424B4 1 f424b4_062620.htm 424B4

Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(4)

Registration No. 333-239278

 

PROSPECTUS

 

 

23,541,668 Common Shares

 

 

 

This prospectus relates to the resale or other disposition of up to 23,541,668 of our common shares by the selling shareholders named in this prospectus issuable upon the exercise of our Series A warrants and certain placement agent warrants. The Series A warrants were offered and sold by us in a private placement transaction in February 2020. See “Summary – February 2020 Private Placement.” The placement agent warrants were issued to certain related parties of the placement agent for that transaction as well as a subsequent offering by us consummated in April 2020. See “Summary – Recent Developments – Financings” and “Summary – February 2020 Private Placement.” The selling shareholders may, from time to time, sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any or all of their common shares or interests in their common shares on any stock exchange, market or trading facility on which the common shares are traded or in private transactions. These dispositions may be at fixed prices, at prevailing market prices at the time of sale, at prices related to the prevailing market price, at varying prices determined at the time of sale, or at negotiated prices. See “Plan of Distribution” in this prospectus for more information.

 

We will not receive any proceeds from the resale or other disposition of the common shares by the selling shareholders. However, we will receive the proceeds of any cash exercise of the Series A warrants and the placement agent warrants. See “Use of Proceeds” beginning on page 7 and “Plan of Distribution” beginning on page 23 of this prospectus for more information.

 

Our common shares are listed on the NYSE American under the symbol “ZOM.” On June 25, 2020, the last reported sale price of our common shares on the NYSE American was $0.232 per share.

 

We are an “emerging growth company” as that term is used in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, and, as such, we have elected to take advantage of certain reduced public company reporting requirements for this prospectus and future filings.

 

You should read this prospectus, together with additional information described under the headings “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference” and “Where You Can Find More Information,” carefully before you invest in any of our securities.

 

An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Before deciding whether to invest in our securities, you should consider carefully the risks and uncertainties described in the section captioned "Risk Factors" contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 26, 2020 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2020 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 11, 2020 and other filings we make with the SEC from time to time, which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety, together with other information in this prospectus and the information incorporated by reference herein.

 

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

 

The date of this prospectus is June 26, 2020

 

 

Table of Contents

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Summary   1 
Risk Factors   5 
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements   6 
Use of Proceeds   7 
Market Price of our Common Shares and Related Shareholder Matters   8 
Selling Shareholders   9 
Description of Securities   10 
Material United States Federal Income Tax Considerations   11 
Certain Canadian Federal Income Tax Consequences   22 
Plan of Distribution   23 
Legal Matters   25 
Experts   25 
Where You Can Find More Information   25 

 

We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information that is different from that contained in this prospectus or in any free writing prospectus we may authorize to be delivered or made available to you. When you make a decision about whether to invest in our securities, you should not rely upon any information other than the information in this prospectus or in any free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be delivered or made available to you. Neither the delivery of this prospectus nor the sale of our securities means that the information contained in this prospectus or any free writing prospectus is correct after the date of this prospectus or such free writing prospectus. This prospectus is not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy our securities in any circumstances under which the offer or solicitation is unlawful.

 

For investors outside the United States: We have not taken any action that would permit this offering or possession or distribution of this prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required, other than in the United States. Persons outside the United States who come into possession of this prospectus must inform themselves about, and observe any restrictions relating to, the offering of the securities covered hereby and the distribution of this prospectus outside the United States.

 

This prospectus contain summaries of certain provisions contained in some of the documents described herein, but reference is made to the actual documents for complete information. All of the summaries are qualified in their entirety by the full text of the actual documents, some of which have been filed or will be filed and incorporated by reference herein. See “Where You Can Find More Information” in this prospectus. We further note that the representations, warranties and covenants made by us in any agreement that is filed as an exhibit to any document that is incorporated by reference into this prospectus were made solely for the benefit of the parties to such agreement, including, in some cases, for the purpose of allocating risk among the parties to such agreements, and should not be deemed to be a representation, warranty or covenant to you. Moreover, such representations, warranties or covenants were accurate only as of the date when made. Accordingly, such representations, warranties and covenants should not be relied on as accurately representing the current state of our affairs.

 

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This prospectus contain and incorporate by reference certain market data and industry statistics and forecasts that are based on studies sponsored by us, independent industry publications and other publicly available information. Although we believe these sources are reliable, estimates as they relate to projections involve numerous assumptions, are subject to risks and uncertainties, and are subject to change based on various factors, including those discussed under “Risk Factors” in this prospectus and under similar headings in the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on this information.

 

All references in this prospectus to “Zomedica,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our” mean Zomedica Pharmaceuticals Corp. and its subsidiaries unless we state otherwise, or the context otherwise indicates. Unless otherwise noted herein, all references to “CDN$,” “CAD$,” or “Canadian dollars” are to the currency of Canada and “$,” “dollars,” “US$,” “United States dollars,” or “U.S. dollars” are to the currency of the United States. This prospectus and the information incorporated by reference herein contain references to trademarks, service marks and trade names owned by us or other companies. Solely for convenience, trademarks, service marks and trade names referred to in this prospectus and the information incorporated by reference herein and therein, including logos, artwork, and other visual displays, may appear without the ® or ™ symbols, but such references are not intended to indicate, in any way, that we will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our rights or the rights of the applicable licensor to these trademarks, service marks and trade names. We do not intend our use or display of other companies’ trade names, service marks or trademarks to imply a relationship with, or endorsement or sponsorship of us by, any other companies. Other trademarks, trade names and service marks appearing in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein are the property of their respective owners.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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SUMMARY

 

This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein. This summary does not contain all of the information that you should consider before deciding to invest in our securities. You should read this entire prospectus carefully, including the section entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 5 and our consolidated financial statements and the related notes and the other information incorporated by reference into this prospectus before making an investment decision.

 

Our Company

 

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

 

Our strategic focus is on the final development and commercialization of our TRUFORMA™ point-of-care diagnostic platform and the first five assays for the detection of adrenal and thyroid disorders in cats and dogs. The TRUFORMA™ platform uses Bulk Acoustic Wave (BAW) technology to provide a non-optical and fluorescence free detection system for use at the point-of-care. We believe that BAW technology will enable precise and repeatable test results at the point-of-care during a typical veterinary appointment.

 

Following the commercial launch of TRUFORMA™, we expect to continue the development of our point- of-care diagnostic platform, which is based on miniaturized laser-based Raman spectroscopy technology and is designed to detect pathogens in companion animals. We believe this platform will enable the identification of biological and biochemical signatures in complex biological samples and has the potential to achieve reference lab sensitivity/specificity to screen for a wide range of pathogens in companion animal feces, urine, respiratory, and dermatological samples in minutes without the need for extensive sample prep or the use of reagents. The diagnostic platform requires a small fecal sample preparation. Additionally, the platform has automated analysis and does not require specialized staff training. Because we are focused on the development and commercialization of the TRUFORMA™ platform, which has been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, we deferred work on this platform. We believe that this diagnostic platform does not require pre-market regulatory approval for use with companion animals in the United States.

 

We have performed initial development work on a circulating tumor cell (CTC) “liquid biopsy” platform for use in a reference lab setting as a canine cancer diagnostic. This platform is intended for use to detect canine cancers faster, more affordably and less invasively compared to existing methods, which can be expensive and cost prohibitive for pet owners. We have worked on the development of an assay for use with this platform that targets hard-to-diagnose canine cancers, such as hemangiosarcoma and osteosarcoma.

 

We have worked on the development of four therapeutic drug product candidates for potential use in canines and felines. Consistent with our focus on the development of point-of-care diagnostic platforms, we intend to seek one or more partners for the further development of our therapeutic candidates.

 

Recent Developments

 

Financings

 

On May 29, 2020, we completed a $20.0 million public offering of our common shares, pre-funded warrants and Series C warrants pursuant to which we sold an aggregate of 121,163,333 common shares, pre-funded warrants to purchase up to 12,170,000 common shares and Series C warrants to purchase up to 133,333,333 common shares, or the May 2020 Offering. Each Series C warrant has an exercise price of $0.15 per share, was immediately exercisable from the issuance date, and has a two-year term. Each pre-funded warrant has an exercise price of $0.0001 per share, is exercisable only on a cashless basis and will not expire prior to exercise. All of the pre-funded warrants have been exercised.

 

On April 20, 2020, we received a loan under the Payroll Protection Program in the amount of $527,360.

 

On April 9, 2020, we completed a $4.0 million public offering of our common shares and Series B warrants pursuant to which we sold an aggregate of 33,333,334 common shares and Series B warrants to purchase up to 16,666,667 common shares, or the April 2020 Offering. Each Series B warrant has an exercise price of $0.15 per share, was immediately exercisable from the issuance date, and has a five-year term. In connection with that offering, we issued placement agent warrants to purchase up to 1,666,667 common shares at an exercise price of $0.15 per common share to certain related parties of the placement agent for that transaction, or the April placement agent warrants. This prospectus covers the resale or other disposition by the selling shareholders of the common shares issuable upon the exercise of the April placement agent warrants.

 

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Operational Activities

 

On June 16, 2020, we announced that Robert Cohen had been appointed as our Interim Chief Executive Officer.

 

On April 21, 2020, we announced the completion of verification of our TRUFORMA™ point-of-care diagnostic platform and the first assay, canine total T4 thyroxine, or tT4. The achievement of this milestone required us to make a $3 million milestone payment to our development partner which has been paid.

 

On May 20, 2020, we announced the completion of verification of three additional assays for our TRUFORMA™ point-of-care diagnostic platform, feline tT4, and canine and feline thyroid stimulating hormone. Together with the canine tT4 assay, these represent completion of the first two assays for both canine and feline of the total of five assays initially planned for use with the TRUFORMA™ platform.

 

NYSE Deficiency Letter

 

On April 10, 2020, we received a deficiency letter from the NYSE American that we were not in compliance with the NYSE American continued listing standard set forth in Section 1003(f)(v) of the NYSE American Company Guide because our common shares had been selling for a substantial period of time at a low price per share. Pursuant to Section 1003(f)(v) of the NYSE American Company Guide, the NYSE American staff determined that the continued listing of our common shares is predicated on our company effecting a reverse stock split of our common shares or otherwise demonstrating sustained price improvement within a reasonable period of time, which the staff determined to be no later than October 10, 2020. We intend to regain compliance with the NYSE American’s continued listing standards by undertaking a measure or measures that are for the best interests of our company and our shareholders.

 

February 2020 Private Placement

 

In connection with a registered offering of our common shares, on February 12, 2020, we entered into a securities purchase agreement with certain institutional investors, pursuant to which, among other things, we sold to the investors Series A warrants to purchase up to 20,833,334 of our common shares in a private placement at an exercise price of $0.20 per common share. In connection with that offering, we issued placement agent warrants to purchase up to 1,041,667 common shares at an exercise price of $0.15 per common share to certain related parties of the placement agent for that transaction, or the February placement agent warrants. This prospectus also covers the resale or other disposition by the selling shareholders of the common shares issuable upon the exercise of the Series A warrants and the February placement agent warrants. We refer to the April placement agent warrants and the February placement agent warrants collectively as the placement agent warrants.

 

Corporate Information

 

Zomedica Pharmaceuticals Corp. (formerly, Wise Oakwood Ventures Inc.) was originally incorporated as Wise Oakwood Ventures Inc. on January 7, 2013 under the Business Corporations Act (Alberta). On October 28, 2013, we completed our initial public offering in Canada and became classified as a Capital Pool Company, as defined under the rules of the TSX Venture Exchange (“TSX-V”). On April 21, 2016, we changed our name to Zomedica Pharmaceuticals Corp. and consolidated our common shares on a one-for-two and one-half basis. ZoMedica Pharmaceuticals Inc. (“ZoMedica Inc.”) was incorporated on May 14, 2015 under the Canada Business Corporations Act. On April 21, 2016, we completed a qualifying transaction (the “Qualifying Transaction”) under TSX-V Policy 2.4 – Capital Pool Companies, consisting of a three- cornered amalgamation among our Company, ZoMedica Inc. and our wholly-owned subsidiary. Under the Qualifying Transaction, ZoMedica Inc. and our subsidiary were amalgamated to form Zomedica Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (“Zomedica Ltd.”). As consideration for the amalgamation, shareholders of ZoMedica Inc. became the owners of 97.6% (non-diluted) of our common shares, and ZoMedica Ltd. became our wholly-owned subsidiary. Subsequent to the Qualifying Transaction, Zomedica Ltd. was vertically amalgamated into our Company. We have one wholly- owned subsidiary, Zomedica Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware company. Our principal executive offices are located at 100 Phoenix Drive, Suite 180, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, and our telephone number is (734) 369-2555. Our website address is www.zomedica.com. We have not incorporated by reference into this prospectus the information on our website, and you should not consider it to be a part of this document

 

Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company

 

As a company with less than $1.07 billion in revenue during our last fiscal year, we qualify as an “emerging growth company” as defined in the JOBS Act. An “emerging growth company” may take advantage of reduced reporting requirements that are otherwise applicable to public companies. These provisions include, but are not limited to:

 

not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act;

 

reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports, proxy statements and registration statements; and

 

exemptions from the requirements of holding a non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.

 

We may take advantage of these provisions until December 31, 2022. However, if certain events occur prior to December 31, 2022, including if we become a “large accelerated filer,” our annual gross revenues exceed $1.07 billion or we issue more than $1.0 billion of non-convertible debt in any three-year period, we will cease to be an emerging growth company before such date.

 

In addition, the JOBS Act provides that an emerging growth company may delay adopting new or revised accounting standards until such time as those standards apply to private companies. We have irrevocably elected not to avail ourselves of this exemption and, therefore, we 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

 

This prospectus relates to the resale or other disposition from time to time by the selling shareholders identified in this prospectus of up to 23,541,668 of our common shares. None of the shares registered hereby are being offered for sale by us.

 

Common shares offered by the selling shareholders  Up to 23,541,668 common shares.
    
Common shares outstanding after this offering  337,004,476 common shares, assuming the exercise in full of the Series A Warrants and the placement agent warrants.
    
Use of proceeds  We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of common shares offered by the selling shareholders under this prospectus. However, we will receive the proceeds of any cash exercise of the Series A warrants and the placement agent warrants. We intend to use the net proceeds from any cash exercise of Series A warrants and placement agent warrants for the continued development of our TRUFORMA™ diagnostic platform, including making milestone payments, as they come due, under our existing license and collaboration agreements, and other general corporate and working capital purposes. See “Use of Proceeds” on page 7.
    
Listing Information  Our common shares are listed on the NYSE American under the symbol “ZOM.”
    
Risk Factors  An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Before deciding whether to invest in our securities, you should consider carefully the risks and uncertainties described in the section captioned "Risk Factors" contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 26, 2020 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2020 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 11, 2020 and other filings we make with the SEC from time to time, which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety, together with other information in this prospectus and the information incorporated by reference herein.

 

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The number of common shares expected to be outstanding after this offering is based on 313,462,808 common shares outstanding as of June 25, 2020, and excludes, as of that date, the following:

 

13,781,265 common shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding options with a weighted average exercise price of approximately $0.73 per share;

 

  155,609,751 common shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants with a weighted average exercise price of approximately $0.16 per share; and

 

  17,565,015 common shares available for future issuance under our equity incentive plan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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RISK FACTORS

 

An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Before deciding whether to invest in our securities, you should consider carefully the risks and uncertainties described in the section captioned "Risk Factors" contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 26, 2020 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2020 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 11, 2020 and other filings we make with the SEC from time to time, which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety, together with other information in this prospectus and the information incorporated by reference herein. If any of these risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flow could suffer materially. In such event, the trading price of our common shares could decline, and you might lose all or part of your investment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This prospectus and the documents we have filed with the SEC that are incorporated by reference herein and therein contain forward-looking statements, or forward-looking information, as defined under applicable Canadian securities laws (collectively, “forward-looking statements”). In some cases, you can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential” or “continue,” the negative or plural of these words and other comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements in this prospectus include, but are not limited to, statements about:

 

the success, cost and timing of our research and development activities, validation studies and pivotal trials, including with respect to our lead product candidates, TRUFORMA™, ZM-017, ZM-022, ZM-020, ZM-007, ZM-012, ZM-006, and ZM-011;

 

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

 

our ability to obtain funding for our operations;

 

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

 

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

 

our plans to develop and commercialize our product candidates;

 

the expected impact of the novel coronavirus pandemic on our operations, including the development and commercialization of our TRUFORMA™ platform and the five initial assays;

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

regulatory developments in the United States;

 

the loss of key scientific or management personnel;

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

These forward-looking statements, which are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions about us, may include projections of our future financial performance, our anticipated growth strategies and anticipated trends in our business. These statements are only predictions based on our current expectations and projections about future events. There are important factors that could cause our actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from the results, level of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including those factors discussed under the caption entitled “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 filed with the SEC on February 26, 2020, our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2020 filed with the SEC on May 11, 2020 and other filings we make with the SEC from time to time.

 

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

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

 

We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of common shares offered by the selling shareholders under this prospectus. However, we will receive the proceeds of any cash exercise of the Series A warrants and the placement agent warrants. If all of the Series A warrants and placement agent warrants were exercised for cash, we would receive aggregate proceeds of approximately $4.6 million. We intend to use the net proceeds from any cash exercise of Series A warrants and the placement agent warrants for the continued development of our TRUFORMATM diagnostic platform, including making milestone payments, as they come due, under our existing license and collaboration agreements, and other general corporate and working capital purposes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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MARKET PRICE OF OUR COMMON SHARES AND RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS

 

Our common shares are listed on the NYSE American under the symbol “ZOM.” On June 25, 2020, the last reported sale price of our common shares on the NYSE American was $0.232 per share.

 

Holders

 

As of June 25, 2020, we had approximately 200 record holders of our common shares. The number of record holders is based on the actual number of holders registered on the books of our transfer agent and does not reflect holders of shares in “street name” or persons, partnerships, associations, corporations or other entities identified in security position listings maintained by depository trust companies.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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SELLING SHAREHOLDERS

 

This prospectus covers the resale or other disposition by the selling shareholders identified in the table below of up to an aggregate of 23,541,668 of our common shares issuable upon the exercise of our outstanding Series A warrants and placement agent warrants. The selling shareholders acquired their securities in the transactions described above under the headings “Summary – Recent Developments – Financings” and “Summary – February 2020 Private Placement.”

 

Certain warrants held by the selling shareholders contain limitations which prevent the holder from exercising those warrants if such exercise would cause the selling shareholder, together with certain related parties, to beneficially own a number of common shares which would exceed 4.99% of our then outstanding common shares following such exercise, excluding for purposes of such determination, common shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants which have not been exercised, or the Beneficial Ownership Limitation.

 

The table below sets forth, as of June 25, 2020, the following information regarding the selling shareholders:

 

the name of the selling shareholder;
the number of common shares beneficially owned by each selling shareholder prior to this offering, without regard to any Beneficial Ownership Limitation;
the number of common shares to be offered by each selling shareholder in this offering;
the number of common shares to be beneficially owned by each selling shareholder assuming the sale of all of the common shares covered by this prospectus, after giving to any Beneficial Ownership Limitation; and
the percentage of our issued and outstanding common shares to be owned by each selling shareholder assuming the sale of all of the common shares covered by this prospectus based on the number of common shares issued and outstanding as of June 18, 2020, after giving effect to any Beneficial Ownership Limitation.

 

Except as described above, the number of common shares beneficially owned by each selling shareholder has been determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act and includes, for such purpose, common shares that such shareholder has the right to acquire within 60 days of June 25, 2020 after giving effect to any applicable Beneficial Ownership Limitation.

 

All information with respect to the common share ownership of the selling shareholders has been furnished by or on behalf of the selling shareholders. We believe, based on information supplied by the selling shareholders, that except as may otherwise be indicated in the footnotes to the table below, the selling shareholders have sole voting and dispositive power with respect to the common shares reported as beneficially owned by them. Because the selling shareholders identified in the table may sell some or all of the common shares beneficially owned by them and covered by this prospectus, and because there are currently no agreements, arrangements or understandings with respect to the sale of any of the common shares, no estimate can be given as to the number of common shares available for resale hereby that will be held by the selling shareholders upon termination of this offering. In addition, the selling shareholders may have sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of, or may sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of, at any time and from time to time, the common shares they beneficially own in transactions exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act after the date on which they provided the information set forth in the table below. We have, therefore, assumed for the purposes of the following table, that the selling shareholders will sell all of the common shares owned beneficially by them that are covered by this prospectus, but will not sell any other common shares that they presently own. None of the selling shareholders has held any position or office, or has otherwise had a material relationship, with us or any of our subsidiaries within the past three years other than as a result of the ownership of our common shares or other securities.

 

Name of Selling Shareholder  Shares
Beneficially
Owned prior to
Offering
  Shares
Offered
by this
Prospectus
  Shares
Beneficially
Owned after
Offering
  Percentage of
Shares Beneficially Owned after Offering (1)
Armistice Capital Master Fund Ltd. (2)  31,715,001  12,500,000  17,699,740  4.99%
Sabby Volatility Warrant Master Fund, Ltd. (3)  30,286,668  8,333,334  17,699,740  4.99%
Michael Vasinkevich (4)  1,736,719  1,736,719  -  -
Michael Mirsky (4)  514,584  514,584  -  -
Noam Rubinstein (4)  338,541  338,541  -  -
Craig Schwabe (4)  91,406  91,406  -  -
Charles Wortham (4)  27,084  27,084  -  -

 

(1) Percentages are based on 313,462,808 common shares outstanding as of June 25, 2020.
   
(2)

Consists of (i) Series A warrants to purchase up to 12,500,000 common shares, (ii) Series B warrants to purchase up to 3,208,334 common shares and (iii) Series C warrants to purchase up to 16,006,667 common shares. Armistice Capital, LLC serves as the investment manager of Armistice Capital Master Fund Ltd. Steven J. Boyd is the managing member of Armistice Capital, LLC and a director of Armistice Master Fund Ltd. and may be deemed to have voting and investment power with respect to the securities held by Armistice Capital Master Fund Ltd. The address of Armistice Capital Master Fund Ltd. is c/o Armistice Capital, LLC, 510 Madison Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10022.

 

(3)

Consists of (i) Series A warrants to purchase up to 8,333,334 common shares, (ii) Series B warrants to purchase up to 1,683,334 common shares and (iii) Series C warrants to purchase up to 20,270,000 common shares. Sabby Management, LLC serves as the investment manager of Sabby Volatility Warrant Master Fund, Ltd. Hal Mintz is the manager of Sabby Management, LLC and has voting and investment control of the securities held by Sabby Volatility Warrant Master Fund, Ltd. Each of Sabby Management, LLC and Hal Mintz disclaims beneficial ownership over the securities beneficially owned by Sabby Volatility Warrant Master Fund, Ltd., except to the extent of their respective pecuniary interest therein. The address of Sabby Volatility Warrant Master Fund, Ltd. is c/o Sabby Management, LLC, 10 Mountainview Road, Suite 205, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458.

 

 

(4)

Consists of placement agent warrants. The address of each of the individuals named above is c/o H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC, 430 Park Avenue New York, New York 10022.

   

 

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DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

 

Capital Shares

 

For a description of our capital shares, please see the Description of Securities included as Exhibit 4.1 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, filed with the SEC on February 26, 2020, which is incorporated by reference herein. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

Warrants

 

As of June 25, 2020, we had 155,609,751 common shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants with a weighted average exercise price of approximately $0.16 per share.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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MATERIAL UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

 

The following summary describes the material U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. Holders (as defined below) of acquiring, owning, and disposing of our common shares acquired pursuant to this prospectus. This summary does not address any tax consequences applicable to the selling shareholders. Each selling shareholder should consult its own tax advisor regarding the tax consequences of the resale of common shares.

 

Scope of this Summary

 

Tax Consequences Not Addressed

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Authorities

 

This summary is based upon the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), the Treasury Regulations (whether final, temporary, or proposed) promulgated thereunder, the Convention Between Canada and the United States of America with Respect to Taxes on Income and on Capital, signed September 26, 1980, as amended (the “Canada-U.S. Tax Convention”), and administrative rulings and judicial decisions interpreting the Code and the Treasury Regulations, all as currently in effect, and all subject to differing interpretations or change, possibly on a retroactive basis. We have not sought, and will not seek, a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) regarding any matter discussed herein, and no assurance can be given that the IRS would not assert, or that a court would not sustain, a position that is different from, and contrary to, the positions taken in this summary. This summary does not discuss the potential effects, whether adverse or beneficial, of any proposed legislation that, if enacted, could be applied on a retroactive or prospective basis.

 

U.S. Holders

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Certain U.S. Holders Not Addressed

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

·are subject to special tax accounting rules with respect to our common shares;

 

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

 

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

 

·are subject to taxing jurisdictions other than, or in addition to, the United States.

 

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

 

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

 

 

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PFIC Status and Related Tax Consequences

 

Status as a PFIC

 

We believe we were classified as a PFIC during our taxable year ended December 31, 2019, and based on current business plans and financial expectations, we believe we will continue to be a PFIC for the current and future taxable years. As a result, certain potentially adverse rules may affect the U.S. federal income tax consequences to a U.S. Holder of acquiring, owning, and disposing of our common shares. No opinion of legal counsel or ruling from the IRS concerning our status as a PFIC has been obtained or is currently planned to be requested. The determination of whether any corporation was, or will be, a PFIC for a taxable year depends, in part, on the application of complex U.S. federal income tax rules, which are subject to differing interpretations. In addition, whether any corporation will be a PFIC for any taxable year depends on the assets and income of such corporation calculated on an annual basis and, as a result, cannot be predicted with certainty as of the date of this prospectus. Each U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisors regarding our PFIC status.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Default PFIC Rules

 

A Non-Electing U.S. Holder will be subject to the rules of Section 1291 of the Code. Pursuant to these rules, distributions are divided into two categories, “excess distributions” and others. An excess distribution is the amount received in a taxable year that exceeds 125% of the average annual distributions paid on our common shares in the three preceding taxable years. Any gain realized on the sale, exchange or other disposition of our common shares is also considered an excess distribution. Under these rules:

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

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

 

QEF Election

 

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

 

An Electing U.S. Holder will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on such income inclusions for each taxable year in which we are a PFIC, regardless of whether such amounts are actually distributed to such Electing U.S. Holder. However, an Electing U.S. Holder may, subject to certain limitations, elect to defer payment of current U.S. federal income tax on such amounts, subject to an interest charge. If an Electing U.S. Holder is not a corporation, any such interest will be treated as non-deductible “personal interest.”

 

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

 

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

 

If a U.S. Holder does not make a timely and effective QEF Election for the first year in the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the common shares, the U.S. Holder may still be able to make a timely and effective QEF Election in a subsequent year if such U.S. Holder meets certain requirements and makes a “purging election” pursuant to Section 1291(d) of the Code recognizing gain as if its common shares were sold for their fair market value on the day the QEF Election is effective (which will be taxed under the default rules of Section 1291 of the Code discussed above). If a U.S. Holder makes a QEF Election but does not make a “purging election,” then such U.S. Holder shall not be subject to the QEF Election rules and shall continue to be subject to tax under the rules of Section 1291 discussed above with respect to its common shares. If a U.S. Holder owns PFIC stock indirectly through another PFIC, separate QEF Elections must be made for the PFIC in which the U.S. Holder is a direct shareholder and the subsidiary PFIC for the QEF rules to apply to both PFICs.

 

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

 

A U.S. Holder may make a timely QEF Election with respect to its ownership of our common shares by filing one copy of IRS Form 8621, including a PFIC Annual Information Statement, to a timely filed U.S. federal income tax return for the first year in which it holds our common shares. However, U.S. Holders should be aware that we do not intend to satisfy the record keeping requirements that apply to a “qualified electing fund,” or supply U.S. Holders with information that such U.S. Holders require to report under the QEF Election rules, in the event that we are a PFIC and a U.S. Holder wishes to make a QEF Election. Thus, if you are a U.S. Holder, you may not be able to make a QEF Election.

 

Mark-to-Market Election

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A U.S. Holder that makes a Mark-to-Market Election with respect to common shares generally will not be subject to the rules of Section 1291 of the Code discussed above with respect to such shares. However, if a U.S. Holder does not make a Mark-to-Market Election beginning in the first taxable year of such U.S. Holder’s holding period for the common shares for which we are a PFIC and such U.S. Holder has not made a timely QEF Election, the rules of Section 1291 of the Code discussed above will apply to certain dispositions of, and distributions on, the common shares.

 

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

 

A U.S. Holder makes a Mark-to-Market Election by attaching a completed IRS Form 8621 to a timely filed U.S. federal income tax return. A Mark-to-Market Election applies to the taxable year in which such Mark-to-Market Election is made and to each subsequent taxable year, unless the common shares cease to be marketable stock or the IRS consents to revocation of such election. Each U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisors regarding the availability of, and procedure for making, a Mark-to-Market Election.

 

Other PFIC Rules

 

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

 

If finalized in their current form, the proposed Treasury Regulations applicable to PFICs would be effective for transactions occurring on or after April 1, 1992. Because the proposed Treasury Regulations have not yet been adopted in final form, they are not currently effective, and there is no assurance that they will be adopted in the form and with the effective date proposed. Nevertheless, the IRS has announced that, in the absence of final Treasury Regulations, taxpayers may apply reasonable interpretations of the Code provisions applicable to PFICs and that it considers the rules set forth in the proposed Treasury Regulations to be reasonable interpretations of those Code provisions. The PFIC rules are complex, and the implementation of certain aspects of the PFIC rules requires the issuance of Treasury Regulations which in many instances have not been promulgated and which, when promulgated, may have retroactive effect. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors about the potential applicability of the proposed Treasury Regulations.

 

 

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Certain additional adverse rules may apply with respect to a U.S. Holder if we are a PFIC, regardless of whether such U.S. Holder makes a QEF Election. For example, under Section 1298(b)(6) of the Code, a U.S. Holder that uses our common shares as security for a loan will, except as may be provided in Treasury Regulations, be treated as having made a taxable disposition of such common shares.

 

Special rules also apply to the amount of foreign tax credit that a U.S. Holder may claim on a distribution from a PFIC. Subject to such special rules, foreign taxes paid with respect to any distribution by a PFIC are generally eligible for the foreign tax credit. The rules relating to distributions by a PFIC and their eligibility for the foreign tax credit are complicated, and a U.S. Holder should consult with their own tax advisor regarding the availability of the foreign tax credit with respect to distributions by a PFIC.

 

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

 

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

 

General Rules Applicable to the Ownership and Disposition of Common Shares

 

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

 

Distributions on Common Shares

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

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Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Shares

 

A U.S. Holder will recognize gain or loss on the sale or other taxable disposition of common shares in an amount equal to the difference, if any, between the amount of cash plus the fair market value of any property received and such U.S. Holder’s tax basis in such common shares sold or otherwise disposed of. If the U.S. Holder receives Canadian dollars in the transaction, the amount realized will be the U.S. dollar value of the Canadian dollars received, which is determined for cash basis taxpayers on the settlement date for the transaction and for accrual basis taxpayers on the trade date (although accrual basis taxpayers can also elect the settlement date). Subject to the PFIC rules discussed above, gain or loss recognized on such sale or other taxable disposition generally will be a capital gain or loss, which will be long-term capital gain or loss if the common shares are held for more than one year.

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Additional Considerations

 

Receipt of Foreign Currency

 

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

 

Foreign Tax Credit

 

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

 

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

 

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

 

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

 

 

 

 

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

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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CERTAIN CANADIAN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES

 

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

 

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

 

holds the common shares as capital property;

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

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Dividends on Common Shares

 

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

 

Dispositions of Common Shares

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Generally, a common share will be ” treaty-protected property” of the U.S. Holder at the time of disposition if at that time any income or gain of the U.S. Holder from the disposition of the share would be exempt from Canadian income tax under Part I of the Tax Act because of the Treaty.

 

A U.S. Holder who disposes or is deemed to dispose of a common share that, at the time of disposition, is taxable Canadian property and is not treaty-protected property will realize a capital gain (or capital loss) equal to the amount, if any, by which the U.S. Holder’s proceeds of disposition of the share exceeds (or is exceeded by) the U.S. Holder’s adjusted cost base in the share and reasonable costs of disposition. The U.S. Holder generally will be required to include one half of any such capital gain (taxable capital gain) in the U.S. Holder’s taxable income earned in Canada for the year of disposition, and be entitled to deduct one half of any such capital loss (allowable capital loss) against taxable capital gains included in the U.S. Holder’s taxable income earned in Canada for the year of disposition and, to the extent not so deductible, against such taxable capital gains realized in any of the three preceding taxation years or any subsequent taxation year, to the extent and in the circumstances set out in the Tax Act.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

The selling shareholders, which as used herein includes donees, pledgees, transferees or other successors-in-interest selling the common shares, or interests in the common shares received after the date of this prospectus from a selling shareholder as a gift, pledge, partnership distribution or other transfer, may, from time to time, sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any or all of their common shares or interests in the common shares on any stock exchange, market or trading facility on which the shares are traded or in private transactions. The selling shareholders may sell all or a portion of the common shares held by them and offered hereby from time to time directly or through one or more underwriters, broker-dealers or agents. If the common shares are sold through underwriters or broker-dealers, the selling shareholders will be responsible for underwriting discounts or commissions or agent’s commissions. The common shares may be sold in one or more transactions at fixed prices, at prevailing market prices at the time of the sale, at varying prices determined at the time of sale or at negotiated prices. These sales may be effected in transactions, which may involve crosses or block transactions, pursuant to one or more of the following methods:

 

·on any national securities exchange or quotation service on which the securities may be listed or quoted at the time of sale;
·in the over-the-counter market;
·in transactions otherwise than on these exchanges or systems or in the over-the-counter market;
·through the writing or settlement of options or other hedging transactions, whether such options are listed on an options exchange or otherwise;
·ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker-dealer solicits purchasers;
·block trades in which the broker-dealer will attempt to sell the shares as agent but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction;
·purchases by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by the broker-dealer for its account;
·an exchange distribution in accordance with the rules of the applicable exchange;
·privately negotiated transactions;
·short sales effected after the date the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part was declared effective by the SEC;
·broker-dealers may agree with a selling shareholder to sell a specified number of such shares at a stipulated price per share;
·a combination of any such methods of sale; and
·any other method permitted pursuant to applicable law.

 

The aggregate proceeds to the selling shareholders from the sale of the common shares offered by them will be the purchase price of the common shares less discounts or commissions, if any. Each of the selling shareholders reserves the right to accept and, together with their agents from time to time, to reject, in whole or in part, any proposed purchase of common shares to be made directly or through agents. We will not receive any of the proceeds from sales of shares by the selling shareholders.

 

The selling shareholders may also sell common shares under Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act, if available, rather than under this prospectus. In addition, the selling shareholders may transfer the common shares by other means not described in this prospectus. If the selling shareholders effect such transactions by selling common shares to or through underwriters, broker-dealers or agents, such underwriters, broker-dealers or agents may receive commissions in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the selling shareholders or commissions from purchasers of the common shares for whom they may act as agent or to whom they may sell as principal (which discounts, concessions or commissions as to particular underwriters, broker-dealers or agents may be in excess of those customary in the types of transactions involved but, except as set forth in a supplement to this prospectus to the extent required, in the case of an agency transaction will not be in excess of a customary brokerage commission in compliance with FINRA Rule 5110).

 

In connection with sales of the common shares or otherwise, the selling shareholders may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions, which may in turn engage in short sales of the common shares in the course of hedging in positions they assume. The selling shareholders may also sell common shares short and deliver common shares covered by this prospectus to close out short positions and to return borrowed shares in connection with such short sales. The selling shareholders may also loan or pledge common shares to broker-dealers that in turn may sell such shares. The selling shareholders may also enter into option or other transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions or the creation of one or more derivative securities which require the delivery to such broker-dealer or other financial institution of common shares offered by this prospectus, which common shares such broker-dealer or other financial institution may resell pursuant to this prospectus (as supplemented or amended to reflect such transaction).

 

The selling shareholders may pledge or grant a security interest in some or all of the common shares owned by them and, if they default in the performance of their secured obligations, the pledgees or secured parties may offer and sell the common shares from time to time pursuant to this prospectus or any amendment to this prospectus under Rule 424(b)(3) or other applicable provision of the Securities Act amending, if necessary, the list of selling shareholders to include the pledgee, transferee or other successors in interest as selling shareholders under this prospectus. The selling shareholders also may transfer and donate the common shares in other circumstances as permitted by applicable law, in which case the transferees, donees, pledgees or other successors in interest will be the selling beneficial owners for purposes of this prospectus.

 

To the extent required by the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, the selling shareholders and any broker-dealer participating in the distribution of the common shares may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act. In such event, any commission paid, or any discounts or concessions allowed to, any such broker-dealer may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts under the Securities Act. Selling shareholders who are deemed to be “underwriters” under the Securities Act (if any) will be subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act and may be subject to certain statutory liabilities of, including but not limited to, Sections 11, 12 and 17 of the Securities Act and Rule 10b-5 under the Exchange Act.

 

Each selling shareholder has informed us that it is not a registered broker-dealer and does not have any written or oral agreement or understanding, directly or indirectly, with any person to engage in a distribution of the common shares. Upon us being notified in writing by a selling shareholder that any material arrangement has been entered into with a broker-dealer for the distribution of common shares, a prospectus supplement, if required, will be distributed, which will set forth the aggregate amount of common shares being distributed and the terms of the offering, including the name or names of any broker-dealers or agents, any discounts, commissions and other terms constituting compensation from the selling shareholders and any discounts, commissions or concessions allowed or re-allowed or paid to broker-dealers.

 

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Under the securities laws of some states, the common shares may be sold in such states only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in some states the common shares may not be sold unless such shares have been registered or qualified for sale in such state or an exemption from registration or qualification is available and is complied with.

 

Each selling shareholder may sell all, some or none of the common shares registered pursuant to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. If sold under the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, the common shares registered hereunder will be freely tradable in the hands of persons other than our affiliates that acquire such shares.

 

We have advised the selling shareholders that the anti-manipulation rules of Regulation M under the Exchange Act may apply to sales of common shares in the market and to the activities of the selling shareholders and their affiliates. In addition, to the extent applicable, we will make copies of this prospectus (as it may be supplemented or amended from time to time) available to the selling shareholders for the purpose of satisfying the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act. The selling shareholders may indemnify any broker-dealer that participates in transactions involving the sale of the common shares against certain liabilities, including liabilities arising under the Securities Act.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Canadian Securities Matters

 

The common shares issuable upon exercise of the Series A warrants and the placement agent warrants are being distributed pursuant to a prospectus exemption under applicable Canadian securities laws. Each holder of a Series A warrant or a placement agent warrant has made certain representations, including that the holder will not acquire the common shares upon the exercise of the applicable warrants with a view to distribution of them to a resident of Canada or a person in Canada.

 

LEGAL MATTERS

 

The validity of the common shares offered hereby is being passed upon for us by Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP, Calgary, Alberta. Lowenstein Sandler LLP, New York, New York has acted as our United States counsel in connection with this offering. Lowenstein Sandler LLP owns 92,995 common shares.

 

EXPERTS

 

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

 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

 

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. The SEC maintains a website, at http://www.sec.gov, that contains registration statements, reports, proxy information statements and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the SEC, including us. Our website address is http://www.zomedica.com. We have not incorporated by reference into this prospectus the information on our website, and you should not consider it to be a part of this document.

 

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

 

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

 

our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, filed with the SEC on February 26, 2020;

 

our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, filed with the SEC on May 11, 2020;

 

our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 22, 2020, February 13, 2020, March 17, 2020, April 1, 2020, April 7, 2020, April 8, 2020, April 13, 2020, April 22, 2020, April 24, 2020 and June 17, 2020; and

 

the description of our common shares as set forth in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the SEC on November 15, 2017, including any amendments thereto or reports filed for the purposes of updating this description, including the Description of Securities filed as Exhibit 4.1 to our Annual Report.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

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

 

Zomedica Pharmaceuticals Corp.

100 Phoenix Drive, Suite 180

Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108

(734) 369-2555

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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23,541,668 Common Shares

 

 

 

PROSPECTUS

 

 

 

 

 

June 26, 2020