The information in this preliminary
prospectus supplement is not complete and may be changed. This preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus
are part of an effective registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. This preliminary prospectus
supplement and the accompanying prospectus are not an offer to sell these securities and are not soliciting an offer to buy these
securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
SUBJECT
TO COMPLETION, DATED FEBRUARY 25, 2021
PRELIMINARY
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(To Prospectus dated September
12, 2019)
Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration No. 333-233567
Common Shares
We are offering
common shares, no par value, (“Common Shares”), in this offering. Our Common Shares are listed on the Nasdaq Capital
Market under the symbol “EDSA”. On February 24, 2021, the last reported sale price of our Common Shares on the Nasdaq
Capital Market was $6.44 per share.
The
offering is being underwritten on a firm commitment basis. The underwriter may offer the Common Shares from time to time to purchasers
directly or through agents, through brokers in brokerage transactions on the Nasdaq Capital Market, to dealers in negotiated transactions
or in a combination of such methods of sale, or otherwise, at fixed price or prices, which may be changed, or at market prices
prevailing at the time or at prices related to such prevailing market prices.
As
of the date of this prospectus supplement, the aggregate market value of our outstanding Common Shares held by non-affiliates
was $46,673,285, based on 11,615,942 outstanding Common Shares, of which 6,239,744 shares were held by non-affiliates, and a price
of $7.48 per share, which was the last reported sale price of our Common Shares on the Nasdaq Capital Market on January 26, 2021.
Under the registration
statement to which this prospectus supplement forms a part, we may not sell our securities in a primary offering with a value exceeding
one-third of our public float in any 12-month period (unless our public float rises to $75.0 million or more). During the 12-calendar
month period that ends on, and includes, the date of this prospectus supplement, we sold securities with an aggregate market value
of $3,749,542 pursuant to General Instruction I.B.6. of Form S-3 (excluding the value of the Common Shares sold in this offering).
We are an “emerging
growth company” as defined under U.S. federal securities laws and will be subject to reduced public company reporting requirements.
See “Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company.”
Investing in our
securities involves a high degree of risk. Before making any decision to invest in our securities, you should carefully consider
the information disclosed in this this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus, including the information under
“Risk Factors” beginning on page S-8 of this prospectus supplement, as well as the information, including the risk
factors contained or incorporated by reference to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus as described under
the heading “Where You Can Find More Information”.
NEITHER THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE
ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL
OFFENSE.
THE SECURITIES OFFERED
BY THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT HAVE NOT BEEN QUALIFIED FOR DISTRIBUTION IN CANADA AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD IN CANADA EXCEPT
PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM THE PROSPECTUS REQUIREMENTS UNDER APPLICABLE CANADIAN SECURITIES LAWS. THE COMPANY HAS NOT FILED
AND DOES NOT INTEND TO FILE A CANADIAN PROSPECTUS IN CONNECTION WITH THE SECURITIES OFFERED BY THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT.
There is no arrangement
for funds to be received in escrow, trust or similar arrangement.
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Per Common
Share
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Total
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Public Offering Price
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$
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$
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Underwriting Discounts and Commissions(1)
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$
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$
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Proceeds, before expenses, to us
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$
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$
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(1)
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We have agreed to pay
a management fee to the underwriter equal to 1.0% of the aggregate gross proceeds raised in this offering, to reimburse certain
expenses of the underwriter in connection with this offering, and to issue to the underwriter, or its designees, warrants to purchase
Common Shares equal to 7% of the aggregate number of Common Shares issued in this offering, including Common Shares issued upon
exercise of the underwriter option to purchase additional Common Shares. See “Underwriting” beginning on page S-21
of this prospectus supplement for additional information regarding underwriting compensation.
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We have granted the
underwriter an option for a period of 30 days from the date of this prospectus to purchase up to
additional Common Shares at the public offering price per share set forth above, less underwriting discounts and commissions. If
the underwriter exercises the option in full, the total underwriting discounts and commissions payable by us will be $ ,
and the total proceeds to us, before expenses, will be approximately $ .
We expect that delivery
of the shares being offered pursuant to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus will be made on or about
, 2021, subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions.
H.C. WAINWRIGHT & CO.
The date of this prospectus supplement is
February , 2021.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
PROSPECTUS
You should rely
only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.
We have not, and the underwriter has not, authorized any other person 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 underwriter 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 supplement, the accompanying prospectus or in any documents incorporated by reference herein or therein is accurate
only as of the date of the applicable document. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have
changed since that date.
This prospectus
supplement is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation
is illegal.
ABOUT
THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
All references to the
terms “Edesa Biotech,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our” in this prospectus
supplement refer to Edesa Biotech, Inc., a British Columbia corporation, and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless the context
requires otherwise.
This prospectus supplement
and the accompanying base prospectus are part of a registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-233567) that we filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Each time
we conduct an offering to sell securities under the accompanying base prospectus we will provide a prospectus supplement that will
contain specific information about the terms of that offering, including the price, the amount of securities being offered and
the plan of distribution. The shelf registration statement was initially filed with the SEC on August 30, 2019, and was declared
effective on September 12, 2019. This prospectus supplement describes the specific details regarding this offering and may add,
update or change information contained in the accompanying base prospectus. The accompanying base prospectus provides general information
about us and our securities, some of which, such as the section entitled “Plan of Distribution,” may not apply to this
offering. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus are an offer to sell only the securities offered hereby,
but only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so. We are not making offers to sell or solicitations
to buy our securities in any jurisdiction in which an offer or solicitation is not authorized or in which the person making that
offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so or to anyone to whom it is unlawful to make an offer or solicitation.
If information in this
prospectus supplement is inconsistent with the accompanying base prospectus or the information incorporated by reference with an
earlier date, you should rely on this prospectus supplement. This prospectus supplement, together with the accompanying base prospectus
and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus, include all material
information relating to this offering. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying
base prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus
is accurate only as of the respective dates of those documents. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects
may have changed since those dates. You should carefully read this prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus and
the information and documents incorporated by reference herein and therein before making an investment decision. See “Where
You Can Find More Information” in this prospectus supplement and in the accompanying base prospectus.
We have not, and the
underwriter has not, authorized anyone to provide you with information that is different from that contained in this prospectus
supplement, the accompanying base prospectus or in any free writing prospectus we may authorize to be delivered or made available
to you. When you make a decision about whether to invest in our securities, you should not rely upon any information other than
the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus or
in any free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be delivered or made available to you. Neither the delivery of this prospectus
supplement and the accompanying base prospectus nor the sale of our securities means that the information contained in this prospectus
supplement, the accompanying base prospectus or any free writing prospectus is correct after the date of the respective dates of
such documents.
For investors outside
the United States: We have not, and the underwriter has not, taken any action that would permit this offering or possession or
distribution of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying base prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose
is required, other than in the United States. Persons outside the United States who come into possession of this prospectus supplement
or the accompanying base prospectus must inform themselves about, and observe any restrictions relating to, the offering of the
securities covered hereby and the distribution of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus outside the United
States. This offering is not available to a resident of Canada or a person or company in Canada. See the section entitled “Underwriting”
in this prospectus supplement.
This prospectus supplement
and the accompanying base prospectus contain summaries of certain provisions contained in some of the documents described herein,
but reference is made to the actual documents for complete information. All of the summaries are qualified in their entirety by
the full text of the actual documents, some of which have been filed or will be filed with the SEC and incorporated by reference
herein. See “Where You Can Find More Information” in this prospectus supplement. We further note that the representations,
warranties and covenants made by us in any agreement that is filed as an exhibit to any document that is incorporated by reference
into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying base prospectus were made solely for the benefit of the parties to such agreement,
including, in some cases, for the purpose of allocating risk among the parties to such agreements, and should not be deemed to
be a representation, warranty or covenant to you. Moreover, such representations, warranties or covenants were accurate only as
of the date when made. Accordingly, such representations, warranties and covenants should not be relied on as accurately representing
the current state of our affairs.
This prospectus supplement
and the accompanying base prospectus contain and incorporate by reference certain market data and industry statistics and forecasts
that are based on studies sponsored by us, independent industry publications and other publicly available information. Although
we believe these sources are reliable, estimates as they relate to projections involve numerous assumptions, are subject to risks
and uncertainties, and are subject to change based on various factors, including those discussed under “Risk Factors”
in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus and under similar headings in the documents incorporated by
reference herein and therein. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on this information.
Unless otherwise noted
herein, all references to “CDN$,” “CAD$,” or “Canadian dollars” are to the currency of Canada
and “$,” “dollars,” “US$,” “United States dollars,” or “U.S. dollars”
are to the currency of the United States. This prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus and the information incorporated
by reference herein and therein contain references to trademarks, service marks and trade names owned by us or other companies.
Solely for convenience, trademarks, service marks and trade names referred to in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying base
prospectus and the information incorporated by reference herein and therein, including logos, artwork, and other visual displays,
may appear without the ® or ® symbols, but such references are not intended to indicate, in any way, that we
will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our rights or the rights of the applicable licensor to these trademarks,
service marks and trade names. We do not intend our use or display of other companies’ trade names, service marks or trademarks
to imply a relationship with, or endorsement or sponsorship of us by, any other companies. Other trademarks, trade names and service
marks appearing in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein
and therein are the property of their respective owners.
SPECIAL
NOTE ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus supplement,
the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated herein by reference contain “forward-looking statements”
made pursuant to the safe-harbor provision of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which reflect our current
expectations regarding future events. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in or incorporated by reference
into this prospectus supplement that address activities, events or developments that we expect, believe or anticipate will or may
occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Our forward-looking statements generally include statements about our plans,
objectives, strategies and prospects regarding, among other things, our businesses, results of operations, liquidity and financial
condition. In some cases, we have identified these forward-looking statements with words like “believe,” “may,”
“could,” “might,” “possible,” “potential,” “project,” “will,”
“should,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “predict,” “anticipate,”
“estimate,” “approximate,” “contemplate” or “continue,” or the negative of these
words or other words and terms of similar meaning. Known and unknown risks and uncertainties could cause our actual results to
differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Such risks include, but are not limited to, the following:
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our ability to fund our planned operations and implement our business plan;
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the scope, number, progress, duration, cost, results and timing of clinical trials and nonclinical
studies of our current or future product candidates;
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our ability to raise sufficient funds to support the development and potential commercialization
of our product candidates;
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the impact of the coronavirus, or COVID-19, pandemic on our worldwide operations and those of our
business partners;
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the impact of new and modified regulatory policies by federal regulatory authorities during the
COVID-19 public health emergency;
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delays in our clinical development programs and limited communications with regulatory authorities
during the COVID-19 public health emergency;
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the outcomes and timing of regulatory reviews, approvals or other actions;
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our ability to obtain marketing approval for our product candidates and otherwise execute our business
plan;
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our ability to establish and maintain licensing, collaboration or similar arrangements on favorable
terms and whether and to what extent we retain development or commercialization responsibilities under any new licensing, collaboration
or similar arrangement;
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the success of any other business, product or technology that we acquire or in which we invest;
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our ability to maintain, expand and defend the scope of our intellectual property portfolio;
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our ability to manufacture any approved products on commercially reasonable terms;
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our ability to establish a sales and marketing organization or suitable third-party alternatives
for any approved product;
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the number and characteristics of product candidates and programs that we pursue;
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the attraction and retention of qualified employees and personnel;
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future acquisitions or investments in complementary companies or technologies; and
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our ability to comply with evolving legal standards and regulations pertaining to our industry.
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More detailed information
about these and other factors is included under “Risk Factors” in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus
and in other documents incorporated herein by reference. Many of these factors are beyond our control. Future events may vary substantially
from what we currently foresee. You should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. This offering is not available
to residents of Canada or persons or entities in Canada. We are under no obligation to update or alter such forward-looking statements
whether as a result of new information, future results, events, developments or otherwise, unless required to do so by a governmental
authority or applicable law. We advise you, however, to review any further disclosures we make on related subjects in our most
recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as any amendments thereto reflected in subsequent filings with the SEC.
SUMMARY
The following summary
highlights selected information contained elsewhere in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying
prospectus. The summary may not contain all of the information that you should consider before investing in our Common Shares.
You should read this entire prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus carefully, including “Risk Factors”
contained in this prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying
prospectus, before making an investment decision. This prospectus supplement may add to, update or change information in the accompanying
prospectus. See the “Risk Factors” section of this prospectus supplement beginning on page S-8 for a discussion
of the risks involved in investing in our securities.
Our Company
We are a biopharmaceutical
company focused on acquiring, developing and commercializing clinical-stage drugs for inflammatory and immune-related diseases
with clear unmet medical needs. Our two lead product candidates, EB05 and EB01, are in later stage clinical studies.
EB05 is a monoclonal
antibody therapy that we are developing as a treatment for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) in COVID-19 patients. ARDS
is a life-threatening form of respiratory failure, and the leading cause of death among COVID-19 patients. ARDS can be also caused
by bacterial pneumonia, sepsis, chest injury and other causes. Specifically, EB05 inhibits toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), a key immune
signaling protein and an important mediator of inflammation that has been shown to be activated by SARS-COV2 as well as other respiratory
infections such as influenza. In multiple third-party studies, high serum levels of alarmins (damage signaling molecules) that
bind to and activate TLR4 are associated with poor outcomes and disease progression in COVID-19 patients. Since EB05 has demonstrated
the ability to block signaling irrespective of the presence or concentration of the various molecules that frequently bind with
TLR4, we believe that EB05 could ameliorate TLR4-mediated inflammation cascades in ARDS patients, thereby reducing lung injury,
ventilation rates and mortality. In November 2020, we initiated a Phase 2/Phase 3 clinical study of EB05 and are currently enrolling
subjects. On February 2, 2021, the Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau announced the award of a $11 million (C$14 million)
reimbursement grant to us to complete the Phase 2 portion of the study. The funds were awarded under the Canadian government's
Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) following a multi-disciplinary technical review of our drug technology and plans.
In addition to EB05,
we are developing an sPLA2 inhibitor, designated as EB01, as a topical treatment for chronic allergic contact dermatitis (ACD),
a common, potentially debilitating condition and occupational illness. EB01 employs a novel, non-steroidal mechanism of action
and in two clinical studies has demonstrated statistically significant improvement of multiple symptoms in ACD patients. We initiated
a Phase 2B clinical study evaluating EB01 for chronic ACD in the fourth calendar quarter of 2019 and are currently enrolling subjects.
In addition to our
current clinical programs, we intend to expand the utility of our technologies and clinical-stage assets across other indications.
Competitive Strengths
We believe that we
possess a number of competitive strengths that position us to become a leading biopharmaceutical company focused on inflammatory
and immune-related diseases, including:
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Validated technology and drug development capabilities. We believe that the strength of
our technologies has been validated by our $11 million SIF competitive grant award; favorable clinical data from Phase 1 and Phase
2 studies; and, our multiple arrangements with third parties to develop and commercialize their clinical-stage drug candidates.
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Novel pipeline addressing large underserved markets. Our product candidates include novel
clinical-stage compounds and antibodies that have significant scientific rationale for effectiveness. By initially targeting large
markets that have significant unmet medical needs, we believe that we can drive adoption of new products and improve our competitive
position. For example, we believe that the novel, non-steroidal mode of action of our sPLA2 technology will be appealing alternatives
for managing the symptoms of ACD and hemorrhoids disease (HD). These diseases impact millions of people in the United States and
Canada, and can have significant effects on patients’ quality of life and, in the case of many chronic ACD patients and their
employers, significant workplace-related costs and limitations.
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Intellectual property protection and market exclusivity. We have opportunities to develop
our competitive position through patents, trade secrets, technical know-how and continuing technological innovation. We have exclusive
license rights in our target indications to multiple patents and pending patent applications in the United States and in various
foreign jurisdictions. In addition to patent protection, we intend to utilize trade secrets and market exclusivity afforded to
a New Chemical Entity, where applicable, to enhance or maintain our competitive position.
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Experienced leadership. Our leadership team possesses core capabilities in dermatology,
infectious diseases, gastrointestinal medicine, drug development and commercialization, chemistry, manufacturing and controls,
and finance. Our founder, Chief Executive Officer, Pardeep Nijhawan, MD, FRCPC, AGAF, is a board-certified gastroenterologist and
hepatologist with a successful track record of building life science businesses, including Medical Futures, Inc., which was sold
to Tribute Pharmaceuticals in 2015. In addition to our internal capabilities, we have also established a network of key opinion
leaders, contract research organizations, contract manufacturing organizations and consultants. As a result, we believe we are
well positioned to efficiently develop novel treatments for inflammatory and immune-related diseases.
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Our Business Strategy
We plan to develop
and commercialize innovative drug products that address unmet medical needs for large, underserved markets where there is limited
competition. Key elements of our strategy include:
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Rapidly develop EB05 as a novel therapy for ARDS. We intend to apply our expertise
in immune modulation and inflammation therapies and clinical trial management to rapidly develop EB05 as a potential treatment
for ARDS. With potential investigational sites in multiple jurisdictions, we believe there will be sufficient patients available
and that we can complete the study amid the global health crisis. Should the antibody treatment demonstrate promising results at
the Phase 2 readout, we plan to continue with a pivotal Phase 3 study, subject to funding and additional regulatory approvals in
certain jurisdictions.
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Establish EB01 as the leading treatment for chronic ACD. Our goal is to obtain regulatory approval for EB01 and commercialize
EB01 for use in the treatment of ACD. Based on promising early-stage clinical trial results in which patients treated with EB01
experienced statistically significant improvements of their symptoms with minimal side effects, we initiated a Phase 2B clinical
study evaluating EB01. The protocol includes a blinded interim readout following the completion of the first part of the Phase
2B study. In November 2020, we completed enrollment of more than 50% of the patients planned for this part of a study.
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Selectively targeting additional indications. In addition to our ARDS and ACD programs,
we plan to efficiently generate proof-of-concept data for other programs where modulation of immune pathways or the inhibition
of sPLA2 activity may have therapeutic benefits. For example, we are planning a proof-of-concept clinical study of our sPLA2 technology
as a potential treatment for patients with HD, subject to funding and the resumption of normal, pre-pandemic operations at targeted
clinical sites.
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In-license promising product candidates. We are applying our cost-effective development
approach to advance and expand our pipeline. Our current product candidates are in-licensed from academic institutions or other
biopharmaceutical companies, and, from time to time, we plan to identify, evaluate and potentially obtain rights to and develop
additional assets. Our objective is to maintain a well-balanced portfolio with product candidates across various stages of development.
In general, we seek to identify product candidates and technology that represent a novel therapeutic approach, are supported by
compelling science, target an unmet medical need, and provide a meaningful commercial opportunity. We do not currently intend to
invest significant capital in basic research, which can be expensive and time-consuming.
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Capture the full commercial potential of our product candidates. If our product candidates
are successfully developed and approved, we may build commercial infrastructure capable of directly marketing the products in North
America and potentially other major geographies of strategic interest. We also plan to evaluate strategic licensing arrangements
with pharmaceutical companies for the commercialization of our drugs, where applicable, such as in territories where a partner
may contribute additional resources, infrastructure and expertise.
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Recent Developments
Agreement with the Government of Canada’s
Strategic Innovation Fund
On February 2, 2021,
our wholly owned subsidiary, Edesa Biotech Research, Inc., entered into a multi-year contribution agreement with the Canadian government’s
Strategic Innovation Fund, or SIF (the “Agreement”). Under this Agreement, the Government of Canada committed up to
CAD $14.05 million ($11 million USD) in nonrepayable funding toward (i) the Phase 2 portion of our ongoing Phase 2/3 study of the
investigation therapy EB05 in hospitalized COVID-19 patients, and (ii) certain pre-clinical research intended to potentially broaden
the application of our experimental therapy. Pursuant to the contribution agreement, Edesa Biotech Research will conduct work,
incur expenses and fund all costs from its own cash resources. On a quarterly basis, Edesa Biotech Research may submit claims to
the SIF for 75% of eligible reimbursable expenses.
Financing Activities
On September 28,
2020, we entered into an Equity Distribution Agreement (the “Sales Agreement”)
with RBC Capital Markets, LLC related to the issuance and sale by us of up to $9,200,000 of our Common Shares under the
Sales Agreement. We sold a total of 586,463 Common Shares pursuant to the Sales Agreement for total proceeds of $3,749,542
between September 28, 2020 and February 25, 2021.
Corporate Information
We were incorporated
in Canada in 2007 and operate through our wholly-owned subsidiaries, Edesa Biotech Research, Inc., an Ontario corporation incorporated
in 2015, formerly known as Edesa Biotech Inc., which we acquired on June 7, 2019, and Edesa Biotech USA, Inc., a California, corporation
founded in 1999 (formerly known as Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc. prior to November 2020). Our Common Shares are traded on the Nasdaq
Capital Market under the symbol “EDSA”. Our executive offices are located at 100 Spy Court, Markham, Ontario L3R 5H6
Canada and our telephone number at this location is (289) 800-9600. Our website address is www.edesabiotech.com. The information
contained on, or that can be accessed through, our website is not a part of this prospectus. Our trademarks and trade names include,
but may not be limited to, “Edesa Biotech,” and the Edesa logo.
Implications of Being an Emerging Growth
Company
As a company with less
than $1.07 billion in revenue during our last fiscal year, we qualify as an “emerging growth company” as defined in
the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act, or JOBS Act, enacted in April 2012. An “emerging growth company” may take
advantage of reduced reporting requirements that are otherwise applicable to public companies. These provisions include, but are
not limited to:
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not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404(b) of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act;
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reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports, proxy
statements and registration statements; and
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exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation
and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.
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We may take advantage
of these provisions until September 30, 2021. However, if certain events occur prior to September 30, 2021, including if we become
a “large accelerated filer,” our annual gross revenues exceed $1.07 billion or we issue more than $1.0 billion of non-convertible
debt in any three-year period, we will cease to be an emerging growth company before such date.
We have elected to
take advantage of certain of the reduced disclosure obligations and may elect to take advantage of other reduced reporting requirements
in future filings. As a result, the information that we provide to our shareholders may be different than the information you might
receive from other public reporting companies in which you hold equity interests.
THE OFFERING
Issuer
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Edesa Biotech, Inc.
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Securities offered by us pursuant to this prospectus supplement:
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Common Shares, no par value
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Offering Price:
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$ per share
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Common Shares outstanding before this offering:
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11,615,942 Common Shares(1)
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Common Shares outstanding after this offering
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Common Shares (1)
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Use of proceeds:
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We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of our Common Shares
under this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus for general corporate purposes, which may include working capital,
capital expenditures and research and development expenses. Please see the section entitled “Use of Proceeds” on page
S-10 of this prospectus supplement for a more detailed discussion.
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Risk factors:
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An investment in our Common Shares involves a high degree of risk. Please see the section entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-8 of this prospectus supplement as well as the other information included in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus for a discussion of factors that you should consider carefully before making an investment decision.
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Dividend policy:
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We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our Common Shares. We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future.
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Nasdaq Capital Market symbol:
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EDSA
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(1) The
number of our Common Shares to be outstanding after the offering
is based on 11,615,942 of our Common Shares outstanding as of February 23, 2021 and excludes:
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1,085,387 of our Common Shares issuable upon exercise of
outstanding options granted under our equity incentive plans at a weighted average exercise price of $4.76 per share;
and
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52,564 of our Common Shares available for issuance or future
grant pursuant to our equity incentive plan; and
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650,915 of our Common Shares issuable upon exercise of
outstanding warrants at a weighted average exercise price of $5.25 per share;
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Common Shares issuable
upon conversion of 15 outstanding Series A-1 Convertible Preferred Shares valued at $0.15 million (the “Series A-1 Shares).
Subject to certain exceptions and adjustments for share splits, each Series A-1 Share is convertible six months after its date
of issuance into a number of Common Shares calculated by dividing (i) the sum of the stated value of such Series A-1 Share plus
a return equal to 3% of the stated value of such Series A-1 Share per annum by (ii) a fixed conversion price of $2.26; and
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of
our Common Shares issuable upon exercise of warrants issued to the underwriter or its designees in this offering.
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Except as otherwise indicated, the information
in this prospectus supplement assumes no exercise of the underwriter’s option to purchase additional Common Shares.
RISK
FACTORS
Before making an
investment decision, you should carefully consider the risks described in this prospectus supplement, together with all of the
other information incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including the risks
described in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K , as well as any amendments thereto reflected in subsequent filings with
the SEC, including our audited consolidated financial statements and corresponding management’s discussion and analysis.
The risks mentioned below are presented as of the date of this prospectus supplement and we expect that these will be updated from
time to time in our periodic and current reports filed with or furnished to the SEC, as applicable, which are incorporated herein
by reference. Please refer to these subsequent reports for additional information relating to the risks associated with investing
in our Common Shares.
Our business, financial
condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected by any of these risks. Additional risks not presently
known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business operations. The trading price of our Common Shares
could decline due to any of these risks, and you may lose all or part of your investment. This prospectus supplement, the accompanying
prospectus and the incorporated documents also contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual
results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including
the risks mentioned below. Forward-looking statements included in this prospectus supplement are based on information available
to us on the date hereof, and all forward-looking statements in documents incorporated by reference are based on information available
to us as of the date of each such document. We are under no obligation to update or alter such forward-looking statements whether
as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by applicable securities legislation.
Risks Relating to This Offering
The trading
price of our Common Shares has recently increased significantly to a level that we do not believe is consistent with any recent
change in our financial condition or results of operations. If the trading price of our Common Shares decreases rapidly, investors
purchasing our Common Shares in this offering could lose a significant portion of their investment.
The trading price of
our Common Shares has recently spiked significantly. On December 31, 2020, the last reported sale price of our Common Shares on
the Nasdaq was $4.25 per share; on February 19, 2021, the last reported sale price of our Common Shares on the Nasdaq was $7.30
per share. We cannot be sure why the trading price of our Common Shares has spiked significantly, we believe, however, that the
sharp spike in the trading price of our Common Shares is the result of a number of factors outside our control. There has been
no recent change in our financial condition or results of operations that is consistent with the increase in the trading price
of our Common Shares. The recent spike in the trading price of our Common Shares may not be sustained. In the event of a rapid
decrease in the trading price of our Common Shares, investors purchasing our Common Shares in this offering could lose a significant
portion of their investment.
Sales of
our Common Shares by shareholders may have an adverse effect on the then prevailing market price of our Common Shares.
Sales of a substantial
number of our Common Shares in the public market following this offering could cause the market price of our Common Shares to decline
and could impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of additional equity securities. We cannot predict the effect that
future sales of our Common Shares or other equity or equity-related securities would have on the market price of our Common Shares.
Management
will have broad discretion as to the use of the net proceeds from this offering, and we may not use the proceeds effectively.
We intend to use the
net proceeds from the sale of Common Shares by us in this offering for general corporate purposes, which may include working capital,
capital expenditures and research and development expenses. Our management will have broad discretion as to the application of
the net proceeds from this offering and could use them for purposes other than those contemplated at the time of this offering,
as described below in the section entitled “Use of Proceeds,” or in ways that do not necessarily improve our operating
results or enhance the value of our Common Shares. Our shareholders may not agree with the manner in which our management chooses
to allocate and spend the net proceeds. Our failure to use these funds effectively could have a material adverse effect on our
business and could cause the price of our securities to decline.
Investors
in this offering will suffer immediate and substantial dilution in the net tangible book value per Common Share.
Because the offering
price for the Common Shares offered pursuant to this prospectus supplement is substantially higher than the net tangible book
value of each outstanding Common Share, purchasers of Common Shares in this offering will experience immediate and substantial
dilution on the book value basis. Based on the offering price of $ per share and
our net tangible book value as of December 31, 2020, of $0.65 per share, if you purchase Common Shares in this offering you will
suffer immediate and substantial dilution of approximately $
per share. If the holders of outstanding options, warrants, or other securities convertible into our Common Shares exercise those
options, warrants, or other such securities at prices below the offering price, you will incur further dilution. Please see the
section entitled “Dilution” for a more detailed discussion of the dilution you will incur in this offering.
We may require
additional funding through further issuances of our Common Shares or other securities, which may negatively affect the market price
of our Common Shares.
To operate our business,
we may need to raise additional capital through sales of our Common Shares, securities exercisable for or convertible into our
Common Shares or debt securities pursuant to which interest and/or principal payments may be satisfied through the issuance of
our Common Shares. Future sales of such securities or our Common Shares could adversely affect the prevailing market price of our
Common Shares and our ability to raise capital in the future, and may cause you to incur additional dilution.
We do not
intend to pay dividends on our Common Shares so any returns will depend on appreciation in the price of our Common Shares.
We have never declared
or paid any cash dividends on our Common Shares. We currently anticipate that we will retain future earnings, if any, for the development,
operation and expansion of our business and do not anticipate declaring or paying any cash dividends for the foreseeable future.
Any return to stockholders will, therefore, be limited to the appreciation of their respective shares. There is no guarantee that
our Common Shares will appreciate in value or maintain the price at which you purchased them.
USE
OF PROCEEDS
We estimate that the
net proceeds from our sale of Common Shares in this offering, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated
offering expenses payable by us, will be approximately $ million
(or approximately $ million if the underwriter exercises its option to purchase
additional Common Shares in full).
We currently expect to use
the net proceeds of our sale of Common Shares for general corporate purposes which may include working capital, capital expenditures
and research and development expenses.
This expected use of
the net proceeds from this offering represents our intentions based upon our current plans and business conditions, and our management
will retain broad discretion as to the ultimate allocation of the proceeds. We may temporarily invest funds that we do not immediately
need for these purposes in investment securities or use them to make payments on our borrowings..
DIVIDEND
POLICY
We have never declared
nor paid dividends on our securities. We currently expect to retain future earnings, if any, for use in the operation and expansion
of our business and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Any future determination to pay dividends
on our securities is subject to the discretion of our board of directors and will depend upon various factors, including, without
limitation, our results of operations and financial condition.
DILUTION
If you invest in our
Common Shares, your interest will be diluted immediately to the extent of the difference between the offering price per share and
the as-adjusted net tangible book value per Common Share after this offering.
The net tangible book value of our Common Shares as of December
31, 2020 was approximately $6.8 million, or approximately $0.65 per Common Share. Net tangible book value per share represents
the amount of our total tangible assets less total liabilities divided by the total number of our Common Shares outstanding as
of December 31, 2020.
After giving effect
to the sale by us in this offering of Common Shares at a price per share of $ ,
after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, our as adjusted
net tangible book value as of December 31, 2020 would have been approximately $
million, or approximately $ per Common Share. This represents an immediate
increase in as adjusted net tangible book value of approximately $ per Common
Share to our existing security holders and an immediate dilution in as adjusted net tangible book value of approximately $
per Common Share to purchasers of Common Shares in this offering, as illustrated by the following table:
Offering price per Common Share
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$
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Net tangible book value per Common Share as of December 31, 2020
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$
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0.65
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Increase in as adjusted net tangible book value per Common Share attributable to the offering
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$
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As adjusted net tangible book value per Common Share as of December
31, 2020 after giving effect to this offering
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$
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Dilution per Common Share to new investors participating in this offering
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$
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If the underwriter exercises in full its option to purchase
additional Common Shares, the as adjusted net tangible
book value per share after this offering would be $ per share, and the dilution
in net tangible book value per share to new investors purchasing common shares in this offering would be $
per share.
The number of our
Common Shares to be outstanding after the offering is based on 10,523,047 of our Common Shares outstanding as of December
31, 2020 and excludes:
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1,105,199 of our Common Shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding options granted under our equity incentive plans at a weighted average exercise price of $4.77 per share; and
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43,498 of our Common Shares available for issuance or future grant pursuant to our equity incentive plan; and
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749,352 of our Common Shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding warrants at a weighted average exercise price of $5.19 per share; and
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Common Shares issuable upon conversion of 140 outstanding Series A-1 Convertible Preferred Shares valued at $1.4 million (the “Series A-1 Shares). Subject to certain exceptions and adjustments for share splits, each Series A-1 Share is convertible six months after its date of issuance into a number of Common Shares calculated by dividing (i) the sum of the stated value of such Series A-1 Share plus a return equal to 3% of the stated value of such Series A-1 Share per annum by (ii) a fixed conversion price of $2.26.
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To the extent that
outstanding exercisable options or warrants are exercised, you may experience further dilution. In addition, we may need to raise
additional capital and to the extent that we raise additional capital by issuing equity or convertible debt securities your ownership
will be further diluted.
CERTAIN
TAX MATTERS
THE FOLLOWING SUMMARY IS OF A GENERAL NATURE
ONLY AND IS NOT INTENDED TO BE, NOR SHOULD IT BE CONSTRUED TO BE, LEGAL OR TAX ADVICE TO ANY PARTICULAR INVESTOR. CONSEQUENTLY,
PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS ARE URGED TO CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS FOR ADVICE AS TO THE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF AN INVESTMENT IN THE
SECURITIES OFFERED BY THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS HAVING REGARD TO THEIR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES.
Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations
for U.S. Holders
The following discussion
is a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences applicable to the purchase, ownership and disposition of Common
Shares being offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus by a U.S. Holder (as defined below), but does
not purport to be a complete analysis of all potential U.S. federal income tax effects.
This summary is based
on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), final temporary and proposed U.S. Treasury
regulations promulgated thereunder (the “Regulations”), IRS rulings and judicial decisions in effect on the date of
this prospectus supplement. All of these are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect, or different interpretations.
This summary does not discuss the potential effects, whether adverse or beneficial, of any proposed legislation that, if enacted,
could be applied on a retroactive basis. This summary is not binding on the IRS, and the IRS is not precluded from taking a position
that is different from, and contrary to, the positions taken in this summary.
This summary does not
address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to particular U.S. Holders in light of their specific
circumstances (for example, U.S. Holders subject to the alternative minimum tax or the Medicare contribution tax on net investment
income under the Code) or to holders that may be subject to special rules under U.S. federal income tax law, including, without
limitation:
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dealers in stocks, securities or currencies;
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securities traders that use a mark-to-market accounting method;
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banks, underwriters and financial institutions;
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insurance companies;
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regulated investment companies;
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passive foreign investment companies;
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real estate investment trusts;
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tax-exempt organizations;
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retirement plans, individual plans, individual retirement accounts and tax-deferred accounts;
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partnerships or other pass-through entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes and their partners or members;
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persons holding Common Shares as part of a hedging or conversion transaction straddle or other integrated or risk reduction transaction;
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persons who or that are, or may become, subject to the expatriation provisions of the Code;
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persons whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar; and
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direct, indirect or constructive owners of 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of our voting stock or 10% or more of the total value of shares of all classes of our stock.
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This summary also does
not discuss any aspect of state, local or foreign law, or estate or gift tax law as applicable to U.S. Holders. In addition, this
discussion is limited to U.S. Holders purchasing Common Shares pursuant to this prospectus supplement and that will hold such Common
Shares as capital assets. For purposes of this summary, “U.S. Holder” means a beneficial holder of Common Shares who
or that for U.S. federal income tax purposes is:
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an individual citizen or resident alien of the U.S.;
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a corporation or other entity classified as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes created or organized in or under the laws of the U.S., any state thereof or the District of Columbia;
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an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or
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a trust, if (a) a court within the U.S. is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of such trust and one or more “U.S. persons” (within the meaning of the Code) have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust, or (b) a valid election is in effect to be treated as a U.S. person for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
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If a partnership or
other entity or arrangement classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds Common Shares, the U.S. federal
income tax treatment of a partner generally will depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. This
summary does not address the tax consequences to any such partner. Such a partner should consult its own tax advisor as to the
tax consequences of the partnership purchasing, owning and disposing of Common Shares.
PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS
SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS WITH REGARD TO THE APPLICATION OF THE TAX CONSEQUENCES DESCRIBED BELOW TO THEIR PARTICULAR
SITUATIONS AS WELL AS THE APPLICATION OF ANY STATE, LOCAL, FOREIGN OR OTHER TAX LAWS, INCLUDING GIFT AND ESTATE TAX LAWS.
Tax Consequences
if we are a Passive Foreign Investment Company
A foreign corporation
will be classified as a PFIC for any taxable year in which, after taking into account the income and assets of the corporation
and certain subsidiaries pursuant to applicable “look-through rules,” either (i) at least 75% of its gross income is
“passive income” (the “income test”) or (ii) at least 50% of the average quarterly value of its assets
is attributable to assets which produce passive income or are held for the production of passive income (the “asset test”).
Passive income generally includes dividends, interest, rents and royalties (other than certain rents and royalties derived in the
active conduct of a trade or business), annuities and gains from assets that produce passive income. For purposes of the asset
test, the value of the Company’s assets is expected to be based, in part, on the quarterly average of the fair market value
of such assets. If a non-U.S. corporation owns at least 25% by value of the stock of another corporation, the non-U.S. corporation
is treated for purposes of the income and asset tests as (i) owning its proportionate share of the assets of the other corporation
and as (ii) receiving directly its proportionate share of the other corporation’s income.
The determination of whether we are, or will be, a PFIC for
a taxable year depends, in part, on the application of complex U.S. federal income tax rules, which are subject to various interpretations.
Although the matter is not free from doubt, we believe that we were not a PFIC during our September 30, 2020 taxable year and will
not likely be a PFIC during our September 30, 2021 taxable year. Because PFIC status is based on our income, assets and activities
for the entire taxable year, and our market capitalization, it is not possible to determine whether we will be characterized as
a PFIC for the September 30, 2021 taxable year until after the close of the taxable year. The tests for determining PFIC status
are subject to a number of uncertainties. These tests are applied annually, and it is difficult to accurately predict future income,
assets and activities relevant to this determination. In addition, because the market price of our Common Shares is likely to fluctuate,
the market price may affect the determination of whether we will be considered a PFIC. There can be no assurance that we will not
be considered a PFIC for any taxable year (including our September 30, 2021 taxable year). Prospective investors should consult
their tax advisors regarding the Company’s PFIC status.
If the Company is classified
as a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder owns Common Shares, the U.S. Holder, absent certain elections (including
the mark-to-market and QEF elections described below), will generally be subject to adverse rules (regardless of whether the Company
continues to be classified as a PFIC) with respect to (i) any “excess distributions” (generally, any distributions
received by the U.S. Holder on the Common Shares in a taxable year that are greater than 125% of the average annual distributions
received by the U.S. Holder in the three preceding taxable years or, if shorter, the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the
Common Shares) and (ii) any gain realized on the sale or other disposition of the Common Shares.
Under these adverse
rules (a) the excess distribution or gain will be allocated ratably over the U.S. Holder’s holding period, (b) the amount
allocated to the current taxable year and any taxable year prior to the first taxable year in which the Company is classified as
a PFIC will be taxed as ordinary income and (c) the amount allocated to each of the other taxable years during which the Company
was classified as a PFIC will be subject to tax at the highest rate of tax in effect for the applicable category of taxpayer for
that year and an interest charge will be imposed with respect to the resulting tax attributable to each such other taxable year.
A U.S. Holder that is not a corporation will be required to treat any such interest paid as “personal interest,” which
is not deductible.
U.S. Holders can avoid
the adverse rules described above in part by making a mark-to-market election with respect to the Common Shares, provided that
the Common Shares are “marketable.” The Common Shares will be marketable if they are “regularly traded”
on a “qualified exchange” or other market within the meaning of applicable U.S. Treasury regulations. For this purpose,
the Common Shares generally will be considered to be regularly traded during any calendar year during which they are traded, other
than in de minimis quantities, on at least 15 days during each calendar quarter. The Common Shares are currently
listed on the Nasdaq, which constitutes a qualified exchange; however, there can be no assurance that the Common Shares will be
treated as regularly traded for purposes of the mark-to-market election on a qualified exchange. If the Common Shares were not
regularly traded on the Nasdaq or were delisted from the Nasdaq and were not traded on another qualified exchange for the requisite
time period described above, the mark-to-market election would not be available.
A U.S. Holder that
makes a mark-to-market election must include in gross income, as ordinary income, for each taxable year an amount equal to the
excess, if any, of the fair market value of the U.S. Holder’s Common Shares at the close of the taxable year over the U.S.
Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the Common Shares. An electing U.S. Holder may also claim an ordinary loss deduction for the
excess, if any, of the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the Common Shares over the fair market value of the Common Shares
at the close of the taxable year, but this deduction is allowable only to the extent of any net mark-to-market gains previously
included in income. A U.S. Holder that makes a mark-to-market election generally will adjust such U.S. Holder’s tax basis
in the Common Shares to reflect the amount included in gross income or allowed as a deduction because of such mark-to-market election.
Gains from an actual sale or other disposition of the Common Shares will be treated as ordinary income, and any losses incurred
on a sale or other disposition of the Common Shares will be treated as ordinary losses to the extent of any net mark-to-market
gains previously included in income.
If we are classified
as a PFIC for any taxable year in which a U.S. Holder owns Common Shares, but before a mark-to-market election is made, the adverse
PFIC rules described above will apply to any mark-to-market gain recognized in the year the election is made. Otherwise, a mark-to-market
election will be effective for the taxable year for which the election is made and all subsequent taxable years. The election cannot
be revoked without the consent of the IRS unless the Common Shares cease to be marketable, in which case the election is automatically
terminated.
If the Company is classified
as a PFIC, a U.S. Holder of Common Shares will generally be treated as owning stock owned by the Company in any direct or indirect
subsidiaries that are also PFICs and will be subject to similar adverse rules with respect to distributions to the Company by,
and dispositions by the Company of, the stock of such subsidiaries. A mark-to-market election is not permitted for the shares of
any subsidiary of the Company that is also classified as a PFIC. Prospective investors should consult their tax advisors regarding
the availability of, and procedure for making, a mark-to-market election.
In some cases, a shareholder
of a PFIC can avoid the interest charge and the other adverse PFIC consequences described above by making a QEF election to be
taxed currently on its share of the PFIC’s undistributed income. We will endeavor to satisfy the record keeping requirements
that apply to a QEF and to supply requesting U.S. Holders with the information that such U.S. Holders are required to report under
the QEF rules. There can be no assurance, however, that we will satisfy the record keeping requirements or provide the information
required to be reported by U.S. Holders.
A U.S. Holder that
makes a timely and effective QEF election for the first tax year in which its holding period of its Common Shares begins generally
will not be subject to the adverse PFIC consequences described above with respect to its Common Shares. Rather, a U.S. Holder that
makes a timely and effective QEF election will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on such U.S. Holder’s pro rata share
of (a) the Company’s net capital gain, which will be taxed as long-term capital gain to such U.S. Holder, and (b) the Company’s
ordinary earnings, which will be taxed as ordinary income to such U.S. Holder, in each case regardless of which such amounts are
actually distributed to the U.S. Holder by the Company. Generally, “net capital gain” is the excess of (i) net long-term
capital gain over (ii) net short-term capital loss, and “ordinary earnings” are the excess of (A) “earnings and
profits” over (B) net capital gain.
A U.S. Holder that
makes a timely and effective QEF election with respect to the Company generally (a) may receive a tax-free distribution from us
to the extent that such distribution represents “earnings and profits” that were previously included in income by the
U.S. Holder because of such QEF election and (b) will adjust such U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the Common Shares to reflect
the amount included in income or allowed as a tax-free distribution because of such QEF election. In addition, a U.S. Holder that
makes a QEF election generally will recognize capital gain or loss on the sale or other taxable disposition of Common Shares.
The QEF election is
made on a shareholder-by-shareholder basis. Once made, a QEF election will apply to the tax year for which the QEF election is
made and to all subsequent tax years, unless the QEF election is invalidated or terminated or the IRS consents to revocation of
the QEF election. In addition, if a U.S. Holder makes a QEF election, the QEF election will remain in effect (although it will
not be applicable) during those tax years in which we are not a PFIC.
If the Company is classified
as a PFIC and then ceases to be so classified, a U.S. Holder may make an election (a “deemed sale election”) to be
treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as having sold such U.S. Holder’s Common Shares on the last day of the taxable
year of the Company during which it was a PFIC. A U.S. Holder that made a deemed sale election would then cease to be treated as
owning stock in a PFIC by reason of ownership of Common Shares in the Company. Any gain recognized, however, as a result of making
the deemed sale election would be subject to the adverse rules described above and loss would not be recognized.
If the Company is a
PFIC in any year with respect to a U.S. Holder, the U.S. Holder will be required to file an annual information return on IRS Form
8621, Information Return by a Shareholder of a Passive Foreign Investment Company or Qualified Electing Fund, regarding
distributions received on Common Shares and any gain realized on the disposition of Common Shares.
In addition, if the
Company is a PFIC, U.S. Holders will generally be required to file an annual information return with the IRS (also on IRS Form
8621, Information Return by a Shareholder of a Passive Foreign Investment Company or Qualified Electing Fund, which
PFIC shareholders are required to file with their U.S. federal income tax or information returns) relating to their ownership of
Common Shares.
Prospective investors
should consult their tax advisors regarding the potential application of the PFIC regime and any reporting obligations to which
they may be subject under that regime.
Taxation of Distributions
Subject to the PFIC
rules discussed above, any distributions paid by us out of current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for U.S.
federal income tax purposes), before reduction for any Canadian withholding tax paid with respect thereto, will generally be taxable
to a U.S. Holder as foreign source dividend income, and generally will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction generally
allowed to corporations.
Distributions in excess
of current and accumulated earnings and profits will be treated as a non-taxable return of capital to the extent of the U.S. Holder’s
adjusted tax basis in the Common Shares and, thereafter, as capital gain. We do not, however, intend to calculate our earnings
and profits under U.S. federal income tax principles. Therefore, U.S. Holders should expect that any distribution from us generally
will be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a dividend. Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisors
with respect to the appropriate U.S. federal income tax treatment of any distribution received from us.
Dividends paid to non-corporate U.S. Holders by us in a taxable
year in which we are treated as a PFIC, or in the immediately following taxable year, will not be eligible for the special reduced
rates normally applicable to long-term capital gains. In all other taxable years, dividends paid by us should be taxable to a non-corporate
U.S. Holder at the special reduced rates normally applicable to long-term capital gains, provided that certain conditions are satisfied
(including a minimum holding period requirement). We believe we were not a PFIC for the September 30, 2020 taxable year. However,
no assurance can be provided that we will not be classified as a PFIC for September 30, 2021 and, therefore, no assurance can be
provided that a U.S. Holder will be able to claim a reduced rate for dividends paid in the September 30, 2021 or September 30,
2022 years (if any). Please see the subsection above entitled “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations — “Tax
Consequences if we are a Passive Foreign Investment Company” for a more detailed discussion.
Under current law,
payments of dividends by us to non-Canadian investors are generally subject to a 25% Canadian withholding tax. The rate of withholding
tax applicable to U.S. Holders that are eligible for benefits under the Canada-United States Tax Convention (the “Convention”)
is reduced to a maximum of 15%. This reduced rate of withholding will not apply if the dividends received by a U.S. Holder are
effectively connected with a permanent establishment of the U.S. Holder in Canada. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, U.S. Holders
will be treated as having received the amount of Canadian taxes withheld by the Company, and as then having paid over the withheld
taxes to the Canadian taxing authorities. As a result of this rule, the amount of dividend income included in gross income for
U.S. federal income tax purposes by a U.S. Holder with respect to a payment of dividends may be greater than the amount of cash
actually received (or receivable) by the U.S. Holder from the Company with respect to the payment.
Subject to certain
limitations, a U.S. Holder will generally be entitled, at the election of the U.S. Holder, to a credit against its U.S. federal
income tax liability, or a deduction in computing its U.S. federal taxable income, for Canadian income taxes withheld by us. This
election is made on a year-by-year basis and applies to all foreign taxes paid (whether directly or through withholding) by a U.S.
Holder during a year. For purposes of the foreign tax credit limitation, dividends paid by us generally will constitute foreign
source income in the “passive category income” basket rather than the “general category income” basket).
A U.S. Holder will be denied a foreign tax credit with respect to a Canadian income tax withheld from dividends received with respect
to our Common Shares to the extent the U.S. Holders has not held the Common Shares for at least 16 days of the 30-day period beginning
on the date which is 15 days before the ex-dividend date or to the extent the U.S. Holder is under an obligation to make related
payments with respect to substantially similar or related property. Any days during which a U.S. Holder has substantially diminished
its risk of loss on our Common Shares are not counted toward meeting the 16-day holding period required by the statute The foreign
tax credit rules are complex and prospective investors should consult their tax advisors concerning the availability of the foreign
tax credit in their particular circumstances.
Dividends paid in Canadian
dollars will be included in the gross income of a U.S. Holder in a U.S. dollar amount calculated by reference to the exchange rate
in effect on the date the U.S. Holder (actually or constructively) receives the dividend, regardless of whether such Canadian dollars
are actually converted into U.S. dollars at that time. If the Canadian dollars received are not converted into U.S. dollars on
the date of receipt, a U.S. Holder will have a tax basis in the Canadian dollars equal to their U.S. dollar value on the date of
receipt. Gain or loss, if any, realized on a sale or other disposition of the Canadian dollars will generally be U.S. source ordinary
income or loss to a U.S. Holder.
We generally do not
pay any dividends and do not anticipate paying any dividends in the foreseeable future.
Sale, Exchange
or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Shares
Subject to the PFIC
rules discussed above, upon a sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of Common Shares, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize
capital gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes equal to the difference, if any, between the amount realized on the sale,
exchange or other taxable disposition and the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the Common Shares.
This capital gain or
loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder’s holding period in the Common Shares exceeds one year. The
deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations. Any gain or loss will generally be U.S. source for U.S. foreign tax
credit purposes.
Information Reporting
and Backup Withholding
In general, information
reporting for U.S. federal income tax purposes should apply to distributions made on our securities within the United States to
a U.S. Holder (other than an exempt recipient) and to the proceeds from sales and other dispositions of our securities by a U.S.
Holder (other than an exempt recipient) to or through a U.S. office of a broker. Payments made (and sales and other dispositions
effected at an office) outside the United States will be subject to information reporting in limited circumstances. In addition,
certain information concerning a U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in securities it owns and adjustments to that tax basis
and whether any gain or loss with respect to such securities is long term or short term also may be required to be reported to
the IRS.
In addition, Section
6038D of the Code generally requires certain individuals who are U.S. Holders (and possibly certain entities that have U.S. Holder
owners) to file IRS Form 8938, Statement of Specified Foreign Financial Assets, to report the ownership of specified
foreign financial assets if the total value of those assets exceeds an applicable threshold amount (subject to certain exceptions).
For these purposes, a specified foreign financial asset includes not only a financial account (as defined for these purposes) maintained
by a foreign financial institution, but also any stock or security issued by a non-U.S. person, any financial instrument or contract
held for investment that has an issuer or counterparty other than a U.S. person and any interest in a foreign entity, provided
that the asset is not held in an account maintained by a financial institution. The minimum applicable threshold amount is generally
U.S. $50,000 in the aggregate, but this threshold amount varies depending on whether the individual lives in the U.S., is married,
files a joint income tax return with his or her spouse, and on certain other factors. Certain domestic entities that are U.S. Holders
may also be required to file IRS Form 8938, Statement of Specified Foreign Financial Assets, if both (i) such
entities are owned at least 80% by an individual who is a U.S. citizen or U.S. tax resident (or in some cases, by a nonresident
alien who meets certain criteria) or are trusts with beneficiaries that are such individuals and (ii) more than 50% of their income
consists of certain passive income or more than 50% of their assets is held for the production of such income. U.S. Holders are
urged to consult with their tax advisors regarding their reporting obligations, including the requirement to file IRS Form 8938, Statement
of Specified Foreign Financial Assets.
U.S. Holders who transfer
more than $100,000 to us in a 12-month period (and/or who become owners of 10% or more of our securities) will be required to file
IRS Form 926, Return by U.S. Transferor of Property to a Foreign Corporation, and U.S. Holders who become holder of more than 10%
of our securities may also have to file IRS Form 5471, Information Return of U.S. Persons With Respect to Certain Foreign Corporations,
in each case reporting transfers of cash or other property to us and information relating to the U.S. Holder and us. Substantial
penalties may be imposed upon a U.S. Holder that fails to comply with these filing requirements. U.S. Holders should consult their
own tax advisors about the need to file either of these forms. See also the discussion, above, regarding IRS Form 8621, Information
Return by a Shareholder of a Passive Foreign Investment Company or Qualified Electing Fund.
Backup withholding
of U.S. federal income tax, currently at a rate of 24%, generally will apply to dividends paid on our securities to a U.S. Holder
(other than an exempt recipient) and the proceeds from sales and other dispositions of our securities by a U.S. Holder (other than
an exempt recipient), in each case who:
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fails to provide an accurate taxpayer identification number;
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is notified by the IRS that backup withholding is required; or
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in certain circumstances, fails to comply with applicable certification requirements.
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A non-U.S. Holder generally
may eliminate the requirement for information reporting and backup withholding by providing certification of its foreign status,
under penalties of perjury, on a duly executed applicable IRS Form W-8 or by otherwise establishing an exemption.
Backup withholding
is not an additional tax. Rather, the amount of any backup withholding will be allowed as a credit against a U.S. Holder’s
U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle such holder to a refund, provided that certain required information is timely
furnished to the IRS.
Holders are urged to
consult their own tax advisors regarding the application of backup withholding and the availability of and procedures for obtaining
an exemption from backup withholding in their particular circumstances.
Canadian Federal Income Tax Considerations
for U.S. Shareholders
The following is a
general summary, as of the date hereof, of the principal Canadian federal income tax considerations generally applicable to the
holding and disposition of Common Shares acquired pursuant to this prospectus supplement by a holder who, at all relevant times,
for the purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the “Tax Act”), (i) is not resident, or deemed to be resident, in
Canada, (ii) deals at arm’s length with, and is not affiliated with, the Company, (iii) beneficially owns the Common Shares
as capital property, (iv) does not use or hold the Common Shares in the course of carrying on, or otherwise in connection with,
a business or a part of a business carried on or deemed to be carried on in Canada, and (v) is not an insurer that carries on an
insurance business in Canada and elsewhere or an “authorized foreign bank” within the meaning of the Tax Act (a “Non-resident
Holder”). Generally, the Common Shares will be considered to be capital property to a holder unless such securities are held
in the course of carrying on a business of trading or dealing in securities or has acquired them or deemed to have acquired them
in a transaction or transactions considered to be an adventure or concern in the nature of trade.
This summary is based
upon the current provisions of the Tax Act, the regulations thereunder (the “Regulations”) and the Convention and the
Company’s understanding of the current administrative policies and assessing practices of the Canada Revenue Agency (“CRA”)
made publicly available prior to the date hereof. It also takes into account all proposed amendments to the Tax Act and the Regulations
publicly released by the Minister of Finance (Canada) (“Tax Proposals”) prior to the date hereof, and assumes that
all such Tax Proposals will be enacted as currently proposed. No assurance can be given that the Tax Proposals will be enacted
in the form proposed or at all. This summary does not otherwise take into account or anticipate any changes in law, whether by
way of legislative, judicial or administrative action or interpretation, nor does it take into account tax laws of any province
or territory of Canada or of any other jurisdiction outside Canada.
This summary is
of a general nature only and is not intended to be, nor should it be construed to be, legal or tax advice to any particular holder
and no representation with respect to the federal income tax consequences to any particular holder or prospective holder is made.
The tax consequences to a holder will depend on the holder’s particular circumstances. Accordingly, holders should consult
with their own tax advisors for advice with respect to their own particular circumstances.
For purposes of the
Tax Act, all amounts relating to the acquisition, holding and disposition of Common Shares, including dividends, adjusted cost
base and proceeds of disposition, must generally be determined in Canadian dollars using the applicable exchange rate quoted by
the Bank of Canada for the relevant day or such other rate of exchange that is acceptable to the CRA.
Dividends
Amounts paid or credited
or deemed to be paid or credited as, on account or in lieu of payment, or in satisfaction of, dividends on the Common Shares to
a Non-resident Holder will be subject to Canadian withholding tax at the rate of 25% on the gross amount of such dividends unless
the rate is reduced under the provisions of an applicable income tax treaty or convention between Canada and the country of residence
of the Non-resident Holder. For example, under the Convention, the rate of Canadian withholding tax on dividends paid or credited
by the Company to a Non-resident Holder who is a resident of the United States for purposes of the Convention, is fully entitled
to the benefits of the Convention, and beneficially owns such dividends is generally 15% unless the beneficial owner is a corporation
that owns at least 10% of the voting stock of the Company at that time, in which case the rate of Canadian withholding tax is reduced
to 5%.
Dispositions
A Non-resident Holder
will generally not be subject to tax under the Tax Act on any capital gain realized on a disposition or deemed disposition of Common
Shares, unless the Common Shares constitute “taxable Canadian property” to the Non-resident Holder at the time of disposition.
Generally, Common Shares will not constitute taxable Canadian property to a Non-resident Holder provided the Common Shares are
listed on a designated stock exchange, as defined in the Tax Act (which currently includes the Nasdaq) at the time of the disposition,
unless at any time during the 60-month period immediately preceding the disposition, (a) one or any combination of (A) the Non-resident
Holder, (B) persons with whom the Non-resident Holder did not deal at arm’s length, and (C) partnerships in which the Non-resident
Holder or a person described in (B) holds a membership interest directly or indirectly through one or more partnerships, owned
25% or more of the issued shares of any series or class of the capital stock of the Company and (b) more than 50% of the fair market
value of Common Shares was derived directly or indirectly from one or any combination of (i) real or immovable property situated
in Canada, (ii) “Canadian resource properties” (as defined in the Tax Act), (iii) “timber resource properties”
(as defined in the Tax Act) and (iv) options in respect of, or interests in, or for civil law rights in property described in (i)
to (iii), whether or not the property exists. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Common Share may otherwise be deemed to be taxable
Canadian property to a Non-resident Holder for purposes of the Tax Act in certain circumstances.
In certain circumstances,
a Non-resident Holder may be exempt from tax under the Tax Act on such capital gains if they are entitled to relief under an applicable
income tax treaty or convention between Canada and the country of residence of the Non-resident Holder. For example, if the Common
Shares constitute taxable Canadian property to a particular Non-resident Holder who is a resident of the United States for purposes
of the Convention and is fully entitled to all of the benefits of the Convention, any capital gain arising on the disposition of
Common Shares by such Non-Resident Holder may be exempt from Canadian tax under the Convention if, at the time of disposition,
the Common Shares do not derive their value principally from real property situated in Canada as defined in the Convention.
Non-resident Holders
whose Common Shares may be taxable Canadian property should consult their own tax advisors regarding the tax and compliance considerations
that may be relevant to them. There may be additional considerations not described herein in respect of the acquisition, disposition,
or holding of the Common Shares by a Non-resident Holder. Non-resident Holders who dispose of the Common Shares to the Company
should consult their own tax advisors having regard to their particular circumstances.
UNDERWRITING
Pursuant to the underwriting
agreement with H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC (“Wainwright” or the “underwriter”), we have agreed to issue
and sell, and the underwriter has agreed to purchase, the number of Common Shares listed opposite its name below, less the underwriting
discount, on the closing date, subject to the terms and conditions contained in the underwriting agreement. The underwriting agreement
provides that the obligations of the underwriter are subject to certain customary conditions precedent, representations and warranties
contained therein.
Underwriter
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Number of
Shares
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H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC
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Pursuant to the underwriting
agreement, the underwriter has agreed to purchase all of the Common Shares sold under the underwriting agreement if any of these
Common Shares are purchased, other than those shares covered by the underwriter’s option to purchase additional Common Shares
described below. The underwriter has advised us that it does not intend to confirm sales to any account over which it exercises
discretionary authority.
Discounts, Commissions and Expenses
The underwriter may
offer the Common Shares from time to time to purchasers directly or through agents, or through brokers in brokerage transactions
on the Nasdaq Capital Market, or to dealers in negotiated transactions or in a combination of such methods of sale, or otherwise,
at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, or at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to such
prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices, subject to receipt and acceptance by it and subject to its right to reject any
order in whole or in part. The difference between the price at which the underwriter purchases shares from us and the price at
which the underwriter resells such shares may be deemed underwriting compensation. If the underwriter effects such transactions
by selling Common Shares to or through dealers, such dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or
commissions from the underwriter and/or purchasers of Common Shares for whom they may act as agents or to whom they may sell as
principal.
The underwriter is
offering the shares, subject to prior sale, when, as and if issued to and accepted by it, subject to approval of legal matters
and other conditions specified in the underwriting agreement. The underwriter reserves the right to withdraw, cancel or modify
offers to the public and to reject orders in whole or in part.
We have granted to
the underwriter an option to purchase up to an additional Common Shares (up to
15% of the Common Shares in this offering) at the public offering price, less the underwriting discounts and commissions. The
option is exercisable for 30 days from the date of this prospectus supplement.
Any shares sold by
the underwriter to securities dealers will be sold at the public offering price less a selling concession not in excess of $
per share.
The following table
shows the public offering price, underwriting discounts and commissions and proceeds, before expenses, to us. These amounts are
shown assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriter’s option to purchase additional shares.
Per Share
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Total
Without
Option
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Total
with
Option
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Public offering price
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$
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$
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Underwriting discounts and commissions payable by us
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$
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$
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Proceeds, before expenses, to us
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$
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$
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We have also agreed
to pay the underwriter a management fee equal to 1% of the aggregate gross proceeds in this offering.
We have agreed to reimburse
the expenses of the underwriter in the non-accountable sum of $40,000 in connection with this offering, reimburse the expenses
of the underwriter, including its legal fees, up to $100,000 in connection with this offering, and up to $15,950 for the clearing
expenses of the underwriter in connection with this offering. We estimate that the total expenses of the offering payable by us,
excluding underwriting discounts and commissions, will be approximately $ .
Underwriter Warrants
We have also agreed to issue to the underwriter or its designees,
at the closing of this offering, and each option closing, warrants to purchase a number of our Common Shares equal to an aggregate
of 7.0% of the Common Shares sold in this offering (or warrants to purchase up to
of our Common Shares) (or warrants to purchase up to of our Common Shares, if the option is exercised in full)), including Common
Shares issuable upon exercise of the underwriter’s option to purchase additional Common Shares. The underwriter warrants
will have an exercise price equal to $ per share, which is 125% of the public
offering price of the Common Shares sold in this offering. The underwriter warrants will be exercisable for a term of five years
from the commencement of sales in this offering and will otherwise be in customary form.
Right of First Refusal
We have granted the underwriter or its affiliates
a right of first refusal to act as sole book-running manager, underwriter, placement agent or agent for any future debt financing
or refinancing, public offering (other than at-the-market facility), private placement or any other capital-raising financing of
equity, equity-linked or debt securities of the Company during the 8-month period following the consummation of this offering.
Tail
In the event that any investor whom the underwriter had contacted
during the term of its engagement or introduced to the Company during the term of the underwriter’s engagement by the Company provides
any capital to us in a public or private offering or capital-raising transaction, subject to certain exceptions, within the 12
months following the expiration of termination of the engagement of the underwriter, we shall pay the underwriter the cash compensation
and warrants provided above, calculated in the same manner.
Other Relationships
From time to time,
Wainwright may provide in the future various advisory, investment and commercial banking and other services to us in the ordinary
course of business, for which they have received and may continue to receive customary fees and commissions. However, except as
disclosed in this prospectus supplement, we have no present arrangements with Wainwright for any further services.
Lock-up Agreement
We and our officers
and directors have agreed with Wainwright to be subject to a lock-up period of 30 days following the date of this prospectus supplement
and the accompanying base prospectus. This means that, during the applicable lock-up period, we and our officers and directors
may not issue, enter into any agreement to issue or announce the issuance or proposed issuance of any common shares or their equivalents,
subject to certain exceptions. In addition, subject to an exception for an at-the-market offering after 30 days following the date
of this prospectus supplement, we have agreed to not issue any securities that are subject to a price reset based on the trading
prices of our common shares or upon a specified or contingent event in the future, or enter into any agreement to issue securities
at a future determined price, for six months following the date of closing of this offering. The underwriter may waive the terms
of this lock-up agreement and prohibition in its sole discretion and without notice.
Transfer Agent
The transfer agent
and registrar for our Common Shares is Computershare Investor Services Inc. located at 100 University Avenue, 8th Floor, Toronto,
Ontario M5J 2Y1, and its telephone number is 1-800-564-6253.
Listing
Our common shares are
listed on Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “EDSA”.
Indemnification
We have agreed to indemnify
Wainwright and specified other persons against certain liabilities, including civil liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended, or to contribute to payments that Wainwright may be required to make in respect of such liabilities.
Price Stabilization, Short Positions
and Penalty Bids
In connection with
this offering, the underwriter may engage in stabilizing transactions, overallotment transactions, syndicate covering transactions
and penalty bids in connection with our common shares.
Stabilizing transactions
permit bids to purchase common shares so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum.
Overallotment transactions
involve sales by the underwriter of common shares in excess of the number of shares the underwriter is obligated to purchase. This
creates a syndicate short position which may be either a covered short position or a naked short position. In a covered short position,
the number of shares over-allotted by the underwriter is not greater than the number of shares that it may purchase in the overallotment
option. In a naked short position, the number of shares involved is greater than the number of shares in the overallotment option.
The underwriter may close out any short position by exercising its overallotment option and/or purchasing shares in the open market.
Syndicate covering
transactions involve purchases of common shares in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover
syndicate short positions. Such a naked short position would be closed out by buying securities in the open market. A naked short
position is more likely to be created if the underwriter is concerned that there could be downward pressure on the price of the
securities in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering.
Penalty bids permit
the underwriter to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when the securities originally sold by the syndicate member
are purchased in a stabilizing or syndicate covering transaction to cover syndicate short positions.
These stabilizing transactions,
syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our Common Shares
or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of our Common Shares. As a result, the price of our Common Shares in the
open market may be higher than it would otherwise be in the absence of these transactions. Neither we nor the underwriter make
any representation or prediction as to the effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of our Common Shares.
These transactions may be effected on the Nasdaq Capital Market, in the over-the-counter market or otherwise and, if commenced,
may be discontinued at any time.
Electronic Distribution
A prospectus in electronic
format may be made available on the websites maintained by the underwriter, if any, participating in this offering and the underwriter
may distribute prospectuses electronically. Other than the prospectus in electronic format, the information on these websites is
not part of this prospectus or the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, has not been approved or endorsed
by us or the underwriter, and should not be relied upon by investors.
Canadian Securities Matters
The Common Shares are
being distributed pursuant to a prospectus exemption under applicable Canadian securities laws on the basis that the Common Shares
are being distributed outside Canada. The underwriter has agreed not to engage in any solicitation or sale of Common Shares to
a person or company who is a resident of Canada or a person or company in Canada.
LEGAL
MATTERS
Certain legal matters
relating to the offering of Common Shares under this prospectus supplement will be passed upon for us by Fasken Martineau DuMoulin,
LLP, Toronto, Ontario, Canada with respect to matters of Canadian law and by Lowenstein Sandler LLP with respect to matters of
U.S. law. Certain legal matters in connection with this offering will be passed upon for the underwriter by Ellenoff Grossman &
Schole LLP with respect to U.S. law.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial
statements incorporated into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus by reference to our Annual Report on Form
10-K for the financial year ended September 30, 2020, have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of MNP LLP, independent
auditors, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
WHERE
YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly
and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. The materials we file with or furnish to the SEC are
available to the public on the SEC’s Internet website at www.sec.gov. Those filings are also available to the public
on our corporate website at www.edesabiotech.com. Information contained on our website is not a part of this prospectus
supplement and the inclusion of our website address in this prospectus supplement is an inactive textual reference only.
This prospectus supplement
and the accompany prospectus forms part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC. The registration statement contains
more information than this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus regarding us and our securities, including certain
exhibits and schedules. You can obtain a copy of the registration statement from the SEC at www.sec.gov.
We are also a “reporting
issuer” in the Canadian provinces of British Columbia and Alberta. As such, information we file with the SEC is also filed
and publicly available under our profile on SEDAR at www.SEDAR.com.
INCORPORATION
OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
This prospectus supplement
and the accompanying prospectus are part of a registration statement on Form S-3 filed by us with the SEC. This prospectus supplement
and the accompanying prospectus do not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement, certain parts of
which are omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. Statements contained in this prospectus supplement,
the accompanying prospectus or the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus
as to the contents of any contract or other document referred to are not necessarily complete and in each instance reference is
made to the copy of that contract or other document filed with the SEC. For further information about us and the securities offered
by this prospectus supplement, we refer you to the registration statement and its exhibits and schedules which may be obtained
as described herein.
The SEC allows us to
“incorporate by reference” the information contained in 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 supplement and the accompanying prospectus, and information in documents that we subsequently file with
the SEC will automatically update and supersede information in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. We incorporate
by reference the documents listed below into this prospectus supplement, and any future filings made by us with the SEC under Section
13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 until the offering of all the securities by this prospectus
supplement is completed, including all filings made after the date of this prospectus supplement. We hereby incorporate by reference
the documents listed below:
Notwithstanding the
statements in the preceding paragraphs, no document, report or exhibit (or portion of any of the foregoing) or any other information
that we have “furnished “ to the SEC pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended shall be incorporated
by reference into this prospectus.
We will provide each
person to whom this prospectus supplement is delivered a copy of all of the information that has been incorporated by reference
into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, but not delivered with this prospectus supplement and the accompanying
prospectus. You may obtain copies of these filings, at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at:
Edesa Biotech, Inc.
Attention: Investor Relations
100 Spy Court
Markham
Ontario L3R 5H6 Canada
Tel. (289) 800-9600
You should rely only
on the information contained in this prospectus supplement, including information incorporated by reference as described above.
We have not authorized anyone else to provide you with different information. You should not assume the information in this prospectus
supplement or the accompanying prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of those documents or that
any document incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than its filing date. You should not consider this prospectus
to be an offer or solicitation relating to the securities in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or solicitation relating to
the securities is not authorized. Furthermore, you should not consider this prospectus supplement to be an offer or solicitation
relating to the securities if the person making the offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so, or if it is unlawful for you
to receive such an offer or solicitation.
PROSPECTUS
$50,000,000
Common Shares
Preferred Shares
Warrants
Units
From
time to time, Edesa Biotech, Inc. may offer and sell up to $50,000,000 of any
combination of the securities described in this prospectus, either individually or in combination with other securities. We may
also offer common shares upon conversion of preferred shares, or common shares or preferred shares upon the exercise of warrants.
We
will provide the specific terms of these offerings and securities in one or more supplements to this prospectus. We may also authorize
one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you in connection with these offerings. The prospectus supplement and any
related free writing prospectus may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should carefully read
this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, as well as any documents incorporated
by reference, before buying any of the securities being offered.
Our
common shares are traded on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “EDSA.” On August 29, 2019, the last reported
sale price of our common shares on The Nasdaq Capital Market was $3.64. The applicable prospectus supplement will contain
information, where applicable, as to other listings, if any, on The Nasdaq Capital Market or other securities exchange of the securities
covered by the applicable prospectus supplement.
Investing
in our securities involves risks. You should review carefully the risks and uncertainties described under the heading “Risk
Factors” contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, and under similar headings
in the other documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
This
prospectus may not be used to offer or sell any securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.
The
securities may be sold directly by us to investors, through agents designated from time to time or to or through underwriters or
dealers, on a continuous or delayed basis. For additional information on the methods of sale, you should refer to the section titled
“Plan of Distribution” in this prospectus. If any agents or underwriters are involved in the sale of any securities
with respect to which this prospectus is being delivered, the names of such agents or underwriters and any applicable fees, commissions,
discounts and over-allotment options will be set forth in a prospectus supplement. The price to the public of such securities and
the net proceeds we expect to receive from such sale will also be set forth in a prospectus supplement.
Neither
the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined
if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus
is September 12, 2019 .
TABLE OF CONTENTS
______________
You should rely only on
the information that we have provided or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and
any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with
different information. No dealer, salesperson or other person is authorized to give any information or to represent anything not
contained in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize
to be provided to you. You must not rely on any unauthorized information or representation. This prospectus is an offer to sell
only the securities offered hereby, but only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so. You should assume
that the information in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus is accurate
only as of the date on the front of the document and that any information we have incorporated by reference is accurate only as
of the date of the document incorporated by reference, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus, any applicable prospectus
supplement or any related free writing prospectus, or any sale of a security.
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This
prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission utilizing
a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may offer our common shares and preferred
shares and/or warrants to purchase any of such securities, either individually or in combination with other securities in one or
more offerings, up to a total dollar amount of $50,000,000. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities
we may offer.
Each
time we offer a type or series of securities under this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain more
specific information about the terms of those securities. We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided
to you that may contain material information relating to these offerings. We may also add, update or change in the prospectus supplement
(and in any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you) any of the information contained in this
prospectus or in the documents that we have incorporated by reference into this prospectus. We urge you to carefully read this
prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, together with the information incorporated
herein by reference as described under the heading “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference,” before buying
any of the securities being offered.
THIS
PROSPECTUS MAY NOT BE USED TO CONSUMMATE A SALE OF SECURITIES UNLESS IT IS ACCOMPANIED BY A PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT.
The
information appearing in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus is accurate
only as of the date on the front of the document and any information we have incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the
date of the document incorporated by reference, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus, any applicable prospectus
supplement or any related free writing prospectus, or any sale of a security. Our business, financial condition, results of operations
and prospects may have changed since those dates.
This
prospectus contains summaries of certain provisions contained in some of the documents described herein, but reference is made
to the actual documents for complete information. All of the summaries are qualified in their entirety by the actual documents.
Copies of some of the documents referred to herein have been filed, will be filed or will be incorporated by reference as exhibits
to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and you may obtain copies of those documents as described below
under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”
This prospectus and the
information incorporated herein by reference include trademarks, services marks and trade names owned by us or other companies.
All trademarks, service marks and trade names included or incorporated by reference into this prospectus, any applicable prospectus
supplement or any related free writing prospectuses are the property of their respective owners.
Unless the context otherwise
requires, the terms “we,” “our,” “us,” “our company,” and “Edesa” refer
to Edesa Biotech, Inc. and its subsidiaries.
EDESA BIOTECH, INC.
Edesa Biotech, Inc. is
a biopharmaceutical company focused on acquiring, developing and commercializing innovative drugs for dermatological and gastrointestinal
indications with clear unmet medical needs. Our lead product candidate, referred to as “EB01,” is a novel soluble phospholipase
A2 (“sPLA2”) inhibitor for the topical treatment of chronic allergic contact dermatitis (“ACD”). EB01
employs a novel mechanism of action and in two clinical studies has demonstrated statistically significant improvement of multiple
symptoms in contact dermatitis patients. The company’s IND application for EB01 was accepted by the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) in November 2018 and we are planning to initiate a Phase 2B clinical study evaluating EB01 in the third calendar
quarter of 2019.
We also intend to expand
the utility of our sPLA2 inhibitor technology, which forms the basis for EB01, across multiple indications, which could include
other inflammatory disorders. For example, “EB02” is a sPLA2 inhibitor for the potential treatment of hemorrhoids,
and we are planning to evaluate EB02 in a proof-of-concept study beginning in the second half of 2019. In addition to EB01 and
EB02, we have licensed technology to treat other indications and are in discussions with third parties to expand our portfolio
with assets to treat other serious skin and gastrointestinal conditions.
Our business strategy
is to develop and commercialize innovative drug products that address unmet medical needs for large, underserved markets with limited
competition. Key elements of our strategy include:
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Establish EB01 as the leading treatment
for chronic ACD. Our primary goal is to obtain regulatory approval for EB01 and commercialize EB01 for use in the treatment
of ACD. The utility of EB01 in treatment of ACD has been demonstrated in two proof of concept clinical studies. Based on these
promising clinical trial results, we plan to initiate a Phase 2B clinical study evaluating EB01 for treatment of chronic ACD. We
expect the first patient to be enrolled in the study in the third calendar quarter of 2019.
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Selectively targeting additional indications
within the areas of dermatology and gastroenterology. In addition to our ACD program, we plan to efficiently generate
proof-of-concept data for other programs where the inhibition of sPLA2 may have a therapeutic benefit. For example, EB02, a therapeutic
expansion of EB01, is indicated for hemorrhoids, and we are currently planning to evaluate EB02 in a proof-of-concept study beginning
in the second half of 2019. We believe there are other indications where the inhibition of sPLA2 activity may result in clinical
benefit to patients.
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In-license promising product candidates .
We are applying our cost-effective development approach to advance and expand our pipeline. The company’s current product
candidates are in-licensed from academic institutions or other pharmaceutical companies, and we plan to continue to evaluate and
in-license assets and technology that can drive long-term growth potential. Edesa does not currently intend to invest significant
capital in basic research, which can be expensive and time-consuming.
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Capture the full commercial potential of our product
candidates. If our product candidates are successfully developed and approved, we may build commercial infrastructure
capable of directly marketing the products in North America and potentially other major geographies of strategic interest. We also
plans to evaluate strategic licensing arrangements with pharmaceutical companies for the commercialization of our drugs, where
applicable, such as in territories where a partner may contribute additional resources, infrastructure and expertise.
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We were incorporated
in Canada in 2007 and we operate through our wholly-owned subsidiaries, Edesa Biotech Research, Inc., an Ontario corporation incorporated
in 2015, formerly known as Edesa Biotech Inc., which we acquired on June 7, 2019, and Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc., a California
corporation organized September 9, 1999 and acquired on April 12, 2010. Our common shares are traded on The Nasdaq Capital Market
under the symbol “EDSA”. Our executive offices are located at 100 Spy Court, Markham, Ontario L3R 5H6 Canada and our
telephone number at this location is (905) 475-1234. Our website address is www.edesabiotech.com. The information contained on,
or that can be accessed through, our website is not a part of this prospectus. Our trademarks and trade names include, but may
not be limited to, “Edesa Biotech,” and the Edesa logo.
RISK FACTORS
Investing in our securities
involves a high degree of risk. Before deciding whether to invest in our securities, you should consider carefully the risks and
uncertainties described under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and any
related free writing prospectus, and discussed under the section 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, including our Definitive
Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on April 18, 2019, and any free writing prospectus that we may authorize
for use in connection with a specific offering. The risks described in these documents are not the only ones we face, but those
that we consider to be material. There may be other unknown or unpredictable economic, business, competitive, regulatory or other
factors that could have material adverse effects on our future results. Past financial performance may not be a reliable indicator
of future performance, and historical trends should not be used to anticipate results or trends in future periods. If any of these
risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flow could be seriously harmed. This could
cause the trading price of our securities to decline, resulting in a loss of all or part of your investment. Please also read carefully
the section below titled “Forward-Looking Statements.”
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This
prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A
of the Securities Act of 1933, or Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or Exchange Act.
These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important 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. These forward looking statements include, but are not limited to, those concerning the following:
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the scope, number, progress, duration, cost, results and timing of
clinical trials and nonclinical studies of our current or future product candidates;
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our ability to raise sufficient funds to support the development and
potential commercialization of our product candidates;
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the outcomes and timing of regulatory reviews, approvals or other
actions;
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our ability to obtain marketing approval for our product candidates
and otherwise execute our business plan;
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our ability to establish and maintain licensing, collaboration or
similar arrangements on favorable terms and whether and to what extent we retain development or commercialization responsibilities
under any new licensing, collaboration or similar arrangement;
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the success of any other business, product or technology that we acquire
or in which we invest;
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our ability to maintain, expand and defend the scope of our intellectual
property portfolio;
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our ability to manufacture any approved products on commercially reasonable
terms;
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our ability to establish a sales and marketing organization or suitable
third-party alternatives for any approved product;
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the number and characteristics of product candidates and programs
that we pursue;
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the attraction and retention of qualified employees and personnel;
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future acquisitions or investments in complementary companies or technologies;
and
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our ability to comply with evolving legal standards
and regulations pertaining to our industry.
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In
some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “anticipates,” “believes”, “could”,
“estimates”, “expects”, “intends”, “may”, “plans”, “potential”,
“predicts”, “projects”, “should”, “will”, “would” as well as similar
expressions. Forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to future events, are based on assumptions and are
subject to risks, uncertainties and other important factors. We discuss many of these risks, uncertainties and other important
factors in greater detail under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and any
related free writing prospectus, and 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. Given these risks, uncertainties
and other important factors, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Also, these forward-looking
statements represent our estimates and assumptions only as of the date such forward-looking statements are made. Except as required
by law, we assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements publicly, or to reflect facts and circumstances after
the date of this prospectus. Before deciding to purchase our securities, you should carefully read both this prospectus, the applicable
prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, together with the information incorporated herein by reference as
described under the heading “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference,” completely and with the understanding
that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect.
THE SECURITIES WE MAY
OFFER
We
may offer our common shares and preferred shares and/or warrants to purchase any of such securities, either individually or in
combination with other securities, with a total value of up to $50,000,000 from time to time under this prospectus, together with
the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, at prices and on terms to be determined by market
conditions at the time of any offering. We may also offer common shares and/or preferred shares upon the exercise of warrants.
This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we offer a type or series of
securities under this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will describe the specific amounts, prices and other
important terms of the securities, including, to the extent applicable:
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designation or classification;
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aggregate offering price;
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rates and times of payment of dividends,
if any;
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redemption, conversion, exercise, exchange
or sinking fund terms, if any;
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restrictive covenants, if any;
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voting or other rights, if any;
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conversion prices, if any; and
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important Canadian and/or United States
federal income tax considerations.
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The
prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you may also add, update
or change information contained in this prospectus or in documents we have incorporated by reference. However, no prospectus supplement
or free writing prospectus will offer a security that is not registered and described in this prospectus at the time of the effectiveness
of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
THIS
PROSPECTUS MAY NOT BE USED TO CONSUMMATE A SALE OF SECURITIES UNLESS IT IS ACCOMPANIED BY A PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT.
We
may sell the securities directly to investors or to or through agents, underwriters or dealers. We, and our agents or underwriters,
reserve the right to accept or reject all or part of any proposed purchase of securities. If we do offer securities to or through
agents or underwriters, we will include in the applicable prospectus supplement:
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the names of those agents or underwriters;
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applicable fees, discounts and commissions
to be paid to them;
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details regarding over-allotment options,
if any; and
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the net proceeds to us.
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Common
Shares. We may issue our common shares from time to time. The holders of our common shares are entitled to one vote for each
share held of record on all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders. Subject to preferences that may be applicable to any of
our outstanding preferred shares, the holders of our common shares are entitled to receive ratably such dividends as may be declared
by our board of directors out of legally available funds. Upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, holders of our common
shares are entitled to share ratably in all assets legally available for distribution to shareholders remaining after payment of
liabilities and the liquidation preferences of any outstanding preferred shares. Holders of common shares have no preemptive rights
and no right to convert their common shares into any other securities. There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable
to our common shares. When we issue common shares under this prospectus, the shares will be fully paid and non-assessable. The
rights, preferences and privileges of the holders of common shares are subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights
of the holders of any series of preferred shares which we may designate in the future. In this prospectus, we have summarized certain
general features of the common shares under “Description of Capital Stock—Common Shares.” We urge you, however,
to read the applicable prospectus supplement (and any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you)
related to any common shares being offered.
Preferred
Shares. We may issue preferred shares from time to time, in one or more series. The board of directors has the authority to
approve the issuance of any number of preferred shares in one or more series at any time and from time to time, to determine the
number of shares constituting any series, and to determine any voting powers, conversion rights, dividend rights, and other designations,
preferences, limitations, restrictions and rights relating to such shares without any further prior approval of the shareholders.
Convertible preferred shares can be convertible into our common shares or exchangeable for our other securities. Conversion may
be mandatory or at a shareholder’s option and would be at prescribed conversion rates. Upon any such issuance, the designations,
preferences, limitations, restrictions and rights of any series of preferred shares designated by the board of directors will be
set forth in an alteration to the Articles and a further Notice of Alteration to the Notice of Articles of the Company will be
filed in accordance with British Columbia law.
If
we sell any series of preferred shares under this prospectus, we will file as an exhibit to the registration statement of which
this prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by reference from reports that we file with the SEC, the alteration to the Articles
and a Notice of Alteration to the Notice of Articles of the Company filed in accordance with British Columbia law which shall set
forth the designations, preferences, limitations, restrictions and rights of any series of preferred shares designated by the board
of directors.
In
this prospectus, we have summarized certain general features of the preferred shares under “Description of Capital Stock—Preferred
Shares.” We urge you, however, to read the applicable prospectus supplement (and any free writing prospectus that we may
authorize to be provided to you) related to the series of preferred shares being offered which will contain the terms of the applicable
series of preferred shares.
Warrants.
We may issue warrants for the purchase of common shares and/or preferred shares in one or more series. We may issue warrants independently
or in combination with common shares and/or preferred shares. In this prospectus, we have summarized certain general features of
the warrants under “Description of Warrants.” We urge you, however, to read the applicable prospectus supplement (and
any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you) related to the particular series of warrants being
offered, as well as the form of warrant and/or the warrant agreement and warrant certificate, as applicable, that contain the terms
of the warrants. We will file as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or will incorporate
by reference from reports that we file with the SEC, the form of warrant and/or the warrant agreement and warrant certificate,
as applicable, that contain the terms of the particular series of warrants we are offering, and any supplemental agreements, before
the issuance of such warrants.
Warrants
may be issued under a warrant agreement that we enter into with a warrant agent. We will indicate the name and address of the warrant
agent, if any, in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of warrants.
Units.
We may issue units consisting of common shares, preferred shares and/or warrants to purchase any of such securities in one or more
series. In this prospectus, we have summarized certain general features of the units under “Description of Units.”
We urge you, however, to read the prospectus supplements and any free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to
you related to the series of units being offered, as well as the unit agreements that contain the terms of the units. We will file
as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by reference from a current report
on Form 8-K that we file with the SEC, the form of unit agreement and any supplemental agreements that describe the terms of the
series of units we are offering before the issuance of such units.
USE OF PROCEEDS
Unless otherwise
provided in the applicable prospectus supplement or in any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided
to you, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities offered hereby for general corporate purposes, including
capital expenditures, research and development, and working capital. We may use a portion of our net proceeds to in-license, acquire
or invest in complementary businesses, technologies, products or assets. However, we have no current commitments or obligations
to do so. We may set forth additional information on the use of proceeds from the sale or the securities we offer under this prospectus
in a prospectus supplement relating to the specific offering or in any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to
be provided to you. We cannot currently allocate specific percentages of the net proceeds that we may use for the purposes specified
above. As a result, our management will have broad discretion in the allocation of the net proceeds. Pending the application of
the net proceeds, we intend to invest the net proceeds in short- and intermediate-term, interest-bearing obligations, investment-grade
instruments, certificates of deposit or direct or guaranteed obligations of the U.S. government.
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL
STOCK
We
are authorized to issue an unlimited number of common shares and preferred shares, no par value. As
of August 29, 2019, there were 7,504,468 common shares outstanding and no preferred shares outstanding.
The
following summary description of our capital shares is based on the provisions of our Notice of Articles and Articles. This information
is qualified entirely by reference to the applicable provisions of our Articles and the British Columbia Business
Corporations Act. For information on how to obtain copies of our Notice of Articles and Articles, which are exhibits to the
registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, see “Where You Can Find More Information.”
Common
Shares
The
holders of our common shares are entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters submitted to a vote of the shareholders.
Our shareholders do not have cumulative voting rights in the election of directors. Subject to preferences that may be applicable
to any outstanding preferred shares, the holders of common shares are entitled to receive ratably only those dividends as may be
declared by our board of directors out of legally available funds. Upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, holders of
our common shares are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining after payment of liabilities and the liquidation preferences
of any outstanding preferred shares. Holders of common shares have no preemptive or other subscription or conversion rights. There
are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to our common shares. Common shares outstanding, and to be issued, are,
and will be, fully paid and non-assessable. Additional shares of authorized common shares may be issued, as authorized by our board
of directors from time to time, without shareholder approval, except as may be required by applicable stock exchange requirements.
Preferred
Shares
Pursuant
to our Notice of Articles and Articles, and the provisions of the British Columbia Business
Corporations Act, our board of directors has the authority, without further action
by the shareholders (unless such shareholder action is required by applicable law or the rules of The Nasdaq Stock Market), to
designate and issue an unlimited number of preferred shares in one of more series, to establish from time to time the number of
shares to be included in each such series, to fix the designations, powers, preferences and rights of the shares of each wholly
unissued series, and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereon, 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. Preferred shares, if issued, will be fully
paid and non-assessable.
The
board of directors’ authority to determine the terms of any such preferred shares include, without limitation: (i) the designation
of each series and the number of preferred shares that will constitute each such series; (ii) the dividend rate or amount, if any,
for each series; (iii) the price at which, and the terms and conditions on which, the preferred shares of each series may be redeemed,
if such shares are redeemable; (iv) the terms and conditions, if any, upon which preferred shares of such series may be converted
into shares of other classes or series of shares of the Company, or other securities; and (v) the maturity date, if any, for each
such series; but no such special rights or restriction shall contravene any other provision of Part 26 of the Articles of the Company.
We
will file as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by reference from
reports that we file with the SEC, a Notice of Alteration to the Notice of Articles of the Company, which will be filed in accordance
with British Columbia law and which shall describe the designations, preferences, limitations, restrictions and rights of the series
of preferred shares that we are offering before the issuance of that series of preferred shares. This description will include:
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the title and stated value;
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the number of shares we are offering;
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the liquidation preference per share;
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the rate and amount of dividends (whether
cumulative, non-cumulative or partially cumulative), the dates and places of payment thereof;
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the consideration for, and the terms and
conditions of, any purchase for cancellation or redemption thereof (including redemption after a fixed term or at a premium);
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the conversion or exchange rights;
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the terms and conditions of any share
purchase plan or sinking fund;
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the restrictions respecting payment of
dividends on, or the repayment of capital in respect of, any other share of the Company;
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the voting rights and restrictions, if
any;
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any listing of the preferred shares on
any securities exchange or market;
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whether the preferred shares will be convertible
into our common shares, and, if applicable, the conversion price, or how it will be calculated, and the conversion period;
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preemptive rights, if any;
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restrictions on transfer, sale or other
assignment, if any;
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whether interests in the preferred shares
will be represented by depositary shares;
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a discussion of any material Canadian
or United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the preferred shares;
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the relative ranking and preferences of
the preferred shares as to dividend rights and rights if we liquidate, dissolve or wind up our affairs;
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any limitations on the issuance of any
class or series of preferred shares ranking senior to or on a parity with the series of preferred shares as to dividend rights
and rights if we liquidate, dissolve or wind up our affairs; and
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any other specific terms, preferences, rights or
limitations of, or restrictions on, the preferred shares.
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The
issuance of preferred shares may or may not have a dilutive effect on the voting rights of shareholders owning common shares, depending
on the rights and preferences set by the board of directors. Preferred shares may be issued quickly with terms designed to delay
or prevent a change in control of our company or make removal of management more difficult. However, except for such rights relating
to the election of directors on a default in payment of dividends as may be attached to any series of the preferred shares by the
board of directors or in connection with convertible preferred shares, the holders of preferred shares shall not be entitled, as
such, to receive notice of, or to attend or vote at, any general meeting of shareholders of the Company. Section 61 of the British
Columbia Business Corporations Act provides that the special rights attached
to preferred shares may not be prejudiced or interfered with unless the shareholders holding such class of shares consent to such
matter by a special resolution of such holders of preferred shares. Additionally, the issuance of preferred shares may have the
effect of decreasing the market price of our common shares.
CERTAIN PROVISIONS
OF OUR CHARTER DOCUMENTS AND BRITISH COLUMBIA LAW
Anti-takeover
Provisions of our Articles of Incorporation
In addition to the board
of directors’ ability to issue preferred shares, our Articles, as amended, contain other provisions that are intended to
enhance the likelihood of continuity and stability in the composition of our board of directors and which may have the effect of
delaying, deferring or preventing a future takeover or change in control of our Company unless such takeover or change in control
is approved by our board of directors. These provisions include advance notice procedures for shareholder proposals and a supermajority
vote requirement for business combinations.
Advance
Notice Procedures for Shareholder Proposals
Effective October 31, 2013,
our board of directors adopted an advance notice policy (the “Advance Notice Policy”) with immediate effect for the
purpose of providing our shareholders, directors and management with a clear framework for nominating our directors in connection
with any annual or special meeting of shareholders. The Advance Notice Policy was approved by the shareholders at our annual meeting
on February 13, 2014.
Purpose of the Advance
Notice Policy. Our directors are committed to: (i) facilitating an orderly and efficient annual general or, where the need
arises, special meeting, process; (ii) ensuring that all shareholders receive adequate notice of the director nominations and sufficient
information with respect to all nominees; and (iii) allowing shareholders to register an informed vote having been afforded reasonable
time for appropriate deliberation. The purpose of the Advance Notice Policy is to provide our shareholders, directors and management
with a clear framework for nominating directors. The Advance Notice Policy fixes a deadline by which holders of record of our common
shares must submit director nominations to the Company prior to any annual or special meeting of shareholders and sets forth the
information that a shareholder must include in the notice to the Company for the notice to be in proper written form in order for
any director nominee to be eligible for election at any annual or special meeting of shareholders.
Terms of the Advance
Notice Policy. The Advance Notice Policy provides that advance notice to the Company must be made in circumstances where nominations
of persons for election to our board of directors are made by shareholders of the Company other than pursuant to: (i) a "proposal"
made in accordance with Division 7 of Part 5 of the British Columbia Business Corporations Act, or the Act; or (ii) a requisition
of the shareholders made in accordance with section 167 of the Act. Among other things, the Advance Notice Policy fixes a deadline
by which holders of record of our common shares must submit director nominations to the secretary of the Company prior to any annual
or special meeting of shareholders and sets forth the specific information that a shareholder must include in the written notice
to the secretary of the Company for an effective nomination to occur. No person will be eligible for election as a director of
the Company unless nominated in accordance with the provisions of the Advance Notice Policy.
In the case of an annual
meeting of shareholders, notice to the Company must be made not less than 30 nor more than 65 days prior to the date of the annual
meeting; provided, however, that in the event that the annual meeting is to be held on a date that is less than 50 days after the
date on which the first public announcement of the date of the annual meeting was made, notice may be made not later than the close
of business on the 10th day following such public announcement.
In the case of a special
meeting of shareholders (which is not also an annual meeting), notice to the Company must be made not later than the close of business
on the 15th day following the day on which the first public announcement of the date of the special meeting was made.
Our board of directors
may, in its sole discretion, waive any requirement of the Advance Notice Policy.
Provisions
of British Columbia Law Governing Business Combinations
All provinces of Canada
have adopted National Instrument 62-104 entitled “Take-Over Bids and Issuer Bids” and related forms to harmonize
and consolidate take-over bid and issuer bid regimes nationally (“NI 62-104”). The Canadian Securities Administrators,
or CSA, have also issued National Policy 62-203 entitled “Take-Over Bids and Issuer Bids” (the “National
Policy”) which contains regulatory guidance on the interpretation and application of NI 62-104 and on the conduct of parties
involved in a bid. The National Policy and NI 62-104 are collectively referred to as the “Bid Regime.” The National
Policy does not have the force of law, but is an indication by the CSA of what the intentions and desires of the regulators are
in the areas covered by their policies. Unlike some regimes where the take-over bid rules are primarily policy-driven, in Canada
the regulatory framework for take-over bids is primarily rules-based, which rules are supported by policy.
A “take-over bid”
or “bid” is an offer to acquire outstanding voting or equity securities of a class made to any person who is in one
of the provinces of Canada or to any securityholder of an offeree issuer whose last address as shown on the books of a target is
in such province, where the securities subject to the offer to acquire, together with the securities “beneficially owned”
by the offeror, constitute in the aggregate 20% or more of the outstanding securities of that class of securities at the date of
the offer to acquire. For the purposes of the Bid Regime, a security is deemed to be “beneficially owned” by an offeror
as of a specific date if the offeror is the beneficial owner of a security convertible into the security within 60 days following
that date, or has a right or obligation permitting or requiring the offeror, whether or not on conditions, to acquire beneficial
ownership of the security within 60 days by a single transaction or a series of linked transactions. Offerors are also subject
to early warning requirements, where an offeror who acquires “beneficial ownership of”, or control or direction over,
voting or equity securities of any class of a reporting issuer or securities convertible into, voting or equity securities of any
class of a target that, together with the offeror’s securities, would constitute 10% or more of the outstanding securities
of that class must promptly publicly issue and file a news release containing certain prescribed information, and, within two business
days, file an early warning report containing substantially the same information as is contained in the news release.
In addition, where an offeror
is required to file an early warning report or a further report as described and the offeror acquires or disposes of beneficial
ownership of, or the power to exercise control or direction over, an additional 2% or more of the outstanding securities of the
class, or disposes of beneficial ownership of outstanding securities of the class below 10%, the offeror must issue an additional
press release and file a new early warning report. Any material change in a previously filed early warning report also triggers
the issuance and filing of a new press release and early warning report. During the period commencing on the occurrence of an event
in respect of which an early warning report is required and terminating on the expiry of one business day from the date that the
early warning report is filed, the offeror may not acquire or offer to acquire beneficial ownership of any securities of the class
in respect of which the early warning report was required to be filed or any securities convertible into securities of that class.
This requirement does not apply to an offeror that has beneficial ownership of, or control or direction over, securities that comprise
20% of more of the outstanding securities of the class.
Related party transactions,
issuer bids and insider bids are subject to additional regulation that may differ depending on the particular jurisdiction of Canada
in which it occurs.
Transfer
Agent and Registrar
The
transfer agent and registrar for our common shares is Computershare Investor Services Inc. located at 100 University Avenue, 8th
Floor, Toronto, Ontario M5J 2Y1, and its telephone number is 1-800-564-6253. The transfer agent for any series of preferred shares
that we may offer under this prospectus will be named and described in the prospectus supplement for that series.
Listing
on The Nasdaq Capital Market
Our
common shares are listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “EDSA.”
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
The
following description, together with the additional information we may include in any applicable prospectus supplement and free
writing prospectus, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the warrants that we may offer under this prospectus, which
may consist of warrants to purchase common shares or preferred shares and may be issued in one or more series. Warrants may be
offered independently or in combination with common shares and/or preferred shares offered by any prospectus supplement. While
the terms we have summarized below will apply generally to any warrants that we may offer under this prospectus, we will describe
the particular terms of any series of warrants in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. The following description
of warrants will apply to the warrants offered by this prospectus unless we provide otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement.
The applicable prospectus supplement for a particular series of warrants may specify different or additional terms.
We
will file as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by reference from reports
that we file with the SEC, the form of warrant and/or the warrant agreement and warrant certificate, as applicable, that contain
the terms of the particular series of warrants we are offering, and any supplemental agreements, before the issuance of such warrants.
The following summaries of material terms and provisions of the warrants are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference
to, all the provisions of the form of warrant and/or the warrant agreement and warrant certificate, as applicable, and any supplemental
agreements applicable to a particular series of warrants that we may offer under this prospectus. We urge you to read the applicable
prospectus supplement related to the particular series of warrants that we may offer under this prospectus, as well as any related
free writing prospectus, and the complete form of warrant and/or the warrant agreement and warrant certificate, as applicable,
and any supplemental agreements, that contain the terms of the warrants.
General
We
will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms of the series of warrants being offered, including:
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the offering price and aggregate number
of warrants offered;
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the currency for which the warrants may
be purchased;
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if applicable, the designation and terms
of the securities with which the warrants are issued and the number of warrants issued with each such security or each principal
amount of such security;
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in the case of warrants to purchase common
shares or preferred shares, the number of common shares or preferred shares, as the case may be, purchasable upon the exercise
of one warrant and the price at which these shares may be purchased upon such exercise;
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the effect of any merger, consolidation,
sale or other disposition of our business on the warrant agreements and the warrants;
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the terms of any rights to redeem or call
the warrants;
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any provisions for changes to or adjustments
in the exercise price or number of securities issuable upon exercise of the warrants;
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the dates on which the right to exercise
the warrants will commence and expire;
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the manner in which the warrant agreements
and warrants may be modified;
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a discussion of material or special Canadian
and U.S. federal income tax considerations, if any, of holding or exercising the warrants;
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the terms of the securities issuable upon
exercise of the warrants; and
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any other specific terms, preferences,
rights or limitations of or restrictions on the warrants.
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Before exercising their warrants, holders
of warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities purchasable upon such exercise, including:
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in the case of warrants
to purchase common shares or preferred shares, the right to receive dividends, if any, or payments upon our liquidation, dissolution
or winding up or to exercise voting rights, if any.
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Exercise
of Warrants
Each
warrant will entitle the holder to purchase the securities that we specify in the applicable prospectus supplement at the exercise
price that we describe in the applicable prospectus supplement. The warrants may be exercised as set forth in the prospectus supplement
relating to the warrants offered. Unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, warrants may be exercised
at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the warrants
offered thereby. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will become void.
Upon
receipt of payment and the warrant or warrant certificate, as applicable, properly completed and duly executed at the corporate
trust office of the warrant agent, if any, or any other office, including ours, indicated in the prospectus supplement, we will,
as soon as practicable, issue and deliver the securities purchasable upon such exercise. If less than all of the warrants (or the
warrants represented by such warrant certificate) are exercised, a new warrant or a new warrant certificate, as applicable, will
be issued for the remaining warrants.
Governing
Law
Unless
we provide otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the warrants and any warrant agreements will be governed by and construed
in accordance with the laws of the Province of British Columbia, Canada.
Enforceability
of Rights by Holders of Warrants
Each
warrant agent, if any, will act solely as our agent under the applicable warrant agreement and will not assume any obligation or
relationship of agency or trust with any holder of any warrant. A single bank or trust company may act as warrant agent for more
than one issue of warrants. A warrant agent will have no duty or responsibility in case of any default by us under the applicable
warrant agreement or warrant, including any duty or responsibility to initiate any proceedings at law or otherwise, or to make
any demand upon us. Any holder of a warrant may, without the consent of the related warrant agent or the holder of any other warrant,
enforce by appropriate legal action its right to exercise, and receive the securities purchasable upon exercise of, its warrants.
Outstanding
Warrants
As
of August 29, 2019, there were 48,914 common shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding warrants at a weighted-average exercise
price of $11.19 per share. The warrants may be exercised for cash or, under certain circumstances, on a cashless basis, in which
case we will deliver, upon exercise, the number of shares with respect to which the warrant is being exercised reduced by a number
of shares having a value (as determined in accordance with the terms of the applicable warrant) equal to the aggregate exercise
price of the shares with respect to which the warrant is being exercised.
DESCRIPTION OF UNITS
The
following description, together with the additional information we may include in any applicable prospectus supplements and free
writing prospectuses, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the units that we may offer under this prospectus. While
the terms we have summarized below will apply generally to any units that we may offer under this prospectus, we will describe
the particular terms of any series of units in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms of any units offered
under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below. However, no prospectus supplement will fundamentally change
the terms that are set forth in this prospectus or offer a security that is not registered and described in this prospectus at
the time of its effectiveness.
We
will file as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by reference from a
current report on Form 8-K that we file with the SEC, the form of unit agreement that describes the terms of the series of units
we are offering, and any supplemental agreements, before the issuance of the related series of units. The following summaries of
material terms and provisions of the units are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the provisions
of the unit agreement and any supplemental agreements applicable to a particular series of units. We urge you to read the applicable
prospectus supplements related to the particular series of units that we sell under this prospectus, as well as the complete unit
agreement and any supplemental agreements that contain the terms of the units.
General
We
will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms of the series of units being offered, including:
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the offering price and aggregate number
of units offered;
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the currency for which the units may be
purchased;
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if applicable, the designation and terms
of the units and of the securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances those securities may be
held or transferred separately;
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a discussion of material or special Canadian
and U.S. federal income tax considerations, if any, of holding the units; and
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any other specific terms, preferences, rights or
limitations of or restrictions on the units.
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The
provisions described in this section, as well as those described under “Description of Capital Stock” and “Description
of Warrants” will apply to each unit and to any common shares, preferred shares or warrant included in each unit, respectively.
Governing
Law
Unless
we provide otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the units and any unit agreements will be governed by and construed
in accordance with the laws of the Province of British Columbia, Canada.
Enforceability
of Rights by Holders of Units
Each
unit agent, if any, will act solely as our agent under the applicable unit agreement and will not assume any obligation or relationship
of agency or trust with any holder of any unit. A single bank or trust company may act as unit agent for more than one series of
units. A unit agent will have no duty or responsibility in case of any default by us under the applicable unit agreement or unit,
including any duty or responsibility to initiate any proceedings at law or otherwise, or to make any demand upon us. Any holder
of a unit may, without the consent of the related unit agent or the holder of any other unit, enforce by appropriate legal action
its rights as holder under any security included in the unit.
LEGAL OWNERSHIP OF
SECURITIES
We
can issue securities in registered form or in the form of one or more global securities. We describe global securities in greater
detail below. We refer to those persons who have securities registered in their own names on the books that we or any applicable
trustee, depositary or warrant agent maintain for this purpose as the “holders” of those securities. These persons
are the legal holders of the securities. We refer to those persons who, indirectly through others, own beneficial interests in
securities that are not registered in their own names, as “indirect holders” of those securities. As we discuss below,
indirect holders are not legal holders, and investors in securities issued in book-entry form or in street name will be indirect
holders.
Book-Entry
Holders
We
may issue securities in book-entry form only, as we will specify in the applicable prospectus supplement. This means securities
may be represented by one or more global securities registered in the name of a financial institution that holds them as depositary
on behalf of other financial institutions that participate in the depositary’s book-entry system. These participating institutions,
which are referred to as participants, in turn, hold beneficial interests in the securities on behalf of themselves or their customers.
Only the person in whose
name a security is registered is recognized as the holder of that security. Securities issued in global form will be registered
in the name of the depositary or its participants. Consequently, for securities issued in global form, we will recognize only the
depositary as the holder of the securities, and we will make all payments on the securities to the depositary. The depositary passes
along the payments it receives to its participants, which in turn pass the payments along to their customers who are the beneficial
owners. The depositary and its participants do so under agreements they have made with one another or with their customers; they
are not obligated to do so under the terms of the securities.
As
a result, investors in a book-entry security will not own securities directly. Instead, they will own beneficial interests in a
global security, through a bank, broker or other financial institution that participates in the depositary’s book-entry system
or holds an interest through a participant. As long as the securities are issued in global form, investors will be indirect holders,
and not holders, of the securities.
Street
Name Holders
We
may terminate a global security or issue securities in non-global form. In these cases, investors may choose to hold their securities
in their own names or in “street name.” Securities held by an investor in street name would be registered in the name
of a bank, broker or other financial institution that the investor chooses, and the investor would hold only a beneficial interest
in those securities through an account he or she maintains at that institution.
For
securities held in street name, we will recognize only the intermediary banks, brokers and other financial institutions in whose
names the securities are registered as the holders of those securities, and we will make all payments on those securities to them.
These institutions pass along the payments they receive to their customers who are the beneficial owners, but only because they
agree to do so in their customer agreements or because they are legally required to do so. Investors who hold securities in street
name will be indirect holders, not holders, of those securities.
Legal
Holders
Our
obligations, as well as the obligations of any applicable trustee and of any third parties employed by us or a trustee, run only
to the legal holders of the securities. We do not have obligations to investors who hold beneficial interests in global securities,
in street name or by any other indirect means. This will be the case whether an investor chooses to be an indirect holder of a
security or has no choice because we are issuing the securities only in global form. For example, once we make a payment or give
a notice to the holder, we have no further responsibility for the payment or notice even if that holder is required, under agreements
with depositary participants or customers or by law, to pass it along to the indirect holders but does not do so.
Special
Considerations For Indirect Holders
If
you hold securities through a bank, broker or other financial institution, either in book-entry form or in street name, you should
check with your own institution to find out:
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how it handles securities payments and
notices;
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whether it imposes fees or charges;
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how it would handle a request for the
holders’ consent, if ever required;
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whether and how you can instruct it to
send you securities registered in your own name so you can be a holder, if that is permitted in the future;
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how it would exercise rights under the
securities if there were a default or other event triggering the need for holders to act to protect their interests; and
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if the securities are in book-entry form, how the
depositary’s rules and procedures will affect these matters.
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Global
Securities
A
global security is a security that represents one or any other number of individual securities held by a depositary. Generally,
all securities represented by the same global securities will have the same terms.
Each
security issued in book-entry form will be represented by a global security that we deposit with and register in the name of a
financial institution or its nominee that we select. The financial institution that we select for this purpose is called the depositary.
Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, known
as DTC, will be the depositary for all securities issued in book-entry form.
A
global security may not be transferred to or registered in the name of anyone other than the depositary, its nominee or a successor
depositary, unless special termination situations arise. We describe those situations below under “Special Situations When
a Global Security Will Be Terminated.” As a result of these arrangements, the depositary, or its nominee, will be the sole
registered owner and holder of all securities represented by a global security, and investors will be permitted to own only beneficial
interests in a global security. Beneficial interests must be held by means of an account with a broker, bank or other financial
institution that in turn has an account with the depositary or with another institution that does. Thus, an investor whose security
is represented by a global security will not be a holder of the security, but only an indirect holder of a beneficial interest
in the global security.
If
the prospectus supplement for a particular security indicates that the security will be issued in global form only, then the security
will be represented by a global security at all times unless and until the global security is terminated. If termination occurs,
we may issue the securities through another book-entry clearing system or decide that the securities may no longer be held through
any book-entry clearing system.
Special
Considerations For Global Securities
The
rights of an indirect holder relating to a global security will be governed by the account rules of the investor’s financial
institution and of the depositary, as well as general laws relating to securities transfers. We do not recognize an indirect holder
as a holder of securities and instead deal only with the depositary that holds the global security.
If
securities are issued only in the form of a global security, an investor should be aware of the following:
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an investor cannot cause the securities
to be registered in his or her name, and cannot obtain non-global certificates for his or her interest in the securities, except
in the special situations we describe below;
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an investor will be an indirect holder
and must look to his or her own bank or broker for payments on the securities and protection of his or her legal rights relating
to the securities, as we describe above;
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an investor may not be able to sell interests
in the securities to some insurance companies and to other institutions that are required by law to own their securities in non-book-entry
form;
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an investor may not be able to pledge
his or her interest in a global security in circumstances where certificates representing the securities must be delivered to the
lender or other beneficiary of the pledge in order for the pledge to be effective;
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the depositary’s policies, which
may change from time to time, will govern payments, transfers, exchanges and other matters relating to an investor’s interest
in a global security;
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we and any applicable trustee have no
responsibility for any aspect of the depositary’s actions or for its records of ownership interests in a global security,
nor do we or any applicable trustee supervise the depositary in any way;
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the depositary may, and we understand
that DTC will, require that those who purchase and sell interests in a global security within its book-entry system use immediately
available funds, and your broker or bank may require you to do so as well; and
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financial institutions that participate in the depositary’s
book-entry system, and through which an investor holds its interest in a global security, may also have their own policies affecting
payments, notices and other matters relating to the securities.
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There
may be more than one financial intermediary in the chain of ownership for an investor. We do not monitor and are not responsible
for the actions of any of those intermediaries.
Special
Situations When a Global Security Will Be Terminated
In
a few special situations described below, the global security will terminate and interests in it will be exchanged for physical
certificates representing those interests. After that exchange, the choice of whether to hold securities directly or in street
name will be up to the investor. Investors must consult their own banks or brokers to find out how to have their interests in securities
transferred to their own name, so that they will be direct holders. We have described the rights of holders and street name investors
above.
Unless
we provide otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the global security will terminate when the following special situations
occur:
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if the depositary notifies us that it
is unwilling, unable or no longer qualified to continue as depositary for that global security and we do not appoint another institution
to act as depositary within 90 days;
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if we notify any applicable trustee that
we wish to terminate that global security; or
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if an event of default has occurred with regard to
securities represented by that global security and has not been cured or waived.
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The
prospectus supplement may also list additional situations for terminating a global security that would apply only to the particular
series of securities covered by the applicable prospectus supplement. When a global security terminates, the depositary, and not
we or any applicable trustee, is responsible for deciding the names of the institutions that will be the initial direct holders.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We
may sell the securities from time to time pursuant to underwritten public offerings, “at the market” offerings, negotiated
transactions, block trades or a combination of these methods. We may sell the securities to or through underwriters or dealers,
through agents, or directly to one or more purchasers. We may distribute securities from time to time in one or more transactions:
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at a fixed price or prices, which may
be changed;
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at market prices prevailing at the time
of sale;
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at prices related to such prevailing market
prices; or
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A prospectus supplement or supplements (and
any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you) will describe the terms of the offering of the
securities, including, to the extent applicable:
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the name or names of the underwriters,
if any;
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the purchase price of the securities or
other consideration therefor, and the proceeds, if any, we will receive from the sale;
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any over-allotment options under which
underwriters may purchase additional securities from us;
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any agency fees or underwriting discounts
and other items constituting agents’ or underwriters’ compensation;
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any public offering price;
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any discounts or concessions allowed or
reallowed or paid to dealers; and
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any securities exchange or market on which the securities
may be listed.
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Only
underwriters named in the prospectus supplement will be underwriters of the securities offered by the prospectus supplement.
If
underwriters are used in the sale, they will acquire the securities for their own account and may resell the securities from time
to time in one or more transactions at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. The obligations
of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to the conditions set forth in the applicable underwriting agreement.
We may offer the securities to the public through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters or by underwriters
without a syndicate. Subject to certain conditions, the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the securities offered
by the prospectus supplement, other than securities covered by any over-allotment option. Any public offering price and any discounts
or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may change from time to time. We may use underwriters with whom we have
a material relationship. We will describe in the prospectus supplement, naming the underwriter, the nature of any such relationship.
We
may sell securities directly or through agents we designate from time to time. We will name any agent involved in the offering
and sale of securities and we will describe any commissions we will pay the agent in the prospectus supplement. Unless the prospectus
supplement states otherwise, our agent will act on a best-efforts basis for the period of its appointment.
We
may authorize agents or underwriters to solicit offers by certain types of institutional investors to purchase securities from
us at the public offering price set forth in the prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment
and delivery on a specified date in the future. We will describe the conditions to these contracts and the commissions we must
pay for solicitation of these contracts in the prospectus supplement.
We
may provide agents and underwriters with indemnification against civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities
Act, or contribution with respect to payments that the agents or underwriters may make with respect to these liabilities. Agents
and underwriters may engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us in the ordinary course of business.
All
securities we may offer, other than common shares, will be new issues of securities with no established trading market. Any underwriters
may make a market in these securities, but will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without
notice. We cannot guarantee the liquidity of the trading markets for any securities.
Any
underwriter may engage in over-allotment, stabilizing transactions, short-covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance
with Regulation M under the Exchange Act. Over-allotment involves sales in excess of the offering size, which create a short position.
Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified
maximum price. Syndicate-covering or other short-covering transactions involve purchases of the securities, either through exercise
of the over-allotment option or in the open market after the distribution is completed, to cover short positions. Penalty bids
permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a dealer when the securities originally sold by the dealer are purchased
in a stabilizing or covering transaction to cover short positions. Those activities may cause the price of the securities to be
higher than it would otherwise be. If commenced, the underwriters may discontinue any of the activities at any time.
Any
underwriters that are qualified market makers on The Nasdaq Capital Market may engage in passive market making transactions in
the common shares on The Nasdaq Capital Market in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act, during the business day
prior to the pricing of the offering, before the commencement of offers or sales of the common shares. Passive market makers must
comply with applicable volume and price limitations and must be identified as passive market makers. In general, a passive market
maker must display its bid at a price not in excess of the highest independent bid for such security; if all independent bids are
lowered below the passive market maker’s bid, however, the passive market maker’s bid must then be lowered when certain
purchase limits are exceeded. Passive market making may stabilize the market price of the securities at a level above that which
might otherwise prevail in the open market and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.
CERTAIN TAX CONSIDERATIONS
Edesa Biotech, Inc. is
a British Columbia, Canada corporation. As such, there are important tax considerations to U.S. holders and non-U.S. holders under
United States and Canadian federal income taxation. Certain tax considerations are included in our most recent Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018, on file with the SEC, which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
Given the complexity of
the tax laws and because the tax consequences to any particular shareholder may be affected by matters not discussed in our Annual
Report on Form 10-K, shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors with respect to the specific tax consequences of
the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our equity securities, including the applicability and effect of state, local and
non-U.S. tax laws, as well as U.S. federal tax laws.
LEGAL MATTERS
In
connection with particular offerings of the securities in the future, unless otherwise stated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the
validity of the securities being offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Fasken Martineau DuMoulin, LLP, Toronto, Ontario,
Canada and certain other matters will be passed upon
for us by Stubbs Alderton & Markiles, LLP, Sherman Oaks, California. Any underwriters will also be advised about legal matters
by their own counsel, which will be named in the prospectus supplement.
EXPERTS
The balance sheets of Edesa
Biotech Research, Inc. (formerly known as Edesa Biotech Inc.) as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the related statements of operations
and comprehensive loss, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows of Edesa Biotech Inc. for each of the two years ended
December 31, 2018 and 2017, incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-3 have been so incorporated in reliance
on the report of MNP LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing
and accounting.
The consolidated financial statements of Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc. incorporated in this Registration Statement
on Form S-3 of Edesa Biotech, Inc. (formerly known as Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc.) by reference from Edesa Biotech, Inc.’s
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2018 have been audited by Moss Adams LLP, an independent registered
public accounting firm, as stated in their report, which is incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements
have been so incorporated in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon 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 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 www.sec.gov. Our Internet address is www.edesabiotech.com. You may also
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. We are also a “reporting
issuer” in the Canadian provinces of British Columbia and Alberta. As such, information we file the SEC is also available
under our profile at www.SEDAR.com.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN
INFORMATION BY REFERENCE
The
SEC allows us to incorporate by reference the information we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information
to you by referring you to another document that we have filed separately with the SEC. You should read the information incorporated
by reference because it is an important part of this prospectus. We incorporate by reference the following information or documents
that we have filed with the SEC (Commission File No. 001-37619):
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Our Current Reports on Form 8-K, dated March 7, 2019, 2018 (filed on March 8, 2019); dated May 30, 2019 (filed on May 30, 2019); dated June 7, 2019 (filed on June 10, 2019 and amended on each of June 20, 2019 and August 14, 2019) and August 30, 2019 (filed on August 30, 2019);
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The description of our common shares contained in
Amendment No. 2 to our Registration Statement on Form 20-F/A, filed with the SEC on July 5, 2012, including any amendment or report
filed for the purpose of updating such description.
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Any
information in any of the foregoing documents will automatically be deemed to be modified or superseded to the extent that information
in this prospectus or in a later filed document that is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated herein by reference modifies
or replaces such information.
We
also incorporate by reference any future filings (other than current reports furnished under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of
Form 8-K and exhibits filed on such form that are related to such items) made with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a),
13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, including all such reports filed after the date of the initial registration statement and
prior to effectiveness of the registration statement, until we file a post-effective amendment that indicates the termination of
the offering of the securities made by this prospectus. Information in such future filings updates and supplements the information
provided in this prospectus. Any statements in any such future filings will automatically be deemed to modify and supersede any
information in any document we previously filed with the SEC that is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated herein by reference
to the extent that statements in the later filed document modify or replace such earlier statements.
We will furnish without
charge to each person to whom a copy of this prospectus is delivered, upon written or oral request, a copy of the documents that
have been incorporated by reference into this prospectus, including exhibits to these documents. You should direct any requests
for copies to: Investor Relations, Edesa Biotech, Inc., 100 Spy Court, Markham, Ontario L3R 5H6 Canada; telephone number (905)
475-1234.
Common Shares
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
H.C. WAINWRIGHT & CO.
February , 2021
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