Securities Registration: Employee Benefit Plan (s-8)
August 11 2022 - 5:11PM
Edgar (US Regulatory)
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
on August 11, 2022
Registration
No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES
ACT OF 1933
Marker
Therapeutics, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its
charter)
Delaware |
45-4497941 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
3200 Southwest Freeway, Suite 2500
Houston, Texas |
77027 |
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) |
(Zip Code) |
Marker Therapeutics, Inc. 2020 Equity
Incentive Plan
(Full title of the plan)
Peter Hoang
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Marker Therapeutics, Inc.
3200 Southwest Freeway, Suite 2500
Houston, Texas 77027
(713) 400-6400
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone
number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copies to:
Divakar Gupta
Darren DeStefano
Madison A. Jones
Cooley LLP
55 Hudson Yards
New York, NY 10001
Tel: (212) 479-6000
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant
is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company.
See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,”
and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer |
¨ |
Accelerated filer |
¨ |
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Non-accelerated filer |
x |
Smaller reporting company |
x |
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Emerging growth company |
¨ |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check
mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting
standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ¨
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This Registration Statement on Form S-8
(this “Registration Statement”) is being filed to register an additional 8,500,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001
per share (“Common Stock”), of Marker Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Registrant”) issuable pursuant to the Registrant’s
2020 Equity Incentive Plan (as amended, the “Plan”). On May 24, 2022, stockholders of the Registrant approved an amendment
to the Plan that increased the number of shares of Common Stock issuable thereunder by 8,500,000 shares. The prior registration statement
that the Registrant filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on June 12, 2020 (Registration No. 333-239136)
relating to the Plan is incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement. This incorporation is made under General Instruction
E of Form S-8 regarding the registration of additional securities of the same class as other securities for which there has been
filed a registration statement on Form S-8 relating to the same employee benefit plan.
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
The following documents filed by the Registrant
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) are incorporated by reference into this registration statement (other
than information furnished under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K or other portions of documents filed with the SEC which are
furnished, but not filed, pursuant to applicable rules promulgated by the SEC):
All reports and other documents subsequently
filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
“Exchange Act”), prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered have been
sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this registration statement
and to be a part hereof from the date of the filing of such reports and documents; provided, however, that documents, reports and definitive
proxy or information statements, or portions thereof, which are furnished and not filed in accordance with the rules of the SEC
shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into this registration statement. Any statement contained in a document incorporated by
reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this registration statement to the extent that a statement
contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies
or supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute
a part of this registration statement.
Item 4. Description of Securities.
Not applicable.
Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
Not applicable.
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
The Registrant is incorporated under the laws
of the State of Delaware. Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides that a Delaware corporation may indemnify
any persons who were, are, or are threatened to be made, parties to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding,
whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of such corporation), by reason of
the fact that such person is or was an officer, director, employee or agent of such corporation, or is or was serving at the request
of such corporation as an officer, director, employee or agent of another corporation or enterprise. The indemnity may include expenses
(including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in
connection with such action, suit or proceeding, provided that such person acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed
to be in or not opposed to the corporation’s best interests and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable
cause to believe that his or her conduct was illegal. A Delaware corporation may indemnify any persons who were, are, or are threatened
to be made, a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation by reason of the fact
that such person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such corporation
as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or enterprise. The indemnity may include expenses (including attorneys’
fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit provided such
person acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the corporation’s best interests
except that no indemnification is permitted without judicial approval if the officer or director is adjudged to be liable to the corporation.
Where an officer or director is successful on the merits or otherwise in the defense of any action referred to above, the corporation
must indemnify him or her against the expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred.
The Registrant’s Amended and Restated Certificate
of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws provide for indemnification of the Registrant’s directors and officers to the
fullest extent permitted by law. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers
or controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the Registrant’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, Amended
and Restated Bylaws and the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”), the Registrant has been informed that in the opinion
of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.
Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL provides
that a certificate of incorporation may include a provision which eliminates or limits the personal liability of a director to the corporation
or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (i) for any breach of
the director’s duty of loyalty to the company or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve
intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the DGCL, relating to prohibited dividends
or distributions or the repurchase or redemption of stock or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derives an improper
personal benefit. The Registrant’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation includes such a provision. As a result of
this provision, the Registrant and its stockholders may be unable to obtain monetary damages from a director for breach of his or her
duty of care.
As permitted under the DGCL, the Registrant has
entered into indemnification agreements with each of its directors and certain of its executive officers that require the Registrant
to indemnify such persons against any and all expenses (including attorneys’, witness or other professional fees), and, unless
in connection with a proceeding by or in the right of the Registrant, any and all judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement, actually
and reasonably incurred by such persons or on such persons’ behalf in connection with any proceeding, whether actual or threatened,
to which any such person may be involved as a party or otherwise by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or an executive
officer of the Registrant or is or was serving at the request of the Registrant as a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary
of another enterprise, provided such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed
to the best interests of the Registrant and, with respect to any criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe such person’s
conduct was unlawful. Under these agreements, the Registrant is not required to provide indemnification for certain matters, including:
| ● | indemnification
beyond that permitted by applicable law; |
| ● | except
as provided in the indemnification agreements, an accounting of profits made from the purchase
and sale (or sale and purchase) by such director or executive officer of securities of the
Registrant within the meaning of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act or similar provisions
of state statutory law or common law; |
| ● | except
as provided in the indemnification agreements, any reimbursement of the Registrant by such
director or executive officer of any bonus or other incentive-based or equity-based compensation
or of any profits realized by such director or executive officer from the sale of securities
of the Registrant, as required in each case under the Exchange Act; or |
| ● | except
as provided in the indemnification agreements, in connection with any proceeding initiated
by such director or executive officer, unless (i) the Registrant’s Board of Directors
authorized the proceeding prior to its initiation or (ii) the Registrant provides the
indemnification, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the Registrant
under applicable law. |
The indemnification agreements also set forth
certain procedures, presumptions and remedies that will apply in the event of a claim for indemnification thereunder.
Item 7. Exemption From Registration Claimed.
Not applicable.
Item 8. Exhibits.
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Incorporated by Reference |
Exhibit
Number |
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Description |
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Schedule
Form |
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File
Number |
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Exhibit |
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Filing Date |
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3.1 |
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Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Marker Therapeutics, Inc., as amended through May 24,
2022 |
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8-K |
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001-37939 |
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3.1 |
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5/27/22 |
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3.2 |
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Bylaws of Marker Therapeutics, Inc. |
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8-K |
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001-37939 |
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3.6 |
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10/17/18 |
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4.1 |
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Marker Therapeutics, Inc. 2020 Equity Incentive Plan. |
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S-8 |
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333-239136 |
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99.1 |
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6/12/20 |
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4.2 |
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Form of Stock Option Grant Notice and Stock Option Agreement under the Marker Therapeutics, Inc.
2020 Equity Incentive Plan. |
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10-Q |
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001-37939 |
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10.1 |
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11/9/20 |
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4.3 |
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Form of Restricted Stock Unit Grant Notice and Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the
Marker Therapeutics, Inc. 2020 Equity Incentive Plan. |
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10-Q |
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001-37939 |
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10.2 |
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11/9/20 |
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4.4* |
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Marker Therapeutics, Inc. 2020 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended on May 24,
2022 |
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5.1* |
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Opinion of Cooley LLP |
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23.1* |
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Consent of Cooley LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1). |
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23.2* |
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Consent of Marcum LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting
Firm |
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24.1* |
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Power of Attorney (included on the signature page of this Form S-8). |
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107* |
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Exhibit Fee Table |
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* |
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Filed herewith. |
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Item 9. Undertakings.
(a) 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 Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes
in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of
Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement;
(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 paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and
(a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-8, and the information required to be included in a post-effective
amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13
or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement; and
| (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. |
(b) The undersigned Registrant hereby
undertakes 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 Section 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.
(c) Insofar as indemnification
for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant
to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission 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.
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-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Houston, State of Texas, on August 11, 2022.
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Marker Therapeutics, Inc. |
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By: |
/s/ Peter Hoang |
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Peter Hoang |
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Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer) |
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Each of the undersigned officers and directors
of Marker Therapeutics, Inc., hereby constitutes and appoints Peter Hoang and Anthony Kim, their true and lawful attorney-in-fact
and agent, for them and in their name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign their name to any and all amendments to this
Report on Form 10-K, and other related documents, and to cause the same to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
granting unto said attorneys, full power and authority to do and perform any act and thing necessary and proper to be done in the premises,
as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned could do if personally present, and the undersigned for himself hereby ratifies
and confirms all that said attorney shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature |
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Title |
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Date |
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/s/ Peter Hoang |
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President, Chief Executive Officer and Director |
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August 11, 2022 |
Peter Hoang |
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(Principal Executive Officer) |
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/s/ Anthony Kim |
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Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial |
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August 11, 2022 |
Anthony Kim |
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and Accounting Officer) |
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/s/ Katharine Knobil |
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Director |
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August 11, 2022 |
Katharine Knobil |
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/s/ David Laskow-Pooley |
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Director |
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August 11, 2022 |
David Laskow-Pooley |
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/s/ John Wilson |
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Director |
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August 11, 2022 |
John Wilson |
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/s/ Juan Vera |
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Director |
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August 11, 2022 |
Juan Vera |
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/s/ N. David Eansor |
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Director |
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August 11, 2022 |
N. David Eansor |
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/s/ Steve Elms |
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Director |
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August 11, 2022 |
Steve Elms |
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