Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration No. 333-200083

PROSPECTUS

 

DYNAVAX

DYNAVAX TECHNOLOGIES

 

$50,000,000

Common Stock

We have entered into a certain Sales Agreement, or sales agreement, with Cowen and Company, LLC, or Cowen, relating to shares of our common stock offered by this prospectus. In accordance with the terms of the sales agreement, we may offer and sell shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $50 million from time to time through Cowen.

Our common stock is quoted on The NASDAQ Capital Market, or the Exchange, under the symbol “DVAX.” The last reported sale price of our common stock on November 7, 2014 was $15.90 per share.

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

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

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should review carefully the risks and uncertainties described under the heading “Risk Factors” on page 4 of this prospectus and as updated in the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, and under similar headings in the other documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

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

COWEN

AND COMPANY

 

The date of this prospectus is December 3, 2014.

 

 

 


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prospectus

 

 

 

Page

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

 

 

1

 

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

 

 

2

 

THE OFFERING

 

 

3

 

RISK FACTORS

 

 

4

 

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

 

5

 

USE OF PROCEEDS

 

 

6

 

DILUTION

 

 

7

 

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

 

 

8

 

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

 

12

 

LEGAL MATTERS

 

 

13

 

EXPERTS

 

 

13

 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

 

 

13

 

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

 

 

13

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

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

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

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

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

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

 


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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

This summary highlights certain information about us, this offering and selected information contained elsewhere in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus. This summary is not complete and does not contain all of the information that you should consider before deciding whether to invest in our common stock. For a more complete understanding of our company and this offering, we encourage you to read and consider carefully the more detailed information in this prospectus, including the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus, and the information included in any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering, including the information under the heading “Risk Factors” in this prospectus on page 4 and in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

About Dynavax Technologies Corporation

We are a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company that develops products to prevent and treat infectious and inflammatory diseases and cancer based on Toll-like Receptor (“TLR”) biology and its ability to modulate the innate immune system. Our lead product candidate is HEPLISAV-BTM, an investigational adult hepatitis B vaccine in Phase 3 clinical development.

In addition to HEPLISAV-B, we are conducting clinical and preclinical programs that utilize our expertise in TLR biology. Our product candidates include both TLR agonists and TLR inhibitors. Our clinical stage programs include our cancer immunotherapy program, our sterile inflammation/autoimmune disease program and our asthma therapeutic program partnered with AstraZeneca AB (“AstraZeneca”). We also are advancing preclinical development programs in adjuvant technology and TLR 7, 8, and 9 inhibition. We compete with pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, academic institutions and research organizations in developing therapies to prevent or treat infectious and inflammatory diseases and cancer.

We were incorporated in California in August 1996 under the name Double Helix Corporation, and we changed our name to Dynavax Technologies Corporation in September 1996. We reincorporated in Delaware in 2000. Our principal offices are located at 2929 Seventh Street, Suite 100, Berkeley, California 94710-2753. Our telephone number is (510) 848-5100. Our Internet address is www.dynavax.com.  We do not incorporate the information on our website into this prospectus, and you should not consider it part of this prospectus.

Dynavax Technologies and HEPLISAV-B are registered trademarks of Dynavax. Each of the other trademarks, trade names or service marks appearing in this prospectus belongs to its respective holder. For further information regarding us and our financial information, you should refer to our recent filings with the SEC. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 


2

 


 

The Offering

 

Common Stock Offered By Us

Shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $50 million.

 

Manner of Offering

“At-the-market” offering that may be made from time to time through our sales agent, Cowen. See “Plan of Distribution” on page 12.

 

Use of proceeds

We currently intend to use the net proceeds from this offering primarily for research, development, manufacturing, and commercialization of product candidates, and for other general corporate purposes. See “Use of Proceeds” on page 6 of this prospectus.

 

Risk factors

Investing in our common stock involves significant risks. See “Risk Factors” on page 4 of this prospectus, and under similar headings in other documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

 

NASDAQ Capital Market Symbol

DVAX


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RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully review the risks and uncertainties described under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, and under similar headings in the other documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus, before deciding whether to purchase any of the securities being registered pursuant to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. The risks described in these documents are not the only ones we face, but those that we consider to be material. Each of the risk factors could adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition, as well as adversely affect the value of an investment in our securities, and the occurrence of any of these risks might cause you to lose all or part of your investment. Moreover, the risks described are not the only ones that we face. Additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently believe are immaterial may also significantly impair our business operations. Please also read carefully the section below titled “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

Additional Risks Related to This Offering

You will experience immediate and substantial dilution.

The offering price per share in this offering may exceed the net tangible book value per share of our common stock outstanding prior to this offering. Assuming that an aggregate of 3,144,654 shares of our common stock are sold at a price of $15.90 per share, the last reported sale price of our common stock on the Exchange on November 7, 2014, for aggregate gross proceeds of $50 million, and after deducting commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, you will experience immediate dilution of $10.20 per share, representing the difference between our as adjusted net tangible book value per share as of September 30, 2014 after giving effect to this offering and the assumed offering price. The exercise of outstanding stock options and warrants will result in further dilution of your investment. See the section entitled “Dilution” below for a more detailed illustration of the dilution you would incur if you participate in this offering.

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

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


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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus, the documents we file with the SEC that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act. These statements relate to future events or to our future operating or financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performances or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements about:

 

 

 

our ability to timely and appropriately respond to the complete response letter issued to us in February 2013 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, with respect to our Biologics License Application for HEPLISAV-B;

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

our ability to manufacture and commercialize our product candidates;

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

our expectations with respect to our intellectual property position;

 

 

 

the use of proceeds from this offering; and

 

 

 

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

In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “project,” “predict,” “potential,” “future,” “intend,” “certain,” and similar expressions intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are based on assumptions and subject to risks and uncertainties. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. We discuss many of these risks in greater detail under the heading “Risk Factors” on page 3 of this prospectus and in our SEC filings. Also, these forward-looking statements represent our estimates and assumptions only as of the date of the document containing the applicable statement.

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

You should rely only on the information contained, or incorporated by reference, in this prospectus and any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering. We and the sales agent for this offering have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. The common stock offered under this prospectus is not being offered in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of this prospectus, or that any information incorporated by reference into this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date of the document so incorporated by reference. Unless required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect new information or future events or developments. Thus, you should not assume that our silence over time means that actual events are bearing out as expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. 


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USE OF PROCEEDS

We may issue and sell shares of our common stock having aggregate sales proceeds of up to $50 million from time to time. Because there is no minimum offering amount required as a condition to close this offering, the actual total public offering amount, commissions and proceeds to us, if any, are not determinable at this time. We estimate that the net proceeds from the sale of the shares of common stock that we are offering may be up to approximately $48.5 million, after deducting Cowen’s commission and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

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

 


6

 


 

DILUTION

Our net tangible book value as of September 30, 2014 was approximately $119.2 million, or $4.53 per share. Net tangible book value per share is determined by dividing our total tangible assets, less total liabilities, by the number of shares of our common stock outstanding as of September 30, 2014. Dilution with respect to net tangible book value per share represents the difference between the amount per share paid by purchasers of shares of common stock in this offering and the net tangible book value per share of our common stock immediately after this offering.

After giving effect to the sale of 3,144,654 shares of our common stock in this offering at an assumed offering price of $15.90 per share, the last reported sale price of our common stock on the Exchange on November 7, 2014, and after deducting estimated offering commissions and offering expenses payable by us, our as adjusted net tangible book value as of September 30, 2014 would have been approximately $167.8 million, or $5.70 per share. This represents an immediate increase in net tangible book value of $1.17 per share to existing stockholders and immediate dilution of $10.20 per share to investors purchasing our common stock in this offering at the public offering price. The following table illustrates this dilution on a per share basis:

 

 

Assumed public offering price per share

 

 

 

$15.90

Net tangible book value per share of as September 30, 2014

 

 

$4.53

 

Increase in net tangible book value per share attributable to this offering

 

 

$1.17

 

As adjusted net tangible book value per share as of September 30, 2014, after giving effect to this offering

 

 

 

$5.70

Dilution per share to investors purchasing our common stock in this offering

 

 

 

$10.20

 

 

 

 


The above discussion and table are based on 26,293,377 shares outstanding as of September 30, 2014, and exclude as of that date:

 

 

 

1,091,387 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants outstanding as of September 30, 2014, having a weighted average exercise price of $15.00 per share;

 

 

 

1,881,851 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of stock options outstanding as of September 30, 2014, having a weighted average exercise price of $27.70 per share;

 

 

 

179,000 unvested restricted stock units as of September 30, 2014; and

 

 

 

an aggregate of 912,572 shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under our stock option and employee stock purchase plans as of September 30, 2014.

 

The table above assumes for illustrative purposes that an aggregate of 3,144,654 shares of our common stock are sold during the term of the sales agreement with Cowen at a price of $15.90 per share, the last reported sale price of our common stock on The NASDAQ Capital Market on November 7, 2014, for aggregate gross proceeds of $50,000,000. The shares subject to the sales agreement with Cowen are being sold from time to time at various prices. An increase of $0.50 per share in the price at which the shares are sold from the assumed offering price of $15.90 per share shown in the table above, assuming all of our common stock in the aggregate amount of $50,000,000 during the term of the sales agreement with Cowen is sold at that price, would increase our adjusted net tangible book value per share after the offering to $5.72 per share and would increase the dilution in net tangible book value per share to new investors in this offering to $10.68 per share, after deducting commissions and estimated aggregate offering expenses payable by us. A decrease of $0.50 per share in the price at which the shares are sold from the assumed offering price of $15.90 per share shown in the table above, assuming all of our common stock in the aggregate amount of $50,000,000 during the term of the sales agreement with Cowen is sold at that price, would decrease our adjusted net tangible book value per share after the offering to $5.68 per share and would decrease the dilution in net tangible book value per share to new investors in this offering to $9.72 per share, after deducting commissions and estimated aggregate offering expenses payable by us. This information is supplied for illustrative purposes only.

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To the extent that outstanding options or warrants outstanding as of September 30, 2014 have been or may be exercised or other shares issued, investors purchasing our common stock in this offering may experience further dilution. In addition, we may choose to raise additional capital due to market conditions or strategic considerations even if we believe we have sufficient funds for our current or future operating plans. To the extent that additional capital is raised through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, the issuance of these securities could result in further dilution to our stockholders.

 

 

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

General

Our authorized capital stock consists of 69,500,000 shares of common stock, $0.001 par value per share, and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.001 par value per share, 450,000 shares of which has been designated as Series A Junior Participating Preferred, and 43,430 shares of which has been designated as Series B Convertible Preferred Stock. As of November 7, 2014, there were 26,295,877 shares of our common stock outstanding and 43,430 shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock outstanding. All outstanding share amounts included in this prospectus have been retroactively adjusted to give effect to a reverse stock split of 1-for-10 of our common stock effected on November 7, 2014.

 

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

Common Stock

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

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

 

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

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

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

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Preferred Stock

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

 

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

Our board of directors may authorize the issuance of preferred stock with voting, exchange or conversion rights that could adversely affect the voting power or other rights of the holders of our common stock. Preferred stock could be issued quickly with terms designed to delay or prevent a change in control of our company or make removal of management more difficult. Additionally, the issuance of preferred stock may have the effect of decreasing the market price of our common stock.

Series B Convertible Preferred Stock

As of November 7, 2014, there were 43,430 shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock outstanding. Each share of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock is convertible into 100 shares of common stock at any time at the holder’s option. However, the holder is prohibited from converting the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock into shares of common stock if, as a result of such conversion, the holder and its affiliates would own more than 9.98% of the total number of shares of common stock then issued and outstanding. In the event of the Company’s liquidation, dissolution, or winding up, holders of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock will receive a payment equal to $0.001 per share before any proceeds are distributed to the common stockholders. Shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock generally have no voting rights, except as required by law and except that the consent of holders of a majority of the outstanding Series B Convertible Preferred Stock is required to amend the terms of the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock. Holders of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock are not entitled to receive any dividends, unless and until specifically declared by the Company’s board of directors. The Series B Convertible Preferred Stock ranks senior to our common stock as to distributions of assets upon the Company’s liquidation, dissolution or winding up, whether voluntarily or involuntarily. The Series B Convertible Preferred Stock may rank senior to, on parity with or junior to any class or series of our capital stock created in the future depending upon the specific terms of such future stock issuance.

Rights Agreement

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

Warrants

As of November 7, 2014, warrants to purchase an aggregate of 1,091,387 shares of our common stock were issued and outstanding. The warrants contain provisions for the adjustment of the exercise price and the aggregate

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number of shares issuable upon the exercise of the warrants in the event of stock dividends, stock splits, reorganizations and reclassifications and consolidations.

 

Registration Rights

We agreed to provide certain registration rights to entities affiliated with Symphony Capital Partners, L.P. and Symphony Dynamo Holdings LLC, collectively known as Symphony, pursuant to the terms of an Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement dated November 9, 2009. In accordance with such agreement, we have filed a registration statement with the SEC covering the resale of shares of our common stock and the resale of shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants we issued to Symphony and their affiliates.

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

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

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

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

Section 203 of Delaware Law

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

 

 

 

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

 

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

 

 

 

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

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

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

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

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

Transfer Agent and Registrar

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

NASDAQ Capital Market Listing

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


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Plan Of Distribution

We have entered into  a Sales Agreement with Cowen under which we may issue and sell shares of our common stock having aggregate sales proceeds of up to $50 million from time to time through Cowen acting as agent. Cowen may sell the common stock by any method that is deemed to be an “at-the-market” equity offering as defined in Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act including sales made directly on or through the Exchange or any other existing trading market for the common stock in the US or to or through a market maker. Cowen also may sell the common stock in negotiated transactions, subject to our prior approval.

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

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

We will pay Cowen a commission equal to an aggregate of up to 3% of the gross proceeds we receive from the sales of our common stock. Because there is no minimum offering amount required as a condition to close this offering, the actual total public offering amount, commissions and proceeds to us, if any, are not determinable at this time. In connection with the sale of the common stock on our behalf, Cowen may, and will with respect to sales effected in an “at-the-market-offering,” be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the compensation of Cowen will be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts. We have agreed to provide indemnification and contribution to Cowen with respect to certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.  We estimate that the total expenses for the offering, excluding compensation payable to Cowen under the terms of the sales agreement, will be approximately $330,000.

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

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

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

 


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LEGAL MATTERS

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

EXPERTS

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

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

This prospectus is part of the registration statement on Form S-3 we filed with the SEC under the Securities Act and do not contain all the information set forth in the registration statement. Whenever a reference is made in this prospectus to any of our contracts, agreements or other documents, the reference may not be complete and you should refer to the exhibits that are a part of the registration statement or the exhibits to the reports or other documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus for a copy of such contract, agreement or other document. Because we are subject to the information and reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, we file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. You also may read and copy any document we file at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the Public Reference Room.

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

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

 

 

 

our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 filed with the SEC on March 10, 2014;

 

 

 

the information specifically incorporated by reference into our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 from our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for our 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, filed with the SEC on April 28, 2014;

 

 

 

our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the periods ended March 31, 2014 (filed with the SEC on May 5, 2014), June 30, 2014 (filed with the SEC on August 7, 2014) and September 30, 2014 (filed with the SEC on November 5, 2014);

 

 

 

our Current Reports on Form 8-K (other than information furnished rather than filed) filed with the SEC on February 7, 2014, February 18, 2014, April 16, 2014, May 29, 2014, September 22, 2014, October 7, 2014, October 14, 2014, November 10, 2014 and November 28, 2014; and

 

 

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

 

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

Dynavax Technologies Corporation

Attention: Michael Ostrach, Secretary

2929 7th Street, Suite 100

Berkeley, CA 94710-2753

(510) 848-5100

 

 

 

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$50,000,000

 

DYNAVAX

DYNAVAX TECHNOLOGIES

 

Common stock

Prospectus

 

 

COWEN

AND COMPANY

December 3, 2014