.S. Holder's adjusted tax basis in its common stock, but not below zero. Any excess will be treated as capital gain and will be treated as described below under "—Sale or Other Taxable Disposition." Because we may not know the extent to which a distribution is a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes at the time it is made, for purposes of the withholding rules discussed below we or the applicable withholding agent may treat the entire distribution as a dividend.

Subject to the discussion below on backup withholding and foreign accounts, dividends paid to a Non-U.S. Holder of our common stock that are not effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder's conduct of a trade or business within the United States will be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax at a rate of 30% of the gross amount of the dividends (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty).

Non-U.S. Holders will be entitled to a reduction in or an exemption from withholding on dividends as a result of either (a) an applicable income tax treaty or (b) the Non-U.S. Holder holding our common stock in connection with the conduct of a trade or business within the United States and dividends being effectively connected with that trade or business. To claim such a reduction in or exemption from withholding, the Non-U.S. Holder must provide the applicable withholding agent with a properly executed (a) IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E (or other applicable documentation) claiming an exemption from or reduction of the withholding tax under the benefit of an income tax treaty between the United States and the country in which the Non-U.S. Holder resides or is established, or (b) IRS Form W-8ECI stating that the dividends are not subject to withholding tax because they are effectively connected with the conduct by the Non-U.S. Holder of a trade or business within the United States, as may be applicable. These certifications must be provided to the applicable withholding agent prior to the payment of dividends and must be updated periodically. Non-U.S. Holders that do not timely provide the applicable withholding agent with the required certification, but that qualify for a reduced rate under an applicable income tax treaty, may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by timely filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS.

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If dividends paid to a Non-U.S. Holder are effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder's conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, the Non-U.S. Holder maintains a permanent establishment in the United States to which such dividends are attributable), then, although exempt from U.S. federal withholding tax (provided the Non-U.S. Holder provides appropriate certification, as described above), the Non-U.S. Holder will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on such dividends on a net income basis at the regular graduated U.S. federal income tax rates. In addition, a Non-U.S. Holder that is a corporation may be subject to a branch profits tax at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty) on its effectively connected earnings and profits for the taxable year that are attributable to such dividends, as adjusted for certain items. Non-U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding their entitlement to benefits under any applicable income tax treaty.

Sale or Other Taxable Disposition

Subject to the discussions below on backup withholding, a Non-U.S. Holder will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any gain realized upon the sale or other taxable disposition of our common stock unless:

    §
    the gain is effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder's conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, the Non-U.S. Holder maintains a permanent establishment in the United States to which such gain is attributable);

    §
    the Non-U.S. Holder is a nonresident alien individual present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year of the disposition and certain other requirements are met; or

    §
    our common stock constitute U.S. real property interests, or USRPIs, by reason of our status as a U.S. real property holding corporation, or USRPHC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Gain described in the first bullet point above will generally be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis at the regular graduated U.S. federal income tax rates. A Non-U.S. Holder that is a corporation also may be subject to a branch profits tax at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty) on such effectively connected gain, as adjusted for certain items.

A Non-U.S. Holder described in the second bullet point above will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty) on any gain derived from the disposition, which may be offset by certain U.S. source capital losses of the Non-U.S. Holder (even though the individual is not considered a resident of the United States), provided the Non-U.S. Holder has timely filed U.S. federal income tax returns with respect to such losses.

With respect to the third bullet point above, we believe we are not currently and do not anticipate becoming a USRPHC. Because the determination of whether we are a USRPHC depends on the fair market value of our USRPIs relative to the fair market value of our other business assets and our non-U.S. real property interests, however, there can be no assurance we are not a USRPHC or will not become one in the future. Even if we are or were to become a USRPHC, gain arising from the sale or other taxable disposition by a Non-U.S. Holder of our common stock will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax if our common stock is "regularly traded," as defined by applicable Treasury Regulations, on an established securities market, and such Non-U.S. Holder owned, actually and constructively, 5% or less of our common stock throughout the shorter of the five-year period ending on the date of the sale or other taxable disposition or the Non-U.S. Holder's holding period.

Non-U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding potentially applicable income tax treaties that may provide for different rules.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

Subject to the discussion below on foreign accounts, a Non-U.S. Holder will not be subject to backup withholding with respect to distributions on our common stock we make to the Non-U.S. Holder, provided the applicable withholding agent does not have actual knowledge or reason to know such holder is a United

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States person and the holder either certifies its non-U.S. status, such as by providing a valid IRS Form W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E or W-8ECI, or otherwise establishes an exemption. However, information returns are required to be filed with the IRS in connection with any distributions (including deemed distributions) made on our common stock to the Non-U.S. Holder, regardless of whether any tax was actually withheld. Copies of these information returns may also be made available under the provisions of a specific treaty or agreement to the tax authorities of the country in which the Non-U.S. Holder resides or is established.

Information reporting and backup withholding may apply to the proceeds of a sale or other taxable disposition of our common stock within the United States, and information reporting may (although backup withholding generally will not) apply to the proceeds of a sale or other taxable disposition of our common stock outside the United States conducted through certain U.S.-related financial intermediaries, in each case, unless the beneficial owner certifies under penalty of perjury that it is a Non-U.S. Holder on IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, or other applicable form (and the payor does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that the beneficial owner is a United States person) or such owner otherwise establishes an exemption. Proceeds of a disposition of our common stock conducted through a non-U.S. office of a non-U.S. broker generally will not be subject to backup withholding or information reporting.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be allowed as a refund or a credit against a Non-U.S. Holder's U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

Additional Withholding Tax on Payments Made to Foreign Accounts

Withholding taxes may be imposed under Sections 1471 to 1474 of the Code (such Sections commonly referred to as the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, or FATCA), on certain types of payments made to non-U.S. financial institutions and certain other non-U.S. entities. Specifically, a 30% withholding tax may be imposed on dividends (including deemed dividends) paid on our common stock, or (subject to the proposed Treasury Regulations discussed below) gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of our common stock paid to a "foreign financial institution" or a "non-financial foreign entity" (each as defined in the Code), unless (1) the foreign financial institution undertakes certain diligence and reporting obligations, (2) the non-financial foreign entity either certifies it does not have any "substantial United States owners" (as defined in the Code) or furnishes identifying information regarding each substantial United States owner, or (3) the foreign financial institution or non-financial foreign entity otherwise qualifies for an exemption from these rules. If the payee is a foreign financial institution and is subject to the diligence and reporting requirements in (1) above, it must enter into an agreement with the U.S. Department of the Treasury requiring, among other things, that it undertake to identify accounts held by certain "specified United States persons" or "United States owned foreign entities" (each as defined in the Code), annually report certain information about such accounts, and withhold 30% on certain payments to non-compliant foreign financial institutions and certain other account holders. Foreign financial institutions located in jurisdictions that have an intergovernmental agreement with the United States governing FATCA may be subject to different rules.

Under the applicable Treasury Regulations and administrative guidance, withholding under FATCA generally applies to payments of dividends (including deemed dividends) paid on our common stock. While withholding under FATCA would have applied also to payments of gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of stock on or after January 1, 2019, recently proposed Treasury Regulations eliminate FATCA withholding on payments of gross proceeds entirely. Taxpayers generally may rely on these proposed Treasury Regulations until final Treasury Regulations are issued. Because we may not know the extent to which a distribution is a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes at the time it is made, for purposes of these withholding rules we or the applicable withholding agent may treat the entire distribution as a dividend. Prospective investors should consult their tax advisors regarding the potential application of withholding under FATCA to their investment in our common stock.

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LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the common stock being offered hereby will be passed upon by Latham & Watkins LLP. Cooley LLP, Boston, Massachusetts, is acting as counsel for the underwriters in connection with certain legal matters related to this offering.

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EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements incorporated in this prospectus by reference from our Annual Report on Form 10-K have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report, which is incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements have been so incorporated in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION; INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

Available Information

We file reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC. The SEC maintains a web site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information about issuers, such as us, who file electronically with the SEC. The address of that website is www.sec.gov.

Our web site address is www.rapharma.com. The information on our web site, however, is not, and should not be deemed to be, a part of this prospectus supplement.

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC and do not contain all of the information in the registration statement. The full registration statement may be obtained from the SEC or us, as provided below. Other documents establishing the terms of the offered securities are or may be filed as exhibits to the registration statement. Statements in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus about these documents are summaries and each statement is qualified in all respects by reference to the document to which it refers. You should refer to the actual documents for a more complete description of the relevant matters. You may inspect a copy of the registration statement through the SEC's website, as provided above.

Incorporation by Reference

The SEC's rules allow us to "incorporate by reference" information into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is deemed to be part of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, and subsequent information that we file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede that information. Any statement contained in a previously filed document incorporated by reference will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus modifies or replaces that statement.

This prospectus supplement incorporates by reference the documents set forth below that have previously been filed with the SEC:

We incorporate by reference into this prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus all reports and other documents we subsequently file with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, between the date of this prospectus supplement and the termination of the offering of the securities described in this prospectus supplement. We are not, however, incorporating by reference any documents or portions thereof, whether specifically listed above or filed in

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the future, that are not deemed "filed" with the SEC, including any information furnished pursuant to Items 2.02 or 7.01 of Form 8-K or related exhibits furnished pursuant to Item 9.01 of Form 8-K. The reports and documents specifically listed above or filed in the future (excluding any information furnished to, rather than filed with, the SEC) are deemed to be part of this prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus from the date of the filing of such reports and documents.

You may request a free copy of any of the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement (other than exhibits, unless they are specifically incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus supplement) by writing or telephoning us at the following address:

Ra Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
87 Cambridge Park Drive
Cambridge, Massachusetts 02140
(617) 401-4060

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PROSPECTUS

LOGO

RA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Debt Securities
Warrants
Units

        We may offer and sell the securities identified above from time to time in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities.

        Each time we offer and sell securities, we will provide a supplement to this prospectus that contains specific information about the offering and the amounts, prices and terms of the securities. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus with respect to that offering. You should carefully read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement before you invest in any of our securities.

        We may offer and sell the securities described in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement to or through one or more underwriters, dealers and agents, or directly to purchasers, or through a combination of these methods. If any underwriters, dealers or agents are involved in the sale of any of the securities, their names and any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangement between or among them will be set forth, or will be calculable from the information set forth, in the applicable prospectus supplement. See the sections of this prospectus entitled "About this Prospectus" and "Plan of Distribution" for more information. No securities may be sold without delivery of this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement describing the method and terms of the offering of such securities.

        INVESTING IN OUR SECURITIES INVOLVES RISKS. SEE THE "RISK FACTORS" ON PAGE 5 OF THIS PROSPECTUS AND ANY SIMILAR SECTION CONTAINED IN THE APPLICABLE PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND IN THE DOCUMENTS INCLUDED BY REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS OR ANY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT CONCERNING FACTORS YOU SHOULD CONSIDER BEFORE INVESTING IN OUR SECURITIES.

        Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol "RARX." On May 7, 2019, the last reported sale price of our common stock on the Nasdaq Global Market was $21.44 per share.

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

The date of this prospectus is May 9, 2019.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

    1

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION; INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

   
2

THE COMPANY

   
4

RISK FACTORS

   
5

USE OF PROCEEDS

   
6

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

   
7

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

   
12

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

   
20

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

   
22

GLOBAL SECURITIES

   
23

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

   
27

LEGAL MATTERS

   
28

EXPERTS

   
28

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

        This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, as a "well-known seasoned issuer" as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, using a "shelf" registration process. By using a shelf registration statement, we may sell securities from time to time and in one or more offerings as described in this prospectus. Each time that we offer and sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement to this prospectus that contains specific information about the securities being offered and sold and the specific terms of that offering. We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you that may contain material information relating to these offerings. The prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus with respect to that offering. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, you should rely on the prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, as applicable. Before purchasing any securities, you should carefully read both this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement (and any applicable free writing prospectuses), together with the additional information described under the heading "Where You Can Find More Information; Incorporation by Reference."

        We have not authorized anyone to provide you with any information or to make any representations other than those contained in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectuses prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. We will not make an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement to this prospectus is accurate only as of the date on its respective cover, that the information appearing in any applicable free writing prospectus is accurate only as of the date of that free writing prospectus, and that any information incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference, unless we indicate otherwise. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates. This prospectus incorporates by reference, and any prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus may contain and incorporate by reference, market data and industry statistics and forecasts that are based on independent industry publications and other publicly available information. Although we believe these sources are reliable, we do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this information and we have not independently verified this information. In addition, the market and industry data and forecasts that may be included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or any applicable free writing prospectus may involve estimates, assumptions and other risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors, including those discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" contained in this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and any applicable free writing prospectus, and under similar headings in other documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on this information.

        When we refer to "Ra Pharma," "we," "our company," "our," "us" and the "Company" in this prospectus, we mean Ra Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless otherwise specified. When we refer to "you," we mean the potential holders of the applicable series of securities.

1


WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION; INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

Available Information

        We file reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. The SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information about issuers, such as us, who file electronically with the SEC. The address of that website is http://www.sec.gov.

        Our website address is http://www.rapharma.com. The information on our website, however, is not, and should not be deemed to be, a part of this prospectus.

        This prospectus and any prospectus supplement are part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC and do not contain all of the information in the registration statement. The full registration statement may be obtained from the SEC or us, as provided below. Forms of the indenture and other documents establishing the terms of the offered securities are or may be filed as exhibits to the registration statement or documents incorporated by reference in the registration statement. Statements in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement about these documents are summaries and each statement is qualified in all respects by reference to the document to which it refers. You should refer to the actual documents for a more complete description of the relevant matters. You may inspect a copy of the registration statement through the SEC's website, as provided above.

Incorporation by Reference

        The SEC's rules allow us to "incorporate by reference" information into this prospectus, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is deemed to be part of this prospectus, and subsequent information that we file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede that information. Any statement contained in this prospectus or a previously filed document incorporated by reference will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus or a subsequently filed document incorporated by reference modifies or replaces that statement.

        This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement incorporate by reference the documents set forth below that have previously been filed with the SEC (other than those documents or the portions of those documents not deemed to be filed):

        All reports and other documents we subsequently file pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which we refer to as the "Exchange Act" in this prospectus, prior to the termination of this offering but excluding any information furnished to, rather than filed with, the SEC, will also be incorporated by reference into this prospectus and deemed to be part of this prospectus from the date of the filing of such reports and documents.

2


        You may request a free copy of any of the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus by writing or telephoning us at the following address:

Ra Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
87 Cambridge Park Drive
Cambridge, Massachusetts 02140
(617) 401-4060

        Exhibits to the filings will not be sent, however, unless those exhibits have specifically been incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement.

3



THE COMPANY

        We are a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company using our proprietary peptide chemistry platform to create novel therapeutics to treat life-threatening diseases that are caused by excessive or uncontrolled activation of the complement system, an essential component of the body's innate immune system. Our lead product candidate, zilucoplan, is being developed as a convenient self-administered subcutaneous injection, which is an injection into the tissue under the skin, for the treatment of various complement-mediated diseases, including generalized myasthenia gravis and other complement mediated disorders. Additionally, we are pursuing discovery and pre-clinical programs targeting selective inhibition of other uncontrolled complement pathway factors to treat a variety of neurologic, renal, and inflammatory diseases. In addition to our focus on developing novel therapeutics to treat complement-mediated diseases, we have validated our Extreme Diversity platform by successfully identifying and delivering orally-available cyclic peptides for a non-complement cardiovascular target with a large market opportunity in a collaboration with Merck & Co., Inc.

        We were incorporated in Delaware in June 2008. Our principal executive offices are located at 87 Cambridge Park Drive, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02140 and our telephone number is (617) 401-4060. Our website address is www.rapharma.com. The information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus, and you should not consider any information contained on, or that can be accessed through, our website as part of this prospectus or in deciding whether to purchase our securities. Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol "RARX."

        We use various trademarks and trade names in our business, including without limitation our corporate name and logo. All other trademarks or trade names, including without limitation corporate names and logos, referred to in this prospectus are the property of their respective owners. Solely for convenience, the trademarks and trade names in this report may be referred to without the ® and ™ symbols, but such references should not be construed as any indicator that their respective owners will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, their rights thereto.

4


RISK FACTORS

        Investment in any securities offered pursuant to this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement involves significant risks. You should carefully consider the risk factors incorporated by reference to our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or Current Reports on Form 8-K we file after the date of this prospectus, and all other information contained or incorporated by reference into this prospectus, as updated by our subsequent filings under the Exchange Act, and the risk factors and other information contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and any applicable free writing prospectus before making a decision about investing in our securities. The risks and uncertainties we have described are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also affect our operations. The occurrence of any of these risks might cause you to lose all or part of your investment in the offered securities.

5


USE OF PROCEEDS

        We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

6



DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

        The following description of our capital stock is not complete and may not contain all the information you should consider before investing in our capital stock. This description is summarized from, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, our third amended and restated certificate of incorporation, which has been publicly filed with the SEC. See "Where You Can Find More Information; Incorporation by Reference."

        Our authorized capital stock consists of:

    150,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share; and

    5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share.

Common Stock

        Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol "RARX."

        Voting Rights.    We are authorized to issue one class of 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.

        Rights Upon Liquidation.    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.

        Other 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.

        The rights, preferences and privileges of holders of common stock are subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of shares of any series of preferred stock that we may designate and issue in the future. Except as described under "Anti-Takeover Effects of Delaware Law and our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws" below, a majority vote of the holders of common stock is generally required to take action under our third amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated by-laws.

Transfer Agent

        The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC.

Dividend

        Holders of common stock are entitled to receive proportionately any dividends as may be declared by our board of directors, subject to any preferential dividend rights of outstanding preferred stock. We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our common stock. We do not intend to declare or pay cash dividends for the foreseeable future. We currently expect to retain all future earnings, if any, for use in the development, operation and expansion of our business. Any determination to pay cash dividends in the future will depend upon, among other things, our results of operations, plans for expansion, tax considerations, available net profits and reserves, limitations under law, financial condition, capital requirements and other factors that our board of directors considers to be relevant.

7


Preferred Stock

        Our board of directors is authorized, without action by the stockholders, to designate and issue up to an aggregate of 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series. Our board of directors can designate the rights, preferences and privileges of the shares of each series and any of its qualifications, limitations or restrictions. Our board of directors may authorize the issuance of preferred stock with voting or conversion rights that could adversely affect the voting power or other rights of the holders of common stock. The issuance of preferred stock, while providing flexibility in connection with possible future financings and acquisitions and other corporate purposes could, under certain circumstances, have the effect of restricting dividends on our common stock, diluting the voting power of our common stock, impairing the liquidation rights of our common stock, or delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of our company, which might harm the market price of our common stock. See "Anti-Takeover Effects of Delaware Law and our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws" below.

        Our board of directors will make any determination to issue such shares based on its judgment as to our company's best interests and the best interests of our stockholders. We have no shares of preferred stock outstanding and we have no current plans to issue any shares of preferred stock.

Options

        As of March 31, 2019, options to purchase an aggregate of 1,591,497 shares of our common stock were outstanding under our 2010 Stock Option and Grant Plan and options to purchase an aggregate of 3,819,267 shares of our common stock were outstanding under our 2016 Stock Award and Incentive Plan.

Restricted Stock Units

        As of March 31, 2019, 212,869 shares of common stock were issuable upon the vesting of outstanding restricted stock units under our 2016 Stock Award and Incentive Plan. Our restricted stock units represent an unsecured promise to grant at no cost a set number of shares of our common stock upon the completion of the vesting schedule and vest over three years. With respect to our restricted stock units, recipients are not entitled to cash dividends and have no voting rights on the stock during the vesting period.

Registration Rights

        Certain holders of our common stock are entitled to rights with respect to the registration of such shares for public resale under the Securities Act, pursuant to an amended and restated investors' rights agreement by and among us and certain of our stockholders, until the rights otherwise terminate pursuant to the terms of the investors' rights agreement. The registration of shares of common stock as a result of the following rights being exercised would enable holders to trade these shares without restriction under the Securities Act when the applicable registration statement is declared effective.

Form S-1 Registration Rights

        If the holders of a majority of the registrable securities request in writing that we effect a registration with respect to all or part of such registrable securities then outstanding having an anticipated aggregate offering price that would exceed $10,000,000, net of expenses, we may be required to register their shares. We are obligated to effect at most three registrations in response to these demand registration rights. If the holders requesting registration intend to distribute their shares by means of an underwriting, the managing underwriter of such offering will have the right to limit the numbers of shares to be underwritten for reasons related to the marketing of the shares.

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Piggyback Registration Rights

        If at any time we propose to register any shares of our common stock under the Securities Act, subject to certain exceptions, the holders of registrable securities will be entitled to notice of the registration and to include their shares of registrable securities in the registration. If our proposed registration involves an underwriting, the managing underwriter of such offering will have the right to limit the number of shares to be underwritten for reasons related to the marketing of the shares.

Form S-3 Registration Rights

        If, at any time after we become entitled under the Securities Act to register our shares on a registration statement on Form S-3, the holders of a majority of the registrable securities request in writing that we effect a registration with respect to registrable securities at an aggregate price to the public in the offering of at least $1,000,000, we will be required to effect such registration; provided, however, that we will not be required to effect such a registration if, within any 12-month period, we have already effected two registrations on Form S-3 for the holders of registrable securities.

Expenses and Indemnification

        Ordinarily, other than underwriting discounts and commissions, we will be required to pay all expenses incurred by us related to any registration effected pursuant to the exercise of these registration rights. These expenses may include all registration and filing fees, printing expenses, fees and disbursements of our counsel, reasonable fees and disbursements of a counsel for the selling security holders and blue sky fees and expenses. Additionally, we have agreed to indemnify selling stockholders for damages, and any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred, arising from or based upon any untrue statement of a material fact contained in any registration statement, any omission or alleged omission to state a material fact in any registration statement or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or any violation or alleged violation by the indemnifying party of securities laws, subject to certain exceptions.

Termination of Registration Rights

        The registration rights terminate upon the earlier of October 31, 2021, the closing of a deemed liquidation event, as set forth in the investors' rights agreement and, with respect to any holder of registrable securities, such time when such holder holds less than one percent (1%) of our outstanding securities and all registrable securities of such holder may be sold without restriction pursuant to SEC Rule 144 within a three (3) month period.

Anti-Takeover Effects of Delaware Law and Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws

        Some provisions of Delaware law, our third amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated by-laws could make the following transactions more difficult: an acquisition of us by means of a tender offer; an acquisition of us by means of a proxy contest or otherwise; or the removal of our incumbent officers and directors. It is possible that these provisions could make it more difficult to accomplish or could deter transactions that stockholders may otherwise consider to be in their best interest or in our best interests, including transactions which provide for payment of a premium over the market price for our shares.

        These provisions, summarized below, are intended to discourage coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids. These provisions are also designed to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to first negotiate with our board of directors. We believe that the benefits of the increased protection of our potential ability to negotiate with the proponent of an unfriendly or unsolicited proposal to acquire or restructure us outweigh the disadvantages of discouraging these proposals because negotiation of these proposals could result in an improvement of their terms.

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Undesignated Preferred Stock

        The ability of our board of directors, without action by the stockholders, to issue up to 5,000,000 shares of undesignated preferred stock with voting or other rights or preferences as designated by our board of directors could impede the success of any attempt to change control of us. These and other provisions may have the effect of deferring hostile takeovers or delaying changes in control or management of our company.

Stockholder Meetings

        Our amended and restated by-laws provide that a special meeting of stockholders may be called only by a resolution adopted by a majority of our board of directors and only those matters set forth in the notice of the special meeting may be considered or acted upon at a special meeting of stockholders. Our amended and restated by-laws limit the business that may be conducted at an annual meeting of stockholders to those matters properly brought before the meeting.

Requirements for Advance Notification of Stockholder Nominations and Proposals

        Our amended and restated by-laws establish advance notice procedures with respect to stockholder proposals to be brought before a stockholder meeting and the nomination of candidates for election as directors, other than nominations made by or at the direction of the board of directors or a committee of the board of directors.

Elimination of Stockholder Action by Written Consent

        Our third amended and restated certificate of incorporation eliminates the right of stockholders to act by written consent without a meeting.

Staggered Board

        Our board of directors is divided into three classes. The directors in each class will serve for a three-year term, one class being elected each year by our stockholders. This system of electing and removing directors may tend to discourage a third party from making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to obtain control of us, because it generally makes it more difficult for stockholders to replace a majority of the directors.

Removal of Directors

        Our third amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated by-laws provide that, subject to the rights of holders of any series of preferred stock, no member of our board of directors may be removed from office by our stockholders except for cause and, in addition to any other vote required by law, upon the approval of the holders of at least 75% in voting power of the outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote in the election of directors. Subject to the rights of holders of any series of preferred stock, any vacancy on our board of directors, including a vacancy resulting from an enlargement of our board of directors, may be filled only by vote of a majority of our directors then in office.

Stockholders Not Entitled to Cumulative Voting

        Our third amended and restated certificate of incorporation does not permit stockholders to cumulate their votes in the election of directors. Accordingly, the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock entitled to vote in any election of directors can elect all of the directors standing for election, if they choose, other than any directors that holders of our preferred stock may be entitled to elect.

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Delaware Anti-Takeover Statute

        We are subject to Section 203 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, which prohibits persons deemed to be "interested stockholders" from engaging in a "business combination" with a publicly held Delaware corporation for three years following the date these persons become interested stockholders unless the business combination is, or the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder was, approved in a prescribed manner or another prescribed exception applies. Generally, an "interested stockholder" is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns, or within three years prior to the determination of interested stockholder status did own, 15% or more of a corporation's voting stock. Generally, a "business combination" includes a merger, asset or stock sale, or other transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. The existence of this provision may have an anti-takeover effect with respect to transactions not approved in advance by the board of directors.

Amendment of Charter Provisions

        The amendment of any of the above provisions, except for the provision making it possible for our board of directors to issue preferred stock and the provision prohibiting cumulative voting, would require approval by holders of at least 75% in voting power of the outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote thereon.

        The provisions of Delaware law, our third amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated by-laws could have the effect of discouraging others from attempting hostile takeovers and, as a consequence, they may also inhibit temporary fluctuations in the market price of our common stock that often result from actual or rumored hostile takeover attempts. These provisions may also have the effect of preventing changes in the composition of our board and management. It is possible that these provisions could make it more difficult to accomplish transactions that stockholders may otherwise deem to be in their best interests.

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

        The following description, together with the additional information we include in any applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, summarizes certain general terms and provisions of the debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus. When we offer to sell a particular series of debt securities, we will describe the specific terms of the series in a supplement to this prospectus. We will also indicate in the supplement to what extent the general terms and provisions described in this prospectus apply to a particular series of debt securities.

        We may issue debt securities either separately, or together with, or upon the conversion or exercise of or in exchange for, other securities described in this prospectus. Debt securities may be our senior, senior subordinated or subordinated obligations and, unless otherwise specified in a supplement to this prospectus, the debt securities will be our direct, unsecured obligations and may be issued in one or more series.

        The debt securities will be issued under an indenture between us and a trustee to be named in the applicable indenture. We have summarized select portions of the indenture below. The summary is not complete. The form of the indenture has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement and you should read the indenture for provisions that may be important to you. In the summary below, we have included references to the section numbers of the indenture so that you can easily locate these provisions. Capitalized terms used in the summary and not defined herein have the meanings specified in the indenture.

        As used in this section only, "Ra Pharma," "we," "our" or "us" refer to Ra Pharmaceuticals, Inc., excluding our subsidiaries, unless expressly stated or the context otherwise requires.

General

        The terms of each series of debt securities will be established by or pursuant to a resolution of our board of directors and set forth or determined in the manner provided in a resolution of our board of directors, in an officer's certificate or by a supplemental indenture. (Section 2.2) The particular terms of each series of debt securities will be described in a prospectus supplement relating to such series (including any pricing supplement or term sheet).

        We can issue an unlimited amount of debt securities under the indenture that may be in one or more series with the same or various maturities, at par, at a premium, or at a discount. (Section 2.1) We will set forth in a prospectus supplement (including any pricing supplement or term sheet) relating to any series of debt securities being offered, the aggregate principal amount and the following terms of the debt securities, if applicable:

    the title and ranking of the debt securities (including the terms of any subordination provisions);

    the price or prices (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount) at which we will sell the debt securities;

    any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities;

    the date or dates on which the principal of the securities of the series is payable;

    the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) per annum or the method used to determine the rate or rates (including any commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index) at which the debt securities will bear interest, the date or dates from which interest will accrue, the date or dates on which interest will commence and be payable and any regular record date for the interest payable on any interest payment date;

    the place or places where principal of, and interest, if any, on, the debt securities will be payable (and the method of such payment), where the securities of such series may be surrendered for

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      registration of transfer or exchange, and where notices and demands to us in respect of the debt securities may be delivered;

    the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which we may redeem the debt securities;

    any obligation we have to redeem or purchase the debt securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a holder of debt securities and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and in the terms and conditions upon which securities of the series shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;

    the dates on which and the price or prices at which we will repurchase debt securities at the option of the holders of debt securities and other detailed terms and provisions of these repurchase obligations;

    the denominations in which the debt securities will be issued, if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof;

    whether the debt securities will be issued in the form of certificated debt securities or global debt securities;

    the portion of principal amount of the debt securities payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity date, if other than the principal amount;

    the currency of denomination of the debt securities, which may be U.S. Dollars or any foreign currency, and if such currency of denomination is a composite currency, the agency or organization, if any, responsible for overseeing such composite currency;

    the designation of the currency, currencies or currency units in which payment of principal of, premium and interest on the debt securities will be made;

    if payments of principal of, premium on or interest on the debt securities will be made in one or more currencies or currency units other than that or those in which the debt securities are denominated, the manner in which the exchange rate with respect to these payments will be determined;

    the manner in which the amounts of payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the debt securities will be determined, if these amounts may be determined by reference to an index based on a currency or currencies or by reference to a commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index;

    any provisions relating to any security provided for the debt securities;

    any addition to, deletion of or change in the Events of Default described in this prospectus or in the indenture with respect to the debt securities and any change in the acceleration provisions described in this prospectus or in the indenture with respect to the debt securities;

    any addition to, deletion of or change in the covenants described in this prospectus or in the indenture with respect to the debt securities;

    any depositaries, interest rate calculation agents, exchange rate calculation agents or other agents with respect to the debt securities;

    the provisions, if any, relating to conversion or exchange of any debt securities of such series, including, if applicable, the conversion or exchange price and period, provisions as to whether conversion or exchange will be mandatory, the events requiring an adjustment of the conversion or exchange price and provisions affecting conversion or exchange;

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    any other terms of the debt securities, which may supplement, modify or delete any provision of the indenture as it applies to that series, including any terms that may be required under applicable law or regulations or advisable in connection with the marketing of the securities; and

    whether any of our direct or indirect subsidiaries will guarantee the debt securities of that series, including the terms of subordination, if any, of such guarantees. (Section 2.2)

        We may issue debt securities that provide for an amount less than their stated principal amount to be due and payable upon declaration of acceleration of their maturity pursuant to the terms of the indenture. We will provide you with information on the federal income tax considerations and other special considerations applicable to any of these debt securities in the applicable prospectus supplement.

        If we denominate the purchase price of any of the debt securities in a foreign currency or currencies or a foreign currency unit or units, or if the principal of and any premium and interest on any series of debt securities is payable in a foreign currency or currencies or a foreign currency unit or units, we will provide you with information on the restrictions, elections, general tax considerations, specific terms and other information with respect to that issue of debt securities and such foreign currency or currencies or foreign currency unit or units in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Transfer and Exchange

        Each debt security will be represented by either one or more global securities registered in the name of The Depository Trust Company, or the Depositary, or a nominee of the Depositary (we will refer to any debt security represented by a global debt security as a "book-entry debt security"), or a certificate issued in definitive registered form (we will refer to any debt security represented by a certificated security as a "certificated debt security") as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Except as set forth under the heading "Global Debt Securities and Book-Entry System" below, book-entry debt securities will not be issuable in certificated form.

        Certificated Debt Securities.    You may transfer or exchange certificated debt securities at any office we maintain for this purpose in accordance with the terms of the indenture. (Section 2.4) No service charge will be made for any transfer or exchange of certificated debt securities, but we may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with a transfer or exchange. (Section 2.7)

        You may effect the transfer of certificated debt securities and the right to receive the principal of, premium and interest on certificated debt securities only by surrendering the certificate representing those certificated debt securities and either reissuance by us or the trustee of the certificate to the new holder or the issuance by us or the trustee of a new certificate to the new holder.

        Global Debt Securities and Book-Entry System.    Each global debt security representing book-entry debt securities will be deposited with, or on behalf of, the Depositary, and registered in the name of the Depositary or a nominee of the Depositary. Please see "Global Securities."

Covenants

        We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement any restrictive covenants applicable to any issue of debt securities. (Article IV)

No Protection in the Event of a Change of Control

        Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not contain any provisions which may afford holders of the debt securities protection in the event we have a change in control or in the event of a highly leveraged transaction (whether or not such transaction results in a change in control) which could adversely affect holders of debt securities.

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Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets

        We may not consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of our properties and assets to any person (a "successor person") unless:

    we are the surviving corporation or the successor person (if other than Ra Pharma) is a corporation organized and validly existing under the laws of any U.S. domestic jurisdiction and expressly assumes our obligations on the debt securities and under the indenture; and

    immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no Default or Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing.

        Notwithstanding the above, any of our subsidiaries may consolidate with, merge into or transfer all or part of its properties to us. (Section 5.1)

Events of Default

        "Event of Default" means with respect to any series of debt securities, any of the following:

    default in the payment of any interest upon any debt security of that series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days (unless the entire amount of the payment is deposited by us with the trustee or with a paying agent prior to the expiration of the 30-day period);

    default in the payment of principal of any security of that series at its maturity;

    default in the performance or breach of any other covenant or warranty by us in the indenture (other than a covenant or warranty that has been included in the indenture solely for the benefit of a series of debt securities other than that series), which default continues uncured for a period of 60 days after we receive written notice from the trustee or we and the trustee receive written notice from the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series as provided in the indenture;

    certain voluntary or involuntary events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of Ra Pharma; or

    any other Event of Default provided with respect to debt securities of that series that is described in the applicable prospectus supplement. (Section 6.1)

        No Event of Default with respect to a particular series of debt securities (except as to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization) necessarily constitutes an Event of Default with respect to any other series of debt securities. (Section 6.1) The occurrence of certain Events of Default or an acceleration under the indenture may constitute an event of default under certain indebtedness of ours or our subsidiaries outstanding from time to time.

        We will provide the trustee written notice of any Default or Event of Default within 30 days of becoming aware of the occurrence of such Default or Event of Default, which notice will describe in reasonable detail the status of such Default or Event of Default and what action we are taking or propose to take in respect thereof. (Section 6.1)

        If an Event of Default with respect to debt securities of any series at the time outstanding occurs and is continuing, then the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may, by a notice in writing to us (and to the trustee if given by the holders), declare to be due and payable immediately the principal of (or, if the debt securities of that series are discount securities, that portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all debt securities of that series. In the case of an Event of Default resulting from certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, the

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principal (or such specified amount) of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all outstanding debt securities will become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the trustee or any holder of outstanding debt securities. At any time after a declaration of acceleration with respect to debt securities of any series has been made, but before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the trustee, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may rescind and annul the acceleration if all Events of Default, other than the non-payment of accelerated principal and interest, if any, with respect to debt securities of that series, have been cured or waived as provided in the indenture. (Section 6.2) We refer you to the prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities that are discount securities for the particular provisions relating to acceleration of a portion of the principal amount of such discount securities upon the occurrence of an Event of Default.

        The indenture provides that the trustee may refuse to perform any duty or exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture unless the trustee receives indemnity satisfactory to it against any cost, liability or expense which might be incurred by it in performing such duty or exercising such right or power. (Section 7.1(e)) Subject to certain rights of the trustee, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee with respect to the debt securities of that series. (Section 6.12)

        No holder of any debt security of any series will have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to the indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any remedy under the indenture, unless:

    that holder has previously given to the trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to debt securities of that series; and

    the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have made written request, and offered indemnity or security satisfactory to the trustee, to the trustee to institute the proceeding as trustee, and the trustee has not received from the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series a direction inconsistent with that request and has failed to institute the proceeding within 60 days. (Section 6.7)

        Notwithstanding any other provision in the indenture, the holder of any debt security will have an absolute and unconditional right to receive payment of the principal of, premium and any interest on that debt security on or after the due dates expressed in that debt security and to institute suit for the enforcement of payment. (Section 6.8)

        The indenture requires us, within 120 days after the end of our fiscal year, to furnish to the trustee a statement as to compliance with the indenture. (Section 4.3) If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing with respect to the securities of any series and if it is known to a responsible officer of the trustee, the trustee shall mail to each holder of the securities of that series notice of a Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs or, if later, after a responsible officer of the trustee has knowledge of such Default or Event of Default. The indenture provides that the trustee may withhold notice to the holders of debt securities of any series of any Default or Event of Default (except in payment on any debt securities of that series) with respect to debt securities of that series if the trustee determines in good faith that withholding notice is in the interest of the holders of those debt securities. (Section 7.5)

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Modification and Waiver

        We and the trustee may modify, amend or supplement the indenture or the debt securities of any series without the consent of any holder of any debt security:

    to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;

    to comply with covenants in the indenture described above under the heading "Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets";

    to provide for uncertificated securities in addition to or in place of certificated securities;

    to add guarantees with respect to debt securities of any series or secure debt securities of any series;

    to surrender any of our rights or powers under the indenture;

    to add covenants or events of default for the benefit of the holders of debt securities of any series;

    to comply with the applicable procedures of the applicable depositary;

    to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder of debt securities;

    to provide for the issuance of and establish the form and terms and conditions of debt securities of any series as permitted by the indenture;

    to effect the appointment of a successor trustee with respect to the debt securities of any series and to add to or change any of the provisions of the indenture to provide for or facilitate administration by more than one trustee; or

    to comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act. (Section 9.1)

        We may also modify and amend the indenture with the consent of the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series affected by the modifications or amendments. We may not make any modification or amendment without the consent of the holders of each affected debt security then outstanding if that amendment will:

    reduce the amount of debt securities whose holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

    reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest (including default interest) on any debt security;

    reduce the principal of or premium on or change the fixed maturity of any debt security or reduce the amount of, or postpone the date fixed for, the payment of any sinking fund or analogous obligation with respect to any series of debt securities;

    reduce the principal amount of discount securities payable upon acceleration of maturity;

    waive a default in the payment of the principal of, premium on or interest on any debt security (except a rescission of acceleration of the debt securities of any series by the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding debt securities of that series and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);

    make the principal of, premium on or interest on any debt security payable in currency other than that stated in the debt security;

    make any change to certain provisions of the indenture relating to, among other things, the right of holders of debt securities to receive payment of the principal of, premium and interest on

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      those debt securities and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment and to waivers or amendments; or

    waive a redemption payment with respect to any debt security. (Section 9.3)

        Except for certain specified provisions, the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may on behalf of the holders of all debt securities of that series waive our compliance with provisions of the indenture. (Section 9.2) The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may on behalf of the holders of all the debt securities of such series waive any past default under the indenture with respect to that series and its consequences, except a default in the payment of the principal of, premium on or any interest on any debt security of that series; provided, however, that the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from the acceleration. (Section 6.13)

Defeasance of Debt Securities and Certain Covenants in Certain Circumstances

        Legal Defeasance.    The indenture provides that, unless otherwise provided by the terms of the applicable series of debt securities, we may be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the debt securities of any series (subject to certain exceptions). We will be so discharged upon the irrevocable deposit with the trustee, in trust, of money and/or U.S. government obligations or, in the case of debt securities denominated in a single currency other than U.S. Dollars, government obligations of the government that issued or caused to be issued such currency, that, through the payment of interest and principal in accordance with their terms, will provide money or U.S. government obligations in an amount sufficient in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants or investment bank to pay and discharge each installment of principal, premium and interest on and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of the debt securities of that series on the stated maturity of those payments in accordance with the terms of the indenture and those debt securities.

        This discharge may occur only if, among other things, we have delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel stating that we have received from, or there has been published by, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service a ruling or, since the date of execution of the indenture, there has been a change in the applicable U.S. federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the holders of the debt securities of that series will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred. (Section 8.3)

        Defeasance of Certain Covenants.    The indenture provides that, unless otherwise provided by the terms of the applicable series of debt securities, upon compliance with certain conditions:

    we may omit to comply with the covenant described under the heading "Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets" and certain other covenants set forth in the indenture, as well as any additional covenants that may be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement; and

    any omission to comply with those covenants will not constitute a Default or an Event of Default with respect to the debt securities of that series ("covenant defeasance").

        The conditions include:

    depositing with the trustee money and/or U.S. government obligations or, in the case of debt securities denominated in a single currency other than U.S. Dollars, government obligations of the government that issued or caused to be issued such currency, that, through the payment of

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      interest and principal in accordance with their terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants or investment bank to pay and discharge each installment of principal of, premium on and interest on and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of the debt securities of that series on the stated maturity of those payments in accordance with the terms of the indenture and those debt securities; and

    delivering to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the holders of the debt securities of that series will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit and related covenant defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the deposit and related covenant defeasance had not occurred. (Section 8.4)

No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees or Stockholders

        None of our past, present or future directors, officers, employees or stockholders, as such, will have any liability for any of our obligations under the debt securities or the indenture or for any claim based on, or in respect or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. By accepting a debt security, each holder waives and releases all such liability. This waiver and release is part of the consideration for the issue of the debt securities.

        However, this waiver and release may not be effective to waive liabilities under U.S. federal securities laws, and it is the view of the SEC that such a waiver is against public policy.

Governing Law

        The indenture and the debt securities, including any claim or controversy arising out of or relating to the indenture or the securities, will be governed by the laws of the State of New York.

        The indenture will provide that we, the trustee and the holders of the debt securities (by their acceptance of the debt securities) irrevocably waive, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any and all right to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to the indenture, the debt securities or the transactions contemplated thereby.

        The indenture will provide that any legal suit, action or proceeding arising out of or based upon the indenture or the transactions contemplated thereby may be instituted in the federal courts of the United States of America located in the City of New York or the courts of the State of New York in each case located in the City of New York, and we, the trustee and the holder of the debt securities (by their acceptance of the debt securities) irrevocably submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any such suit, action or proceeding. The indenture will further provide that service of any process, summons, notice or document by mail (to the extent allowed under any applicable statute or rule of court) to such party's address set forth in the indenture will be effective service of process for any suit, action or other proceeding brought in any such court. The indenture will further provide that we, the trustee and the holders of the debt securities (by their acceptance of the debt securities) irrevocably and unconditionally waive any objection to the laying of venue of any suit, action or other proceeding in the courts specified above and irrevocably and unconditionally waive and agree not to plead or claim any such suit, action or other proceeding has been brought in an inconvenient forum. (Section 10.10)

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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

        We may issue warrants for the purchase of shares of our common stock or preferred stock or of debt securities.

        We may issue warrants independently or together with other securities, and the warrants may be attached to or separate from any offered securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and the investors or a warrant agent. The following summary of material provisions of the warrants and warrant agreements are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the warrant agreement and warrant certificate applicable to a particular series of warrants. The terms of any warrants offered under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below. We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, as well as the complete warrant agreements and warrant certificates that contain the terms of the warrants.

        The particular terms of any issue of warrants will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to the issue. Those terms may include:

    the number of shares of common stock or preferred stock purchasable upon the exercise of warrants to purchase such shares and the price at which such number of shares may be purchased upon such exercise;

    the designation, stated value and terms (including, without limitation, liquidation, dividend, conversion and voting rights) of the series of preferred stock purchasable upon exercise of warrants to purchase preferred stock;

    the principal amount of debt securities that may be purchased upon exercise of a debt warrant and the exercise price for the warrants, which may be payable in cash, securities or other property;

    the date, if any, on and after which the warrants and the related debt securities, preferred stock or common stock will be separately transferable;

    the terms of any rights to redeem or call the warrants;

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

    U.S. Federal income tax consequences applicable to the warrants; and

    any additional terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange, exercise and settlement of the warrants.

        Holders of equity warrants will not be entitled:

    to vote, consent or receive dividends;

    receive notice as stockholders with respect to any meeting of stockholders for the election of our directors or any other matter; or

    exercise any rights as stockholders of Ra Pharma.

        Each warrant will entitle its holder to purchase the principal amount of debt securities or the number of shares of preferred stock or common stock at the exercise price set forth in, or calculable as set forth in, the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the warrants may exercise the warrants at any time up to the specified time on the expiration date that we set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will become void.

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        A holder of warrant certificates may exchange them for new warrant certificates of different denominations, present them for registration of transfer and exercise them at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Until any warrants to purchase debt securities are exercised, the holder of the warrants will not have any rights of holders of the debt securities that can be purchased upon exercise, including any rights to receive payments of principal of, premium on or interest on the underlying debt securities or to enforce covenants in the applicable indenture. Until any warrants to purchase common stock or preferred stock are exercised, the holders of the warrants will not have any rights of holders of the underlying common stock or preferred stock, including any rights to receive dividends or payments upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up on the common stock or preferred stock, if any.

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DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

        We may issue units consisting of any combination of the other types of securities offered under this prospectus in one or more series. We may evidence each series of units by unit certificates that we will issue under a separate agreement. We may enter into unit agreements with a unit agent. Each unit agent will be a bank or trust company that we select. We will indicate the name and address of the unit agent in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of units.

        The following description, together with the additional information included in any applicable prospectus supplement, summarizes the general features of the units that we may offer under this prospectus. You should read any prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you related to the series of units being offered, as well as the complete unit agreements that contain the terms of the units. Specific unit agreements will contain additional important terms and provisions, and we will file as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by reference from another report that we file with the SEC, the form of each unit agreement relating to units offered under this prospectus.

        If we offer any units, certain terms of that series of units will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement, including, without limitation, the following, as applicable:

    the title of the series of units;

    identification and description of the separate constituent securities comprising the units;

    the price or prices at which the units will be issued;

    the date, if any, on and after which the constituent securities comprising the units will be separately transferable;

    a discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the units; and

    any other terms of the units and their constituent securities.

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GLOBAL SECURITIES

Book-Entry, Delivery and Form

        Unless we indicate differently in any applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, the securities initially will be issued in book-entry form and represented by one or more global notes or global securities, or, collectively, global securities. The global securities will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, as depositary, or DTC, and registered in the name of Cede & Co., the nominee of DTC. Unless and until it is exchanged for individual certificates evidencing securities under the limited circumstances described below, a global security may not be transferred except as a whole by the depositary to its nominee or by the nominee to the depositary, or by the depositary or its nominee to a successor depositary or to a nominee of the successor depositary.

        DTC has advised us that it is:

    a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law;

    a "banking organization" within the meaning of the New York Banking Law;

    a member of the Federal Reserve System;

    a "clearing corporation" within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code; and

    a "clearing agency" registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act.

        DTC holds securities that its participants deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates the settlement among its participants of securities transactions, such as transfers and pledges, in deposited securities through electronic computerized book-entry changes in participants' accounts, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. "Direct participants" in DTC include securities brokers and dealers, including underwriters, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and other organizations. DTC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation, or DTCC. DTCC is the holding company for DTC, National Securities Clearing Corporation and Fixed Income Clearing Corporation, all of which are registered clearing agencies. DTCC is owned by the users of its regulated subsidiaries. Access to the DTC system is also available to others, which we sometimes refer to as indirect participants, that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a direct participant, either directly or indirectly. The rules applicable to DTC and its participants are on file with the SEC.

        Purchases of securities under the DTC system must be made by or through direct participants, which will receive a credit for the securities on DTC's records. The ownership interest of the actual purchaser of a security, which we sometimes refer to as a beneficial owner, is in turn recorded on the direct and indirect participants' records. Beneficial owners of securities will not receive written confirmation from DTC of their purchases. However, beneficial owners are expected to receive written confirmations providing details of their transactions, as well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the direct or indirect participants through which they purchased securities. Transfers of ownership interests in global securities are to be accomplished by entries made on the books of participants acting on behalf of beneficial owners. Beneficial owners will not receive certificates representing their ownership interests in the global securities, except under the limited circumstances described below.

        To facilitate subsequent transfers, all global securities deposited by direct participants with DTC will be registered in the name of DTC's partnership nominee, Cede & Co., or such other name as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. The deposit of securities with DTC and their registration in the name of Cede & Co. or such other nominee will not change the beneficial ownership of the securities. DTC has no knowledge of the actual beneficial owners of the securities. DTC's records reflect only the identity of the direct participants to whose accounts the securities are credited,

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which may or may not be the beneficial owners. The participants are responsible for keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.

        So long as the securities are in book-entry form, you will receive payments and may transfer securities only through the facilities of the depositary and its direct and indirect participants. We will maintain an office or agency in the location specified in the prospectus supplement for the applicable securities, where notices and demands in respect of the securities and the indenture may be delivered to us and where certificated securities may be surrendered for payment, registration of transfer or exchange.

        Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to direct participants, by direct participants to indirect participants and by direct participants and indirect participants to beneficial owners will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any legal requirements in effect from time to time.

        Redemption notices will be sent to DTC. If less than all of the securities of a particular series are being redeemed, DTC's practice is to determine by lot the amount of the interest of each direct participant in the securities of such series to be redeemed.

        Neither DTC nor Cede & Co. (or such other DTC nominee) will consent or vote with respect to the securities. Under its usual procedures, DTC will mail an omnibus proxy to us as soon as possible after the record date. The omnibus proxy assigns the consenting or voting rights of Cede & Co. to those direct participants to whose accounts the securities of such series are credited on the record date, identified in a listing attached to the omnibus proxy.

        So long as securities are in book-entry form, we will make payments on those securities to the depositary or its nominee, as the registered owner of such securities, by wire transfer of immediately available funds. If securities are issued in definitive certificated form under the limited circumstances described below and unless if otherwise provided in the description of the applicable securities herein or in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will have the option of making payments by check mailed to the addresses of the persons entitled to payment or by wire transfer to bank accounts in the United States designated in writing to the applicable trustee or other designated party at least 15 days before the applicable payment date by the persons entitled to payment, unless a shorter period is satisfactory to the applicable trustee or other designated party.

        Redemption proceeds, distributions and dividend payments on the securities will be made to Cede & Co., or such other nominee as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. DTC's practice is to credit direct participants' accounts upon DTC's receipt of funds and corresponding detail information from us on the payment date in accordance with their respective holdings shown on DTC records. Payments by participants to beneficial owners will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case with securities held for the account of customers in bearer form or registered in "street name." Those payments will be the responsibility of participants and not of DTC or us, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements in effect from time to time. Payment of redemption proceeds, distributions and dividend payments to Cede & Co., or such other nominee as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC, is our responsibility, disbursement of payments to direct participants is the responsibility of DTC, and disbursement of payments to the beneficial owners is the responsibility of direct and indirect participants.

        Except under the limited circumstances described below, purchasers of securities will not be entitled to have securities registered in their names and will not receive physical delivery of securities. Accordingly, each beneficial owner must rely on the procedures of DTC and its participants to exercise any rights under the securities and the indenture.

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        The laws of some jurisdictions may require that some purchasers of securities take physical delivery of securities in definitive form. Those laws may impair the ability to transfer or pledge beneficial interests in securities.

        DTC may discontinue providing its services as securities depositary with respect to the securities at any time by giving reasonable notice to us. Under such circumstances, in the event that a successor depositary is not obtained, securities certificates are required to be printed and delivered.

        As noted above, beneficial owners of a particular series of securities generally will not receive certificates representing their ownership interests in those securities. However, if:

    DTC notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as a depositary for the global security or securities representing such series of securities or if DTC ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act at a time when it is required to be registered and a successor depositary is not appointed within 90 days of the notification to us or of our becoming aware of DTC's ceasing to be so registered, as the case may be;

    we determine, in our sole discretion, not to have such securities represented by one or more global securities; or

    an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to such series of securities,

        we will prepare and deliver certificates for such securities in exchange for beneficial interests in the global securities. Any beneficial interest in a global security that is exchangeable under the circumstances described in the preceding sentence will be exchangeable for securities in definitive certificated form registered in the names that the depositary directs. It is expected that these directions will be based upon directions received by the depositary from its participants with respect to ownership of beneficial interests in the global securities.

Euroclear and Clearstream

        If so provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, you may hold interests in a global security through Clearstream Banking S.A., which we refer to as "Clearstream," or Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear System, which we refer to as "Euroclear," either directly if you are a participant in Clearstream or Euroclear or indirectly through organizations that are participants in Clearstream or Euroclear. Clearstream and Euroclear will hold interests on behalf of their respective participants through customers' securities accounts in the names of Clearstream and Euroclear, respectively, on the books of their respective U.S. depositaries, which in turn will hold such interests in customers' securities accounts in such depositaries' names on DTC's books.

        Clearstream and Euroclear are securities clearance systems in Europe. Clearstream and Euroclear hold securities for their respective participating organizations and facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between those participants through electronic book-entry changes in their accounts, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates.

        Payments, deliveries, transfers, exchanges, notices and other matters relating to beneficial interests in global securities owned through Euroclear or Clearstream must comply with the rules and procedures of those systems. Transactions between participants in Euroclear or Clearstream, on one hand, and other participants in DTC, on the other hand, are also subject to DTC's rules and procedures.

        Investors will be able to make and receive through Euroclear and Clearstream payments, deliveries, transfers and other transactions involving any beneficial interests in global securities held through those systems only on days when those systems are open for business. Those systems may not be open for business on days when banks, brokers and other institutions are open for business in the United States.

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        Cross-market transfers between participants in DTC, on the one hand, and participants in Euroclear or Clearstream, on the other hand, will be effected through DTC in accordance with the DTC's rules on behalf of Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, by their respective U.S. depositaries; however, such cross-market transactions will require delivery of instructions to Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, by the counterparty in such system in accordance with the rules and procedures and within the established deadlines (European time) of such system. Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, will, if the transaction meets its settlement requirements, deliver instructions to its U.S. depositary to take action to effect final settlement on its behalf by delivering or receiving interests in the global securities through DTC, and making or receiving payment in accordance with normal procedures for same-day fund settlement. Participants in Euroclear or Clearstream may not deliver instructions directly to their respective U.S. depositaries.

        Due to time zone differences, the securities accounts of a participant in Euroclear or Clearstream purchasing an interest in a global security from a direct participant in DTC will be credited, and any such crediting will be reported to the relevant participant in Euroclear or Clearstream, during the securities settlement processing day (which must be a business day for Euroclear or Clearstream) immediately following the settlement date of DTC. Cash received in Euroclear or Clearstream as a result of sales of interests in a global security by or through a participant in Euroclear or Clearstream to a direct participant in DTC will be received with value on the settlement date of DTC but will be available in the relevant Euroclear or Clearstream cash account only as of the business day for Euroclear or Clearstream following DTC's settlement date.

Other

        The information in this section of this prospectus concerning DTC, Clearstream, Euroclear and their respective book-entry systems has been obtained from sources that we believe to be reliable, but we do not take responsibility for this information. This information has been provided solely as a matter of convenience. The rules and procedures of DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear are solely within the control of those organizations and could change at any time. Neither we nor the trustee nor any agent of ours or of the trustee has any control over those entities and none of us takes any responsibility for their activities. You are urged to contact DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear or their respective participants directly to discuss those matters. In addition, although we expect that DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear will perform the foregoing procedures, none of them is under any obligation to perform or continue to perform such procedures and such procedures may be changed or discontinued at any time. Neither we nor any agent of ours will have any responsibility for the performance or nonperformance by DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear or their respective participants of these or any other rules or procedures governing their respective operations.

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

        We may sell the offered securities from time to time:

    through underwriters or dealers;

    through agents;

    directly to one or more purchasers; or

    through a combination of any of these methods of sale.

        We will identify the specific plan of distribution, including any underwriters, dealers, agents or direct purchasers and their compensation in the applicable prospectus supplement.

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LEGAL MATTERS

        Latham & Watkins LLP will pass upon certain legal matters relating to the issuance and sale of the securities offered hereby on behalf of Ra Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Additional legal matters may be passed upon for us or any underwriters, dealers or agents, by counsel that we will name in the applicable prospectus supplement.


EXPERTS

        The consolidated financial statements incorporated in this prospectus by reference from Ra Pharmaceuticals, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report, which is incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements have been so incorporated in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

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Table of Contents

 

LOGO

4,000,000 Shares

Common Stock


PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT


Joint Book-Running Managers

Jefferies
BMO Capital Markets
Stifel
Guggenheim Securities

Lead Manager

Baird

July 23, 2019