Filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration No. 333-197775

 

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

(To Prospectus dated August 11, 2014)

 

Up to $14,000,000 of Common Stock and

294,118 Shares of Common Stock as Commitment Shares

 

 

 


 

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relate to the issuance and sale of up to $14,000,000 in shares of our common stock, and an additional 294,118 shares of common stock as Commitment Shares (as defined below), to Lincoln Park Capital Fund, LLC, (“Lincoln Park”), under a Purchase Agreement entered into on December 21, 2016, (the “Purchase Agreement”).

 

The shares offered include:

 

 

 

 

up to $14,000,000 of shares of common stock that may be sold from time to time, at our sole discretion, to Lincoln Park over the next 24 months in accordance with the Purchase Agreement; and

 

 

 

294,118 shares of common stock to be issued to Lincoln Park, in consideration for entering into the Purchase Agreement (the “Commitment Shares”).

 

 

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus also cover the resale of these shares by Lincoln Park to the public.

 

Our common stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Market (“NASDAQ”) under the symbol “SNMX.” On December 21, 2016, the last reported sales price of our common stock on NASDAQ was $0.8699 per share.

 

 


 

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Please see the sections entitled “Risk Factors” on page S-8 of this prospectus supplement, on page 5 of the accompanying prospectus, as well as in our periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and incorporated by reference herein, for a discussion of important risks that you should consider before making an investment decision.

 

 


 

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

 

The date of this prospectus supplement is December 21, 2016

 

 
S-1

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Prospectus Supplement

 

         

 

 

Page

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

 

S-3

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

 

S-4

RISK FACTORS

 

S-8

NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

S-9

USE OF PROCEEDS

 

S-10

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

S-11

LEGAL MATTERS

 

S-12

EXPERTS

 

S-12

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

 

S-12

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

 

S-12

 

Prospectus

 

         
   

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

 

  i

SUMMARY

 

  1

RISK FACTORS

 

  5

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

 

5

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

 

 

5

USE OF PROCEEDS

 

 

6

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

 

 

6

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

 

 

13

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

 

 

20

LEGAL OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES

 

 

23

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

 

26

LEGAL MATTERS

 

 

28

EXPERTS

    28

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

 

 

28

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

 

 

29

DISCLOSURE OF COMMISSION POSITION ON INDEMNIFICATION FOR SECURITIES ACT LIABILITY

    30

  

 
S-2

 

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

 

This document is in two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes the specific terms of this offering. The second part, the accompanying prospectus, provides more general information, some of which may not apply to this offering. This prospectus supplement and the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement also adds to, updates and changes information contained or incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus. If information in this prospectus supplement or the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement is inconsistent with the accompanying prospectus or the information incorporated by reference therein, then this prospectus supplement or the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement will apply and will supersede the information in the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference therein.

 

This prospectus supplement is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), using a “shelf” registration process. Under the shelf registration process, we may from time to time offer and sell any combination of the securities described in the accompanying prospectus up to a total dollar amount of $50 million of which this offering is a part. As of the date of this prospectus supplement, we had not sold any securities under the registration statement.

 

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different or additional information. If anyone provides you with different or additional information, you should not rely on it. We are not making an offer of these securities under any circumstance or in any jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted or unlawful. You should assume that the information contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us is accurate only as of their respective dates, and that any information in documents that we have incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference.

 

This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the information incorporated herein and therein by reference include trademarks, service marks and trade names owned by us or other companies. All trademarks, service marks and trade names included or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus are the property of their respective owners.

 

Unless the context requires otherwise, in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus the terms “Senomyx,”the Company,”we,”us,”our” and similar names refer to Senomyx, Inc., a Delaware corporation. 

 

 
S-3

 

 

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

 

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

 

The Company

 

Overview

 

Senomyx, Inc. uses proprietary taste receptor technologies to discover, develop and commercialize innovative flavor ingredients for the packaged food, beverage and ingredient supply industries to improve the nutritional profile of their products and generate cost of goods savings while maintaining or improving taste. Our current programs focus on the development and/or commercialization of sweet, savory and salt flavor ingredients, bitter blockers and cooling agents.

 

We currently have product discovery, development and commercialization collaborations with four of the world’s leading packaged food, beverage and ingredient companies: Ajinomoto Co., Inc., Firmenich SA, Nestlé SA and PepsiCo, Inc. Our collaboration agreements generally provide for license fees, research and development funding, reimbursement of certain costs, development milestone payments based upon our achievement of research or development goals and, in the event of commercialization, commercial milestone payments, minimum periodic royalties and royalties on sales of products incorporating our flavor ingredients. We also sell certain flavor ingredients directly to flavor companies for inclusion in a flavor system for re-sale to food and beverage companies.

 

Corporate Information

 

We were incorporated in 1998 in Delaware. Our principal executive offices are located at 4767 Nexus Centre Drive, San Diego, California 92121, and our telephone number is (858) 646-8300. Our corporate website address is www.senomyx.com. We do not incorporate by reference into this prospectus supplement the information on, or accessible through, our website, and you should not consider it as part of this prospectus supplement.  

 

 
S-4

 

 

THE OFFERING

 

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

 

Issuer

Senomyx, Inc.

 

Common Stock offered by Senomyx

 

 

 

up to $14,000,000 of shares of common stock that may be sold from time to time, at our sole discretion, to Lincoln Park over the next 24 months in accordance with the Purchase Agreement; and

 

 

 

294,118 shares of common stock to be issued to Lincoln Park as Commitment Shares, in consideration for entering into the Purchase Agreement.

 

Use of proceeds

We intend to use net proceeds of this offering to fund our research and development efforts, including for our natural programs, invest in our direct sales effort and for general corporate purposes, including working capital. We may also use a portion of the net proceeds from this offering to acquire or invest in complementary businesses, technologies or other intellectual property, although we have no present commitments or agreements to do so. See “Use of Proceeds” on Page S-10 of this prospectus supplement.

 

Risk factors

Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should read the description of risks set forth in the “Risk Factors” section of this prospectus supplement or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement for a discussion of factors to consider before deciding to purchase our securities.

 

NASDAQ ticker symbol

SNMX

 

Agreement with Lincoln Park Capital Fund, LLC

 

On December 21, 2016, we entered into a Purchase Agreement with Lincoln Park, which provides that, upon the terms and subject to the conditions and limitations set forth therein, we have the right to sell to Lincoln Park up to $14,000,000 of shares of our common stock at our discretion as described below. As consideration for entering into the Purchase Agreement, we agreed to issue 294,118 shares of our common stock to Lincoln Park as a commitment fee (the “Commitment Shares”).

 

We are filing this prospectus supplement to cover the offer and sale of up to $14,000,000 of shares of our common stock, which consists of (i) shares of common stock with an aggregate offering price of up to $14,000,000, which we may sell from time to time in our sole discretion to Lincoln Park over the next 24 months, subject to the conditions and limitations in the Purchase Agreement, and (ii) the 294,118 Commitment Shares.

 

Under the Purchase Agreement, from time to time on any trading day we select, we have the right, in our sole discretion, subject to the conditions and limitations in the Purchase Agreement, to direct Lincoln Park to purchase up to 250,000 shares of our common stock (each such purchase, a “Regular Purchase”). The purchase price for shares of common stock to be purchased by Lincoln Park will be the equal to lesser of (i) the lowest sale price on the purchase date, as reported by NASDAQ, or (ii) the arithmetic average of the three lowest closing sale prices for our common stock during the ten trading days prior to the purchase date. Lincoln Park’s obligation under each Regular Purchase shall not exceed $2,000,000. Both the amount and frequency of the Regular Purchases can be increased upon the mutual agreement of us and Lincoln Park.

 

 
S-5 

 

  

We can also accelerate the amount of our shares of common stock to be purchased under certain circumstances in an amount up to the lesser of (i) two times the number of shares purchased pursuant to such Regular Purchase or (ii) 30% of the trading volume on such accelerated purchase date. The purchase price for the additional shares is the lower of:

 

 

 

the closing sale price for the common stock on the date of sale; and

 

 

 

ninety-seven percent (97%) of the volume weighted average price of the common stock on the NASDAQ Global Market on the date of sale.

 

There is no upper limit on the price per share that Lincoln Park must pay for our common stock under the Purchase Agreement, but in no event will shares be sold to Lincoln Park on a day our closing price is less than the floor price of $0.50 per share.

 

There are no trading volume requirements or restrictions under the Purchase Agreement, but there are limitations on the number of shares we can direct Lincoln Park to purchase, as described below. We will control the timing and amount of any sales of our common stock to Lincoln Park. We may at any time, in our sole discretion terminate the Purchase Agreement without fee, penalty or cost, upon one trading day written notice. As consideration for entering into the Purchase Agreement, we are issuing to Lincoln Park 294,118 shares of our common stock as Commitment Shares.

 

The Purchase Agreement limits our sales of shares of common stock to Lincoln Park to the maximum number of shares of our common stock that we may issue without breaching our obligations under applicable rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market (approximately 9,000,857 shares, or 19.99% of our total outstanding common stock) (the “Exchange Cap”) unless (i) shareholder approval is obtained to issue more than such 19.99% or (ii) the average purchase price for all purchases made by Lincoln Park is greater than or equal to the consolidated closing bid price per share of our common stock on the date the Purchase Agreement became effective, plus an incremental amount to account for the issuance of the Commitment Shares.

 

The Purchase Agreement also prohibits us from directing Lincoln Park to purchase any shares of common stock if those shares, when aggregated with all other shares of our common stock then beneficially owned by Lincoln Park and its affiliates, would result in Lincoln Park and its affiliates having beneficial ownership, at any single point in time, of more than 9.99% of the then total outstanding shares of our common stock, as calculated pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, and Rule 13d-3 thereunder.

 

The Purchase Agreement does not limit our ability to raise capital from other sources at our sole discretion, provided, however, that we shall not enter into any “Variable Rate Transaction” as defined in the Purchase Agreement, including the issuance of any floating conversion rate or variable priced equity-like securities during the 24 months after the date of the Purchase Agreement.

 

Events of default under the Purchase Agreement include the following:

 

 

 

the effectiveness of the registration statement, of which this prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus are a part, lapses for any reason (including, without limitation, the issuance of a stop order), or this prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus are unavailable for sale by us or the resale by Lincoln Park of our common stock offered hereby, and such lapse or unavailability continues for a period of ten consecutive business days or for more than an aggregate of thirty business days in any 365-day period;

 

 

 

the suspension of our common stock from trading or the failure of our common stock to be listed on NASDAQ for a period of one (1) business day;

 

 

 

the delisting of our common stock from NASDAQ; provided, however, that our common stock is not immediately thereafter trading on the New York Stock Exchange, the NASDAQ Capital Market, the NASDAQ Global Select Market, the NYSE MKT, the NYSE Arca, the OTC Bulletin Board, or the OTCQX or OTCQB operated by the OTC Markets Group, Inc. (or any nationally recognized successor to any of the foregoing);

 

 

 

the failure for any reason by the transfer agent to issue the securities offered hereby to Lincoln Park within three business days after the applicable Purchase Date or Accelerated Purchase Date (as applicable) which Lincoln Park is entitled to receive such securities;

 

 

 

any breach of the representations and warranties or covenants contained in the Purchase Agreement or any related agreements with Lincoln Park if such breach would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect and such breach is not cured within five trading days;

  

 

 

our insolvency or our participation or threatened participation in insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings by or against us, as more fully described in the Purchase Agreement;

 

 
S-6 

 

 

 

 

if at any time we are not eligible to transfer our common stock electronically via DWAC; or

 

 

 

if at any time after the commencement date, the Exchange Cap is reached, to the extent it is applicable.

 

Lincoln Park does not have the right to terminate the Purchase Agreement upon any of the events of default set forth above. During an event of default, all of which are outside the control of Lincoln Park, shares of our common stock cannot be sold by us or purchased by Lincoln Park under the terms of the Purchase Agreement.

 

This offering will terminate on the date that all shares offered by this prospectus supplement have been sold or, if earlier, the expiration or termination of the Purchase Agreement. We have the right to terminate the Purchase Agreement at any time, at no cost to us. In the event of bankruptcy proceedings by or against us, the Purchase Agreement will automatically terminate without action of any party.

 

The above description of the Purchase Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Purchase Agreement, which will be filed and incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement.  

 

 
S-7 

 

 

RISK FACTORS

 

You should carefully consider the specific risks set forth under the caption “Risk Factors” in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2016, which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus, as well as those below and the other documents incorporated by reference. The risks and uncertainties we describe are not the only ones facing us. Additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business operations. If any of these risks were to occur, our business, financial condition or results of operations would likely suffer. In that event, the trading price of our common stock could decline and you could lose all or part of your investment.

 

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

 

Our management will have broad discretion in the application of the proceeds from this offering and could spend the proceeds in ways that do not necessarily improve our results of operations or enhance the value of our common stock. Our failure to apply these funds effectively could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, operating results and cash flow, and could cause the price of our common stock to decline.

 

If we sell shares of our common stock under the Purchase Agreement, our existing stockholders will experience immediate dilution and, as a result, our stock price may go down.

 

Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, we have the right to sell $14,000,000 of shares of common stock to Lincoln Park over a 24-month period at our option and subject to certain limitations, and 294,118 shares of common stock as consideration for Lincoln Park’s commitment to enter into Purchase Agreement. For additional details on this financing arrangement, please refer to “Plan of Distribution” located elsewhere in this prospectus supplement. The sale of shares of our common stock pursuant to the Purchase Agreement will have a dilutive impact on our existing stockholders. Lincoln Park may resell some or all of the shares we issue to it under the Purchase Agreement and such sales could cause the market price of our common stock to decline, which decline could be significant.

 

We do not currently intend to pay dividends on our common stock, and any return to investors is expected to come, if at all, only from potential increases in the price of our common stock.

 

At the present time, we intend to use available funds to finance our operations. Accordingly, while payments of dividends rests within the discretion of our board of directors, no cash dividends on our common shares have been declared or paid by us and we have no intention of paying any such dividends in the foreseeable future. Any return to investors is expected to come, if at all, only from potential increases in the price of our common stock.  

 

 
S-8 

 

 

NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus contain forward-looking statements, within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, and is subject to the safe harbor created by that section. Such statements may include, but are not limited to:

 

 

 

the progress and capabilities of our discovery and development programs;

 

 

 

the benefits to be derived from relationships with our product discovery and development collaborators, technology collaborators and licensors and our ability to enter into and maintain these relationships;

 

 

 

our ability, or our collaborators' ability, to successfully satisfy all pertinent regulatory requirements and commercialize products incorporating our flavors, flavor enhancers and taste modulators;

 

 

 

our estimates of future revenue, costs and expenses, cash flow and profitability;

 

 

 

the net proceeds from this offering; and

 

 

 

our use of the net proceeds from this offering.

 

In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “project,” “predict,” “potential” and similar expressions (including their use in the negative) intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are based on assumptions and subject to risks and uncertainties. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. We discuss many of these risks in greater detail under the heading “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-8 of this prospectus supplement. Also, these forward-looking statements represent our estimates and assumptions only as of the date of the document containing the applicable statement.

 

We qualify all of the forward-looking statements in the foregoing documents by these cautionary statements. Unless required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect new information or future events or developments. Thus, you should not assume that our silence over time means that actual events are bearing out as expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. Before deciding to purchase our common stock, you should carefully consider the risk factors incorporated by reference herein, in addition to the other information set forth in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference herein.

 

 
S-9 

 

 

USE OF PROCEEDS

 

The proceeds from this offering will vary depending on the number of shares that we offer, the offering price per share and the applicable offering discount rate. We may sell fewer than all of the shares offered by this prospectus supplement, in which case our net offering proceeds will be less, and we may raise less than the maximum $14,000,000 in gross offering proceeds permitted by this prospectus supplement.

 

We currently intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of securities offered by this prospectus supplement to fund our research and development efforts, including for our natural programs, invest in our direct sales effort and for general corporate purposes, including working capital. We may also use a portion of the net proceeds from this offering to acquire or invest in complementary businesses, technologies or other intellectual property, although we have no present commitments or agreements to do so. 

 

 
S-10 

 

 

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

Pursuant to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, we are offering up to $14,000,000 in shares of our common stock, as well as 294,118 shares of common stock as Commitment Shares, that have been or may be issued by us directly to Lincoln Park under the Purchase Agreement. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus also cover the resale of these shares by Lincoln Park to the public.

 

We entered into the Purchase Agreement with Lincoln Park on December 21, 2016. In consideration for entering into the Purchase Agreement, we are issuing 294,118 shares of our common stock to Lincoln Park as Commitment Shares, all of which are covered by this prospectus supplement. The Purchase Agreement provides that, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein, Lincoln Park is committed to purchase an aggregate of up to $14,000,000 of shares of our common stock over the 24-month term of the Purchase Agreement.

 

The Purchase Agreement provides that, from time-to-time over the term of the Purchase Agreement, on any trading day, and at our sole discretion, we may require Lincoln Park to purchase up to 250,000 shares of our common stock (each such purchase, a “Regular Purchase”). Lincoln Park’s obligation for each Regular Purchase shall not exceed $2,000,000. The purchase price for the Regular Purchase shall be equal to the lesser of (i) the lowest sale price of our common stock on the purchase date, or (ii) the average of the three lowest closing sale prices of our common stock during the ten trading days prior to the purchase date. Upon the mutual agreement of the Company and Lincoln Park an increase in the frequency or amount of our shares of common stock can occur.

 

In addition to Regular Purchases and provided that the closing price of our common stock is not below $0.50 on the Purchase Date, the Company in its sole discretion may direct Lincoln Park on each Purchase Date to purchase on the following trading day (“Accelerated Purchase Date”) up to the lesser of (i) two (2) times the number of shares purchased pursuant to such Regular Purchase or (ii) 30% of the trading volume on the Accelerated Purchase Date at a purchase price equal to the lesser of (i) the closing sale price on the Accelerated Purchase Date, or (ii) 97% of the Accelerated Purchase Date’s volume weighted average price. The Company and Lincoln Park may mutually agree to increase the amount of our common stock sold to the Investor on any Accelerated Purchase Date at the Accelerated Purchase Price.

 

The Purchase Agreement limits our sales of shares of common stock to Lincoln Park to the maximum number of shares of our common stock that we may issue without breaching our obligations under applicable rules of the NASDAQ Global Market or obtaining stockholder approval under such rules, or the Exchange Cap, unless the average price of all applicable sales of our common stock to Lincoln Park exceed a “Base Price” (or $0.899, representing our closing consolidated bid price on December 21, 2016, plus an incremental amount to account for the issuance of the Commitment Shares) such that the sales to Lincoln Park are considered to be at least “at market” under applicable NASDAQ rules.

 

The Purchase Agreement also prohibits us from directing Lincoln Park to purchase any shares of common stock if those shares, when aggregated with all other shares of our common stock then beneficially owned by Lincoln Park and its affiliates, would result in Lincoln Park and its affiliates having beneficial ownership, at any single point in time, of more than 9.99% of the then total outstanding shares of our common stock (as calculated pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and Rule 13d-3 thereunder).

 

Lincoln Park is an “underwriter” within the meaning of Section 2(a)(11) of the Securities Act. Lincoln Park has informed us that it will use an unaffiliated broker-dealer to effectuate all sales, if any, of the common stock that it may purchase from us pursuant to the Purchase Agreement. Such sales will be made on the NASDAQ Global Market at prices and at terms then prevailing or at prices related to the then current market price. Each such unaffiliated broker-dealer will be an underwriter within the meaning of Section 2(a)(11) of the Securities Act. Lincoln Park has informed us that each such broker-dealer will receive commissions from Lincoln Park that will not exceed customary brokerage commissions.

 

We know of no existing arrangements between Lincoln Park and any other stockholder, broker, dealer, underwriter, or agent relating to the sale or distribution of the shares offered by this Prospectus. At the time a particular offer of shares is made, a prospectus supplement, if required, will be distributed that will set forth the names of any agents, underwriters, or dealers and any compensation from the selling stockholder, and any other required information.

 

 
S-11 

 

  

We have entered into an agreement with Financial West Group (“FWG”), a registered broker-dealer and FINRA member, pursuant to which FWG has agreed to act as the placement agent in connection with the Purchase Agreement with Lincoln Park. FWG will receive $15,000 as compensation in connection its services, upon receipt of written confirmation from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., or FINRA, to the effect that FINRA’s Corporate Finance Department has determined not to raise any objection with respect to the fairness or reasonableness of the terms of the Purchase Agreement or the transactions contemplated thereby . We agreed to indemnify and hold harmless FWG against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. Following receipt of the $15,000 placement fee, FWG shall not be entitled to any additional compensation upon the closing of any subsequent stock sales effected pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, and FWG shall not be deemed a “distribution participant” in connection with any subsequent sales of stock pursuant to this prospectus. We will pay all of the expenses incident to the registration, offering, and sale of the shares to Lincoln Park. We have paid Lincoln Park $10,000 as reimbursement of its expenses in connection with entering into the Purchase Agreement, including its legal fees and due diligence expenses.

 

Lincoln Park represented to us that at no time prior to the date of the Purchase Agreement has Lincoln Park or its agents, representatives or affiliates engaged in or effected, in any manner whatsoever, directly or indirectly, any short sale (as such term is defined in Rule 200 of Regulation SHO of the Exchange Act) of our common stock or any hedging transaction. Lincoln Park agreed that during the term of the Purchase Agreement, it, its agents, representatives or affiliates will not enter into or effect, directly or indirectly, any of the foregoing transactions. We have paid Lincoln Park $10,000 as reimbursement of its expenses in connection with entering into the Purchase Agreement, including its legal fees and due diligence expenses.

 

We have advised Lincoln Park that it is required to comply with Regulation M promulgated under the Exchange Act. With certain exceptions, Regulation M precludes the selling stockholder, any affiliated purchasers, and any broker-dealer or other person who participates in the distribution from bidding for or purchasing, or attempting to induce any person to bid for or purchase any security which is the subject of the distribution until the entire distribution is complete. Regulation M also prohibits any bids or purchases made in order to stabilize the price of a security in connection with the distribution of that security. All of the foregoing may affect the marketability of the shares offered by this prospectus supplement.

 

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Computershare Inc.

 

Our common stock is listed on NASDAQ under the symbol “SNMX.”

 

LEGAL MATTERS

 

Cooley LLP, San Diego, California, will pass upon the validity of the securities offered by this prospectus supplement.

 

EXPERTS

 

Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, has audited our financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, as set forth in their reports, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and elsewhere in the registration statement. Our financial statements are incorporated by reference in reliance on Ernst & Young LLP's reports, given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

 

We file annual, quarterly, and special reports, proxy statements, and other information with the SEC. These documents are on file with the SEC under file number 001-50791. You may read and copy any document we file at the SEC’s public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C., 20549. You can request copies of these documents by contacting the SEC and paying a fee for the copying cost. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference room. Our SEC filings are also available to the public from the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

 

We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC. These documents are on file with the SEC. You may read and copy any document we file at the SEC’s public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You can request copies of these documents by contacting the SEC and paying a fee for the copying cost. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference room. Our SEC filings are also available to the public from the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

 
S-12 

 

  

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are part of a registration statement on Form S-3, including amendments, relating to the common stock offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, which have been filed with the SEC. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus do not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules thereto, certain parts of which are omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. Statements contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus as to the contents of any contract or other document referred to are not necessarily complete and in each instance reference is made to the copy of that contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement. For further information about us and the common stock offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus we refer you to the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules which may be obtained as described above.

 

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information contained in documents that we file with them, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Information in the accompanying prospectus supersedes information incorporated by reference that we filed with the SEC before the date of the prospectus, and information in this prospectus supplement supersedes information incorporated by reference that we filed with the SEC before the date of this prospectus supplement, while information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede the information in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus or incorporated by reference. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings we will make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the time that all securities covered by this prospectus supplement have been sold; provided, however, that we are not incorporating any information furnished under any of Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of any current report on Form 8-K:

 

 

 

 

our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, filed with the SEC on March 3, 2016;

 

 

 

our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed with the SEC on April 8, 2016 (other than the portions thereof which are furnished and not filed);

 

 

 

our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2016, June 30, 2016 and September 30, 2016 filed with the SEC on April 28, 2016, July 28, 2016 and October 27, 2016, respectively;

 

 

 

our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 26, 2016, March 9, 2016, May 24, 2016, July 28, 2016, September 30, 2016, December 5, 2016, December 6, 2016 and December 22, 2016; and

 

 

 

the description of our common stock, which is registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, in our registration statement on Form 8-A and Form 8-A/A, filed with the SEC on June 8, 2004 and February 15, 2005, respectively, including any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description.

 

 

We will provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom this prospectus is delivered, upon written or oral request, a copy of any or all documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus, but not delivered with the prospectus, other than exhibits to such documents unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference into the documents that this prospectus incorporates. You should direct written requests to:

 

Investor Relations

Senomyx, Inc.

4767 Nexus Centre Drive

San Diego, CA 92121

(858) 646-8300

 

You can also find these filings on our website at www.senomyx.com. We are not incorporating the information on our website other than these filings into this prospectus supplement.  

 

 
S-13 

 

 

 

PROSPECTUS

$50,000,000

Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Debt Securities
Warrants

        From time to time, we may offer up to $50,000,000 of any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. We may also offer securities as may be issuable upon conversion, redemption, repurchase, exchange or exercise of any securities registered hereunder, including any applicable antidilution provisions.

        This prospectus provides a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we offer securities, we will provide specific terms of the securities offered in a supplement to this prospectus. We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you in connection with these offerings. The prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should carefully read this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, as well as any documents incorporated by reference, before you invest in any of the securities being offered.

        This prospectus may not be used to consummate a sale of any securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

        Our common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol "SNMX." On August 8, 2014, the last reported sales price of our common stock was $6.95 per share. The applicable prospectus supplement will contain information, where applicable, as to any other listing on the Nasdaq Global Market or any securities market or other exchange of the securities, if any, covered by the prospectus supplement.

        We will sell these securities directly to investors, through agents designated from time to time or to or through underwriters or dealers, on a continuous or delayed basis. For additional information on the methods of sale, you should refer to the section entitled "Plan of Distribution" in this prospectus. If any agents or underwriters are involved in the sale of any securities with respect to which this prospectus is being delivered, the names of such agents or underwriters and any applicable fees, commissions, discounts or over-allotment options will be set forth in a prospectus supplement. The price to the public of such securities and the net proceeds we expect to receive from such sale will also be set forth in a prospectus supplement.



        Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should review carefully the risks and uncertainties described under the heading "Risk Factors" contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, and under similar headings in the other documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus.



        NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR DETERMINED IF THIS PROSPECTUS IS TRUTHFUL OR COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.



The date of this prospectus is August 8, 2014.

 

 
 

 

 
TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

i

SUMMARY

1

RISK FACTORS

5

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

5

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

5

USE OF PROCEEDS

6

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

6

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

13

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

20

LEGAL OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES

23

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

26

LEGAL MATTERS

28

EXPERTS

28

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

28

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

29

DISCLOSURE OF COMMISSION POSITION ON INDEMNIFICATION FOR SECURITIES ACT LIABILITY

30

 

 
 

 

 
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

        This prospectus is a part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, utilizing a "shelf" registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings up to a total aggregate offering price of $50,000,000. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer.

        Each time we sell securities under this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you that may contain material information relating to these offerings. The prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus or in any documents that we have incorporated by reference into this prospectus. You should read this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, together with the information incorporated herein by reference as described under the heading "Incorporation of Certain Information By Reference," before investing in any of the securities offered.

        THIS PROSPECTUS MAY NOT BE USED TO CONSUMMATE A SALE OF SECURITIES UNLESS IT IS ACCOMPANIED BY A PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT.

        Neither we, nor any agent, underwriter or dealer has authorized any person to give any information or to make any representation other than those contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you. This prospectus, any applicable supplement to this prospectus or any related free writing prospectus do not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the registered securities to which they relate, nor do this prospectus, any applicable supplement to this prospectus or any related free writing prospectus constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction.

        You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus is accurate on any date subsequent to the date set forth on the front of the document or that any information we have incorporated by reference is correct on any date subsequent to the date of the document incorporated by reference, even though this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus is delivered, or securities are sold, on a later date.

        This prospectus contains 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 actual documents. Copies of some of the documents referred to herein have been filed, will be filed or will be incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and you may obtain copies of those documents as described below under the heading "Where You Can Find More Information."

 

 

 

 


SUMMARY

        This summary highlights selected information from this prospectus and does not contain all of the information that you need to consider in making your investment decision. You should carefully read the entire prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, including the risks of investing in our securities discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, and under similar headings in the other documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus. You should also carefully read the information incorporated by reference into this prospectus, including our financial statements, and the exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

        Unless the context indicates otherwise, as used in this prospectus, the terms "Senomyx," "the Company," "we," "us" and "our" refer to Senomyx, Inc., a Delaware corporation. We use Senomyx® and the Senomyx logo as trademarks in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks and tradenames mentioned in this prospectus are the property of their respective owners.


Company Overview

        We are a leading company using proprietary taste receptor technologies to discover, develop and commercialize innovative flavor ingredients for the packaged food, beverage and ingredient supply industries. We consider flavor ingredients to include flavors, such as savory and cooling, and flavors with modifying properties, such as sweet and salt modifiers and bitter blockers. We also have an ongoing effort to discover and develop natural high intensity sweeteners. We believe our flavor ingredients, when added as part of a flavor system, will enable packaged food, beverage and ingredient supply companies to improve the nutritional profile of their products while maintaining or improving taste and, in certain cases, generating cost of goods savings.

        We have historically derived our revenues from collaborative agreements. We license our flavor ingredients to our collaborators on an exclusive or co-exclusive basis, which we believe will provide these companies with a competitive advantage. We currently have collaborative agreements with several of the world's leading packaged food, beverage and ingredient companies, including Ajinomoto Co., Inc., Firmenich SA, Nestlé SA and PepsiCo, Inc. Depending upon the collaboration, our collaboration agreements generally provide for license fees, research and development funding, reimbursement of certain costs, milestone payments based upon our achievement of research or development goals and, in the event of commercialization, commercial milestone payments, minimum periodic royalties and royalties on sales of products incorporating our flavor ingredients.

        In 2013, we implemented a complementary commercialization strategy whereby we sell certain Senomyx flavor ingredients directly to flavor companies for re-sale to their food and beverage company customers. We expect the flavor companies will add value by incorporating our ingredients into proprietary flavor systems, which include a combination or variety of flavor ingredients, for their customers. To support this direct sales program, we have established relationships with third party manufacturers. Our commercial revenues under the direct sales program will be the actual sales of our flavor ingredients to flavor companies and other customers.

        Individuals experience the sensation of taste when flavor ingredients in food and beverage products interact with taste receptors in the mouth. A taste receptor functions either by physically binding to a flavor ingredient in a process analogous to the way a key fits into a lock or by acting as a channel to allow ions to flow directly into a taste cell. As a result of these interactions, signals are sent to the brain where a specific taste sensation is registered. There are currently five recognized primary tastes: sweet, umami (which is the savory taste of glutamate), bitter, salt and sour. In addition, there are secondary taste sensations, such as cool, hot and fat.

 

 

 
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        We are currently pursuing the discovery, development and/or commercialization of flavor ingredients through five programs focused on sweet, savory, bitter, cooling and salt taste areas. The goal of our Sweet Taste Program is to add to our portfolio of new flavors with modifying properties that, when added to a flavor system, allow our customers to restore the desired sweet taste to food and beverage products that have a significant reduction in sweeteners. The goals of our Savory Flavor Program are to add to our portfolio of new flavor ingredients that mimic the taste of naturally occurring glutamate to enable the reduction or replacement of added monosodium glutamate and to provide new savory tastes to foods by combining Senomyx's savory flavor ingredients with other ingredients to create unique new flavors. The goal of our Bitter Blocker Program is to reduce or block bitter taste to improve the overall taste characteristics of packaged foods, beverages, over the counter health care products and pharmaceutical products. The goal of our Cooling Taste Program is to discover novel cooling flavor ingredients that have advantages over currently available flavor ingredients for a variety of applications. The goal of our Salt Taste Program is to identify flavor ingredients that allow a significant reduction of sodium in foods and beverages yet maintain the salty taste desirable to consumers.


Corporate Information

        We were incorporated in 1998 in Delaware. Our principal executive offices are located at 4767 Nexus Centre Drive, San Diego, California 92121, and our telephone number is (858) 646-8300. Our corporate website address is www.senomyx.com. We do not incorporate by reference into this prospectus the information on, or accessible through, our website, and you should not consider it as part of this prospectus.


The Securities We May Offer

        We may offer shares of our common stock and preferred stock, various series of debt securities and warrants to purchase any of such securities, up to a total aggregate offering price of $50,000,000 from time to time in one or more offerings under this prospectus, together with any applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, at prices and on terms to be determined by market conditions at the time of the relevant offering. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we offer a type or series of securities under this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will describe the specific amounts, prices and other important terms of the securities, including, to the extent applicable:

 

 

 
2

 

 

        The prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus or in documents we have incorporated by reference. However, no prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus will offer a security that is not registered and described in this prospectus at the time of the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

        This prospectus may not be used to consummate a sale of securities unless it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

        We may sell the securities directly to investors or through underwriters, dealers or agents. We, and our underwriters or agents, reserve the right to accept or reject all or part of any proposed purchase of securities. If we do offer securities through underwriters or agents, we will include in the applicable prospectus supplement:

        Common Stock.    We may issue shares of our common stock from time to time. Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote per share for the election of directors and on all other matters that require stockholder approval. Subject to any preferential rights of any then outstanding preferred stock, in the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, holders of our common stock are entitled to share ratably in the assets remaining after payment of liabilities and the liquidation preferences of any then outstanding preferred stock. Our common stock does not carry any preemptive rights enabling a holder to subscribe for, or receive shares of, any class of our common stock or any other securities convertible into shares of any class of our common stock, or any redemption rights.

        Preferred Stock.    We may issue shares of our preferred stock from time to time, in one or more series. Under our certificate of incorporation, our board of directors has the authority, without further action by stockholders, to designate up to 7,500,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series and to fix the rights, preferences, privileges, qualifications and restrictions granted to or imposed upon the preferred stock, including dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, rights and terms of redemption, liquidation preference and sinking fund terms, any or all of which may be greater than the rights of the common stock. To date, of the 7,500,000 authorized shares of preferred stock, our board of directors has designated 1,200,000 shares as Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock. Convertible preferred stock will be convertible into our common stock or exchangeable for our other securities. Conversion may be mandatory or at the option of the holders of our preferred stock and would be at prescribed conversion rates.

        We will fix the rights, preferences, privileges, qualifications and restrictions of the preferred stock of each series that we sell under this prospectus and applicable prospectus supplements in the certificate of designation relating to that series. We will incorporate by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part the form of any certificate of designation that describes the terms of the series of preferred stock we are offering before the issuance of the related series of preferred stock. We urge you to read the prospectus supplements (and any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you) related to the series of preferred stock being offered, as well as the complete certificate of designation that contains the terms of the applicable series of preferred stock.

 

 

 
3

 

 

        Debt Securities.    We may issue debt securities from time to time, in one or more series, as either senior or subordinated debt or as senior or subordinated convertible debt. The senior debt securities will rank equally with any other unsecured and unsubordinated debt. The subordinated debt securities will be subordinate and junior in right of payment, to the extent and in the manner described in the instrument governing the debt, to all of our senior indebtedness. Convertible debt securities will be convertible into our common stock or preferred stock. Conversion may be mandatory or at the holder's option and would be at prescribed conversion rates.

        The debt securities will be issued under one or more documents called indentures, which are contracts between us and a national banking association or other eligible party, as trustee. In this prospectus, we have summarized certain general features of the debt securities. We urge you, however, to read the applicable prospectus supplement (and any free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you) related to the series of debt securities being offered, as well as the complete indentures that contain the terms of the debt securities. A form of indenture has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and supplemental indentures and forms of debt securities containing the terms of the debt securities being offered will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part or will be incorporated by reference from reports that we file with the SEC.

        Warrants.    We may issue warrants for the purchase of common stock, preferred stock and/or debt securities in one or more series. We may issue warrants independently or together with common stock, preferred stock and/or debt securities, and the warrants may be attached to or separate from these securities. In this prospectus, we have summarized certain general features of the warrants. We urge you, however, to read the applicable prospectus supplement (and any free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you) related to the particular series of warrants being offered, as well as the complete warrant agreements and warrant certificates that contain the terms of the warrants. Forms of the warrant agreements and forms of warrant certificates containing the terms of the warrants being offered have been filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and supplemental warrant agreements and forms of warrant certificates will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part or will be incorporated by reference from reports that we file with the SEC.

        We will evidence each series of warrants by warrant certificates that we will issue. Warrants may be issued under an applicable warrant agreement that we enter into with a warrant agent. We will indicate the name and address of the warrant agent, if applicable, in the prospectus supplement relating to the particular series of warrants being offered.

 

 

 
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RISK FACTORS

        Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully review the risks and uncertainties described under the heading "Risk Factors" contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, and under similar headings in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, as updated by our annual, quarterly and other reports and documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus, before deciding whether to purchase any of the securities being registered pursuant to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. Each of the risk factors could adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition, as well as adversely affect the value of an investment in our securities, and the occurrence of any of these risks might cause you to lose all or part of your investment. Additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently believe are immaterial may also significantly impair our business operations.


SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

        This prospectus, each prospectus supplement and the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus and each prospectus supplement contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Although our forward-looking statements reflect the good faith judgment of our management, these statements can only be based on facts and factors currently known by us. Consequently, these forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results and outcomes may differ materially from results and outcomes discussed in the forward-looking statements.

        Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as "believes," "expects," "hopes," "may," "will," "plan," "intends," "estimates," "could," "should," "would," "continue," "seeks," "pro forma," or "anticipates," or other similar words (including their use in the negative), or by discussions of future matters such as the development of new products, technology enhancements, possible collaborations and other statements that are not historical. These statements include but are not limited to statements under the captions "Business," "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and in other sections incorporated by reference from our Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as applicable, as well as our other filings with the SEC. You should be aware that the occurrence of any of the events discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in any applicable prospectus supplement and any documents incorporated by reference herein or therein could substantially harm our business, operating results and financial condition and that if any of these events occurs, it could adversely affect the value of an investment in our securities.

        The cautionary statements made in this prospectus are intended to be applicable to all related forward-looking statements wherever they may appear in this prospectus or in any prospectus supplement or any documents incorporated by reference herein or therein. We urge you not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update our forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future.


RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

        The following table sets forth our ratio of earnings to fixed charges and the ratio of our combined fixed charges and preference dividends to earnings for each of the periods indicated. The following table is qualified by the more detailed information appearing in the computation table set forth in Exhibit 12.1 to the registration statement of which this prospectus is part and the historical financial

 
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statements, including the notes to those financial statements, incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

                                       
 
  Year Ended December 31,   Six Months
Ended
June 30,
2014
 
 
  2009   2010   2011   2012   2013  

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges

                         

Ratio of combined fixed charges and preference dividends to earnings

    N/A     N/A     N/A     N/A     N/A     N/A  

        For purposes of computing the ratio of earnings to fixed charges and the ratio of our combined fixed charges and preference dividends to earnings, earnings consist of income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes plus fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of an estimate of the interest within rental expense. Earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges by $26.2 million in 2009, $10.7 million in 2010, $8.7 million in 2011, $9.2 million in 2012, $11.9 million in 2013 and $4.6 million in the first six months of 2014. For the periods set forth in the table above, we had no earnings and are therefore unable to calculate the ratio of combined fixed charges and preference dividends to earnings.

USE OF PROCEEDS

        We will retain broad discretion over the use of the net proceeds from the sale of the securities offered hereby. Except as described in any prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you, we currently intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities offered hereby for general corporate purposes, which may include research and development, capital expenditures, working capital and general and administrative expenses. We may also use a portion of the net proceeds to acquire or invest in businesses, products and technologies that are complementary to our own, although we have no current plans, commitments or agreements with respect to any acquisitions as of the date of this prospectus. We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus our intended use for the net proceeds received from the sale of any securities sold pursuant to the prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus. Pending these uses, we intend to invest the net proceeds primarily in a money market mutual fund with a large financial institution.

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

        As of the date of this prospectus, our certificate of incorporation authorizes us to issue 120,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share and 7,500,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share. As of August 8, 2014, 42,880,262 shares of common stock were outstanding and no shares of preferred stock were outstanding.

        The following summary describes the material terms of our capital stock and stockholder rights agreement. The description of capital stock and stockholder rights agreement is qualified by reference to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, and our amended and restated bylaws, as amended, and our stockholder rights agreement, which are incorporated by reference as exhibits into the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

Common Stock

        Voting.    Common stockholders are entitled to one vote per share for the election of directors and on all other matters that require stockholder approval. Under our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws, directors are elected by a plurality vote, and our stockholders do not have cumulative voting rights. Accordingly, the holders of a majority of our outstanding shares of common stock entitled to vote in any election of directors can elect all of the

 
6

 

 

directors standing for election, if they should so choose. In all other matters, an action by our common stockholders requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of our outstanding shares of common stock entitled to vote.

        Dividends and Other Distributions.    Subject to the rights of any outstanding shares of preferred stock, holders of our common stock are entitled to share in an equal amount per share in any dividends declared by our board of directors on the common stock and paid out of legally available assets. Any dividends on our common stock will be non-cumulative.

        Distribution on Liquidation or Dissolution.    In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, holders of our common stock are entitled to share ratably in all assets legally available for distribution to our stockholders after the payment of all of our debts and other liabilities and the satisfaction of any liquidation preference granted to the holders of any outstanding shares of our preferred stock.

        Other Rights.    Our common stock does not carry any preemptive rights enabling a holder to subscribe for, or receive shares of, any class of our common stock or any other securities convertible into shares of any class of our common stock, or any redemption rights.

Preferred Stock

        Under our certificate of incorporation, our board of directors has the authority, without further action by stockholders, to designate up to 7,500,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series and to fix or alter, from time to time, the designations, powers and rights of each series of preferred stock and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of any series of preferred stock, including dividend rights, dividend rate, conversion rights, voting rights, rights and terms of redemption (including sinking fund provisions), redemption price or prices, and the liquidation preference of any wholly unissued series of preferred stock, any or all of which may be greater than the rights of the common stock, and to establish the number of shares constituting any such series. To date, of the 7,500,000 authorized shares of preferred stock, our board of directors has designated 1,200,000 shares as Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock

        Our board of directors will fix the rights, preferences, privileges, qualifications and restrictions of the preferred stock of each series that we sell under this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplements in the certificate of designation relating to each such series. We will incorporate by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part or as an exhibit to one or more Current Reports on Form 8-K, the form of any certificate of designation that describes the terms of the series of preferred stock we are offering before the issuance of the related series of preferred stock. This description will include:

 
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        If we issue and sell shares of preferred stock pursuant to this prospectus, together with any applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, the shares will be fully paid and nonassessable and will not have, or be subject to, any preemptive or similar rights.

        The laws of the state of Delaware, the state of our incorporation, provide that the holders of preferred stock will have the right to vote separately as a class on any proposal involving fundamental changes in the rights of holders of such preferred stock. This right is in addition to any voting rights that may be provided for in the applicable certificate of designation.

        The issuance of preferred stock could adversely affect the voting power, conversion or other rights of holders of common stock and reduce the likelihood that common stockholders will receive dividend payments and payments upon liquidation. Preferred stock could be issued quickly with terms designed to delay, deter or prevent a change in control of our company or make removal of management more difficult. Additionally, the issuance of preferred stock may have the effect of decreasing the market price of our common stock.

Stockholders Rights Agreement

        On February 14, 2005 we entered into a Share Purchase Rights Plan. Terms of the plan provide for a dividend distribution of one preferred share purchase right, or Right, for each outstanding share of

 
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our common stock. The dividend was paid on February 21, 2005 to the stockholders of record on that date. Each Right entitles the registered holder to purchase from us one one-hundredth of a share of our Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, or Series A Preferred Stock, at a price of $100.00 per one one-hundredth of a share, subject to adjustment. Each one one-hundredth of a share of our Series A Preferred Stock has designations and powers, preferences and rights, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions which should make its value approximately equal to the value of one share of our common stock. The description and terms of the Rights are set forth in a Rights Agreement, dated as of February 14, 2005 entered into between us and Computershare Inc., successor-in-interest to Mellon Investor Services LLC, as rights agent.

        Initially, the Rights will be evidenced by the stock certificates representing our common stock then outstanding, and no separate right certificates will be distributed. Until the Distribution Date (as defined in the Rights Agreement), which is the earlier to occur of (i) the date of a public announcement that a person, entity or group of affiliated or associated persons have become an Acquiring Person (as defined in the Rights Agreement), which generally means that they have acquired beneficial ownership of 15% or more of our outstanding common stock, or (ii) 10 business days (or such later date as may be determined by action of our board of directors prior to such time as any person or entity becomes an Acquiring Person) following the commencement of, or announcement of an intention to commence, a tender offer or exchange offer the consummation of which would result in any person or entity becoming an Acquiring Person, the Rights will be evidenced, with respect to any of the common stock certificates outstanding as of February 21, 2005, by such common stock certificate with or without a copy of the Summary of Rights, which is included in the Rights Agreement as Exhibit C thereof.

        On May 30, 2014, we entered into a first amendment to our Share Purchase Rights Plan to allow RIMA Senvest Management, LLC and affiliates thereof to acquire up to 19.99% of our outstanding common stock under certain circumstances without becoming an Acquiring Person.

        Until the Distribution Date, the Rights will be transferable with and only with the shares of common stock. Until the Distribution Date (or earlier redemption or expiration of the Rights), new common stock certificates issued after February 21, 2005, upon transfer or new issuance of common stock, will contain a notation incorporating the Rights Agreement by reference. Until the Distribution Date (or earlier redemption or expiration of the Rights), the surrender or transfer of any certificates for common stock outstanding as of February 21, 2005, even without such notation or a copy of the Summary of Rights being attached thereto, will also constitute the transfer of the Rights associated with the common stock represented by such certificate. As soon as practicable following the Distribution Date, separate certificates evidencing the Rights, or Rights Certificates, will be mailed to holders of record of the common stock as of the close of business on the Distribution Date and such separate Right Certificates alone will evidence the Rights.

        The Rights are not exercisable until the Distribution Date. The Rights will expire on February 21, 2015, the Final Expiration Date, unless the Rights are earlier redeemed or exchanged by us, in each case, as described below.

        The purchase price payable, and the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock or other securities or other property issuable, upon exercise of the Rights are subject to adjustment from time to time to prevent dilution (i) in the event of a stock dividend on, or a subdivision, combination or reclassification of, the Series A Preferred Stock, (ii) upon the grant to holders of the Series A Preferred Stock of certain rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase Series A Preferred Stock at a price, or securities convertible into Series A Preferred Stock with a conversion price, less than the then current market price of the Series A Preferred Stock or (iii) upon the distribution to holders of the Series A Preferred Stock of evidences of indebtedness or assets (excluding regular periodic cash dividends paid out of earnings or retained earnings or dividends payable in Series A Preferred Stock)  

 
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or of subscription rights or warrants (other than those referred to above). The exercise of Rights for Series A Preferred Stock is at all times subject to the availability of a sufficient number of authorized but unissued Series A Preferred Stock.

        The number of outstanding Rights and the number of one one-hundredths of a share of Series A Preferred Stock issuable upon exercise of each Right are also subject to adjustment in the event of a stock split of our common stock or a stock dividend on our common stock payable in common stock or subdivisions, consolidation or combinations of our common stock occurring, in any case, prior to the Distribution Date.

        Series A Preferred Stock purchasable upon exercise of the Rights will not be redeemable. Each share of Series A Preferred Stock will be entitled to a minimum preferential quarterly dividend payment of $1.00 but will be entitled to an aggregate dividend of 100 times the dividend declared per share of common stock. In the event of liquidation, the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock would be entitled to a minimum preferential liquidation payment of $100 per share, but would be entitled to receive an aggregate payment equal to 100 times the payment made per share of common stock. Each share of Series A Preferred Stock will have 100 votes, voting together with the shares of common stock. Finally, in the event of any merger, consolidation or other transaction in which our common stock is exchanged, each share of Series A Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive 100 times the amount of consideration received per share of common stock. These rights are protected by customary anti-dilution provisions. Because of the nature of the Series A Preferred Stock's dividend and liquidation rights, the value of one one-hundredth of a share of Series A Preferred Stock should approximate the value of one share of common stock. The Series A Preferred Stock would rank junior to any other series of our preferred stock.

        In the event that any person or group of affiliated or associated persons becomes an Acquiring Person, proper provision shall be made so that each holder of a Right, other than Rights beneficially owned by the Acquiring Person and its associates and affiliates (which will thereafter be void), will for a 60-day period have the right to receive upon exercise that number of share of common stock having a market value of two times the exercise price of the Right (or, if such number of shares is not and cannot be authorized, we may issue shares of Series A Preferred Stock, cash, debt, stock or a combination thereof in exchange for the Rights). This right will terminate 60 days after the date on which the Rights become nonredeemable (as described below), unless there is an injunction or similar obstacle to exercise of the Rights, in which event this right will terminate 60 days after the date on which the Rights again become exercisable.

        Generally, under the Plan, an Acquiring Person shall not be deemed to include (i) us, (ii) a subsidiary of ours, (iii) any employee benefit or compensation plan of ours, (iv) any entity holding our common stock for or pursuant to the terms of any such employee benefit or compensation plan or (v) any person or entity holding 15% or more of our common stock outstanding as of the first public announcement by us of the adoption of the Plan until such time after the first public announcement by us of the adoption of the Plan that such person or entity acquires any additional common stock and then holds more than 15% of the common stock outstanding. In addition, except under limited circumstances, no person or entity shall become an Acquiring Person as the result of the acquisition of common stock by us which, by reducing the number of shares outstanding, increases the proportionate number of shares beneficially owned by such person or entity to 15% or more of the common stock then outstanding. Further, except under certain circumstances, no person shall become an Acquiring Person due to the acquisition of common stock directly from us.

        In the event that we are acquired in a merger or other business combination transaction or 50% or more of its consolidated assets or earning power are sold to an Acquiring Person, its associates or affiliates or certain other persons in which such persons have an interest, proper provision will be made so that each holder of a Right will thereafter have the right to receive, upon the exercise thereof at the

 
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then current exercise price of the Right, that number of shares of common stock of the acquiring company which at the time of such transaction will have a market value of two times the exercise price of the Right.

        At any time after an Acquiring Person becomes an Acquiring Person and prior to the acquisition by such Acquiring Person of 50% or more of the outstanding common stock, our board of directors may exchange the Rights (other than Rights owned by such person or group which have become void), in whole or in part, at an exchange ratio of one share of common stock, or one one-hundredth of a share of Series A Preferred Stock, per Right (or, at our election, we may issue cash, debt, stock or a combination thereof in exchange for the Rights), subject to adjustment.

        With certain exceptions, no adjustment in the purchase price of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock will be required until cumulative adjustments require an adjustment of at least 1% in such purchase price. No fractional shares of Series A Preferred Stock will be issued (other than fractions which are integral multiples of the number of one one-hundredths of a share of Series A Preferred Stock issuable upon the exercise of one Right, which may, at our election, be evidenced by depositary receipts), and in lieu thereof, an adjustment in cash will be made based on the market price of the Series A Preferred Stock on the last trading day prior to the date of exercise.

        At any time prior to the earliest of (i) the day of the first public announcement that a person has become an Acquiring Person or (ii) the Final Expiration Date, our board of directors may redeem the Rights in whole, but not in part, at a price of $0.001 per Right. Following the expiration of the above periods, the Rights become nonredeemable. Immediately upon any redemption of the Rights, the right to exercise the Rights will terminate and the only right of the holders of Rights will be to receive the redemption price.

        The terms of the Rights may be amended by our board of directors without the consent of the holders of the Rights, except that from and after such time as the rights are distributed no such amendment may adversely affect the interest of the holders of the Rights excluding the interests of an Acquiring Person.

        Until a Right is exercised, the holder thereof, as such, will have no rights as our stockholder, including, without limitation, the right to vote or to receive dividends.

        The Rights have certain anti-takeover effects. The Rights will cause substantial dilution to a person or group that attempts to acquire us on terms not approved by our board of directors. The Rights should not interfere with any merger or other business combination approved by our board of directors since the Rights may be amended to permit such acquisition or redeemed by us at $0.001 per Right prior to the earliest of (i) the time that a person or group has acquired beneficial ownership of 15% or more of our common stock or (ii) the final expiration date of the Rights.

Anti-takeover Effects of Provisions of Delaware Law and Charter Documents

Delaware Anti-Takeover Law

        We are subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or DGCL, which regulates acquisitions of some Delaware corporations. In general, Section 203 prohibits, with some exceptions, a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a "business combination" with an "interested stockholder" for a period of three years following the date of the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder, unless:

 
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        Section 203 of the DGCL generally defines a "business combination" to include any of the following:

        In general, Section 203 defines an "interested stockholder" as any person who, together with the person's affiliates and associates, owns, or within three years prior to the determination of interested stockholder status did own, 15% or more of a corporation's voting stock.

        Section 203 of the DGCL could depress our stock price and delay, discourage or prohibit transactions not approved in advance by our board of directors, such as takeover attempts that might otherwise involve the payment to our stockholders of a premium over the market price of our common stock.

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws

        Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws include a number of provisions that may have the effect of deterring hostile takeovers or delaying or preventing changes in our control or our management, which may delay or discourage transactions involving an actual or potential change in our control or change in our management, including transactions in which stockholders might otherwise receive a premium for their shares, or transactions that our stockholders might otherwise deem to be in their best interests. Among other things, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws:

 
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        These and other provisions contained in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws are expected to discourage coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids. These provisions are also designed to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to first negotiate with our board of directors. However, these provisions could delay or discourage transactions involving an actual or potential change in control of us, including transactions in which stockholders might otherwise receive a premium for their shares over then current prices. Such provisions could also limit the ability of stockholders to remove current management or approve transactions that stockholders may deem to be in their best interests and, therefore, could adversely affect the price of our common stock.

        The amendment of any of these provisions would require approval by the holders of at least 662/3% of our then outstanding common stock.

Transfer Agent And Registrar

        The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Computershare Inc. The transfer agent and registrar's address is 330 N. Brand Blvd, Suite 701, Glendale, California 91203. The transfer agent for any series of preferred stock that we may offer under this prospectus will be named and described in the prospectus supplement for that series.

Listing on the Nasdaq Global Market

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

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

        We may issue debt securities from time to time, in one or more series, as either senior or subordinated debt or as senior or subordinated convertible debt. While the terms we have summarized below will apply generally to any debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any debt securities that we may offer in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms of any debt securities offered under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below. Unless the context requires otherwise, whenever we refer to the indenture, we also are referring to any supplemental indentures that specify the terms of a particular series of debt securities.  

 
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        We will issue the debt securities under the indenture that we will enter into with trustee named in the indenture. The indenture will be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, or the Trust Indenture Act. We have filed the form of indenture as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and supplemental indentures and forms of debt securities containing the terms of the debt securities being offered will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part or will be incorporated by reference from reports that we file with the SEC.

        The following summary of material provisions of the debt securities and the indenture is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the indenture applicable to a particular series of debt securities. We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplements and any related free writing prospectuses related to the debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus, as well as the complete indenture that contains the terms of the debt securities.

General

        The indenture does not limit the amount of debt securities that we may issue. It provides that we may issue debt securities up to the principal amount that we may authorize and may be in any currency or currency unit that we may designate. Except for the limitations on consolidation, merger and sale of all or substantially all of our assets contained in the indenture, the terms of the indenture do not contain any covenants or other provisions designed to give holders of any debt securities protection against changes in our operations, financial condition or transactions involving us.

        We may issue the debt securities issued under the indenture as "discount securities," which means they may be sold at a discount below their stated principal amount. These debt securities, as well as other debt securities that are not issued at a discount, may be issued with "original issue discount," or OID, for U.S. federal income tax purposes because of interest payment and other characteristics or terms of the debt securities. Material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to debt securities issued with OID will be described in more detail in any applicable prospectus supplement.

        We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms of the series of debt securities being offered, including:

 
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Conversion or Exchange Rights

        We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms on which a series of debt securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock or our other securities. We will include provisions as to settlement upon conversion or exchange and whether conversion or exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our option. We may include provisions pursuant to which the number of shares of our common stock or our other securities that the holders of the series of debt securities receive would be subject to adjustment.

Consolidation, Merger or Sale

        Unless we provide otherwise in the prospectus supplement applicable to a particular series of debt securities, the indenture will not contain any covenant that restricts our ability to merge or consolidate, or sell, convey, transfer or otherwise dispose of our assets as an entirety or substantially as an entirety. However, any successor to or acquirer of such assets (other than a subsidiary of ours) must assume all of our obligations under the indenture or the debt securities, as appropriate.

Events of Default under the Indenture

        Unless we provide otherwise in the prospectus supplement applicable to a particular series of debt securities, the following are events of default under the indenture with respect to any series of debt securities that we may issue:

 
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        If an event of default with respect to debt securities of any series occurs and is continuing, other than an event of default specified in the last bullet point above, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series, by notice to us in writing, and to the trustee if notice is given by such holders, may declare the unpaid principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest, if any, of such series of debt securities due and payable immediately. If an event of default specified in the last bullet point above occurs with respect to us, the principal amount of and accrued interest, if any, of each issue of debt securities then outstanding shall be due and payable without any notice or other action on the part of the trustee or any holder.

        The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of an affected series may waive any default or event of default with respect to the series and its consequences, except defaults or events of default regarding payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, unless we have cured the default or event of default in accordance with the indenture. Any waiver shall cure the default or event of default.

        Subject to the terms of the indenture, if an event of default under an indenture shall occur and be continuing, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under such indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders of the applicable series of debt securities, unless such holders have offered the trustee reasonable indemnity. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee, with respect to the debt securities of that series, provided that:

        A holder of the debt securities of any series will have the right to institute a proceeding under the indenture or to appoint a receiver or trustee, or to seek other remedies only if:

        These limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by a holder of debt securities if we default in the payment of the principal, premium, if any, or interest on, the debt securities.

        We will periodically file statements with the trustee regarding our compliance with specified covenants in the indenture.

 
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Modification of Indenture; Waiver

        Unless we provide otherwise in the prospectus supplement applicable to a particular series of debt securities, we and the trustee may change an indenture without the consent of any holders with respect to specific matters:

        In addition, under the indenture, the rights of holders of a series of debt securities may be changed by us and the trustee with the written consent of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series that is affected. However, unless we provide otherwise in the prospectus supplement applicable to a particular series of debt securities, we and the trustee may make the following changes only with the consent of each holder of any outstanding debt securities affected:

 
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Discharge

        The indenture provides that we can elect to be discharged from our obligations with respect to one or more series of debt securities, except for specified obligations, including obligations to:

        In order to exercise our rights to be discharged, we must deposit with the trustee money or government obligations sufficient to pay all the principal of, any premium, if any, and interest on, the debt securities of the series on the dates payments are due.

Form, Exchange and Transfer

        We will issue the debt securities of each series only in fully registered form without coupons and, unless we provide otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof. The indenture provides that we may issue debt securities of a series in temporary or permanent global form and as book-entry securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company, or DTC, or another depositary named by us and identified in the applicable prospectus supplement with respect to that series. To the extent the debt securities of a series are issued in global form and as book-entry, a description of terms relating to any book-entry securities will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

        At the option of the holder, subject to the terms of the indenture and the limitations applicable to global securities described in the applicable prospectus supplement, the holder of the debt securities of any series can exchange the debt securities for other debt securities of the same series, in any authorized denomination and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount.

        Subject to the terms of the indenture and the limitations applicable to global securities set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the debt securities may present the debt securities for exchange or for registration of transfer, duly endorsed or with the form of transfer endorsed thereon duly executed if so required by us or the security registrar, at the office of the security registrar or at the office of any transfer agent designated by us for this purpose. Unless otherwise provided in the debt securities that the holder presents for transfer or exchange, we will impose no service charge for any registration of transfer or exchange, but we may require payment of any taxes or other governmental charges.

        We will name in the applicable prospectus supplement the security registrar, and any transfer agent in addition to the security registrar, that we initially designate for any debt securities. We may at any time designate additional transfer agents or rescind the designation of any transfer agent or approve a change in the office through which any transfer agent acts, except that we will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of each series.

 
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        If we elect to redeem the debt securities of any series, we will not be required to:

Information Concerning the Trustee

        The trustee, other than during the occurrence and continuance of an event of default under an indenture, undertakes to perform only those duties as are specifically set forth in the applicable indenture. Upon an event of default under an indenture, the trustee must use the same degree of care as a prudent person would exercise or use in the conduct of his or her own affairs. Subject to this provision, the trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the powers given it by the indenture at the request of any holder of debt securities unless it is offered reasonable security and indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities that it might incur.

Payment and Paying Agents

        Unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will make payment of the interest on any debt securities on any interest payment date to the person in whose name the debt securities, or one or more predecessor securities, are registered at the close of business on the regular record date for the interest.

        We will pay principal of and any premium and interest on the debt securities of a particular series at the office of the paying agents designated by us, except that unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will make interest payments by check that we will mail to the holder or by wire transfer to certain holders. Unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will designate the corporate trust office of the trustee as our sole paying agent for payments with respect to debt securities of each series. We will name in the applicable prospectus supplement any other paying agents that we initially designate for the debt securities of a particular series. We will maintain a paying agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of a particular series.

        All money we pay to a paying agent or the trustee for the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any debt securities that remains unclaimed at the end of two years after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable will be repaid to us, and the holder of the debt security thereafter may look only to us for payment thereof.

Governing Law

        The indenture and the debt securities, and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related to the indenture or the debt securities, will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, except to the extent that the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is applicable.

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

        The following description, together with the additional information we may include in any applicable prospectus supplements and free writing prospectuses, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the warrants that we may offer under this prospectus, which may consist of warrants to purchase common stock, preferred stock or debt securities and may be issued in one or more series.

 
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Warrants may be issued independently or together with common stock, preferred stock or debt securities offered by any prospectus supplement, and may be attached to or separate from those securities. While the terms we have summarized below will apply generally to any warrants that we may offer under this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any series of warrants that we may offer in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement and any applicable free writing prospectus. The terms of any warrants offered under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below. However, no prospectus supplement will fundamentally change the terms that are set forth in this prospectus or offer a security that is not registered and described in this prospectus at the time of its effectiveness.

        We have filed forms of the warrant agreements as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. We will file as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by reference from reports that we file with the SEC, the form of warrant agreement, if any, including a form of warrant certificate, that describes the terms of the particular series of warrants we are offering. The following summaries of material provisions of the warrants and the warrant agreements are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the warrant agreement and warrant certificate applicable to the particular series of warrants that we may offer under this prospectus. We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplements related to the particular series of warrants that we may offer under this prospectus, as well as any related free writing prospectuses, and the complete warrant agreements and warrant certificates that contain the terms of the warrants.

General

        We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms relating to a series of warrants being offered, including:

 
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        Before exercising their warrants, holders of warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities purchasable upon such exercise, including:

Exercise of Warrants

        Each warrant will entitle the holder to purchase the securities that we specify in the applicable prospectus supplement at the exercise price that we describe in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the warrants may exercise the warrants at any time up to the specified time on the expiration date that we set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will become void.

        Unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the warrants may exercise the warrants by delivering the warrant certificate representing the warrants to be exercised together with specified information, and paying the required amount to the warrant agent in immediately available funds, as provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. We will set forth on the reverse side of the warrant certificate and in the applicable prospectus supplement the information that the holder of the warrant will be required to deliver to the warrant agent in connection with the exercise of the warrant.

        Upon receipt of the required payment and the warrant certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will issue and deliver the securities purchasable upon such exercise. If fewer than all of the warrants represented by the warrant certificate are exercised, then we will issue a new warrant certificate for the remaining amount of warrants. If we so indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the warrants may surrender securities as all or part of the exercise price for warrants.

Governing Law

        Unless we provide otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the warrants and warrant agreements, and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related to the warrants or warrant agreements, will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

 
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Enforceability of Rights by Holders of Warrants

        Each warrant agent will act solely as our agent under the applicable warrant agreement and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust with any holder of any warrant. A single bank or trust company may act as warrant agent for more than one issue of warrants. A warrant agent will have no duty or responsibility in case of any default by us under the applicable warrant agreement or warrant, including any duty or responsibility to initiate any proceedings at law or otherwise, or to make any demand upon us. Any holder of a warrant may, without the consent of the related warrant agent or the holder of any other warrant, enforce by appropriate legal action its right to exercise, and receive the securities purchasable upon exercise of, its warrants.

 

LEGAL OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES

        We can issue securities in registered form or in the form of one or more global securities. We describe global securities in greater detail below. We refer to those persons who have securities registered in their own names on the books that we or any applicable trustee or depositary maintain for this purpose as the "holders" of those securities. These persons are the legal holders of the securities. We refer to those persons who, indirectly through others, own beneficial interests in securities that are not registered in their own names, as "indirect holders" of those securities. As we discuss below, indirect holders are not legal holders, and investors in securities issued in book-entry form or in street name will be indirect holders.

Book-Entry Holders

        We may issue securities in book-entry form only, as we will specify in the applicable prospectus supplement. This means securities may be represented by one or more global securities registered in the name of a financial institution that holds them as depositary on behalf of other financial institutions that participate in the depositary's book-entry system. These participating institutions, which are referred to as participants, in turn, hold beneficial interests in the securities on behalf of themselves or their customers.

        Only the person in whose name a security is registered is recognized as the holder of that security. Global securities will be registered in the name of the depositary or its participants. Consequently, for global securities, we will recognize only the depositary as the holder of the securities, and we will make all payments on the securities to the depositary. The depositary passes along the payments it receives to its participants, which in turn pass the payments along to their customers who are the beneficial owners. The depositary and its participants do so under agreements they have made with one another or with their customers; they are not obligated to do so under the terms of the securities.

        As a result, investors in a global security will not own securities directly. Instead, they will own beneficial interests in a global security, through a bank, broker or other financial institution that participates in the depositary's book-entry system or holds an interest through a participant. As long as the securities are issued in global form, investors will be indirect holders, and not legal holders, of the securities.

Street Name Holders

        A global security may be terminated in certain situations as described under "—Special Situations When A Global Security Will Be Terminated," or issue securities that are not issued in global form. In these cases, investors may choose to hold their securities in their own names or in "street name." Securities held by an investor in street name would be registered in the name of a bank, broker or other financial institution that the investor chooses, and the investor would hold only a beneficial interest in those securities through an account he or she maintains at that institution.

 
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        For securities held in street name, we or any applicable trustee or depositary will recognize only the intermediary banks, brokers and other financial institutions in whose names the securities are registered as the holders of those securities, and we or any such trustee or depositary will make all payments on those securities to them. These institutions pass along the payments they receive to their customers who are the beneficial owners, but only because they agree to do so in their customer agreements or because they are legally required to do so. Investors who hold securities in street name will be indirect holders, not holders, of those securities.

Legal Holders

        Our obligations, as well as the obligations of any applicable trustee or third party employed by us or a trustee, run only to the legal holders of the securities. We do not have obligations to investors who hold beneficial interests in global securities, in street name or by any other indirect means. This will be the case whether an investor chooses to be an indirect holder of a security or has no choice because we are issuing the securities only in global form.

        For example, once we make a payment or give a notice to the legal holder, we have no further responsibility for the payment or notice even if that legal holder is required, under agreements with its participants or customers or by law, to pass it along to the indirect holders but does not do so. Similarly, we may want to obtain the approval of the holders to amend an indenture, to relieve us of the consequences of a default or of our obligation to comply with a particular provision of an indenture, or for other purposes. In such an event, we would seek approval only from the legal holders, and not the indirect holders, of the securities. Whether and how the legal holders contact the indirect holders is up to the legal holders.

Special Considerations for Indirect Holders

        If you hold securities through a bank, broker or other financial institution, either in book-entry form because the securities are represented by one or more global securities or in street name, you should check with your own institution to find out:

Global Securities

        A global security is a security that represents one or any other number of individual securities held by a depositary. Generally, all securities represented by the same global securities will have the same terms.

        Each security issued in book-entry form will be represented by a global security that we issue to, deposit with and register in the name of a financial institution or its nominee that we select. The financial institution that we select for this purpose is called the depositary. Unless we specify otherwise

 
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in the applicable prospectus supplement, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, known as DTC, will be the depositary for all securities issued in book-entry form.

        A global security may not be transferred to or registered in the name of anyone other than the depositary, its nominee or a successor depositary, unless special termination situations arise. We describe those situations below under "—Special Situations When A Global Security Will Be Terminated." As a result of these arrangements, the depositary, or its nominee, will be the sole registered owner and legal holder of all securities represented by a global security, and investors will be permitted to own only beneficial interests in a global security. Beneficial interests must be held by means of an account with a broker, bank or other financial institution that in turn has an account with the depositary or with another institution that does. Thus, an investor whose security is represented by a global security will not be a legal holder of the security, but only an indirect holder of a beneficial interest in the global security.

        If the prospectus supplement for a particular security indicates that the security will be issued as a global security, then the security will be represented by a global security at all times unless and until the global security is terminated. If termination occurs, we may issue the securities through another book-entry clearing system or decide that the securities may no longer be held through any book-entry clearing system.

Special Considerations For Global Securities

        As an indirect holder, an investor's rights relating to a global security will be governed by the account rules of the investor's financial institution and of the depositary, as well as general laws relating to securities transfers. We do not recognize an indirect holder as a holder of securities and instead deal only with the depositary that holds the global security.

        If securities are issued only as global securities, an investor should be aware of the following:

 
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        There may be more than one financial intermediary in the chain of ownership for an investor. We do not monitor and are not responsible for the actions of any of those intermediaries.

Special Situations When A Global Security Will Be Terminated

        In a few special situations described below, a global security will terminate and interests in it will be exchanged for physical certificates representing those interests. After that exchange, the choice of whether to hold securities directly or in street name will be up to the investor. Investors must consult their own banks or brokers to find out how to have their interests in securities transferred to their own names, so that they will be direct holders. We have described the rights of holders and street name investors above.

        A global security will terminate when the following special situations occur:

        The applicable prospectus supplement may also list additional situations for terminating a global security that would apply only to the particular series of securities covered by the prospectus supplement. When a global security terminates, the depositary, and neither we nor any applicable trustee, is responsible for deciding the names of the institutions that will be the initial direct holders.


PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

        We may sell the securities from time to time pursuant to underwritten public offerings, negotiated transactions, block trades or a combination of these methods. We may sell the securities to or through underwriters or dealers, through agents, or directly to one or more purchasers. We may distribute securities from time to time in one or more transactions:

        We may also sell equity securities covered by this registration statement in an "at the market offering" as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act. Such offering may be made into an existing trading market for such securities in transactions at other than a fixed price, either:

 
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        Such at-the-market offerings, if any, may be conducted by underwriters acting as principal or agent.

        A prospectus supplement or supplements (and any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you) will describe the terms of the offering of the securities, including, to the extent applicable:

        Only underwriters named in the prospectus supplement are underwriters of the securities offered by the prospectus supplement.

        If underwriters are used in the sale, they will acquire the securities for their own account and may resell the securities from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. The obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to the conditions set forth in the applicable underwriting agreement. We may offer the securities to the public through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters or by underwriters without a syndicate. Subject to certain conditions, the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the securities offered by the prospectus supplement. Any public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may change from time to time. We may use underwriters with whom we have a material relationship. We will describe in the prospectus supplement, naming the underwriter, the nature of any such relationship.

        We may sell securities directly or through agents we designate from time to time. We will name any agent involved in the offering and sale of securities, and we will describe any commissions we will pay the agent in the prospectus supplement. Unless the prospectus supplement states otherwise, our agent will act on a best-efforts basis for the period of its appointment.

        We may authorize agents or underwriters to solicit offers by certain types of institutional investors to purchase securities from us at the public offering price set forth in the prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. We will describe the conditions to these contracts and the commissions we must pay for solicitation of these contracts in the prospectus supplement.

        We may provide agents and underwriters with indemnification against civil liabilities related to this offering, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or contribution with respect to payments that the agents or underwriters may make with respect to these liabilities. Agents and underwriters may engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us in the ordinary course of business.

        All securities we offer, other than common stock, will be new issues of securities with no established trading market. Any underwriters may make a market in these securities, but will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. We cannot guarantee the liquidity of the trading markets for any securities.

 
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        Any underwriter may engage in overallotment, stabilizing transactions, short covering transactions and penalty bids. Overallotment involves sales in excess of the offering size, which create a short position. Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum. Short covering transactions involve purchases of the securities in the open market after the distribution is completed to cover short positions. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a dealer when the securities originally sold by the dealer are purchased in a stabilizing or covering transaction to cover short positions. Those activities may cause the price of the securities to be higher than it would otherwise be. If commenced, the underwriters may discontinue any of the activities at any time. These transactions may be effected on any exchange or over-the-counter market or otherwise.

        Any underwriters who are qualified market makers on the Nasdaq Global Market may engage in passive market making transactions in the securities on the Nasdaq Global Market in accordance with Rule 103 of Regulation M, during the business day prior to the pricing of the offering, before the commencement of offers or sales of the securities. Passive market makers must comply with applicable volume and price limitations and must be identified as passive market makers. In general, a passive market maker must display its bid at a price not in excess of the highest independent bid for such security; if all independent bids are lowered below the passive market maker's bid, however, the passive market maker's bid must then be lowered when certain purchase limits are exceeded. Passive market making may stabilize the market price of the securities at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.

LEGAL MATTERS

        Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, certain legal matters in connection with the offering and the validity of the securities offered by this prospectus, and any supplement thereto, will be passed upon by Cooley LLP.

 

EXPERTS

        Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, has audited our financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2013, as set forth in their reports, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement. Our financial statements are incorporated by reference in reliance on Ernst & Young LLP's reports, given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

        This prospectus is part of a registration statement we filed with the SEC. This prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement and the exhibits to the registration statement. For further information with respect to us and the securities we are offering under this prospectus, we refer you to the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules filed as a part of the registration statement. Neither we nor any agent, underwriter or dealer has authorized any person to provide you with different information. We are not making an offer of these securities in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front page of this prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any sale of the securities offered by this prospectus.

        We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy the registration statement, as well as any other document filed by us with the SEC, at the SEC's Public Reference Room at 100 F Street NE, Washington, D.C. 20549. You can also request copies of these documents by writing to the SEC and paying a fee for the copying cost.

 
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You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at (800) SEC-0330. The SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC, including Senomyx. The address of the SEC website is www.sec.gov.

        We maintain a website at www.senomyx.com. Information contained in or accessible through our website does not constitute a part of this prospectus.

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

        The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" information into this prospectus, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The SEC file number for the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus is 000-50791. The documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus contain important information that you should read about us.

        The following documents are incorporated by reference into this document:

        We also incorporate by reference into this prospectus all documents (other than current reports furnished under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K and exhibits filed on such form that are related to such items) that are filed by us with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (i) after the date of the initial filing of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part and prior to effectiveness of the registration statement, or (ii) after the date of this prospectus but prior to the termination of the offering. These documents include periodic reports, such as Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, as well as proxy statements.

        We will provide to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a prospectus is delivered, without charge upon written or oral request, a copy of any or all of the documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus but not delivered with the prospectus, including exhibits which are specifically incorporated by reference into such documents. You should direct any requests for documents by writing us at 4767 Nexus Centre Drive, San Diego, CA 92121 or telephoning us at (858) 646-8300.

        Any statement contained herein or in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference into this document will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of the document to the extent that a statement contained in this document or any other subsequently filed

 

 
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document that is deemed to be incorporated by reference into this document modifies or supersedes the statement.

 

DISCLOSURE OF COMMISSION POSITION ON INDEMNIFICATION FOR
SECURITIES ACT LIABILITY

        Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the registrant pursuant to the DGCL, the registrant has been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.

 

 
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Up to $14,000,000 of Common Stock and

294,118 Shares of Common Stock as Commitment Shares

 


 

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

 

 


 

 

December 21, 2016