S-3
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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 16, 2022

Registration No. 333-            

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

TEMPEST THERAPEUTICS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   45-1472564

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

7000 Shoreline Court, Suite 275

South San Francisco, California, 94080

(415) 798-8589

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

 

 

Stephen Brady

Chief Executive Officer

7000 Shoreline Court; Suite 275

South San Francisco, CA 94080

(415) 798-8589

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

 

 

Copies to:

Laura Berezin

Jaime L. Chase

Cooley LLP

3175 Hanover Street

Palo Alto, CA 94304

(650) 843-5000

 

 

From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement

(Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public)

 

 

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 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, 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  
Non-accelerated filer      Smaller reporting company  
     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.  ☐

The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment that specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 

 


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The information in this preliminary prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities or accept an offer to buy these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting offers to buy these securities in any state where such offer or sale is not permitted.

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED MAY 16, 2022

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS

6,355,932 Shares

 

LOGO

Common Stock

 

 

This prospectus relates to the proposed resale from time to time of up to 6,355,932 shares of our common stock, par value $0.001 per share, (the “Resale Shares”), of which 3,149,912 shares are issued and outstanding and 3,206,020 shares (the “Warrant Shares”) are issuable upon the exercise of pre-funded warrants to purchase shares of common stock, by the selling stockholders named herein, together with any additional selling stockholders listed in a prospectus supplement (together with any of such stockholders’ transferees, pledgees, donees or successors).

We are registering the offer and sale of the Resale Shares from time to time by the selling stockholders to satisfy the registration rights they were granted in connection with the issuance of the Resale Shares and pre-funded warrants to purchase Resale Shares (the “Pre-Funded Warrants”). We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the Resale Shares by the selling stockholders.

The selling stockholders may offer and sell or otherwise dispose of the Resale Shares described in this prospectus from time to time through public or private transactions at prevailing market prices, at prices related to prevailing market prices or at privately negotiated prices. The selling stockholders will bear all underwriting fees, commissions and discounts, if any, attributable to the sales of Resale Shares and any transfer taxes. We will bear all other costs, expenses and fees in connection with the registration of the Resale Shares. See “Plan of Distribution” for more information about how the selling stockholders may sell or dispose of their Resale Shares.

Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the trading symbol “TPST.” On May 13, 2022, the closing price of our common stock was $2.88 per share.

Investing in shares of our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should review carefully the risks and uncertainties described in the section titled “Risk Factors” on page 2 of this prospectus and any similar section contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and in any free writing prospectuses we have authorized for use in connection with a specific offering, and under similar headings in the documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

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

 

 

The date of this prospectus is                 , 2022.

 


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

     i  

TEMPEST THERAPEUTICS, INC.

     1  

RISK FACTORS

     2  

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     8  

USE OF PROCEEDS

     10  

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

     11  

SELLING STOCKHOLDERS

     16  

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

     18  

LEGAL MATTERS

     21  

EXPERTS

     21  

WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

     21  

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

     21  

 

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, (the “SEC”), using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf process, certain selling stockholders may from time to time sell the shares of common stock described in this prospectus in one or more offerings or otherwise as described under “Plan of Distribution.”

This prospectus may be supplemented from time to time by one or more prospectus supplements. Such prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, you must rely on the information in the prospectus supplement. You should carefully read both this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement together with additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find Additional Information” before deciding to invest in any shares being offered.

Neither we nor the selling stockholders have authorized anyone to provide any information other than that contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or in any related prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectus that we have authorized. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. The shares are not being offered in any jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the respective dates of such document. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

Throughout this prospectus, the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” and our “company” refer to Tempest Therapeutics, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

 

 

 

 

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TEMPEST THERAPEUTICS, INC.

Overview

Tempest Therapeutics, Inc. (“Tempest,” or the “Company”) is a clinical-stage oncology company advancing small molecules that combine both tumor-targeted and immune-mediated mechanisms with the potential to treat a wide range of tumors. The company’s two clinical programs are TPST-1120 and TPST-1495, antagonists of PPARα and EP2/EP4, respectively. Both TPST-1120 and TPST-1495 are advancing through Phase 1 clinical trials designed to study both agents as monotherapies and in combination with other approved agents. In collaboration with F. Hoffmann La Roche, TPST-1120 is also advancing through a randomized first line, global, Phase 1b/2 clinical study in combination with the standard-of-care regimen of atezolizumab and bevacizumab in patients with advanced or metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma. Tempest is also developing an orally-available inhibitor of TREX-1 designed to activate selectively the cGAS/STING pathway, an innate immune response pathway important for the development of anti-tumor immunity. Tempest is headquartered in South San Francisco, California.

Corporate Background

Tempest was founded in 2011 and is currently incorporated in Delaware with headquarters in South San Francisco, California. We are a clinical-stage oncology company focused on leveraging a deep scientific understanding of cancer biology and medicinal chemistry to develop and advance novel, orally available therapies for the treatment of solid tumors. Our philosophy is to build a company based upon not only creative science and thoughtful management, but also upon the efficient translation of those ideas into therapies that will improve patient’s lives.

In June 2021, we completed our reverse merger business combination with Millendo Therapeutics, Inc. (“Millendo”), a publicly traded company, in accordance with the terms of an agreement and plan of merger and reorganization, dated March 29, 2021. Following the merger, Millendo was renamed “Tempest Therapeutics, Inc.” and our common stock began trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market, or Nasdaq, under the symbol “TPST.”

The Tempest logo and other trademarks or service marks of Tempest Therapeutics, Inc. appearing in this prospectus are the property of Tempest Therapeutics, Inc. Other trademarks, service marks or trade names appearing in this prospectus are the property of their respective owners. We do not intend our use or display of other companies’ trade names, trademarks or service marks to imply a relationship with, or endorsement or sponsorship of us by, these other companies.

Our principal executive offices are located at 7000 Shoreline Court, Suite 275, South San Francisco, CA 94080. Our telephone number is (415) 798-8589.

 

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RISK FACTORS

Investing in shares of our common stock involves a high degree of risk. Before deciding whether to invest in shares of our common stock, you should consider carefully the risks and uncertainties discussed in this section and under the sections titled Risk Factors contained in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and in our most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as well as any amendments thereto reflected in subsequent filings with the SEC, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus in their entirety, together with other information in this prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference, any prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectus that we may authorize. Please also read carefully the section titled “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

Risks Related to Ownership of Our Common Stock

The trading price of the shares of our common stock has been and is likely to continue to be volatile, and purchasers of our common stock could incur substantial losses.

The market price of our common stock has been and is likely to continue to be volatile. Some of the factors that may cause the market price of our common stock to fluctuate include:

 

   

results of clinical trials and preclinical studies of our product candidates, or those of our competitors or our existing or future collaborators;

 

   

failure to meet or exceed financial and development projections we may provide to the public;

 

   

failure to meet or exceed the financial and development projections of the investment community;

 

   

if we do not achieve the perceived benefits of the merger with Millendo as rapidly or to the extent anticipated by financial or industry analysts;

 

   

announcements of significant acquisitions, strategic collaborations, joint ventures or capital commitments by us or our competitors;

 

   

actions taken by regulatory agencies with respect to our product candidates, clinical studies, manufacturing process or sales and marketing terms;

 

   

disputes or other developments relating to proprietary rights, including patents, litigation matters, and our ability to obtain patent protection for our technologies;

 

   

additions or departures of key personnel;

 

   

significant lawsuits, including patent or stockholder litigation;

 

   

if securities or industry analysts do not publish research or reports about our business, or if they issue adverse or misleading opinions regarding our business and stock;

 

   

changes in the market valuations of similar companies;

 

   

general market or macroeconomic conditions or market conditions in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors;

 

   

sales of securities by us or our securityholders in the future;

 

   

if we fail to raise an adequate amount of capital to fund our operations and continued development of our product candidates;

 

   

trading volume of our common stock;

 

   

announcements by competitors of new commercial products, clinical progress or lack thereof, significant contracts, commercial relationships or capital commitments;

 

   

adverse publicity relating to precision medicine product candidates, including with respect to other products in such markets;

 

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the introduction of technological innovations or new therapies that compete with our products and services; and

 

   

period-to-period fluctuations in our financial results.

Moreover, the stock markets in general have experienced substantial volatility that has often been unrelated to the operating performance of individual companies. These broad market fluctuations may also adversely affect the trading price of our common stock. In addition, a recession, depression or other sustained adverse market event resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic or otherwise could materially and adversely affect our business and the value of our common stock. In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a company’s securities, stockholders have often instituted class action securities litigation against such companies. Furthermore, market volatility may lead to increased shareholder activism if we experience a market valuation that activists believe is not reflective of our intrinsic value. Activist campaigns that contest or conflict with our strategic direction or seek changes in the composition of our board of directors could have an adverse effect on our operating results and financial condition.

Future sales of shares by existing stockholders could cause our stock price to decline.

If our existing securityholders sell, or indicate an intention to sell, substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market after legal restrictions on resale lapse, the trading price of our common stock could decline. Upon the effectiveness of this registration statement and subject to the beneficial ownership limitations contained in the Pre-Funded Warrants, 6,355,932 shares of common stock (including the 3,206,020 Warrant Shares) will be freely tradable, without restriction, in the public market. In addition, the exercise of some or all of the Pre-Funded Warrants will increase the number of shares of our outstanding common stock, which may dilute the ownership percentage or voting power of our stockholders. In addition, shares of common stock that are subject to outstanding options and warrants will become eligible for sale in the public market to the extent permitted by the provisions of various vesting agreements and Rule 144 under the Securities Act. If these shares are sold, the trading price of our common stock could decline.

Our executive officers, directors and principal stockholders have the ability to control or significantly influence all matters submitted to our stockholders for approval.

As of May 1, 2022, our executive officers, directors and principal stockholders, in the aggregate, beneficially own approximately 79% of our outstanding shares of common stock. As a result, if these persons were to choose to act together, they would be able to control or significantly influence all matters submitted to our stockholders for approval, as well as our management and affairs. For example, these persons, if they choose to act together, would control or significantly influence the election of directors and approval of any merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of the company’s assets. This concentration of voting power could delay or prevent an acquisition on terms that other stockholders may desire.

Risks Related to Our Status as a Public Company and Other General Matters

We expect to continue to incur increased costs as a result of operating as a public company, and our management is required to devote substantial time to compliance with our public company responsibilities and corporate governance practices.

As a relatively new public company, we continue to incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses that we did not incur as a private company. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, the listing requirements of the Nasdaq Stock Market and other applicable securities rules and regulations impose various requirements on public companies. Our management and other personnel need to devote a substantial amount of time to compliance with these requirements. Moreover, these rules and regulations increase our legal and financial compliance costs and will make some activities more time-consuming and costly. For example, we expect that these rules and regulations may make it more difficult and more

 

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expensive for us to obtain directors’ and officers’ liability insurance, compared to when we were a private company, which could make it more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified members of our board of directors. We cannot predict or estimate the amount of additional costs we will continue to incur as a public company or the timing of such costs. Once we are no longer a smaller reporting company or otherwise no longer qualifies for applicable exemptions, we will be subject to additional laws and regulations affecting public companies that will increase our costs and the demands on management and could harm our operating results.

If we fail to maintain proper and effective internal controls, our ability to produce accurate financial statements on a timely basis could be impaired.

We are subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), The Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and the rules and regulations of the stock market on which our common stock is listed. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires, among other things, that we maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting and that, after a transitional period, we furnish a report by management on, among other things, the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. This assessment includes disclosure of any material weaknesses identified by our management in our internal control over financial reporting. However, due to SEC rules applicable to smaller reporting companies, the Company was not required to have its auditors formally attest to the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting in connection with the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021. Additionally, we will not be required to have our auditors formally attest to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting until we cease to be a smaller reporting company.

We may identify weaknesses in our system of internal financial and accounting controls and procedures that could result in a material misstatement of our financial statements. Our internal control over financial reporting will not prevent or detect all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the control system’s objectives will be met. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that misstatements due to error or fraud will not occur or that all control issues and instances of fraud will be detected.

If we are not able to comply with the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (“Section 404”), in a timely manner, or if we are unable to maintain proper and effective internal controls, we may not be able to produce timely and accurate financial statements. If that were to happen, the market price of our stock could decline and we could be subject to sanctions or investigations by the stock exchange on which our common stock is listed, the SEC, or other regulatory authorities.

Additionally, as a privately held company, we were not required to evaluate our internal control over financial reporting in a manner that meets the standards of publicly traded companies required by Section 404. In connection with the preparation and audit of our financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020, a material weakness was identified in our internal control over financial reporting, which remains subject to ongoing remediation. We cannot assure you that the material weaknesses identified will be remediated by us on the timelines currently anticipated, or at all, or that there will not be additional material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in the internal control over financial reporting in the future. Any failure to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting could severely inhibit our ability to accurately report our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. If we are unable to conclude that our internal control over financial reporting is effective, or if our independent registered public accounting firm determines we have a material weakness or significant deficiency in our internal control over financial reporting once that firm begins its reporting on internal control over financial reporting, investors may lose confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports, the market price of our common stock could decline, and we could be subject to sanctions or investigations by Nasdaq Stock Market, the SEC or other regulatory authorities. Failure to remedy any material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting, or to implement or maintain other

 

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effective control systems required of public companies, could also restrict our future access to the capital markets.

We or the third parties upon whom we depend may be adversely affected by natural disasters and other calamities, including pandemics, such as the global outbreak of COVID-19, and our business continuity and disaster recovery plans may not adequately protect us from a serious disaster.

Natural disasters could severely disrupt our operations and have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects. If a natural disaster, fire, hurricane, power outage or other event occurred that prevented us from using all or a significant portion of our headquarters, that damaged critical infrastructure, such as our suppliers’ manufacturing facilities, or that otherwise disrupted operations, such as data storage, it may be difficult or, in certain cases, impossible for us to continue our business for a substantial period of time.

Occurrences of epidemics or pandemics, depending on their scale, may cause different degrees of damage to the national and local economies within our geographic focus. Global economic conditions may be disrupted by widespread outbreaks of infectious or contagious diseases, and such disruption may adversely affect clinical development plans. For example, the COVID-19 pandemic could have an adverse effect on the coordination of research and development, our capital raising efforts, and the financial condition of our business, as well as our ability to retain key personnel and continue to expand product candidate development and conduct clinical trials. In addition, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is likely to continue to cause substantial changes in consumer behavior and has caused restrictions on business and individual activities, which are likely to lead to reduced economic activity.

The disaster recovery and business continuity plans we have in place may prove inadequate in the event of a serious disaster or similar event. We may incur substantial expenses as a result of the limited nature of our disaster recovery and business continuity plans, which could have a material adverse effect on our business.

Our business entails a significant risk of product liability and our ability to obtain sufficient insurance coverage could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

We will face an inherent risk of product liability exposure related to the testing of our product candidates in clinical trials and will face an even greater risk if we commercialize any of our product candidates. Any such product liability claims may include allegations of defects in manufacturing, defects in design, a failure to warn of dangers inherent in a product, negligence, strict liability or breach of warranty. Claims could also be asserted under U.S. state consumer protection acts. If we cannot successfully defend against claims that our product candidates caused injuries, we could incur substantial liabilities. Regardless of merit or eventual outcome, liability claims may result in:

 

   

decreased demand for any product candidates that we may develop;

 

   

injury to our reputation and significant negative media attention;

 

   

withdrawal of clinical trial participants;

 

   

significant time and costs to defend the related litigation;

 

   

substantial monetary awards to trial participants or patients;

 

   

loss of revenue;

 

   

termination of our collaboration relationships or disputes with our collaborators;

 

   

voluntary product recalls, withdrawals or labeling restrictions; and

 

   

the inability to commercialize any product candidates that we may develop.

 

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While we currently have insurance that we believe is appropriate for our stage of development, we may need to obtain higher levels prior to clinical development or marketing any of our future product candidates. Any insurance we have or may obtain may not provide sufficient coverage against potential liabilities. Furthermore, clinical trial and product liability insurance is becoming increasingly expensive. As a result, we may be unable to obtain sufficient insurance at a reasonable cost to protect us against losses caused by product liability claims that could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

Provisions in our certificate of incorporation and bylaws and under Delaware law could make an acquisition of us, which may be beneficial to our stockholders, more difficult and may prevent attempts by our stockholders to replace or remove our current management.

Provisions in our certificate of incorporation and bylaws may discourage, delay or prevent a merger, acquisition or other change in control of the company that stockholders may consider favorable, including transactions in which our common stockholders might otherwise receive a premium price for their shares. These provisions could also limit the price that investors might be willing to pay in the future for shares of our common stock, thereby depressing the market price of our common stock. In addition, because our board of directors is responsible for appointing the members of our management team, these provisions may frustrate or prevent any attempts by our stockholders to replace or remove our current management by making it more difficult for stockholders to replace members of our board of directors. Among other things, these provisions:

 

   

establish a classified board of directors such that not all members of the board are elected at one time;

 

   

allow the authorized number of our directors to be changed only by resolution of our board of directors;

 

   

limit the manner in which stockholders can remove directors from the board;

 

   

establish advance notice requirements for stockholder proposals that can be acted on at stockholder meetings and for nominations to our board of directors;

 

   

limit who may call stockholder meetings;

 

   

prohibit actions by our stockholders by written consent;

 

   

require that stockholder actions be effected at a duly called stockholders meeting;

 

   

authorize our board of directors to issue preferred stock without stockholder approval, which could be used to institute a “poison pill” that would work to dilute the stock ownership of a potential hostile acquirer, effectively preventing acquisitions that have not been approved by our board of directors; and

 

   

require the approval of the holders of at least 75 percent of the votes that all our stockholders would be entitled to cast to amend or repeal certain provisions of our certificate of incorporation or bylaws.

Moreover, because we are incorporated in Delaware, we are governed by the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which prohibits a person who owns 15 percent or more of our outstanding voting stock from merging or combining with us for a period of three years after the date of the transaction in which the person acquired 15 percent or more of our outstanding voting stock, unless the merger or combination is approved in a manner prescribed by the statute.

Our bylaws provide that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware is the exclusive forum for substantially all disputes between us and our stockholders, which could limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers or other employees.

Our bylaws provide that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware is the sole and exclusive forum for any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf, any action asserting a breach of fiduciary duty, any action asserting a claim against it arising pursuant to any provisions of the DGCL, our certificate of incorporation or our bylaws, or any action asserting a claim against us that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine. The

 

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provision may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with us or our directors, officers or other employees, which may discourage such lawsuits against us and our directors, officers and other employees. Alternatively, if a court were to find the choice of forum provision contained in the bylaws to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We do not anticipate that we will pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future.

The current expectation is that we will retain our future earnings, if any, to fund our growth as opposed to paying dividends. As a result, capital appreciation, if any, of our common stock will be your sole source of gain, if any, for the foreseeable future.

We may be exposed to increased litigation, including stockholder litigation, which could have an adverse effect on our business and operations.

We may be exposed to increased litigation from stockholders, customers, suppliers, consumers and other third parties due to the combination of Millendo’s business and ours following the merger. Such litigation may have an adverse impact on our business and results of operations or may cause disruptions to our operations. In addition, in the past, stockholders have initiated class action lawsuits against biotechnology companies following periods of volatility in the market prices of these companies’ stock. Such litigation, if instituted against us, could cause us to incur substantial costs and divert management’s attention and resources, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. We also remain the subject of various securities class action lawsuits and shareholder derivative lawsuits that were filed against OvaScience, Inc. (“Ovascience”), Millendo’s predecessor, and certain of our officer and directors, as described in more detail in Part I, Item 3 under the heading “Legal Proceedings” of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021.

If equity research analysts do not publish research or reports, or publish unfavorable research or reports, about us, our business or our market, our stock price and trading volume could decline.

The trading market for our common stock will be influenced by the research and reports that equity research analysts publish about us and our business. We have no control over the analysts or the content and opinions included in their reports. The price of our common stock could decline if one or more equity research analysts downgrade our stock or issue other unfavorable commentary or research. If one or more equity research analysts ceases coverage or fails to publish reports on us regularly, demand for our common stock could decrease, which in turn could cause our stock price or trading volume to decline.

We are a smaller reporting company, and the reduced reporting requirements applicable to smaller reporting companies may make our common stock less attractive to investors.

We are a “smaller reporting company” as defined in Section 12 of the Exchange Act. For as long as we continue to be a smaller reporting company, we may take advantage of exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not smaller reporting companies, including not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding nonbinding advisory votes on executive compensation, and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. We cannot predict if investors will find our common stock less attractive because we may rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our common stock less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our common stock and our stock price may be more volatile.

 

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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus and the documents we have filed with the SEC that are incorporated by reference contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (the “Securities Act”), and 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 which 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. Forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements about:

 

   

our expected future growth and our ability to manage such growth;

 

   

our ability to develop, obtain regulatory approval for and commercialize TPST-1495 and TPST-1120 and our future product candidates;

 

   

the size and growth potential of the markets for our product candidates, and our ability to serve those markets;

 

   

the development, regulatory approval, efficacy and commercialization of competing products;

 

   

our ability to establish sales and marketing capabilities or enter into agreements with third parties to market and sell our product candidates;

 

   

our ability to retain regulatory approval for our product candidates or future product candidates in the United States and in any foreign countries in which we make seek to do business;

 

   

our ability to retain and hire our board of directors, senior management, or operational personnel;

 

   

our ability to integrate TempestTx, Inc. and Millendo Therapeutics, Inc. (now the Company) successfully and realize the anticipated benefits of the merger of the two entities, which closed in July 2021;

 

   

our expectation regarding the period during which we will qualify as a smaller reporting company under the federal securities laws;

 

   

our ability to develop and maintain our corporate infrastructure, including our ability to remediate our existing material weakness and to design and maintain an effective system of internal controls;

 

   

our financial performance and capital requirements; and

 

   

our expectations regarding our ability to obtain, maintain and enforce intellectual property protection for our products and technology, as well as our ability to operate our business without infringing, misappropriating or otherwise violating the intellectual property rights of others.

In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “could,” “estimates,” “intends,” “may,” “plans,” “potential,” “will,” “would,” or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions. These statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are based on assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. We discuss in greater detail many of these risks in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and in our most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as well as any amendments thereto reflected in subsequent filings with the SEC, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus in their entirety. Also, these forward-looking statements represent our estimates and assumptions only as of the date of the document containing the applicable statement. 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.

In addition, statements that “we believe” and similar statements reflect our beliefs and opinions on the relevant subject. These statements are based upon information available to us as of the date of this prospectus,

 

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and while we believe such information forms a reasonable basis for such statements, such information may be limited or incomplete, and our statements should not be read to indicate that we have conducted an exhaustive inquiry into, or review of, all potentially available relevant information. These statements are inherently uncertain and investors are cautioned not to unduly rely upon these statements.

You should read this prospectus, together with the documents we have filed with the SEC that are incorporated by reference, any prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectus that we may authorize 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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USE OF PROCEEDS

We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of shares of our common stock in this offering. The selling stockholders will receive all of the proceeds from the sale of shares of common stock hereunder.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

The following summary description of our capital stock is based on the provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws and the applicable provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law. This information is qualified entirely by reference to the applicable provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws. 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 sections titled “Where You Can Find Additional Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference” in this prospectus.

General

Our restated certificate authorizes us to issue up to 100,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.001 par value per share, and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.001 par value per share, all of which shares of preferred stock are undesignated. Our board of directors may establish the rights and preferences of the preferred stock from time to time.

Common Stock

Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders and do not have cumulative voting rights. An election of directors by our stockholders shall be determined by a plurality of the votes cast by the stockholders entitled to vote on the election. Holders of common stock are entitled to receive proportionately any dividends as may be declared by our board of directors, subject to any preferential dividend rights of any series of preferred stock that we may designate and issue in the future.

In the event of our liquidation or dissolution, the holders of common stock are entitled to receive proportionately our net assets available for distribution to stockholders after the payment of all debts and other liabilities and subject to the prior rights of any outstanding preferred stock. Holders of common stock have no preemptive, subscription, redemption or conversion rights. There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the common stock. The rights, preferences and privileges of holders of common stock are subject to and may be adversely affected by the rights of the holders of shares of any series of preferred stock that we may designate and issue in the future.

Preferred Stock

Our board of directors may, without further action by our stockholders, from time to time, direct the issuance of shares of up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock in series and may, at the time of issuance, determine the rights, preferences and limitations of each series, including voting rights, dividend rights and redemption and liquidation preferences. Satisfaction of any dividend preferences of outstanding shares of preferred stock would reduce the amount of funds available for the payment of dividends on shares of our common stock. Holders of shares of preferred stock may be entitled to receive a preference payment in the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of our company before any payment is made to the holders of shares of our common stock. In some circumstances, the issuance of shares of preferred stock may render more difficult or tend to discourage a merger, tender offer or proxy contest, the assumption of control by a holder of a large block of our securities or the removal of incumbent management. Upon the affirmative vote of our board of directors, without stockholder approval, we may issue shares of preferred stock with voting and conversion rights which could adversely affect the holders of shares of our common stock.

Our board of directors will fix the designations, voting powers, preferences and rights of each series, as well as the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, of the preferred stock of each series that we offer under this prospectus and applicable prospectus supplements in the certificate of designation relating to that series. We

 

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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 Securities and Exchange Commission, 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:

 

   

the title and stated value;

 

   

the number of shares we are offering;

 

   

the liquidation preference per share;

 

   

the purchase price per share;

 

   

the dividend rate per share, dividend period and payment dates and method of calculation for dividends;

 

   

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

 

   

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

 

   

the procedures for any auction and remarketing, if any;

 

   

the provisions for a sinking fund, if any;

 

   

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

 

   

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

 

   

whether the preferred stock will be convertible into our common stock or other securities of ours, including depositary shares and warrants, and, if applicable, the conversion period, the conversion price, or how it will be calculated, and under what circumstances it may be adjusted;

 

   

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

 

   

voting rights, if any, of the preferred stock;

 

   

preemption rights, if any;

 

   

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

 

   

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

 

   

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

 

   

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

 

   

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

 

   

any other specific terms, rights, preferences, privileges, qualifications or restrictions of the preferred stock.

The General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, or DGCL, the state of our incorporation, 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

 

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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.

Anti-Takeover Provisions

Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law

We are subject to Section 203 of the DGCL, 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 662/3% of the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder.

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

 

   

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

 

   

any sale, transfer, pledge or other disposition of 10% or more of the assets of the corporation involving 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 loans, advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits by or through the corporation.

In general, Section 203 defines an “interested stockholder” as an entity or person who, together with the person’s affiliates and associates, beneficially owns, or within three years prior to the time of determination of interested stockholder status did own, 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation.

Staggered Board

Our restated certificate and bylaws divide our board of directors into three classes with staggered three year terms. In addition, our restated certificate and bylaws provide that directors may be removed only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of the holders of 75% of our shares of capital stock present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote. Under our restated certificate and bylaws, any vacancy on our board of directors, including a vacancy resulting from an enlargement of our board of directors, may be filled only by vote of a majority of our directors then in office. Furthermore, our restated certificate provides that the authorized number of directors

 

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may be changed only by the resolution of our board of directors, subject to the rights of any holders of preferred stock to elect directors. The classification of our board of directors and the limitations on the ability of our stockholders to remove directors, change the authorized number of directors and fill vacancies could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire, or discourage a third party from seeking to acquire, control of us.

Authorized but Unissued Shares

The authorized but unissued shares of common stock and preferred stock are available for future issuance without stockholder approval, subject to any limitations imposed by the listing standards of any exchange on which our shares are listed. These additional shares may be used for a variety of corporate finance transactions, acquisitions and employee benefit plans. The existence of authorized but unissued and unreserved common stock and preferred stock could make more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of us by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or otherwise.

Special Meeting of Stockholders; Advance Notice Requirements for Stockholder Proposals and Director Nominations; Stockholder Action

Our restated certificate and bylaws provide that only our board of directors, the chairman of the board or our chief executive officer may call special meetings of stockholders, and the business transacted at a special meeting of stockholders shall be limited to matters relating to the purpose or purposes stated in the notice of meeting. Our bylaws establish advance notice procedures with regard to stockholder proposals relating to the nomination of candidates for election as directors or new business to be brought before meetings of our stockholders. These procedures provide that notice of stockholder proposals must be timely given in writing to our corporate secretary prior to the meeting at which the action is to be taken. Generally, to be timely, notice must be received at our principal executive offices not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting. Our bylaws specify the requirements as to form and content of all stockholders’ notices. These requirements may preclude stockholders from bringing matters before the stockholders at an annual or special meeting. Our restated certificate and bylaws provide that our stockholders may not take any action by written consent in lieu of a meeting.

Super Majority Voting

The DGCL provides generally that the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares entitled to vote on any matter is required to amend a corporation’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws, unless a corporation’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws, as the case may be, require a greater percentage. Our bylaws may be amended or repealed by a majority vote of our board of directors or the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 75% of the votes that all of our stockholders would be entitled to cast in any election of directors. In addition, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 75% of the votes that all of our stockholders would be entitled to cast in any election of directors is required to amend or repeal or to adopt any provisions inconsistent with certain of the provisions of our restated certificate.

Exclusive Forum

Our bylaws provide that unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, be the sole and exclusive forum for (A) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Company; (B) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or other employee of the Company to the Company or the Company’s stockholders; (C) any action asserting a claim against the Company or any director or officer or other employee of the Company arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL, our restated certificate or our bylaws; or (D) any action asserting a claim against the Company or any director or officer or other employee of the Company governed by the internal affairs doctrine.

 

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Indemnification

Our restated certificate provides that we will indemnify each person who was or is a party or threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, other than an action by or in the right of us, by reason of the fact that he or she is or was, or has agreed to become, a director or officer, or is or was serving, or has agreed to serve, at our request as a director, officer, partner, employee or trustee of, or in a similar capacity with, another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise (all such persons being referred to as an “Indemnitee”), or by reason of any action alleged to have been taken or omitted in such capacity, against all expenses, including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred in connection with such action, suit or proceeding and any appeal therefrom, if such Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, our best interests, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, he or she had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Computershare Trust Company, N.A., with offices at 250 Royall Street, Canton, Massachusetts 02021. The transfer agent for any series of preferred stock that we may offer under this prospectus will be named and described in the prospectus supplement for that series.

Listing on Nasdaq

Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “TPST”.

 

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SELLING STOCKHOLDERS

We have prepared this prospectus to allow the selling stockholders to offer and sell from time to time up to 6,355,932 shares of our common stock for their own account, consisting of (i) 3,149,912 shares of common stock issued and outstanding, or the Resale Shares, and (ii) 3,206,020 shares of common stock, or the Warrant Shares, issuable upon the exercise of the Pre-Funded Warrants to purchase shares of common stock, or the Warrants, held by certain of the selling stockholders. For a description of the Warrants, see “Description of Capital Stock-Warrants.”

We are registering the offer and sale of the Resale Shares beneficially owned by the selling stockholders to satisfy certain registration obligations that we granted the selling stockholders in connection with the purchase of the Resale Shares and the Warrants. Pursuant to a registration rights agreement we entered into in connection with such transaction, we have agreed to use our reasonable efforts to keep the registration statement, of which this prospectus is a part, effective until the earliest to occur of: (i) the date that all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement (x) have been sold, thereunder or pursuant to Rule 144, or (y) may be sold without volume or manner-of-sale restrictions pursuant to Rule 144 and without the requirement for the Company to be in compliance with the current public information requirement under Rule 144, as determined by the counsel to the Company pursuant to a written opinion letter to such effect, addressed and acceptable to the Transfer Agent and the affected Holders.

The following table sets forth (i) the name of each selling stockholder, (ii) the number of shares beneficially owned by each of the respective selling stockholders, including the Resale Shares and the Warrant Shares, (iii) the number of Resale Shares and Warrant Shares that may be offered under this prospectus and (iv) the number of shares of our common stock beneficially owned by the selling stockholders assuming all of the Resale Shares and Warrant Shares covered hereby are sold.

The number of shares of common stock set forth in the following table for any selling stockholder does not take into account the exercise limitations described under “Description of Capital Stock-Warrants” and set forth in the Warrants. Accordingly, the number of shares of common stock set forth in the following table for any stockholder may exceed the number of shares of common stock that it could own beneficially at any given time as a result of its ownership of Warrants. As a result, the actual number of Warrant Shares that may be issued to and sold by the selling stockholders could be materially less or more than the estimated numbers in the column titled “Number of Shares Being Offered” depending on factors which cannot be predicted by us at this time. In addition, we do not know how long the selling stockholders will hold the Resale Shares or Warrant Shares before selling them, and we currently have no agreements, arrangements or understandings with the selling stockholders regarding the sale or other disposition of any Resale Shares or Warrant Shares.

To our knowledge, none of the selling stockholders has, or during the three years prior to the date of this prospectus has had, any position, office or other material relationships with us or any of our affiliates, except that (i) we and each selling stockholder are party to the registration rights agreement dated April 26, 2022 relating to the Resale Shares and the Warrant Shares described above, and (ii) Thomas Woiwode, Ph.D., a managing director at Versant Venture Capital, is a member of our Board of Directors. To our knowledge, except as set forth in the table below, none of the selling stockholders are broker-dealers or are affiliated with a broker-dealer, nor at the time of the acquisition did any selling stockholders have direct or indirect agreements or understandings with any person to distribute any common stock, including the Resale Shares and the Warrant Shares.

The information set forth in the table below is based upon information obtained from the selling stockholders. Beneficial ownership of the selling stockholders is determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3(d) under the Exchange Act. The percentage of shares beneficially owned after the offering is based on 10,323,006 shares of our common stock outstanding as of May 13, 2022, after giving effect to the issuance of 3,149,912 Resale Shares and 3,206,020 Warrant Shares assuming full exercise of the Warrants.

 

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As used in this prospectus, the term “selling stockholders” includes the selling stockholders listed in the table below, together with any additional selling stockholders listed in a prospectus supplement, and their donees, pledgees, assignees, transferees, distributees and successors-in-interest that receive Resale Shares in any non-sale transfer after the date of this prospectus. Unless otherwise indicated, the address for each selling stockholder is c/o Tempest Therapeutics, Inc., 7000 Shoreline Court, Suite 275, South San Francisco, CA 94080.

 

                   Beneficial Ownership After this Offering  

Name of Selling Stockholder

   Shares of Common
Stock Beneficially
Owned Prior to
this Offering
     Number of
Shares
Being
Offered
     Number of
Shares
     Percent of
Outstanding
Common Stock
 

Entities Affiliated with EcoR1 Capital, LLC(1)

     1,031,268        4,237,288        0        0

Entities Affiliated with Versant Venture Capital(2)

     4,295,055        2,118,644        2,176,411        16.08

All Selling Stockholders

     5,326,323        6,355,932        2,176,411        16.08
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

Consists of (i) 68,064 shares of common stock held by EcoR1 Capital Fund, L.P., (ii) 963,204 shares of common stock held by EcoR1 Capital Fund Qualified, L.P., (iii) 211,597 Warrant Shares underlying Pre-Funded Warrants held by EcoR1 Capital Fund, L.P., and (iv) 2,994,423 Warrant Shares underlying Pre-Funded Warrants held by EcoR1 Capital Fund Qualified, L.P. The Warrant Shares are subject to a beneficial ownership limitation pursuant to which the holder of the Pre-Funded Warrants will not have the right to exercise any portion of its Pre-Funded Warrants if such holder, together with its affiliates, would beneficially own in excess of 9.99% of the number of shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to such exercise (the “Beneficial Ownership Limitation”); provided that the holder may increase or decrease the Beneficial Ownership Limitation by giving 61 days’ notice to the Company, but not to any percentage in excess of 19.99%. The amounts and percentages in the table give effect to the Beneficial Ownership Limitation. The address of EcoR1 Capital Fund, L.P. and EcoR1 Capital Fund Qualified, L.P. is 357 Tehama Street #3, San Francisco, CA 94103.

(2)

Consists of (i) 997,940 shares of common stock held by Versant Venture Capital VI, L.P., (ii) 1,171,094 shares of common stock held by Versant Venture Capital IV, L.P., (iii) 7,377 shares of common stock held by Versant Side Fund IV, L.P. and (iv) 2,118,644 shares of common stock held by Versant Vantage II, L.P. The address of Versant Venture Capital is One Sansome Street, Suite 3630, San Francisco, CA 94104.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We are registering the shares of our common stock held by the selling stockholders from time to time after the date of this prospectus. We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale by the selling stockholders of the shares of our common stock.

The term “selling securityholders” includes donees, pledgees, transferees or other successors in interest selling securities received after the date of this prospectus from a selling securityholder as a gift, pledge, partnership distribution or other transfer. The selling securityholders will act independently of us in making decisions with respect to the timing, manner and size of each sale. Such sales may be made on the principal trading market for our common stock or any other stock exchange, market or trading facility on which our common stock is traded or in private transactions. These sales may be at fixed or negotiated prices. A selling stockholder may use any one or more of the following methods when selling securities:

 

   

ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker dealer solicits purchasers;

 

   

block trades in which the broker dealer will attempt to sell the common stock as agent but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction;

 

   

purchases by a broker dealer as principal and resale by the broker dealer for its account;

 

   

an exchange distribution in accordance with the rules of the applicable exchange;

 

   

privately negotiated transactions;

 

   

settlement of short sales;

 

   

distribution to employees, members, limited partners or stockholders of the selling securityholders;

 

   

in transactions through broker dealers that agree with the selling stockholders to sell a specified number of such common stock at a stipulated price per security;

 

   

through the writing or settlement of options or other hedging transactions, whether through an options exchange or otherwise;

 

   

by pledge to secured debts and other obligations;

 

   

delayed delivery arrangements;

 

   

to or through underwriters or broker-dealers;

 

   

in “at the market” offerings, as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act, at negotiated prices, at prices prevailing at the time of sale or at prices related to such prevailing market prices, including sales made directly on a national securities exchange or sales made through a market maker other than on an exchange or other similar offerings through sales agents;

 

   

in privately negotiated transactions;

 

   

in options transactions;

 

   

a combination of any such methods of sale; or

 

   

any other method permitted pursuant to applicable law.

The selling stockholders may also sell the shares of our common stock under Rule 144 or any other exemption from registration under the Securities Act, if available, rather than under this prospectus.

In addition, a selling securityholder that is an entity may elect to make a pro rata in-kind distribution of securities to its members, partners or stockholders pursuant to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part by delivering a prospectus with a plan of distribution. Such members, partners or stockholders would

 

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thereby receive freely tradeable securities pursuant to the distribution through a registration statement. To the extent a distributee is our affiliate (or to the extent otherwise required by law), we may, at our option, file a prospectus supplement in order to permit the distributees to use the prospectus to resell the securities acquired in the distribution.

Broker-dealers engaged by the selling stockholders may arrange for other brokers-dealers to participate in sales. Broker-dealers may receive commissions or discounts from the selling stockholders (or, if any broker-dealer acts as agent for the purchaser of our common stock, from the purchaser) in amounts to be negotiated, but, except as set forth in a supplement to this prospectus, in the case of an agency transaction not in excess of a customary brokerage commission in compliance with Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, (“FINRA”), Rule 5110; and in the case of a principal transaction a markup or markdown in compliance with FINRA Rule 2121.

To the extent required, this prospectus may be amended or supplemented from time to time to describe a specific plan of distribution. In connection with the sale of our common stock or interests therein, the selling stockholders may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions, which may in turn engage in short sales of our common stock in the course of hedging the positions they assume. The selling stockholders may also sell our common stock short and deliver these shares to close out their short positions, or loan or pledge the securities to broker-dealers that in turn may sell these shares. The selling stockholders may also enter into option or other transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions or create one or more derivative securities which require the delivery to such broker-dealer or other financial institution of securities offered by this prospectus, which securities such broker-dealer or other financial institution may resell pursuant to this prospectus (as supplemented or amended to reflect such transaction). The selling stockholders may also pledge securities to a broker-dealer or other financial institution, and, upon a default, such broker-dealer or other financial institution, may effect sales of the pledged securities pursuant to this prospectus (as supplemented or amended to reflect such transaction).

In effecting sales, broker-dealers or agents engaged by the selling stockholders may arrange for other broker-dealers to participate. Broker-dealers or agents may receive commissions, discounts or concessions from the selling securityholders in amounts to be negotiated immediately prior to the sale.

Any broker-dealers or agents that are involved in selling the securities may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act in connection with such sales. In such event, any commissions received by such broker-dealers or agents and any profit on the resale of the shares of our common stock purchased by them may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts under the Securities Act. Each selling stockholder has informed us that it does not have any written or oral agreement or understanding, directly or indirectly, with any person to distribute the shares of our common stock.

We are required to pay certain fees and expenses incurred by us incident to the registration of the shares of our common stock. We and the selling stockholders have agreed to indemnify each other against certain losses, claims, damages and liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

The resale securities will be sold only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers if required under applicable state securities laws. In addition, in certain states, the resale securities covered hereby may not be sold unless they have been registered or qualified for sale in the applicable state or an exemption from the registration or qualification requirement is available and is complied with.

Under applicable rules and regulations under the Exchange Act, any person engaged in the distribution of the resale shares of our common stock may not simultaneously engage in market making activities with respect to our common stock for the applicable restricted period, as defined in Regulation M, prior to the commencement of the distribution. In addition, the selling stockholders will be subject to applicable provisions of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, including Regulation M, which may limit the timing of purchases

 

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and sales of our common stock by the selling stockholders or any other person. We will make copies of this prospectus available to the selling stockholders and have informed them of the need to deliver a copy of this prospectus to each purchaser at or prior to the time of the sale (including by compliance with Rule 172 under the Securities Act).

At the time a particular offer of securities is made, if required, a prospectus supplement will be distributed that will set forth the number of securities being offered and the terms of the offering, including the name of any underwriter, dealer or agent, the purchase price paid by any underwriter, any discount, commission and other item constituting compensation, any discount, commission or concession allowed or reallowed or paid to any dealer, and the proposed selling price to the public.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

Cooley LLP, Palo Alto, California, will pass upon the validity of the shares of common stock offered hereby. As of the date of this prospectus, Cooley LLP beneficially owned 9,750 shares of our common stock.

EXPERTS

Ernst & Young LLP, an 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, 2021, as set forth in their report, which is 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 report, given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

The financial statements of Tempest Therapeutics, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2020 and for the year ended December 31, 2020, incorporated by reference herein have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report (which report expresses an unqualified opinion on the financial statements and includes an explanatory paragraph referring to substantial doubt regarding Tempest Therapeutics, Inc.’s ability to continue as a going concern). Such financial statements are incorporated by reference in reliance upon the report of such firm given their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This prospectus is part of the registration statement on Form S-3 we filed with the SEC under the Securities Act and does 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 into 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.

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

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information 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 in this prospectus supersedes information incorporated by reference that we filed with the SEC prior to the date of this prospectus, while information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede the information in this prospectus. We incorporate by reference into this prospectus and the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part the information or documents listed below that we have filed with the SEC (Commission File No. 001-35890):

 

   

our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, which was filed with the SEC on March  29, 2022, as amended on Form 10-K/A filed on April 1, 2022;

 

   

our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, which was filed with the SEC on May 13, 2022;

 

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our Current Reports on Form 8-K (other than information furnished rather than filed) filed with the SEC on May 2, 2022 (excluding Exhibit 99.1 thereto); and

 

   

the description of our common stock, which is registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, in our registration statement on Form 8-A, filed with the SEC on April  25, 2013, as updated by Exhibit 4.1 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021.

All filings filed by us pursuant to the Exchange Act after the date of the initial filing of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part and prior to effectiveness of the registration statement shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

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 unless such Form 8-K expressly provides to the contrary) made with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, including those made after the date of the initial filing of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part and prior to effectiveness of such registration statement, until we file a post-effective amendment that indicates the termination of the offering of the shares of our common stock made by this prospectus and will become a part of this prospectus from the date that such documents are filed with the SEC. 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.

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

Tempest Therapeutics, Inc.

7000 Shoreline Court

Suite 275

South San Francisco, CA 94080

Attn: Secretary

 

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LOGO

Common Stock

 

 

 

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS

 

 

 

 

 

 


Table of Contents

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 us in connection with the sale of the securities being registered.

 

     Amount  

SEC registration fees

   $ 1,620.29  

FINRA filing fees

      

Accounting fees and expenses

      

Legal fees and expenses

      

Miscellaneous fees and expenses

      
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 1,620.29  
  

 

 

 

Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers

Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law authorizes a court to award, or a corporation’s board of directors to grant, indemnity to directors and officers in terms sufficiently broad to permit such indemnification under certain circumstances for liabilities, including reimbursement for expenses incurred, arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides for indemnification of our directors, officers, employees and other agents to the maximum extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law.

We have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our current directors and officers. These agreements provide for the indemnification of such persons for all reasonable expenses and liabilities incurred in connection with any action or proceeding brought against them by reason of the fact that they are or were serving in such capacity. We believe that these indemnification agreements are necessary to attract and retain qualified persons as directors and officers. Furthermore, we have obtained director and officer liability insurance to cover liabilities our directors and officers may incur in connection with their services to us.

Item 16. Exhibits

 

Exhibit
Number

  

Exhibit Description

   Schedule /
Form
   File
Number
   Exhibit    File Date
3.1    Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant, as amended    Form 10-Q    001-35890    3.1    May 15, 2019
3.2    Certificate of Amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on June 24, 2021    Form 8-K    001-35890    3.1    June 28, 2021
3.3    Certificate of Amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on June 25, 2021    Form 8-K    001-35890    3.2    June 28, 2021
3.4    Amended and Restated Bylaws    Form 8-K    001-35890    3.1    September 24, 2021
4.1    Form of Pre-Funded Warrant    Form 10-K    001-35890    4.1    April 1, 2022

 

II-1


Table of Contents

Exhibit
Number

  

Exhibit Description

   Schedule /
Form
   File
Number
   Exhibit    File Date
4.2    Form of Tempest Therapeutics, Inc. Warrant to Purchase Stock    Form S-4/A    333-255198    4.2    May 4, 2021
5.1    Opinion of Cooley LLP             Filed Herewith
23.1    Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm             Filed Herewith
23.2    Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent registered public accounting firm             Filed Herewith
24.1    Power of Attorney (see signature page to this registration statement)             Filed Herewith
107    Filing Fee Table             Filed Herewith

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 of 1933;

(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; 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 paragraphs (1)(i), (1)(ii) and (1)(iii) do not apply if 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 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of 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 of 1933, 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.

 

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Table of Contents

(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:

(i) Each prospectus filed by the 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

(ii) 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 of 1933 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 that 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.

(5) Each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A (§230.430A of this chapter), shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness; 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 first use, 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 date of first use.

(6) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) 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) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 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 Securities and Exchange 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 of 1933 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, 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 registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of South San Francisco, State of California, on May 16, 2022.

 

TEMPEST THERAPEUTICS, INC.
By:   /s/ Stephen Brady
  Stephen Brady
  Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Stephen Brady and Nicholas Maestas, and each of them, as true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full powers of substitution and resubstitution, for them and in their name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including pre-effective and post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to sign any registration statement for the same offering covered by this registration statement that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and generally to do all such things in their names and behalf in their capacities as officers and directors to enable Tempest Therapeutics, Inc. to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and all requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or their or his substitutes or substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signatures

  

Title

  

Date

/s/ Stephen Brady

Stephen Brady

  

Chief Executive Officer and Director

(Principal Executive Officer)

   May 16, 2022

/s/ Nicholas Maestas

Nicholas Maestas

  

Vice President, Strategy and Finance

(Principal Financial Officer)

   May 16, 2022

/s/ Pierre Lorenzo

Pierre Lorenzo

  

Corporate Controller, Treasurer and Secretary

(Principal Accounting Officer)

   May 16, 2022

/s/ Mike Raab

Mike Raab

  

Chairman of the Board

   May 16, 2022

 

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Signatures

  

Title

  

Date

/s/ Thomas Dubensky

Thomas Dubensky, Ph.D.

  

President and Director

   May 16, 2022

/s/ Christine Pellizzari

Christine Pellizzari

  

Director

   May 16, 2022

/s/ Geoff Nichol

Geoff Nichol, M.B., Ch.B., M.B.A.

  

Director

   May 16, 2022

/s/ Tom Woiwode

Tom Woiwode, Ph.D.

  

Director

   May 16, 2022

/s/ Ronit Simantov

Ronit Simantov, M.D.

  

Director

   May 16, 2022

 

II-5

EX-5.1

Exhibit 5.1

 

LOGO

Laura Berezin

+1 650 843 5128

lberezin@cooley.com

May 16, 2022

Tempest Therapeutics, Inc.

7000 Shoreline Court, Suite 275

South San Francisco, CA 9

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel to Tempest Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the filing of a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) by the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, covering the resale by a selling stockholder (the “Selling Stockholder”) of up to 6,355,932 shares of the Company’s Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Common Stock”), consisting of (i) 3,149,912 outstanding shares of Common Stock (the “Shares”) and (ii) up to 3,206,020 shares of Common Stock (the “Warrant Shares”) issuable upon the exercise of outstanding pre-funded warrants to purchase shares of Common Stock (the “Warrants”). The Shares and the Warrants were issued pursuant to a Securities Purchase Agreement, dated April 26, 2022, by and among the Company and the purchaser named therein (the “Securities Purchase Agreement”).

In connection with this opinion, we have examined and relied upon the Registration Statement and related prospectus, the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, and Bylaws, as amended, each as currently in effect, the Securities Purchase Agreement, the Warrants and such other documents, records, certificates, memoranda and other instruments as in our judgment are necessary or appropriate to enable us to render the opinion expressed below. We have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to originals of all documents submitted to us as copies, the accuracy, completeness and authenticity of certificates of public officials and the due authorization, execution and delivery of all documents by all persons other than the Company where execution and delivery are prerequisites to the effectiveness thereof. As to certain factual matters, we have relied upon a certificate of an officer of the Company and have not independently verified such matters.

Our opinion is expressed only with respect to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. We express no opinion as to whether any particular laws other than those identified above are applicable to the subject matter hereof. We are not rendering any opinion as to compliance with any federal or state antifraud law, rule or regulation relating to securities, or to the sale or issuance thereof.

With respect to the Warrant Shares, we express no opinion to the extent that future issuances of securities of the Company, including the Warrant Shares, and/or adjustments to outstanding securities of the Company, including the Warrants, may cause the Warrants to be exercisable for more shares of Common Stock than the number that remain authorized but unissued. Further, we have assumed the exercise price of the Warrants will not be adjusted to an amount below the par value per share of the Common Stock.

 

Cooley LLP 3175 Hanover St. Palo Alto, CA 94303-1130

t: (650) 843-5000 f: (650) 849-7400 cooley.com


LOGO

Tempest Therapeutics, Inc.

May 16, 2022

Page Two

On the basis of the foregoing, and in reliance thereon, we are of the opinion that the Shares have been validly issued and are fully paid, and nonassessable and that the Warrant Shares, when issued upon exercise of the Warrants in accordance with the terms of the Warrants, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

We hereby consent to the reference to our firm under the caption “Legal Matters” in the prospectus included in the Registration Statement and to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.

*****

 

Cooley LLP 3175 Hanover St. Palo Alto, CA 94303-1130

t: (650) 843-5000 f: (650) 849-7400 cooley.com


 

LOGO

Tempest Therapeutics, Inc.

May 16, 2022

Page Three

Very truly yours,

COOLEY LLP

 

By:   /s/ Laura Berezin
  Laura Berezin

 

Cooley LLP 3175 Hanover St. Palo Alto, CA 94303-1130

t: (650) 843-5000 f: (650) 849-7400 cooley.com

EX-23.1

Exhibit 23.1

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption “Experts” in the Registration Statement (Form S-3) and related Prospectus of Tempest Therapeutics, Inc. for the registration of 6,355,932 shares of common stock and to the incorporation by reference therein of our report dated March 29, 2022, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Tempest Therapeutics, Inc. included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2021, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Grand Rapids, Michigan

May 13, 2022

EX-23.2

Exhibit 23.2

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of our report dated May, 10, 2021 (March 29, 2022, as to the effects of the stock exchange as described in Note 1), relating to the consolidated financial statements of Tempest Therapeutics, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”), appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Tempest Therapeutics, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2020. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

San Francisco, California

May 16, 2022

EX-FILING FEES

Exhibit 107

Calculation of Filing Fee Tables

Form S-3

(Form Type)

Tempest Therapeutics, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

Table 1: Newly Registered Securities

 

                 
      Security
Type
   Security
Class
Title
   Fee
Calculation  
Rule
  Amount
Registered(1)
  Proposed
Maximum
Offering
Price Per
Share
  Maximum
Aggregate
Offering
Price
   Fee
Rate
   Amount of
Registration
Fee
                 
Fees to Be   Paid    Equity      Class A common   Stock, par value $0.001
per share
   Other (3)     6,355,932(2)     $2.75(3)     $17,478,813.00      0.0000927      $1,620.29
           
     Total Offering Amounts     $17,478,813.00         1,620.29
           
     Total Fees Previously Paid          
           
     Total Fee Offsets          
           
     Net Fees Due                 $1,620.29

 

(1)

Represents the shares of Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share (the “Common Stock”) of Tempest Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Registrant”) that will be offered for resale by the selling stockholder pursuant to the prospectus to which this exhibit is attached. 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 additional shares of common stock as may be issuable as a result of stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions with respect to the shares being registered hereunder.

(2)

Consists of an aggregate of 6,355,932 shares of the Registrant’s common stock, including 3,206,020 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of pre-funded warrants of the registrant.

(3)

This estimate is made pursuant to Rule 457(c) of the Securities Act solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee. The price per share and aggregate offering price are based upon the average of the high and low prices of the Registrant’s common stock on May 13, 2022, as reported on the Nasdaq Global Market.