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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 14, 2017

Registration No. 333-207966

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1

TO

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

DYNAVAX TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware		33-0728374
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

 

2929 Seventh Street, Suite 100

Berkeley, CA 94710-2753

(510) 848-5100

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

 

Michael S. Ostrach

Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

Dynavax Technologies Corporation

2929 Seventh Street, Suite 100

Berkeley, CA 94710-2753

(510) 848-5100

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

 

Copies to:

Glen Sato, Esq.

Cooley LLP

3175 Hanover Street

Palo Alto, CA 94304-1130

(650) 843-5000

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:

From time to time after the effective date of this registration statement.

 

 

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box:  ☐

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box:  ☒

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering:  ☐

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering:  ☐

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box:  ☒

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box:  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer		☐		Accelerated filer		☒
Non-accelerated filer		☐  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)		Smaller reporting company		☐

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

Title of Each Class of Securities To Be Registered		Amount to be Registered(1)		Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price(3)		Amount of Registration Fee(3)
Primary Offering of Securities
Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share, including related rights to purchase Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock(2)		(1)		(1)		(3)
Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value per share		(1)		(1)		(3)
Debt Securities		(1)		(1)		(3)
Warrants		(1)		(1)		(3)
Primary Offering of Common Stock
Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share				$90,000,000		(4)
Total		(1)		$200,000,000		(4)

 

 

(1)

There are being registered hereunder such indeterminate number of shares of common stock and preferred stock, such indeterminate principal amount of debt securities, such indeterminate number of warrants to purchase common stock, preferred stock or debt securities, and such indeterminate number of units as shall have an aggregate initial offering price not to exceed $200,000,000. If any debt securities are issued at an original issued discount, then the offering price of such debt securities shall be in such greater principal amount as shall result in an aggregate initial offering price not to exceed $200,000,000, less the aggregate dollar amount of all securities previously issued hereunder. Any securities registered hereunder may be sold separately or as units with other securities registered hereunder. The proposed maximum initial offering price per unit will be determined, from time to time, by the registrant in connection with the issuance by the registrant of the securities registered hereunder. The securities registered also include such indeterminate amounts and numbers of common stock, preferred stock, and debt securities as may be issued upon conversion of or exchange for preferred stock or debt securities that provide for conversion or exchange, upon exercise of warrants or pursuant to the antidilution provisions of any such securities. In addition, pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Securities Act, the shares being registered hereunder include such indeterminate number of shares of common stock and preferred stock as may be issuable with respect to the shares being registered hereunder as a result of stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions.

(2)

Each share of the registrant’s Common Stock being registered hereunder, if issued prior to the termination by the registrant of its rights agreement, dated as of November 5, 2008, between the registrant and the rights agent named therein, includes Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock purchase rights (the “Rights”). Prior to the occurrence of certain events, the Rights will not be exercisable or evidenced separately from the registrant’s Common Stock and have no value except as reflected in the market price of the shares to which they are attached.

(3)

The proposed maximum aggregate offering price per class of security will be determined from time to time by the registrant in connection with the issuance by the registrant of the securities registered hereunder and is not specified as to each class of security pursuant to General Instruction II.D of Form S-3 under the Securities Act.

(4)

Calculated pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act. The registrant previously paid a fee of $9,063.00 related to $90,000,000 of the registrant’s Common Stock that may be issued and sold under a certain sales agreement with Cowen and Company, LLC, which is applied to the registrant’s total registration fee. Accordingly, registrant is paying the registration fee for the remaining $110,000,000 worth of registrant’s securities, or $12,749.00.

 

 

 

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EXPLANATORY NOTE

This Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Commission File No. 333-207966) (the “Automatic Shelf Registration Statement”) of Dynavax Technologies Corporation (the “Registrant”) is being filed because the Registrant will no longer be a well-known seasoned issuer (as such term is defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) when it files its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016. This Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 is filed using EDGAR submission type POSASR and adds disclosure to the Automatic Shelf Registration Statement required for a registrant other than a well-known seasoned issuer and makes certain other amendments.

This registration statement contains:

 

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a base prospectus which covers the offering, issuance and sale by us of the securities identified above from time to time in one or more offerings, with a total value of up to $200 million; and

 

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a sales agreement prospectus covering the offering, issuance and sale by us of up to a maximum aggregate offering price of $90,000,000 of our common stock that may be issued and sold under a sales agreement with Cowen and Company, LLC.

The base prospectus immediately follows this explanatory note. The specific terms of any securities to be offered pursuant to the base prospectus will be specified in a prospectus supplement to the base prospectus. The sales agreement prospectus immediately follows the base prospectus. The $90,000,000 of common stock that may be offered, issued and sold under the sales agreement prospectus is included in the securities that may be offered, issued and sold by us under the base prospectus. As of February 10, 2017, the Registrant has sold $10,856,196 of common stock under the sales agreement prospectus pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-3 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 12, 2015 (File No. 333-207966) (the “Prior Registration Statement”).

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PROSPECTUS

 

$200,000,000

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Debt Securities

Warrants

 

 

From time to time, we may offer, issue and sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus, with a total value of up to $200 million, either individually or in combination with other securities, at prices and on terms described in one or more supplements to this prospectus. 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.

We will provide the specific terms of these offerings and securities in one or more supplements to this prospectus. We also may 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 also may 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 buying any of the securities being offered.

Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “DVAX.” The last reported sale price of our common stock on February 10, 2017 was $4.00 per share. The applicable prospectus supplement will contain information, where applicable, as to any other listing, if any, on the NASDAQ Capital Market or any securities market or other exchange of the securities covered by the applicable 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” in the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, and under similar headings in the documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

We may amend or supplement this prospectus from time to time by filing amendments or supplements as required. We urge you to read the entire prospectus, any amendments or supplements, any free writing prospectuses , and any documents incorporated by reference carefully before you make your investment decision.

This prospectus may not be used to consummate a sale of any securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement. The securities may be sold directly by us 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 titled “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 and over-allotment options will be set forth in a prospectus supplement. The price to the public of such securities and the net proceeds that we expect to receive from such sale will also be set forth in a prospectus supplement.

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 February 14, 2017.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS			1
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY			2
RISK FACTORS			6
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS			6
USE OF PROCEEDS			7
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND RATIO OF COMBINED FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS TO EARNINGS			7
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK			8
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES			11
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS			17
LEGAL OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES			19
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION			22
LEGAL MATTERS			23
EXPERTS			23
WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION			24
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE			24

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Under the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, we may offer and sell shares of our common stock and preferred stock, various series of debt securities and/or warrants to purchase any of such securities, either individually or in combination with other securities, in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities that may be offered.

Each time we offer securities under this prospectus, a prospectus supplement that will contain more specific information about the terms of that offering will be provided. We also may 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 also may add, update or change any of the information contained in this prospectus or in the documents that we have incorporated by reference into this prospectus. We urge you to read carefully this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectuses we have authorized for use in connection with a specific offering, together with the information incorporated herein by reference as described under the heading “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference,” before buying any of the securities being offered.

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

You should rely only on the information that we have provided or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you. We have not authorized any other person to provide you with different or additional information. No dealer, salesperson or other person is authorized to give any information or to represent anything not contained in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you. You must not rely on any unauthorized information or representation. 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 assume that the information appearing in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus is accurate only as of the date on the front of the document and that any information we have incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus, or any sale of a security. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospectus may have changed since those dates.

This prospectus contains and incorporates by reference market data, industry statistics and other data that have been obtained from, or compiled from, information made available by third parties. We have not independently verified their data. This prospectus and the information incorporated herein by reference includes 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, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus are the property of their respective owners.

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 section entitled “Where You Can Find Additional Information.”

 

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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 the other 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. The risks described in these documents are not the only ones we face, but those that we consider to be material. 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. Moreover, the risks described are not the only ones that we face. Additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently believe are immaterial may also significantly impair our business operations. Please also read carefully the section below titled “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus and the documents we file with the SEC that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, which we refer to as the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which we refer to as the Exchange Act. These statements relate to future events or to our future operating or financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performances or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. All statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. These statements appear throughout this prospectus and the documents we file with the SEC that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus and can be identified by the use of forward-looking language such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “future,” or “intend,” or the negative of these terms or other variations or comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements about:

 

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our ability to successfully develop and timely achieve regulatory approval for HEPLISAV-B;

 

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ability to timely and appropriately respond to the complete response letter issued to us in November 2016 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or the FDA, with respect to our Biologics License Application for HEPLISAV-B;

 

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our ability to successfully develop and obtain regulatory approve of our early stage cancer compounds, SD-101 and DV281;

 

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the progress, timing and results of clinical trials and research and development efforts involving our product candidates;

 

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the potential for and timing of regulatory clearances and approvals by the FDA and international regulatory agencies;

 

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our ability to manufacture and commercialize our product candidates;

 

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our business strategy and our expectations with respect to the implementation of our business strategy;

 

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our expectations with respect to the potential commercial value of our product candidates;

 

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the benefits we expect to derive from relationships with our collaborators;

 

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our expectations with respect to our intellectual property position;

 

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the use of proceeds from this offering; and

 

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our estimates regarding our capital requirements and our need for additional financing.

 

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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,” “future,” “intend,” “certain,” and similar expressions 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” on page 4 of this prospectus and in our SEC filings. Also, these forward-looking statements represent our estimates and assumptions only as of the date of the document containing the applicable statement.

You should read this prospectus, the documents we file with the SEC that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any applicable supplement to this prospectus and any related free writing prospectus completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect. We qualify all of the forward-looking statements in the foregoing documents by these cautionary statements.

You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of this prospectus, or that any information incorporated by reference into this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date of the document so incorporated by reference. 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.

USE OF PROCEEDS

Except as described in any prospectus supplement or in 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 by us hereunder primarily for research, development, manufacturing, and commercialization of product candidates, and for other general corporate purposes. Pending these uses, we expect to invest the net proceeds in short-term, interest-bearing securities.

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND RATIO OF COMBINED FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS TO EARNINGS

Our earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges and combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends for each of the periods presented. Accordingly, the following table sets forth the deficiency of earnings to fixed charges for each of the periods presented. Because of the deficiency, ratio information is not applicable. Amounts shown are in thousands.

 

		For the Nine Months Ended September 30,				For the Year Ended December 31,
		2016				2015				2014				2013				2012				2011
Deficiency of earnings available to cover fixed charges		$	(90,703	)		$	(106,794	)		$	(90,722	)		$	(66,720	)		$	(69,949	)		$	(48,597	)
Deficiency of earnings available to cover fixed charges and preferred stock dividends		$	(90,703	)		$	(106,794	)		$	(90,722	)			(75,189	)			(69,949	)			(48,597	)

For purposes of computing the deficiency of earnings available to cover fixed charges and combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends, fixed charges represent interest expense on indebtedness and the portion of operating lease rental expense that is considered by us to be representative of interest. Deficiency of earnings consists of loss from operations before income taxes and fixed charges.

As of September 30, 2016, there were 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock authorized.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

General

Our authorized capital stock consists of 69,500,000 shares of common stock, $0.001 par value per share, and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.001 par value per share, 450,000 shares of which has been designated as Series A Junior Participating Preferred. As of February 10, 2017, there were 41,233,752 shares of our common stock outstanding and no shares of preferred stock outstanding.

The following summary description of our capital stock is based on the provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, or certificate of incorporation, and amended and restated bylaws, or bylaws, and the applicable provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law (“Delaware Law”). This information is qualified entirely by reference to the applicable provisions of our certificate of incorporation, bylaws and Delaware Law. For information on how to obtain copies of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws, which are exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, see the section entitled “Where You Can Find Additional Information” in this prospectus.

Common Stock

Voting Rights. Each holder of common stock is entitled to one vote for each share on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders, including the election of directors. Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws do not provide for cumulative voting rights. Because of this, the holders of a majority of the shares of common stock entitled to vote in any election of directors can elect all of the directors standing for election, if they should so choose.

Dividends. Subject to preferences that may be applicable to any then outstanding preferred stock, holders of common stock are entitled to receive dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by our board of directors out of legally available funds.

Liquidation. In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, holders of common stock will be entitled to share ratably in the net assets legally available for distribution to 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 then outstanding shares of preferred stock.

Rights and Preferences. Holders of common stock have no preemptive, conversion or subscription rights, and there are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the common stock. The rights, preferences and privileges of the holders of common stock are subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of shares of any series of preferred stock which we may designate in the future.

Fully Paid and Nonassessable. All of our outstanding shares of common stock are, and the shares of common stock to be issued in this offering, if any, will be, fully paid and nonassessable.

Preferred Stock

Pursuant to our certificate of incorporation, our board of directors has the authority, without further action by the stockholders (unless such stockholder action is required by applicable law or the rules of any stock exchange or market on which our securities are then traded), to designate and issue up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series, to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each such series, to fix the designations, voting powers, preferences and rights of the shares of each wholly unissued series, and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, and to increase or decrease the number of shares of any such series, but not below the number of shares of such series then outstanding.

We will fix the designations, voting powers, preferences and rights of the preferred stock of each series, as well as the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, in a certificate of designation relating to that series. We will file as an exhibit 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 any certificate of designation that describes the terms of the series of preferred stock we are offering before the issuance of that series of preferred stock. This description will include:

 

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the title and stated value;

 

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the number of shares we are offering;

 

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the liquidation preference per share;

 

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the purchase price;

 

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the dividend rate, period and payment date and method of calculation for dividends;

 

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whether dividends will be cumulative or non-cumulative and, if cumulative, the date from which dividends will accumulate;

 

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the procedures for any auction and remarketing, if any;

 

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the provisions for a sinking fund, if any;

 

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the provisions for redemption or repurchase, if applicable, and any restrictions on our ability to exercise those redemption and repurchase rights;

 

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any listing of the preferred stock on any securities exchange or market;

 

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whether the preferred stock will be convertible into our common stock, and, if applicable, the conversion price, or how it will be calculated, and the conversion period;

 

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whether the preferred stock will be exchangeable into debt securities, and, if applicable, the exchange price, or how it will be calculated, and the exchange period;

 

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voting rights, if any, of the preferred stock;

 

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preemptive rights, if any;

 

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restrictions on transfer, sale or other assignment, if any;

 

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whether interests in the preferred stock will be represented by depositary shares;

 

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a discussion of any material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the preferred stock;

 

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the relative ranking and preferences of the preferred stock as to dividend rights and rights if we liquidate, dissolve or wind up our affairs;

 

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any limitations on the issuance of any class or series of preferred stock ranking senior to or on a parity with the series of preferred stock as to dividend rights and rights if we liquidate, dissolve or wind up our affairs; and

 

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any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of, or restrictions on, the preferred stock.

Delaware Law provides that the holders of preferred stock will have the right to vote separately as a class (or, in some cases, as a series) on an amendment to our certificate of incorporation if the amendment would change the par value or, unless the certificate of incorporation provided otherwise, the number of authorized shares of the class or change the powers, preferences or special rights of the class or series so as to adversely affect the class or series, as the case may be. This right is in addition to any voting rights that may be provided for in the applicable certificate of designation.

Our board of directors may authorize the issuance of preferred stock with voting, exchange or conversion rights that could adversely affect the voting power or other rights of the holders of our common stock. Preferred stock could be issued quickly with terms designed to delay 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.

Rights Agreement

On November 5, 2008, we entered into a Rights Agreement with Mellon Investor Services LLC (now Computershare Limited) under which one preferred share purchase right was distributed on November 17, 2008 for each share of common stock held on that date. No certificates for the rights will be issued unless a person or group, subject to certain exceptions, acquires or makes a tender offer to purchase 20% or more of our common stock. Each right entitles the registered stockholder to purchase from us, upon such event, one one-hundredth of a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share, at a price of $6.00 per one one-hundredth of a preferred share, subject to adjustment. Each preferred share has designations and powers, preferences and rights, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions designed to make it the economic equivalent of one hundred shares of common stock. The rights expire on November 18, 2018, and are subject to redemption at a price of $0.001 in specified circumstances.

 

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Anti-Takeover Effects of Provisions of Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws

Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws provide for our board of directors to be divided into three classes, with staggered three-year terms. Only one class of directors is elected at each annual meeting of our stockholders, with the other classes continuing for the remainder of their respective three-year terms. Because our stockholders do not have cumulative voting rights, our stockholders representing a majority of the shares of common stock outstanding will be able to elect all of our directors due to be elected at each annual meeting of our stockholders. In addition, our certificate of incorporation provides that vacancies on our board of directors resulting from death, resignation, disqualification, removal or other causes may be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors in office, even if less than a quorum, and that newly created directorships shall be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office, even if less than a quorum, unless our board of directors determines otherwise. Our bylaws provide that all stockholder action must be effected at a duly called meeting of stockholders and not by a consent in writing, and that only the chairman of our board, our president, our secretary or a majority of the authorized number of directors may call a special meeting of stockholders. Our certificate of incorporation requires a 66-2/3% stockholder vote for the amendment, repeal or modification of certain provisions of our certificate of incorporation relating to, among other things, the classification of our board of directors and filling of vacancies on our board of directors. Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws also require a 66-2/3% stockholder vote for the stockholders to adopt, amend or repeal certain provisions of our bylaws relating to stockholder proposals at annual meetings, director nominees and the number and term of office of directors.

The combination of the classification of our board of directors, the lack of cumulative voting and the 66-2/3% stockholder voting requirements will make it more difficult for our existing stockholders to replace our board of directors as well as for another party to obtain control of us by replacing our board of directors. Since our board of directors has the power to retain and discharge our officers, these provisions could also make it more difficult for existing stockholders or another party to effect a change in management. In addition, the authorization of undesignated preferred stock makes it possible for our board of directors to issue preferred stock with voting or other rights or preferences that could impede the success of any attempt to effect a change of our control.

These provisions may have the effect of deterring hostile takeovers or delaying changes in our control or in our management. These provisions are intended to enhance the likelihood of continued stability in the composition of our board of directors and in the policies they implement, and to discourage certain types of transactions that may involve an actual or threatened change of our control. These provisions are designed to reduce our vulnerability to an unsolicited acquisition proposal. The provisions also are intended to discourage certain tactics that may be used in proxy fights. However, such provisions could have the effect of discouraging others from making tender offers for our shares and, as a consequence, they also may inhibit fluctuations in the market price of our shares that could result from actual or rumored takeover attempts.

Section 203 of Delaware Law

We are subject to Section 203 of Delaware Law, or Section 203, which prohibits a Delaware corporation from engaging in any business combination with any interested stockholder for a period of three years after the date that such stockholder became an interested stockholder, with the following exceptions:

 

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before such date, the board of directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;

 

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upon completion of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction began, excluding for purposes of determining the voting stock outstanding (but not the outstanding voting stock owned by the interested stockholder) those shares owned (i) by persons who are directors and also officers and (ii) employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or

 

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on or after such date, the business combination is approved by the board of directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of the stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least 66-2/3% of the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder.

In general, Section 203 defines business combination to include the following:

 

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any merger or consolidation involving the corporation and the interested stockholder;

 

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any sale, lease, transfer, pledge or other disposition of 10% or more of the assets of the corporation to or with the interested stockholder;

 

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subject to certain exceptions, any transaction that results in the issuance or transfer by the corporation of any stock of the corporation to the interested stockholder;

 

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any transaction involving the corporation that has the effect of increasing the proportionate share of the stock or any class or series of the corporation beneficially owned by the interested stockholder; or

 

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the receipt by the interested stockholder of the benefit of any loss, advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits by or through the corporation.

In general, Section 203 defines interested stockholder as an entity or person beneficially owning 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation or any entity or person affiliated with or controlling or controlled by such entity or person.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Computershare Investor Services. Its address is P.O. Box 43070, Providence, RI 02940-3070. Its phone number is (800) 522-6645. The transfer agent for any series of preferred stock, debt securities or warrants that we may offer under this prospectus will be named and described in the prospectus supplement for that series.

NASDAQ Capital Market Listing

Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “DVAX.”

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.

We will issue the debt securities under the indenture that we will enter into with the 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.

 

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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 (“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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the title of the series of debt securities;

 

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any limit upon the aggregate principal amount that may be issued;

 

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the maturity date or dates;

 

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the form of the debt securities of the series;

 

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the applicability of any guarantees;

 

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whether or not the debt securities will be secured or unsecured, and the terms of any secured debt;

 

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whether the debt securities rank as senior debt, senior subordinated debt, subordinated debt or any combination thereof, and the terms of any subordination;

 

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if the price (expressed as a percentage of the aggregate principal amount thereof) at which such debt securities will be issued is a price other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount thereof payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof, or if applicable, the portion of the principal amount of such debt securities that is convertible into another security or the method by which any such portion shall be determined;

 

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the interest rate or rates, which may be fixed or variable, or the method for determining the rate and the date interest will begin to accrue, the dates interest will be payable and the regular record dates for interest payment dates or the method for determining such dates;

 

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our right, if any, to defer payment of interest and the maximum length of any such deferral period;

 

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if applicable, the date or dates after which, or the period or periods during which, and the price or prices at which, we may, at our option, redeem the series of debt securities pursuant to any optional or provisional redemption provisions and the terms of those redemption provisions;

 

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the date or dates, if any, on which, and the price or prices at which we are obligated, pursuant to any mandatory sinking fund or analogous fund provisions or otherwise, to redeem, or at the holder’s option to purchase, the series of debt securities and the currency or currency unit in which the debt securities are payable;

 

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

 

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any and all terms, if applicable, relating to any auction or remarketing of the debt securities of that series and any security for our obligations with respect to such debt securities and any other terms which may be advisable in connection with the marketing of debt securities of that series;

 

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whether the debt securities of the series shall be issued in whole or in part in the form of a global security or securities; the terms and conditions, if any, upon which such global security or securities may be exchanged in whole or in part for other individual securities; and the depositary for such global security or securities;

 

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if applicable, the provisions relating to conversion or exchange of any debt securities of the series and the terms and conditions upon which such debt securities will be so convertible or exchangeable, including the conversion or exchange price, as applicable, or how it will be calculated and may be adjusted, any mandatory or optional (at our option or the holders’ option) conversion or exchange features, the applicable conversion or exchange period and the manner of settlement for any conversion or exchange;

 

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if other than the full principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of debt securities of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof;

 

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additions to or changes in the covenants applicable to the particular debt securities being issued, including, among others, the consolidation, merger or sale covenant;

 

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additions to or changes in the events of default with respect to the securities and any change in the right of the trustee or the holders to declare the principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, with respect to such securities to be due and payable;

 

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additions to or changes in or deletions of the provisions relating to covenant defeasance and legal defeasance;

 

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additions to or changes in the provisions relating to satisfaction and discharge of the indenture;

 

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additions to or changes in the provisions relating to the modification of the indenture both with and without the consent of holders of debt securities issued under the indenture;

 

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the currency of payment of debt securities if other than U.S. dollars and the manner of determining the equivalent amount in U.S. dollars;

 

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whether interest will be payable in cash or additional debt securities at our or the holders’ option and the terms and conditions upon which the election may be made;

 

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the terms and conditions, if any, upon which we will pay amounts in addition to the stated interest, premium, if any and principal amounts of the debt securities of the series to any holder that is not a “United States person” for federal tax purposes;

 

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any restrictions on transfer, sale or assignment of the debt securities of the series; and

 

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any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of, or restrictions on, the debt securities, any other additions or changes in the provisions of the indenture, and any terms that may be required by us or advisable under applicable laws or regulations.

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.

 

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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 we fail to pay any installment of interest on any series of debt securities, as and when the same shall become due and payable, and such default continues for a period of 90 days; provided, however, that a valid extension of an interest payment period by us in accordance with the terms of any indenture supplemental thereto shall not constitute a default in the payment of interest for this purpose;

 

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if we fail to pay the principal of, or premium, if any, on any series of debt securities as and when the same shall become due and payable whether at maturity, upon redemption, by declaration or otherwise, or in any payment required by any sinking or analogous fund established with respect to such series; provided, however, that a valid extension of the maturity of such debt securities in accordance with the terms of any indenture supplemental thereto shall not constitute a default in the payment of principal or premium, if any;

 

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if we fail to observe or perform any other covenant or agreement contained in the debt securities or the indenture, other than a covenant specifically relating to another series of debt securities, and our failure continues for 90 days after we receive written notice of such failure, requiring the same to be remedied and stating that such is a notice of default thereunder, from the trustee or holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the applicable series; and

 

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if specified events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occur.

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, 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:

 

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the direction so given by the holder is not in conflict with any law or the applicable indenture; and

 

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subject to its duties under the Trust Indenture Act, the trustee need not take any action that might involve it in personal liability or might be unduly prejudicial to the holders not involved in the proceeding.

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:

 

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the holder has given written notice to the trustee of a continuing event of default with respect to that series;

 

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the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have made written request,

 

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such holders have offered to the trustee indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred by the trustee in compliance with the request; and

 

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the trustee does not institute the proceeding, and does not receive from the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series other conflicting directions within 90 days after the notice, request and offer.

 

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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.

Modification of Indenture; Waiver

We and the trustee may change an indenture without the consent of any holders with respect to specific matters:

 

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to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in the indenture or in the debt securities of any series;

 

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to comply with the provisions described above under “Description of Debt Securities—Consolidation, Merger or Sale;”

 

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

 

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to add to our covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions such new covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions for the benefit of the holders of all or any series of debt securities, to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and the continuance, of a default in any such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions an event of default or to surrender any right or power conferred upon us in the indenture;

 

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to add to, delete from or revise the conditions, limitations, and restrictions on the authorized amount, terms, or purposes of issue, authentication and delivery of debt securities, as set forth in the indenture;

 

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to make any change that does not adversely affect the interests of any holder of debt securities of any series in any material respect;

 

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to provide for the issuance of and establish the form and terms and conditions of the debt securities of any series as provided above under “Description of Debt Securities—General” to establish the form of any certifications required to be furnished pursuant to the terms of the indenture or any series of debt securities, or to add to the rights of the holders of any series of debt securities;

 

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to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment under any indenture by a successor trustee; or

 

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to comply with any requirements of the SEC in connection with the qualification of any indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.

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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extending the fixed maturity of any debt securities of any series;

 

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reducing the principal amount, reducing the rate of or extending the time of payment of interest, or reducing any premium payable upon the redemption of any series of any debt securities; or

 

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reducing the percentage of debt securities, the holders of which are required to consent to any amendment, supplement, modification or waiver.

Discharge

Each 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:

 

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provide for payment;

 

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register the transfer or exchange of debt securities of the series;

 

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replace stolen, lost or mutilated debt securities of the series;

 

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pay principal of and premium and interest on any debt securities of the series;

 

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maintain paying agencies;

 

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hold monies for payment in trust;

 

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recover excess money held by the trustee;

 

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compensate and indemnify the trustee; and

 

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appoint any successor trustee.

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 (“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.

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

 

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issue, register the transfer of, or exchange any debt securities of that series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of mailing of a notice of redemption of any debt securities that may be selected for redemption and ending at the close of business on the day of the mailing; or

 

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register the transfer of or exchange any debt securities so selected for redemption, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any debt securities we are redeeming in part.

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.

 

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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 will be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal 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 that we include in any applicable prospectus supplements and in any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be distributed to you, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the warrants that we may offer under this prospectus and the related warrant agreements and warrant certificates, which may consist of warrants to purchase common stock, preferred stock and/or debt securities and may be issued 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. While the terms summarized below will apply generally to any warrants that we may offer, we will describe the particular terms of any series of warrants in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms of any warrants offered under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below.

We have filed forms of the warrant agreements and forms of warrant certificates containing the terms of the warrants being offered 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, including a form of warrant certificate, that describes the terms of the particular series of warrants we are offering before the issuance of the related series of warrants. 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 of the series of warrants, including:

 

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the offering price and aggregate number of warrants offered;

 

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the currency for which the warrants may be purchased;

 

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if applicable, the designation and terms of the securities with which the warrants are issued and the number of warrants issued with each such security or each principal amount of such security;

 

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if applicable, the date on and after which the warrants and the related securities will be separately transferable;

 

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in the case of warrants to purchase debt securities, the principal amount of debt securities purchasable upon exercise of one warrant and the price at, and currency in which, this principal amount of debt securities may be purchased upon such exercise;

 

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in the case of warrants to purchase common stock or preferred stock, the number of shares of common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, purchasable upon the exercise of one warrant and the price at which these shares may be purchased upon such exercise;

 

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the effect of any merger, consolidation, sale or other disposition of our business on the warrant agreements and the warrants;

 

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

 

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the terms of any rights to force the exercise of the warrants;

 

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any provisions for changes to or adjustments in the exercise price or number of securities issuable upon exercise of the warrants;

 

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

 

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the manner in which the warrant agreements and warrants may be modified;

 

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a discussion of any material or special United States federal income tax consequences of holding or exercising the warrants;

 

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the terms of the securities issuable upon exercise of the warrants; and

 

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any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of, or restrictions on, the warrants.

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

 

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in the case of warrants to purchase debt securities, the right to receive payments of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, the debt securities purchasable upon exercise or to enforce covenants in the applicable indenture; or

 

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in the case of warrants to purchase common stock or preferred stock, the right to receive dividends, if any, or, payments upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up or to exercise voting rights, if any.

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, or, if provided in the applicable prospectus supplement by cashless exercise. 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 exercise price 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.

 

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Governing Law

Unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, the warrants and warrant agreements will be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York.

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, depositary or warrant agent 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. Securities issued in global form will be registered in the name of the depositary or its participants. Consequently, for securities issued in global form, 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 book-entry 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 holders, of the securities.

Street Name Holders

We may terminate a global security or issue securities in non-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 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 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 and of any third parties 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 holder, we have no further responsibility for the payment or notice even if that holder is required, under agreements with depositary 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 the indenture or for other purposes. In such an event, we would seek approval only from the registered holders, and not the indirect holders, of the securities. Whether and how the holders contact the indirect holders is up to the holders.

Special Considerations for Indirect Holders

If you hold securities through a bank, broker or other financial institution, either in book-entry form or in street name, you should check with your own institution to find out:

 

•

how it handles securities payments and notices;

 

•

whether it imposes fees or charges;

 

•

how it would handle a request for the holders’ consent, if ever required;

 

•

whether and how you can instruct it to send you securities registered in your own name so you can be a holder, if that is permitted in the future;

 

•

how it would exercise rights under the securities if there were a default or other event triggering the need for holders to act to protect their interests; and

 

•

if the securities are in book-entry form, how the depositary’s rules and procedures will affect these matters.

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 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 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 the section entitled “Special Situations When a Global Security Will Be Terminated” in this prospectus. As a result of these arrangements, the depositary, or its nominee, will be the sole registered owner and 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 holder of the security, but only an indirect holder of a beneficial interest in the global security.

 

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If the prospectus supplement for a particular security indicates that the security will be issued in global form only, 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

The rights of an indirect holder 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 in the form of a global security, an investor should be aware of the following:

 

•

an investor cannot cause the securities to be registered in his or her name, and cannot obtain non-global certificates for his or her interest in the securities, except in the special situations we describe below;

 

•

an investor will be an indirect holder and must look to his or her own bank or broker for payments on the securities and protection of his or her legal rights relating to the securities, as we describe above;

 

•

an investor may not be able to sell interests in the securities to some insurance companies and to other institutions that are required by law to own their securities in non-book-entry form;

 

•

an investor may not be able to pledge his or her interest in a global security in circumstances where certificates representing the securities must be delivered to the lender or other beneficiary of the pledge in order for the pledge to be effective;

 

•

the depositary’s policies, which may change from time to time, will govern payments, transfers, exchanges and other matters relating to an investor’s interest in a global security;

 

•

we and any applicable trustee have no responsibility for any aspect of the depositary’s actions or for its records of ownership interests in a global security, nor do we or any applicable trustee supervise the depositary in any way;

 

•

the depositary may, and we understand that DTC will, require that those who purchase and sell interests in a global security within its book-entry system use immediately available funds, and your broker or bank may require you to do so as well; and

 

•

financial institutions that participate in the depositary’s book-entry system, and through which an investor holds its interest in a global security, may also have their own policies affecting payments, notices and other matters relating to the securities.

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, the 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 name, so that they will be direct holders. We have described the rights of holders and street name investors above.

Unless we provide otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the global security will terminate when the following special situations occur:

 

•

if the depositary notifies us that it is unwilling, unable or no longer qualified to continue as depositary for that global security and we do not appoint another institution to act as depositary within 90 days;

 

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if we notify any applicable trustee that we wish to terminate that global security; or

 

•

if an event of default has occurred with regard to securities represented by that global security and has not been cured or waived.

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 applicable prospectus supplement. When a global security terminates, the depositary, and not we or 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 covered hereby from time to time pursuant to underwritten public offerings, direct sales to the public, negotiated transactions, block trades or a combination of these methods. A distribution of the securities offered by this prospectus may also be effected through the issuance of derivative securities, including without limitation, warrants and subscriptions. 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:

 

•

at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed;

 

•

at market prices prevailing at the time of sale;

 

•

at prices related to such prevailing market prices;

 

•

at varying prices determined at the time of sale; or

 

•

at negotiated prices.

A prospectus supplement or supplements will describe the terms of the offering of the securities, including:

 

•

the name or names of the underwriters, dealers or agents participating in the offering, if any;

 

•

the purchase price of the securities sold by us to any underwriter or dealer and the net proceeds we expect to receive from the offering;

 

•

any over-allotment options under which underwriters may purchase additional securities from us;

 

•

any agency fees or underwriting discounts or commissions and other items constituting agents’ or underwriters’ compensation;

 

•

any public offering price;

 

•

any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and

 

•

any securities exchange or market on which the securities may be listed.

Only underwriters named in the prospectus supplement will be 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, other than securities covered by any over-allotment option. Any public offering price and any discounts or commissions 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 and other compensation 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.

 

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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 may offer, other than common stock, will be new issues of securities with no established trading market. Any agents or 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. There is currently no market for any of the offered securities, other than our common stock which is listed on the on the NASDAQ Capital Market. We have no current plans for listing of the debt securities, preferred stock, warrants or subscription rights on any securities exchange or quotation system; any such listing with respect to any particular debt securities, preferred stock, warrants or subscription rights will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement or other offering materials, as the case may be.

Any underwriter may engage in overallotment, stabilizing transactions, short covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act. 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.

Any agents and underwriters who are qualified market makers on the NASDAQ Capital Market may engage in passive market making transactions in the securities on the NASDAQ Capital Market in accordance with 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.

In compliance with guidelines of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., or FINRA, the maximum compensation to be received by any FINRA member or independent broker dealer may not exceed 8% of the aggregate amount of the securities offered pursuant to this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement.

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 for us by Cooley LLP.

EXPERTS

Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, has audited our consolidated 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 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.

 

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC’s web site at http://www.sec.gov. 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. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for more information about the operation of the public reference room. The SEC maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC, including Dynavax Technologies Corporation. In addition, all of the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus may be accessed via the Internet at our website: www.dynavax.com. We have not incorporated by reference into this prospectus the information on our website, and you should not consider it to be a part of this prospectus.

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference the information we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document that we have filed separately with the SEC. You should read the information incorporated by reference because it is an important part of this prospectus. We incorporate by reference the following information or documents that we have filed with the SEC, excluding any portions of any Current Report on Form 8-K that are not deemed “filed” pursuant to the General Instructions of Form 8-K:

 

•

our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 filed with the SEC on March 8, 2016;

 

•

the information specifically incorporated by reference into our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 from our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for our 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, filed with the SEC on April 22, 2016;

 

•

our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the periods ended March 31, 2016 (filed with the SEC on May 9, 2016), June 30, 2016 (filed with the SEC on August 8, 2016) and September 30, 2016 (filed with the SEC on November 7, 2016);

 

•

our Current Reports on Form 8-K or 8-K/A (other than information furnished rather than filed) filed with the SEC on January 7, 2016, January 20, 2016, February 9, 2016, March 31, 2016, April 19, 2016, April 27, 2016, May 31, 2016, June 15, 2016, August 8, 2016, September 9, 2016, October 3, 2016, October 11, 2016, October 27, 2016, November 9, 2016, November 14, 2016, December 5, 2016, December 23, 2016, January 5, 2017 and January 13, 2017; and

 

•

the description of the our common stock contained in our registration statement on Form 8-A (No. 000-50577), filed with the SEC on February 6, 2004, as amended by Form 8-A, filed with the SEC on November 6, 2008, including any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description.

Any information in any of the foregoing documents will automatically be deemed to be modified or superseded to the extent that information in this prospectus or in a later filed document that is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated herein by reference modifies or replaces such information.

We also incorporate by reference any future filings (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) made with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act until we file a post-effective amendment that indicates the termination of the offering of the securities made by this prospectus. Information in such future filings updates and supplements the information provided in this prospectus. Any statements in any such future filings will automatically be deemed to modify and supersede any information in any document we previously filed with the SEC that is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated herein by reference to the extent that statements in the later filed document modify or replace such earlier statements.

 

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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 may request a copy of these filings at no cost, by writing to or telephoning us at the following address or telephone number, respectively:

Dynavax Technologies Corporation

Attention: Steven N. Gersten, Secretary

2929 7th Street, Suite 100

Berkeley, CA 94710-2753

(510) 848-5100

 

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PROSPECTUS

 

$90,000,000

Common Stock

 

 

We have entered into a certain Sales Agreement, or sales agreement, with Cowen and Company, LLC, or Cowen, relating to shares of our common stock offered by this prospectus. In accordance with the terms of the sales agreement, we may offer and sell shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $90 million from time to time through Cowen. As of February 10, 2017, we have sold $10,856,196 of our common stock under the Sales Agreement pursuant to our registration statement on Form S-3 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 12, 2015 (File No. 333-207966) (the “Prior Registration Statement”). Accordingly, we may now sell up to $79,143,804 of our common stock under the Sales Agreement.

Our common stock is quoted on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “DVAX.” The last reported sale price of our common stock on February 10, 2017 was $4.00 per share.

Sales of our common stock, if any, under this prospectus may be made in sales deemed to be “at-the-market” equity offerings as defined in Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, including sales made directly on or through the Exchange, the existing trading market for our common stock, sales made to or through a market maker other than on an exchange or otherwise, in negotiated transactions at market prices prevailing at the time of sale or at prices related to such prevailing market prices, and/or any other method permitted by law. Cowen is not required to sell any specific number or dollar amount of securities, but will act as a sales agent using commercially reasonable efforts consistent with its normal trading and sales practices, on mutually agreed terms between Cowen and us. There is no arrangement for funds to be received in any escrow, trust or similar arrangement.

The compensation to Cowen for sales of common stock sold pursuant to the sales agreement will be an amount up to 3% of the gross proceeds of any shares of common stock sold under the sales agreement. In connection with the sale of the common stock on our behalf, Cowen will be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act and the compensation of Cowen will be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts. We have also agreed to provide indemnification and contribution to Cowen with respect to certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act.

 

 

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should review carefully the risks and uncertainties described under the heading “Risk Factors” on page 4 of this prospectus and as updated 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.

 

 

Cowen and Company

The date of this prospectus is February 14, 2017.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prospectus

 

		Page
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS			1
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY			2
THE OFFERING			3
RISK FACTORS			4
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS			5
USE OF PROCEEDS			7
DILUTION			8
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK			9
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION			12
LEGAL MATTERS			13
EXPERTS			13
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION			13
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE			13

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus relates to the offering of our common stock. Before buying any of the common stock that we are offering, we urge you to carefully read this prospectus, together with the information incorporated by reference as described under the headings “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference” in this prospectus. These documents contain important information that you should consider when making your investment decision.

This prospectus describes the terms of this offering of common stock and also adds to and updates information contained in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus. To the extent there is a conflict between the information contained in this prospectus, on the one hand, and the information contained in any document incorporated by reference into this prospectus that was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, before the date of this prospectus, on the other hand, you should rely on the information in this prospectus. If any statement in one of these documents is inconsistent with a statement in another document having a later date — for example, a document incorporated by reference into this prospectus — the statement in the document having the later date modifies or supersedes the earlier statement.

You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and in any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering. We have not, and the sales agent has not, authorized anyone to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are not, and the sales agent is not, making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus, and in any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering, is accurate only as of the date of those respective documents. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates. You should read this prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus, and any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering, in their entirety before making an investment decision.

Unless otherwise mentioned or unless the context requires otherwise, all references in this prospectus to “Dynavax,” “we,” “our” or similar references mean Dynavax Technologies Corporation and its subsidiaries.

This 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 are the property of their respective owners.

 

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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 the other 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. The risks described in these documents are not the only ones we face, but those that we consider to be material. 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. Moreover, the risks described are not the only ones that we face. Additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently believe are immaterial may also significantly impair our business operations. Please also read carefully the section below titled “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

Additional Risks Related to This Offering

You will experience immediate and substantial dilution.

The offering price per share in this offering may exceed the net tangible book value per share of our common stock outstanding prior to this offering. Assuming that an aggregate of 22,500,000 shares of our common stock are sold at a price of $4.00 per share, the last reported sale price of our common stock on the NASDAQ Capital Market on February 10, 2017, for aggregate gross proceeds of $90 million, and after deducting commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, you will experience immediate dilution of $0.82 per share, representing the difference between our as adjusted net tangible book value per share as of September 30, 2016 after giving effect to this offering and the assumed offering price. The exercise of outstanding stock options and warrants will result in further dilution of your investment. See the section entitled “Dilution” below for a more detailed illustration of the dilution you would incur if you participate in this offering.

You may experience future dilution as a result of future equity offerings.

In order to raise additional capital, we may in the future offer additional shares of our common stock or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock at prices that may not be the same as the price per share in this offering. We may sell shares or other securities in any other offering at a price per share that is less than the price per share paid by investors in this offering, and investors purchasing shares or other securities in the future could have rights superior to existing stockholders. The price per share at which we sell additional shares of our common stock, or securities convertible or exchangeable into common stock, in future transactions may be higher or lower than the price per share paid by investors in this offering.

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

Our management will have broad discretion over the use of proceeds from this offering. We currently intend to use the net proceeds from this offering primarily for research, development, manufacturing, and commercialization of product candidates, and for other general corporate purposes. Pending these uses, we may also use the net proceeds to invest in short-term, interest-bearing securities.

Our management will have considerable discretion in the application of the net proceeds, and you will not have the opportunity, as part of your investment decision, to assess whether the proceeds are being used appropriately. The net proceeds may be used for corporate purposes that do not increase our operating results or enhance the value of our common stock.

 

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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus, the documents we file with the SEC that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act. These statements relate to future events or to our future operating or financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performances or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. All statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. These statements appear throughout this prospectus and the documents we file with the SEC that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus and can be identified by the use of forward-looking language such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “future,” or “intend,” or the negative of these terms or other variations or comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements about:

 

•

our ability to successfully develop and timely achieve regulatory approval for HEPLISAV-B;

 

•

our ability to timely and appropriately respond to the complete response letter issued to us in November 2016 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, with respect to our Biologics License Application for HEPLISAV-B;

 

•

our ability to successfully develop and obtain regulatory approve of our early stage cancer compounds, SD-101 and DV281;

 

•

the progress, timing and results of clinical trials and research and development efforts involving our product candidates;

 

•

the potential for and timing of regulatory clearances and approvals by the FDA and international regulatory agencies;

 

•

our ability to manufacture and commercialize our product candidates;

 

•

our business strategy and our expectations with respect to the implementation of our business strategy;

 

•

our expectations with respect to the potential commercial value of our product candidates;

 

•

the benefits we expect to derive from relationships with our collaborators;

 

•

our expectations with respect to our intellectual property position;

 

•

the use of proceeds from this offering; and

 

•

our estimates regarding our capital requirements and our need for additional financing.

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,” “future,” “intend,” “certain,” and similar expressions 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” on page 4 of this prospectus and in our SEC filings. Also, these forward-looking statements represent our estimates and assumptions only as of the date of the document containing the applicable statement.

You should read this prospectus, the documents we file with the SEC that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect. We qualify all of the forward-looking statements in the foregoing documents by these cautionary statements.

 

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You should rely only on the information contained, or incorporated by reference, in this prospectus and any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering. We and the sales agent for this offering have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. The common stock offered under this prospectus is not being offered in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of this prospectus, or that any information incorporated by reference into this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date of the document so incorporated by reference. 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.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We may issue and sell shares of our common stock having aggregate sales proceeds of up to $90 million from time to time. Of this $90 million, we have previously sold $10,856,196 of our common stock as of February 10, 2017. Accordingly we may now sell the remaining $79,143,804 of our common stock. Because there is no minimum offering amount required as a condition to close this offering, the actual total public offering amount, commissions and proceeds to us, if any, are not determinable at this time. We estimate that the net proceeds from the sale of the shares of common stock that we are offering may be up to approximately $87.9 million, after deducting Cowen’s commission and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

We currently intend to use the net proceeds from this offering primarily for research, development, manufacturing, and commercialization of product candidates, and for other general corporate purposes. Pending these uses, we expect to invest the net proceeds in short-term, interest-bearing securities.

 

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DILUTION

Our net tangible book value as of September 30, 2016 was approximately $106.2 million, or $2.76 per share. Net tangible book value per share is determined by dividing our total tangible assets, less total liabilities, by the number of shares of our common stock outstanding as of September 30, 2016. Dilution with respect to net tangible book value per share represents the difference between the amount per share paid by purchasers of shares of common stock in this offering and the net tangible book value per share of our common stock immediately after this offering.

After giving effect to the sale of 22,500,000 shares of our common stock in this offering at an assumed offering price of $4.00 per share, the last reported sale price of our common stock on the NASDAQ Capital Market on February 10, 2017, and after deducting estimated offering commissions and offering expenses payable by us, our as adjusted net tangible book value as of September 30, 2016 would have been approximately $194.1 million, or $3.18 per share. This represents an immediate increase in net tangible book value of $0.42 per share to existing stockholders and immediate dilution of $0.82 per share to investors purchasing our common stock in this offering at the public offering price. The following table illustrates this dilution on a per share basis:

 

Assumed public offering price per share						$	4.00
Net tangible book value per share of as September 30, 2016		$	2.76
Increase in net tangible book value per share attributable to this offering		$	0.42
As adjusted net tangible book value per share as of September 30, 2016, after giving effect to this offering						$	3.18
Dilution per share to investors purchasing our common stock in this offering						$	0.82

The above discussion and table are based on 38,526,254 shares outstanding as of September 30, 2016, and exclude as of that date:

 

•

No shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants outstanding as of September 30, 2016;

 

•

4,136,404 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of stock options outstanding as of September 30, 2016, having a weighted average exercise price of $22.06 per share;

 

•

543,063 unvested restricted stock units as of September 30, 2016; and

 

•

an aggregate of 3,684,773 shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under our stock option and employee stock purchase plans as of September 30, 2016.

The table above assumes for illustrative purposes that an aggregate of 22,500,000 shares of our common stock are sold during the term of the sales agreement with Cowen at a price of $4.00 per share, the last reported sale price of our common stock on The NASDAQ Capital Market on February 10, 2017, for aggregate gross proceeds of $90,000,000. The shares subject to the sales agreement with Cowen are being sold from time to time at various prices. An increase of $1.00 per share in the price at which the shares are sold from the assumed offering price of $4.00 per share shown in the table above, assuming all of our common stock in the aggregate amount of $90,000,000 during the term of the sales agreement with Cowen is sold at that price, would increase our adjusted net tangible book value per share after the offering to $3.43 per share and would increase the dilution in net tangible book value per share to new investors in this offering to $1.57 per share, after deducting commissions and estimated aggregate offering expenses payable by us. A decrease of $1.00 per share in the price at which the shares are sold from the assumed offering price of $4.00 per share shown in the table above, assuming all of our common stock in the aggregate amount of $90,000,000 during the term of the sales agreement with Cowen is sold at that price, would decrease our adjusted net tangible book value per share after the offering to $2.83 per share and would decrease the dilution in net tangible book value per share to new investors in this offering to $0.17 per share, after deducting commissions and estimated aggregate offering expenses payable by us. This information is supplied for illustrative purposes only.

To the extent that outstanding options or warrants outstanding as of September 30, 2016 have been or may be exercised or other shares issued, investors purchasing our common stock in this offering may experience further dilution. In addition, we may choose to raise additional capital due to market conditions or strategic considerations even if we believe we have sufficient funds for our current or future operating plans. To the extent that additional capital is raised through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, the issuance of these securities could result in further dilution to our stockholders.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

General

Our authorized capital stock consists of 69,500,000 shares of common stock, $0.001 par value per share, and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.001 par value per share, 450,000 shares of which has been designated as Series A Junior Participating Preferred. As of February 10, 2017, there were 41,233,752 shares of our common stock outstanding and no shares of preferred stock outstanding.

The following summary description of our capital stock is based on the provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, or certificate of incorporation, and amended and restated bylaws, or bylaws, and the applicable provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law (“Delaware Law”). This information is qualified entirely by reference to the applicable provisions of our certificate of incorporation, bylaws and Delaware Law. For information on how to obtain copies of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws, which are exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, see the section entitled “Where You Can Find Additional Information” in this prospectus.

Common Stock

Voting Rights. Each holder of common stock is entitled to one vote for each share on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders, including the election of directors. Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws do not provide for cumulative voting rights. Because of this, the holders of a majority of the shares of common stock entitled to vote in any election of directors can elect all of the directors standing for election, if they should so choose.

Dividends. Subject to preferences that may be applicable to any then outstanding preferred stock, holders of common stock are entitled to receive dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by our board of directors out of legally available funds.

Liquidation. In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, holders of common stock will be entitled to share ratably in the net assets legally available for distribution to 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 then outstanding shares of preferred stock.

Rights and Preferences. Holders of common stock have no preemptive, conversion or subscription rights, and there are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the common stock. The rights, preferences and privileges of the holders of common stock are subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of shares of any series of preferred stock which we may designate in the future.

Fully Paid and Nonassessable. All of our outstanding shares of common stock are, and the shares of common stock to be issued in this offering, if any, will be, fully paid and nonassessable.

Preferred Stock

Pursuant to our certificate of incorporation, our board of directors has the authority, without further action by the stockholders (unless such stockholder action is required by applicable law or the rules of any stock exchange or market on which our securities are then traded), to designate and issue up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series, to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each such series, to fix the designations, voting powers, preferences and rights of the shares of each wholly unissued series, and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, and to increase or decrease the number of shares of any such series, but not below the number of shares of such series then outstanding.

 

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Delaware Law provides that the holders of preferred stock will have the right to vote separately as a class (or, in some cases, as a series) on an amendment to our certificate of incorporation if the amendment would change the par value or, unless the certificate of incorporation provided otherwise, the number of authorized shares of the class or change the powers, preferences or special rights of the class or series so as to adversely affect the class or series, as the case may be. This right is in addition to any voting rights that may be provided for in the applicable certificate of designation.

Our board of directors may authorize the issuance of preferred stock with voting, exchange or conversion rights that could adversely affect the voting power or other rights of the holders of our common stock. Preferred stock could be issued quickly with terms designed to delay 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.

Rights Agreement

On November 5, 2008, we entered into a Rights Agreement with Mellon Investor Services LLC (now Computershare Limited) under which one preferred share purchase right was distributed on November 17, 2008 for each share of common stock held on that date. No certificates for the rights will be issued unless a person or group, subject to certain exceptions, acquires or makes a tender offer to purchase 20% or more of our common stock. Each right entitles the registered stockholder to purchase from us, upon such event, one one-hundredth of a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share, at a price of $6.00 per one one-hundredth of a preferred share, subject to adjustment. Each preferred share has designations and powers, preferences and rights, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions designed to make it the economic equivalent of a share of common stock. The rights expire on November 18, 2018, and are subject to redemption at a price of $0.001 in specified circumstances.

Anti-Takeover Effects of Provisions of Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws

Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws provide for our board of directors to be divided into three classes, with staggered three-year terms. Only one class of directors is elected at each annual meeting of our stockholders, with the other classes continuing for the remainder of their respective three-year terms. Because our stockholders do not have cumulative voting rights, our stockholders representing a majority of the shares of common stock outstanding will be able to elect all of our directors due to be elected at each annual meeting of our stockholders. In addition, our certificate of incorporation provides that vacancies on our board of directors resulting from death, resignation, disqualification, removal or other causes may be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors in office, even if less than a quorum, and that newly created directorships shall be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office, even if less than a quorum, unless our board of directors determines otherwise. Our bylaws provide that all stockholder action must be effected at a duly called meeting of stockholders and not by a consent in writing, and that only the chairman of our board, our president, our secretary or a majority of the authorized number of directors may call a special meeting of stockholders. Our certificate of incorporation requires a 66-2/3% stockholder vote for the amendment, repeal or modification of certain provisions of our certificate of incorporation relating to, among other things, the classification of our board of directors and filling of vacancies on our board of directors. Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws also require a 66-2/3% stockholder vote for the stockholders to adopt, amend or repeal certain provisions of our bylaws relating to stockholder proposals at annual meetings, director nominees and the number and term of office of directors.

The combination of the classification of our board of directors, the lack of cumulative voting and the 66-2/3% stockholder voting requirements will make it more difficult for our existing stockholders to replace our board of directors as well as for another party to obtain control of us by replacing our board of directors. Since our board of directors has the power to retain and discharge our officers, these provisions could also make it more difficult for existing stockholders or another party to effect a change in management. In addition, the authorization of undesignated preferred stock makes it possible for our board of directors to issue preferred stock with voting or other rights or preferences that could impede the success of any attempt to effect a change of our control.

 

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These provisions may have the effect of deterring hostile takeovers or delaying changes in our control or in our management. These provisions are intended to enhance the likelihood of continued stability in the composition of our board of directors and in the policies they implement, and to discourage certain types of transactions that may involve an actual or threatened change of our control. These provisions are designed to reduce our vulnerability to an unsolicited acquisition proposal. The provisions also are intended to discourage certain tactics that may be used in proxy fights. However, such provisions could have the effect of discouraging others from making tender offers for our shares and, as a consequence, they also may inhibit fluctuations in the market price of our shares that could result from actual or rumored takeover attempts.

Section 203 of Delaware Law

We are subject to Section 203 of Delaware Law, or Section 203, which prohibits a Delaware corporation from engaging in any business combination with any interested stockholder for a period of three years after the date that such stockholder became an interested stockholder, with the following exceptions:

 

•

before such date, the board of directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;

 

•

upon completion of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction began, excluding for purposes of determining the voting stock outstanding (but not the outstanding voting stock owned by the interested stockholder) those shares owned (i) by persons who are directors and also officers and (ii) employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or

 

•

on or after such date, the business combination is approved by the board of directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of the stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least 66-2/3% of the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder.

In general, Section 203 defines business combination to include the following:

 

•

any merger or consolidation involving the corporation and the interested stockholder;

 

•

any sale, lease, transfer, pledge or other disposition of 10% or more of the assets of the corporation to or with the interested stockholder;

 

•

subject to certain exceptions, any transaction that results in the issuance or transfer by the corporation of any stock of the corporation to the interested stockholder;

 

•

any transaction involving the corporation that has the effect of increasing the proportionate share of the stock or any class or series of the corporation beneficially owned by the interested stockholder; or

 

•

the receipt by the interested stockholder of the benefit of any loss, advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits by or through the corporation.

In general, Section 203 defines interested stockholder as an entity or person beneficially owning 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation or any entity or person affiliated with or controlling or controlled by such entity or person.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Computershare Investor Services. Its address is P.O. Box 43070, Providence, RI 02940-3070. Its phone number is (800) 522-6645. The transfer agent for any series of preferred stock, debt securities or warrants that we may offer under this prospectus will be named and described in the prospectus supplement for that series.

NASDAQ Capital Market Listing

Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “DVAX.”

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We have entered into a sales agreement with Cowen under which we may issue and sell shares of our common stock having aggregate sales proceeds of up to $90 million from time to time through Cowen acting as agent. As of February 10, 2017, we have sold $10,856,196 of our common Stock under the sales agreement with Cowen and pursuant to our registration statement on Form S-3 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 12, 2015 (File No. 333-207966) (the “Prior Registration Statement”). Accordingly, we may now sell up to $79,143,804 of our common stock under the sales agreement. Cowen may sell the common stock by any method that is deemed to be an “at-the-market” equity offering as defined in Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act including sales made directly on or through the NASDAQ Capital Market or any other existing trading market for the common stock in the U.S. or to or through a market maker.

Each time we wish to issue and sell common stock under the sales agreement, we will notify Cowen of the number of shares to be issued, the dates on which such sales are anticipated to be made and any minimum price below which sales may not be made. Once we have so instructed Cowen, unless Cowen declines to accept the terms of this notice, Cowen has agreed to use its commercially reasonable efforts consistent with its normal trading and sales practices to sell such shares up to the amount specified on such terms. The obligations of Cowen under the sales agreement to sell our common stock are subject to a number of conditions that we must meet.

The settlement between us and Cowen is generally anticipated to occur on the third trading day following the date on which the sale was made. Sales of our common stock as contemplated in this prospectus will be settled through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company or by such other means as we and Cowen may agree upon. There is no arrangement for funds to be received in an escrow, trust or similar arrangement.

We will pay Cowen a commission equal to an aggregate of up to 3% of the gross proceeds we receive from the sales of our common stock. Because there is no minimum offering amount required as a condition to close this offering, the actual total public offering amount, commissions and proceeds to us, if any, are not determinable at this time. In connection with the sale of the common stock on our behalf, Cowen may, and will with respect to sales effected in an “at-the-market-offering,” be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act, and the compensation of Cowen will be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts. We have agreed to provide indemnification and contribution to Cowen with respect to certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. We estimate that the total expenses for the offering, excluding compensation payable to Cowen under the terms of the sales agreement, will be approximately $250,000.

The offering of our common stock pursuant to the sales agreement will terminate upon the earlier of (i) the issuance and sale of all of our common stock provided for in this prospectus, or (ii) termination of the sales agreement as permitted therein.

This summary of the material provisions of the sales agreement does not purport to be a complete statement of its terms and conditions. A copy of the sales agreement is filed with the SEC and is incorporated by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. See “Where You Can Find More Information” below.

To the extent required by Regulation M, Cowen will not engage in any market making activities involving our common stock while the offering is ongoing under this prospectus.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the common stock offered by this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Cooley LLP, Palo Alto, California. Goodwin Procter LLP, New York, New York, is counsel for Cowen in connection with this offering.

EXPERTS

Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, has audited our consolidated 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 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 the registration statement on Form S-3 we filed with the SEC under the Securities Act and do not contain all the information set forth in the registration statement. Whenever a reference is made in this prospectus to any of our contracts, agreements or other documents, the reference may not be complete and you should refer to the exhibits that are a part of the registration statement or the exhibits to the reports or other documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus for a copy of such contract, agreement or other document. Because we are subject to the information and reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, we file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. You also 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. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the Public Reference Room.

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information from other documents that we file with it, 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. Information contained in this prospectus and information that we file with the SEC in the future and incorporate by reference in this prospectus will automatically update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings (other than Current Reports on Form 8-K furnished under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 and exhibits filed on such form that are related to such items) we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of the prospectus and before the sale of all the securities covered by this prospectus:

 

•

our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 filed with the SEC on March 8, 2016;

 

•

the information specifically incorporated by reference into our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 from our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for our 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, filed with the SEC on April 22, 2016;

 

•

our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the periods ended March 31, 2016 (filed with the SEC on May 9, 2016), June 30, 2016 (filed with the SEC on August 8, 2016) and September 30, 2016 (filed with the SEC on November 7, 2016);

 

•

our Current Reports on Form 8-K or 8-K/A (other than information furnished rather than filed) filed with the SEC on January 7, 2016, January 20, 2016, February 9, 2016, March 31, 2016, April 19, 2016, April 27, 2016, May 31, 2016, June 15, 2016, August 8, 2016, September 9, 2016, October 3, 2016, October 11, 2016, October 27, 2016, November 9, 2016, November 14, 2016, December 5, 2016, December 23, 2016, January 5, 2017 and January 13, 2017; and

 

•

the description of the our common stock contained in our registration statement on Form 8-A (No. 000-50577), filed with the SEC on February 6, 2004, as amended by Form 8-A, filed with the SEC on November 6, 2008, including any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description.

 

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The public may read and copy any materials we filed with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549 or by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC maintains an Internet website that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information that we file electronically with the SEC at www.sec.gov. You can request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at the following address or telephone number:

Dynavax Technologies Corporation

Attention: Steven N. Gersten, Secretary

2929 7th Street, Suite 100

Berkeley, CA 94710-2753

(510) 848-5100

 

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$90,000,000

 

Common stock

 

 

Prospectus

 

 

Cowen and Company

 

 

February 14, 2017

 

 

 

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PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS

 

Item 14.

Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

The following table sets forth an estimate of the fees and expenses payable by the registrant in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities being registered. All amounts are estimated except the SEC registration filing fee. All of the expenses below will be paid by us.

 

SEC registration fee		$	23,180.00*
NASDAQ Capital Market Listing Fee			**
Accounting fees and expenses			**
Legal fees and expenses			**
Transfer agent and registrar fees			**
Printing and engraving expenses			**
Miscellaneous			**
Total		$	**

 

*	The registrant previously paid a fee of $9,063.00, related to $90,000,000 of the registrant’s Common Stock that may be issued and sold under a certain sales agreement with Cowen and Company, LLC.

**	These fees are calculated based on the securities offered and the number of issuances and, accordingly, cannot be estimated at this time. The applicable prospectus supplement will set forth the estimated amount of expenses of any offering of securities.

 

Item 15.

Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

Under Section 145 of the Delaware Law, the registrant has broad powers to indemnify its directors and officers against liabilities they may incur in such capacities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

The registrant’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws include provisions which (i) eliminate the personal liability of its directors for monetary damages resulting from breaches of their fiduciary duty to the extent permitted by Delaware Law and (ii) require the registrant to indemnify its directors, officers, employees and agents to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware Law, including circumstances in which indemnification is otherwise discretionary. Pursuant to Section 145 of the Delaware Law, a corporation generally has the power to indemnify its present and former directors, officers, employees and agents against expenses incurred by them in connection with any suit to which they are, or are threatened to be made, a party by reason of their serving in such positions so long as they acted in good faith and in a manner they reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to, the best interests of the corporation and, with respect to any criminal action, had no reasonable cause to believe their conduct was unlawful. The registrant believes that these provisions are necessary to attract and retain qualified persons as directors and executive officers. These provisions do not eliminate the directors’ duty of care, and, in appropriate circumstances, equitable remedies such as injunctive or other forms of non-monetary relief will remain available under Delaware Law. In addition, each director will continue to be subject to liability for breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the registrant, for acts or omissions not in good faith or involving intentional misconduct, for knowing violations of law, for acts or omissions that the director believes to be contrary to the registrant’s best interests or the best interests of the registrant’s stockholders, for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit, and any act related to unlawful stock repurchases, redemptions or other distribution or payments of dividends. The provision also does not affect a director’s responsibilities under any other law, such as the federal securities law or state or federal environmental laws.

The registrant has entered into indemnity agreements with certain of its directors and executive officers that require the registrant to indemnify such persons against expenses, judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts incurred (including expenses of a derivative action) in connection with any proceeding, whether actual or threatened, to which any such person may be made a party by reason of the fact that such person is or was one of the registrant’s directors or executive officers, provided, among other things, that such person’s conduct was not knowingly fraudulent or deliberately dishonest or constituted willful misconduct. The indemnification agreements also set forth certain procedures that will apply in the event of a claim for indemnification thereunder.

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At present, there is no pending litigation or proceeding involving any of the registrant’s directors or executive officers as to which indemnification is being sought nor is the registrant aware of any threatened litigation that may result in claims for indemnification by any executive officer or director.

The registrant maintains an insurance policy covering its officers and directors with respect to certain liabilities, including liabilities arising under the Securities Act or otherwise.

The underwriting agreement, if any, entered into with respect to an offering of securities registered hereunder will provide for indemnification by any underwriters of any offering, our directors and officers who sign the registration statement and our controlling persons for some liabilities, including liabilities arising under the Securities Act.

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Item 16.

Exhibits.

 

				Incorporated by Reference
Exhibit Number		Document		Exhibit Number				Filing				Filing Date		File No.				Filed Herewith
1.1*		Form of Underwriting Agreement
1.2		Sales Agreement, dated as of November 12, 2015, between the Company and Cowen and Company, LLC			1.2				8-K			November 12, 2015			001-34207
3.1		Sixth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation			3.1				S-1/A			February 5, 2004			333-109965
3.2		Certificate of Amendment of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation			3.1				8-K			January 4, 2010			001-34207
3.3		Certificate of Amendment of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation			3.1				8-K			January 5, 2011			001-34207
3.4		Certificate of Amendment of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation			3.6				8-K			May 30, 2013			001-34207
3.5		Certificate of Amendment of the Sixth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation			3.1				8-K			November 10, 2014			001-34207
3.6		Amended and Restated Bylaws			3.2				S-1/A			February 5, 2004			333-109965
3.7		Form of Certificate of Designation of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock			3.3				8-K			November 6, 2008			000-50577
4.1		Reference is made to Exhibits 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6 and 3.7 above
4.2		Form of Specimen Common Stock Certificate			4.2				S-1/A			January 16, 2004			333-109965

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4.3		Rights Agreement, dated as of November 5, 2008, by and between the Company and Mellon Investor Services LLC			4.4			8-K		November 6, 2008		000-50577
4.4		Form of Right Certificate			4.5			8-K		November 6, 2008		000-50577
4.5		Form of Common Stock Warrant Agreement and Warrant Certificate			4.5			S-3ASR		November 12, 2015		333-207966
4.6		Form of Preferred Stock Warrant Agreement and Warrant Certificate			4.6			S-3ASR		November 12, 2015		333-207966
4.7		Form of Debt Securities Warrant Agreement and Warrant Certificate			4.7			S-3ASR		November 12, 2015		333-207966
4.8*		Form of Specimen Preferred Stock Certificate and Form of Certificate of Designation of Preferred Stock
4.9*		Form of Debt Securities
4.10		Form of Debt Indenture, between the Company and one or more trustees to be named			4.10			S-3ASR		November 12, 2015		333-207966
5.1		Opinion of Cooley LLP												X
12.1		Statement of Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges												X
23.1		Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm												X
23.2		Consent of Cooley LLP is contained in Exhibit 5.1 to this Registration Statement												X
24.1		Power of Attorney (previously filed with the SEC)												X
25.1**		Statement of Eligibility of Trustee under the Debt Indenture

 

*	To be filed by amendment or as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference, if applicable.

**	To be filed separately under electronic form type 305B2, if applicable.

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Item 17.

Undertakings.

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

 

(1)

To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

 

(i)

To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;

 

(ii)

To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and

 

(iii)

To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

provided, however, that subparagraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) above shall not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in the periodic reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

 

(2)

That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

(3)

To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

 

(4)

That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser:

 

(A)

Each prospectus filed by a registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

 

(B)

Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5) or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii) or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which the prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however , that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.

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(5)

That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any to the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

 

(i)

Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

 

(ii)

Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;

 

(iii)

The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and

 

(iv)

Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

 

(6)

That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

(7)

That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, (i) the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of the registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in the form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(l) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be a part of the registration statement as of the time it was declared effective; and (ii) each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

(8)

To file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act, in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the SEC under Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to existing provisions or arrangements whereby the registrant may indemnify a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant against liabilities arising under the Securities Act, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Form S-3 ASR to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Berkeley, State of California, on February 14, 2017.

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Form S-3 ASR has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

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Signature		Title		Date
/s/ EDDIE GRAY		Chief Executive Officer and Director		February 14, 2017
Eddie Gray		(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ MICHAEL S. OSTRACH		Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer		February 14, 2017
Michael S. Ostrach		(Chief Financial Officer)
*		Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer		February 14, 2017
David Johnson		(Principal Accounting Officer)
*		Director		February 14, 2017
Arnold L. Oronsky, Ph.D.
*		Director		February 14, 2017
Laura Brege
*		Director		February 14, 2017
Francis R. Cano, Ph.D.
*		Director		February 14, 2017
Dennis A. Carson, M.D.
*		Director		February 14, 2017
Daniel L. Kisner, M.D.
*		Director		February 14, 2017
Peggy V. Phillips
*		Director		February 14, 2017
Stanley A. Plotkin, M.D.
*		Director		February 14, 2017
Natale Ricciardi

 

*By:		/s/ Eddie Gray
		Eddie Gray
		Attorney-In-Fact

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

				Incorporated by Reference
Exhibit Number		Document		Exhibit Number				Filing				Filing Date		File No.				Filed Herewith
1.1*		Form of Underwriting Agreement
1.2		Sales Agreement, dated as of November 12, 2015, between the Company and Cowen and Company, LLC			1.2				8-K			November 12, 2015			001-34207
3.1		Sixth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation			3.1				S-1/A			February 5, 2004			333-109965
3.2		Certificate of Amendment of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation			3.1				8-K			January 4, 2010			001-34207
3.3		Certificate of Amendment of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation			3.1				8-K			January 5, 2011			001-34207
3.4		Certificate of Amendment of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation			3.6				8-K			May 30, 2013			001-34207
3.5		Certificate of Amendment of the Sixth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation			3.1				8-K			November 10, 2014			001-34207
3.6		Amended and Restated Bylaws			3.2				S-1/A			February 5, 2004			333-109965
3.7		Form of Certificate of Designation of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock			3.3				8-K			November 6, 2008			000-50577
4.1		Reference is made to Exhibits 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6 and 3.7 above
4.2		Form of Specimen Common Stock Certificate			4.2				S-1/A			January 16, 2004			333-109965

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Incorporated by Reference

Exhibit Number

Document

Exhibit Number

Filing

Filing Date

File No.

Filed Herewith

4.3

Rights Agreement, dated as of November 5, 2008, by and between the Company and Mellon Investor Services LLC

4.4

8-K

November 6, 2008

000-50577

4.4

Form of Right Certificate

4.5

8-K

November 6, 2008

000-50577

4.5

Form of Common Stock Warrant Agreement and Warrant Certificate

4.5

S-3ASR

November 12, 2015

333-207966

4.6

Form of Preferred Stock Warrant Agreement and Warrant Certificate

4.6

S-3ASR

November 12, 2015

333-207966

4.7

Form of Debt Securities Warrant Agreement and Warrant Certificate

4.7

S-3ASR

November 12, 2015

333-207966

4.8*

Form of Specimen Preferred Stock Certificate and Form of Certificate of Designation of Preferred Stock

4.9*

Form of Debt Securities

4.10

Form of Debt Indenture, between the Company and one or more trustees to be named

4.10

S-3ASR

November 12, 2015

333-207966

5.1

Opinion of Cooley LLP

X

12.1

Statement of Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

X

23.1

Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

X

23.2

Consent of Cooley LLP is contained in Exhibit 5.1 to this Registration Statement

X

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Incorporated by Reference

Exhibit Number

Document

Exhibit Number

Filing

Filing Date

File No.

Filed Herewith

24.1

Power of Attorney (previously filed with the SEC)

X

25.1**

Statement of Eligibility of Trustee under the Debt Indenture

 

*	To be filed by amendment or as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference, if applicable.

**	To be filed separately under electronic form type 305B2, if applicable.