Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
 Registration No. 333-264303
Prospectus Supplement
(to Prospectus dated April 26, 2022)
12,205,000 Shares of Common Stock
Pre-Funded Warrants to Purchase up to 20,965,747 Shares of Common Stock
Warrants to Purchase up to 33,170,747 Shares of Common Stock
Up to 54,136,494 Shares of Common Stock underlying such Pre-Funded Warrants and Warrants
[MISSING IMAGE: lg_esperionreg-4c.jpg]
Esperion Therapeutics, Inc.
Pursuant to this prospectus supplement, we are offering, in a registered direct offering to certain institutional investors, an aggregate of 12,205,000 shares of our common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”) and warrants to purchase up to 33,170,747 shares of our Common Stock (the “Warrants”). The combined purchase price of each share of Common Stock and accompanying Warrant is $1.675 per share.
We are also offering pre-funded warrants (the “Pre-Funded Warrants”) to purchase up to an aggregate of 20,965,747 shares of Common Stock (and the shares of common stock issuable from time to time upon exercise of the Pre-Funded Warrants), to an investor whose purchase of shares of common stock in this offering would otherwise result in the investor, together with its affiliates and certain related parties, beneficially owning more than 4.99% (or, at the election of the purchaser, 9.99%) of our outstanding shares of Common Stock following the consummation of this offering, in lieu of common stock that would otherwise result in such purchaser’s beneficial ownership exceeding 4.99% (or, at the election of the purchaser, 9.99%) of our outstanding Common Stock. A holder of Pre-Funded Warrants will not have the right to exercise any portion of its Pre-Funded Warrants if the holder, together with its affiliates and certain related parties, would beneficially own in excess of 4.99% (or, at the election of the holder, 9.99%) of the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to such exercise. Each Pre-Funded Warrant is exercisable for one share of our Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.001 per share. The Pre-Funded Warrants are immediately exercisable and may be exercised at any time until all of the Pre-Funded Warrants are exercised in full. The purchase price of each Pre-Funded Warrant and accompanying Warrant is $1.674 (equal to the combined purchase price per share of Common Stock and accompanying Warrant, minus $0.001).
The shares of Common stock or Pre-Funded Warrants, as applicable, and the accompanying Warrants, are immediately separable and will be issued separately, but can only be purchased together in this offering.
In addition, the Company agreed to amend the warrants currently held by each participating purchaser that were previously issued in December 2021 from the current exercise price of $9.00 per share to a new exercise price of $1.55 per share and extend those warrants to a 3.5 year expiration term similar to the Warrants issued in the offering, effective upon the closing of the offering, at an additional offering price of $0.125 per amended warrant.
Each Warrant is exercisable for one share of our Common Stock at an exercise price of $1.55 per share. The Warrants are immediately exercisable and will expire 3.5 years from the original issuance date.
This offering also relates to the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants and Pre-Funded Warrants being offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.
We are a “smaller reporting company” under the federal securities laws and are subject to reduced public company reporting requirements. See “Prospectus Supplement Summary — Implications of Being a Smaller Reporting Company.” Our common stock is quoted on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “ESPR.” On March 17, 2023, the last reported sale price of our common stock on the NASDAQ Global Market was $1.55 per share. There is no established trading market for the Warrants or Pre-Funded Warrants and we do not intend to list the Warrants or Pre-Funded Warrants on any securities exchange or nationally recognized trading system. We do not intend to apply for listing of the Pre-Funded Warrants or the Warrants on any securities exchange or nationally recognized trading system. Without an active trading market, the liquidity of the Pre-Funded Warrants and the Warrants will be limited.
You should read this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, and the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement carefully before you invest.
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. See the information contained under “Risk Factors” on page S-6 of this prospectus supplement and in the related sections noted in the accompanying prospectus, and in the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus supplement is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
We have engaged H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC (“Wainwright” or the “placement agent”), as our exclusive placement agent in connection with this offering. Wainwright is not purchasing any of the securities from us and has no obligation to buy any of the securities from us or to arrange for the purchase or sale of any specific number or dollar amount of securities. We have agreed to pay Wainwright the placement agent fees set forth in the table below.
Per Share and
Accompanying
Common Stock
Warrant
Per Pre-Funded
Warrant and
Accompanying
Common Stock
Warrant
Total
Offering Price
$ 1.675 $ 1.674 $ 55,540,035.48
Placement Agent’s Fees(1)
$ 0.117 $ 0.117 $ 3,889,270.09
Proceeds to us, before expenses(2)
$ 1.558 $ 1.557 $ 51,650,765.39
(1)
Includes a cash fee of 7% of the gross proceeds of this offering. We have also agreed to pay the placement agent a reimbursement for non-accountable expenses equal to $35,000, a reimbursement for legal fees and expenses of the placement agent in an amount up to $50,000 and up to $15,950 for clearing fees. In addition, upon any exercise for cash of any Warrants, we will pay the placement agent a fee equal to 7.0% of the gross exercise price we receive from such exercise, subject to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) Rule 5110. For additional information about the compensation paid to the placement agent, see “Plan of Distribution” on page S-19 of this prospectus supplement.
(2)
The amount of the offering proceeds to us presented in this table does not give effect to any exercise of the Pre-Funded Warrants or Warrants being issued in this offering, or the consideration to be received in connection with the amendment of the prior warrants.
Delivery of the Common Stock, Pre-Funded Warrants and the Warrants being offered pursuant to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is expected to occur on or about March 22, 2023, subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions.
H.C.Wainwright & Co.
The date of this prospectus supplement is March 19, 2023

 
Table of contents
Prospectus supplement
Page
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S-11
S-13
S-14
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S-19
S-21
S-21
S-21
S-22
Prospectus
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Esperion Therapeutics, Inc. and other trademarks or service marks of Esperion Therapeutics appearing in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are the property of Esperion Therapeutics. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus may refer to brand names, trademarks, service marks or trade names of other companies and organizations, and those brand names, trademarks, service marks and trade names are the property of their respective holders.
 
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About this prospectus supplement
This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are part of a “shelf” registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-264303) that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, on April 15, 2022 and which became effective on April 26, 2022.
This prospectus supplement describes the specific terms of an offering of our securities and also adds to and updates information contained in the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into the accompanying prospectus. The second part, the accompanying prospectus, provides more general information. If the information in this prospectus supplement is inconsistent with the accompanying prospectus or any document incorporated by reference therein filed prior to the date of this prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in this prospectus supplement.
We have not authorized, and the placement agent has not authorized, anyone to provide you with any information or to make any representations other than those included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and any relevant free writing prospectus. If you receive any information not authorized by us, we take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, such information. You should not assume that the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus or any relevant free writing prospectus is accurate as of any date other than its respective date.
It is important for you to read and consider all of the information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus in making your investment decision. We include cross- references in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus to captions in these materials where you can find additional related discussions. The table of contents in this prospectus supplement provides the pages on which these captions are located. You should read both this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, together with the additional information described in the sections entitled “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation by Reference” of this prospectus supplement, before investing in our securities.
We are offering to sell, and seeking offers to buy, securities only in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted. The distribution of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and the offering of the securities in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law. Persons outside the United States who come into possession of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus must inform themselves about, and observe any restrictions relating to, the offering of the securities and the distribution of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus outside the United States. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus do not constitute, and may not be used in connection with, an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus by any person in any jurisdiction in which it is unlawful for such person to make such an offer or solicitation.
Unless the context otherwise requires, “Esperion,” the “company,” “we,” “us,” “our” and similar names refer to Esperion Therapeutics, Inc.
 
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Prospectus supplement summary
The following summary is qualified in its entirety by, and should be read together with, the more detailed information and financial statements and related notes thereto appearing elsewhere or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Before you decide to invest in our securities, you should read the entire prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus carefully, including the risk factors and the financial statements and related notes included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.
Company overview
We are a pharmaceutical company singularly focused on developing and commercializing accessible, oral, once-daily, non-statin medicines for patients struggling with elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, or LDL-C. Through commercial execution and completion of our CLEAR Outcomes trial as well as advancing our pre-clinical pipeline, we continue to evolve into a differentiated, global cardiometabolic biotech. Our team of lipid experts are dedicated to lowering bad cholesterol through the discovery, development and commercialization of innovative medicines and their combinations with established medicines. Our first two products were approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, European Medicines Agency, or EMA, and Swiss Agency for Therapeutic Products, or Swissmedic, in 2020. Bempedoic acid and the bempedoic acid / ezetimibe combination tablet are oral, once-daily, non-statin, LDL-C lowering medicines for patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, or ASCVD, or heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, or HeFH.
We recently completed a global cardiovascular outcomes trial, or CVOT, — known as Cholesterol Lowering via BEmpedoic Acid, an ACL-inhibiting Regimen (CLEAR) Outcomes. The trial was designed to evaluate whether treatment with bempedoic acid reduced the risk of cardiovascular events in patients who are statin averse and who have CVD or are at high risk for CVD. We initiated the CLEAR Outcomes CVOT in December 2016 and fully enrolled the study with over 14,000 patients in August 2019. The primary endpoint of the study was the effect of bempedoic acid on four types of major adverse cardiovascular events, or MACE (cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, non-fatal stroke, or coronary revascularization; also referred to as “four-component MACE”). CLEAR Outcomes was an event-driven trial and concluded once the predetermined number of MACE endpoints occurred. On December 7, 2022, we announced that the study had met its primary endpoint.
On March 4, 2023, we announced the full results from the CLEAR Outcomes trial. The study showed that NEXLETOL significantly reduced the risk of hard MACE-4 and MACE-3 by 13% and 15%, respectively, and significantly reduced the risk of heart attack and coronary revascularization by 23% and 19%, respectively, as compared to placebo. These results were seen in a broad population of primary and secondary prevention patients who are unable to maximize or tolerate a statin. The proportions of patients experiencing adverse events and serious adverse events were similar between the active and placebo treatment groups. Bempedoic acid (contained in NEXLEOL and NEXLIZET® (bempedoic acid and ezetimibe) tablets) now becomes the first LDL-C lowering therapy since statins proven to lower hard ischemic events, not only in those with ASCVD but also in the large number of primary prevention patients for whom limited therapies exist.
We believe that we remain on track to submit regulatory filings to the FDA and EMA in the first half 2023. Based on the robustness of the CLEAR Outcomes data, we believe that we would be entitled to receive $300 million in partner milestone payments upon inclusion of cardiovascular risk reduction data in the EU label, for which payment is tied to the magnitude of the risk percentage reduction included in the label (among other requirements) and ranges from $200 million for the inclusion of cardiovascular risk reduction in the EU label that correlates with a relative risk reduction rate that, based on the CLEAR Outcomes data, is equal or greater than 15% but less than 20% to $300 million if such risk reduction in the EU label that correlates with a relative risk reduction rate is equal or greater than 20%, and up to $140 million in partner milestone payments upon the achievement of other regulatory milestones, including inclusion of certain required cardiovascular risk reduction data in the US label. We have had communications with Daiichi Sankyo Europe (DSE) regarding potential milestone payments in which DSE has conveyed that it disagrees with our assessment that the CLEAR Outcomes data would support our right to receive any milestone payments upon inclusion of certain required cardiovascular risk reduction data in the EU label,
 
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because the CLEAR Outcomes study showed a 12.98% reduction in MACE-4, the primary endpoint of the trial. We strongly disagree and continue to believe we would be entitled to receive such payment upon inclusion of cardiovascular risk reduction in the EU label that correlates with a relative risk reduction rate of at least 20%, based on the CLEAR Outcomes trial demonstrating a significant reduction of fatal and non-fatal myocardial infarction by 23%. If necessary, we intend to enforce our contractual rights and seek the milestone payments we believe we are entitled to. Even if we are successful in enforcing our rights, there could be a delay in our receipt of the milestone payments as a result of any dispute relating to such payments. Any failure to receive or any delay in receipt of the milestone payments may significantly impact our future capital needs.
While we believe that we would be entitled to receive such funds upon meeting the foregoing requirements, we caution that receipt of any milestone payment amounts is subject to risks and uncertainties, including our obtaining the relevant regulatory approvals and marketing authorizations, the approval of the required EU and US labels, the absence of any material disagreements or disputes with regulators or our collaboration partners and the ultimate timing and payment of such milestone payment amounts by our collaboration partners. In addition, while we expect that we will be entitled to the foregoing milestone payments, our inability to receive some or all of its milestone payments and other royalty amounts from its collaboration partners may significantly impact its future capital needs.
Corporate information
We were incorporated in Delaware in January 2008 and commenced our operations in April 2008. Our principal executive offices are located at 3891 Ranchero Drive, Suite 150, Ann Arbor, MI 48108 and our telephone number is (734) 887-3903. Our website address is www.esperion.com. No portion of our website is incorporated by reference into this prospectus. We do not incorporate the information on or accessible through our website into this prospectus, and you should not consider any information on, or that can be accessed through, our website as part of this prospectus. Our common stock trades on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “ESPR”.
Implications of being a smaller reporting company
Because our annual revenue was less than $100.0 million during the most recently completed fiscal year and the market value of our voting and non-voting common stock held by non-affiliates was less than $560.0 million measured on the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter, we qualify as a “smaller reporting company” as defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Accordingly, we may provide less public disclosure than larger public companies, including the inclusion of only two years of audited financial statements and only two years of related selected financial data and management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations disclosure. As a result, the information that we provide to our stockholders may be different than you might receive from other public reporting companies in which you hold equity interests.
 
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The Offering
Common Stock offered
12,205,000 shares.
Warrants offered
We are also offering Warrants to purchase up to 33,170,747 shares of Common Stock. Each Warrant is exercisable for one share of our Common Stock at an exercise price of $1.55 per share. The Warrants are exercisable immediately and will expire 3.5 years from the original issuance date. This offering also relates to the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants sold in this offering.
Pre-Funded Warrants offered
We are also offering Pre-Funded Warrants to purchase up to 20,965,747 shares of Common Stock to a purchaser whose purchase of shares of Common Stock in this offering would otherwise result in the purchaser, together with its affiliates and certain related parties, beneficially owning more than 4.99% (or, at the election of the purchaser, 9.99%) of our outstanding Common Stock immediately following the consummation of this offering. Each Pre-Funded Warrant is exercisable for one share of our Common Stock. The purchase price of each Pre-Funded Warrant and the accompanying Warrant is equal to the combined price at which the share of Common Stock and accompanying Warrant is being sold to the public in this offering, minus $0.001, and the exercise price of each Pre-Funded Warrant is $0.001 per share. The Pre-Funded Warrants are exercisable immediately and may be exercised at any time until all of the Pre-Funded Warrants are exercised in full. This offering also relates to the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Pre-Funded Warrants sold in this offering.
Common stock to be outstanding after the offering
109,735,143 shares (assuming exercise of all Pre-Funded Warrants being issued in this offering for cash and no exercise of the Warrants).
Offering price
$1.675 combined per share of Common Stock and accompanying Warrant, and $1.674 per Pre-Funded Warrant and accompanying Warrant.
Use of proceeds
We expect to receive net proceeds of approximately $51.3 million from this offering after deducting placement agent fees and estimated offering expenses payable by us. In addition, we will receive approximately $1.13 million as the gross consideration in connection with the amendments to the prior warrants held by the investors. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from this offering for working capital and other general corporate purposes. See “Use of Proceeds” on page S-13.
Prohibitions on subsequent equity sales
Pursuant to the securities purchase agreement with the purchasers, we are prohibited from entering into any agreement to issue or announcing the issuance or proposed issuance of any shares of Common Stock or securities convertible or exercisable into Common Stock, subject to certain exceptions, for a period commencing on the date of the securities purchase agreement and expiring 60 days from the closing date of the offering.
Furthermore, we are prohibited from entering into any agreement to issue Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalent involving a Variable Rate Transaction (as defined in the securities purchase
 
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agreement), subject to certain exceptions, for a period commencing on the date of the securities purchase agreement and expiring 90 days from the closing date of the offering.
Risk factors
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. See the “Risk Factors” section of this prospectus supplement and in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement for a discussion of factors to consider before deciding to invest in our securities.
Nasdaq Global Market symbol
Our Common Stock is listed on Nasdaq under the symbol “ESPR”. We do not intend to list the Warrants or the Pre-Funded Warrants on any securities exchange or nationally recognized trading system. We do not intend to list the Warrants or the Pre-Funded Warrants on any securities exchange or nationally recognized trading system. Without a trading market, the liquidity of the Pre-Funded Warrants and Warrants will be extremely limited.
Unless otherwise indicated, all information in this prospectus related to the number of shares of our common stock to be outstanding immediately after this offering is based on 76,564,396 shares of our common stock outstanding as of December 31, 2022. The number of shares outstanding as of December 31, 2022 excludes:

3,842,737 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of stock options outstanding as of December 31, 2022, at a weighted average exercise price of $27.75 per share as of such date;

499,200 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise and achievement of the performance criteria of our performance-based stock options outstanding as of December 31, 2022, at a weighted average exercise price of $6.73 per share as of such date;

1,768,185 shares of common stock issuable upon the vesting of restricted stock units;

461,250 shares of common stock issuable upon the achievement of the performance criteria of our performance-based restricted stock units;

485,578 shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under our 2020 Employee Stock Purchase Plan as of December 31, 2022;

3,332,950 shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under our 2022 Stock Option and Incentive Plan as of December 31, 2022;

14,426 shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under our 2017 Inducement Equity Plan as of December 31, 2022;

36,964,286 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants outstanding as of December 31, 2022; and

shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Pre-Funded Warrants or Warrants issued in this offering
Unless otherwise indicated, all information in this prospectus supplement assumes no exercise of outstanding stock options or outstanding performance-based stock options or settlement of unvested restricted stock units or unvested performance-based restricted stock units or shares issued from the Employee Stock Purchase Plan after December 31, 2022, and no exercise of outstanding warrants.
 
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Risk factors
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risk factors described below, together with the risks under the heading “Risk Factors” beginning on page 2 of the accompanying prospectus and under Part I, Item A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the SEC on February 21, 2023, and all other information contained or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including our financial statements and the related notes, as updated by our subsequent filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, and in any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering before acquiring any of our securities. These risks could have a material and adverse impact on our business, results of operations, financial condition and growth prospects, which may cause the trading price of our common stock to decline and you could lose all or part of your investment.
Risks related to this offering
You will experience immediate and substantial dilution.
Because the effective offering price per share in this offering exceeds the net tangible book value per share of our common stock outstanding prior to this offering, you will incur an immediate and substantial dilution in the net tangible book value of the shares of common stock you purchase in this offering. Based on an offering price of $1.675 per share of our Common Stock and accompanying Warrant, if you purchase securities in this offering, you will experience immediate dilution of $4.16 per share, representing the difference between the effective offering price per share of our Common Stock and our as adjusted net tangible book value per share after giving effect to this offering. The exercise of outstanding warrants, conversion of convertible notes, exercise of outstanding stock options and vesting of other stock awards may result in further dilution of your investment. See the section entitled “Dilution” appearing elsewhere in this prospectus supplement for a more detailed illustration of the dilution you would incur if you participate in this offering.
The trading price of our common stock could be highly volatile, which could result in substantial losses for purchasers of our common stock in this offering. Securities class action or other litigation involving our company or members of our management team could also substantially harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our stock price is volatile. The stock market in general and the market for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies in particular have experienced extreme volatility that has often been unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. As a result of this volatility, you may not be able to sell your common stock at or above the public offering price and you may lose some or all of your investment. The market price for our common stock may be influenced by many factors, including:

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

the timing and results of clinical trials of product candidates, or our competitors’ product candidates;

regulatory actions with respect to our product candidates or our competitors’ products and product candidates;

commencement or termination of collaborations for our development programs;

failure or discontinuation of any of our development programs;

regulatory or legal developments in the United States and other countries;

developments or disputes concerning patent applications, issued patents or other proprietary rights;

the recruitment or departure of key personnel;

the level of expenses related to any of our product candidates or clinical development programs;

the results of our efforts to develop additional product candidates;

actual or anticipated changes in estimates as to financial results or development timelines;
 
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announcement or expectation of additional financing efforts;

sales of our common stock by us, our insiders or other stockholders, including shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options and upon vesting of stock units under our stock incentive plans;

variations in our financial results or results of companies that are perceived to be similar to us;

whether an active trading market for our shares is sustained;

changes in estimates, evaluations or recommendations by securities analysts, that cover our stock or the failure by one or more securities analysts to continue to cover our stock;

changes in the structure of healthcare payment systems;

the societal and economic impact of public health epidemics, such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and any recession, depression or sustained market event resulting from the pandemic;

market conditions in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors;

general economic, industry and market conditions; and

the other factors described in this “Risk Factors” section.
In the past, securities class action litigation has often been brought against a company following a decline in the market price of its securities. This risk is especially relevant for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, which have experienced significant stock price volatility in recent years.
We have broad discretion in the use of the net proceeds from this offering and may invest or spend the proceeds in ways with which you do not agree and in ways that may not yield a return on your investment.
Although we currently intend to use the net proceeds from this offering in the manner described in the section titled “Use of Proceeds” in this prospectus supplement, our management will have broad discretion in the application of the net proceeds from this offering and could spend the proceeds in ways that do not improve our results of operations or enhance the value of our common stock. You will not have the opportunity to influence our decisions on how to use the net proceeds from this offering. The failure by our management to apply these funds effectively could result in financial losses that could harm our business, cause the price of our common stock to decline and delay the development of our product candidates. Pending their use, we may invest the net proceeds from this offering in a manner that does not produce income or that loses value.
You may experience future dilution as a result of future equity offerings. In addition, this offering and future equity offerings and other issuances of our common stock or other securities may adversely affect the price of our common stock.
In order to raise additional capital, we may in the future offer additional shares of our common stock or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock at prices that may not be the same as the price per share in this offering. We may sell shares or other securities in any other offering at a price per share that is less than the price per share paid by investors in this offering, and investors purchasing shares or other securities in the future could have rights superior to existing stockholders. If we sell common stock, convertible securities, or other equity securities, investors may be materially diluted by subsequent sales. In addition, the sale of the securities in this offering and any future sales of a substantial number of shares of common stock in the public market, or the perception that such sales may occur, could adversely affect the price of our common stock. In connection with this offering, we have agreed to amend the terms of certain existing warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 9,024,212 shares of common stock that were previously issued in December 2021 at an exercise price of $9.00 per share and an expiration date of December 7, 2023, held by the purchasers in this offering, effective upon the closing of the offering such that the amended warrants will have a reduced exercise price of $1.55 per share and will expire three and one half years following the closing of the offering.
We cannot predict the effect, if any, that market sales of those shares of common stock or the availability of those shares for sale will have on the market price of our common stock.
 
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The sale of our common stock in this offering and any future sales of our common stock, or the perception that such sales could occur, may depress our stock price and our ability to raise funds in new stock offerings.
We may from time to time issue additional shares of common stock at a discount from the current trading price of our common stock. As a result, our stockholders would experience immediate dilution upon the purchase of any shares of our common stock sold at such discount. In addition, as opportunities present themselves, we may enter into financing or similar arrangements in the future, including the issuance of debt securities, preferred stock or common stock. Sales of shares of our common stock in this offering, or the perception that such sales could occur, may lower the market price of our common stock and may make it more difficult for us to sell equity securities or equity-related securities in the future at a time and price that our management deems acceptable, or at all.
We do not intend to apply for any listing of the Pre-Funded Warrants or Warrants on any exchange or nationally recognized trading system, and we do not expect a market to develop for the Pre-Funded Warrants or Warrants.
We do not intend to apply for any listing of either of the Pre-Funded Warrants or Warrants on the Nasdaq Global Select Market or any other securities exchange or nationally recognized trading system, and we do not expect a market to develop for the Pre-Funded Warrants or the Warrants. Without an active market, the liquidity of the Pre-Funded Warrants and Warrants will be limited. Without an active market, the liquidity of the Pre-Funded Warrants and the Warrants will be limited. Further, the existence of the Pre-Funded Warrants and Warrants may act to reduce both the trading volume and the trading price of our Common Stock.
The Warrants are speculative in nature and may not have any value.
For a period of 3.5 years commencing upon issuance, holders of the Warrants may exercise their right to acquire our Common Stock and pay an exercise price of $1.55 per share. There can be no assurance that the market price of our Common Stock will ever equal or exceed the exercise price of the Warrants, and consequently, whether it will ever be profitable for holders of the Warrants to exercise the Warrants.
Except as otherwise provided in the Warrants or the Pre-Funded Warrants, holders of Warrants and Pre-Funded Warrants purchased in this offering will have no rights as stockholders of Common Stock until such holders exercise their Warrants or Pre-Funded Warrants and acquire our common stock.
The Pre-Funded Warrants and the Warrants offered in this offering do not confer any rights of Common Stock ownership on their holders, such as voting rights or the right to receive dividends, but rather merely represent the right to acquire shares of our Common Stock at a fixed price, and in the case of the Warrants, for a limited period of time. Specifically, a holder of a Warrant may exercise the right to acquire a share of Common Stock and pay an exercise price equal to $1.55 per share prior to the three and a half year anniversary of the original issuance date, upon which date any unexercised Warrants will expire and have no further value. A holder of a Pre-Funded Warrant may exercise the right to acquire a share of Common Stock and pay a nominal exercise price of $0.001 at any time. Upon exercise of the Pre-Funded Warrants and the Warrants, the holders thereof will be entitled to exercise the rights of a holder of Common Stock only as to matters for which the record date occurs after the exercise date.
We may not receive any additional funds upon the exercise of the Warrants or the Pre-Funded Warrants.
Each Warrant and Pre-Funded Warrant may be exercised by way of a cashless exercise if permitted by the terms of such warrants, meaning that the holder may not pay a cash purchase price upon exercise, but instead would receive upon such exercise the net number of shares of our Common Stock determined according to the formula set forth in the Warrant or the Pre-Funded Warrant. Accordingly, we may not receive any additional funds upon the exercise of the Warrants or the Pre-Funded Warrants.
We are a “smaller reporting company” and have elected to comply with reduced public company reporting requirements, which could make our common stock less attractive to investors.
Because our annual revenue was less than $100.0 million during the most recently completed fiscal year and the market value of our voting and non-voting common stock held by non-affiliates was less than
 
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$560.0 million measured on the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter, we qualify as a “smaller reporting company” as defined in the Exchange Act. Accordingly, we may provide less public disclosure than larger public companies, including the inclusion of only two years of audited financial statements and only two years of related selected financial data and management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations disclosure. We are also no longer required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. As a result, the information that we provide to our stockholders may be different than you might receive from other public reporting companies in which you hold equity interests. We cannot predict if investors will find our common stock less attractive as a result of our reliance on these exemptions. If some investors find our common stock less attractive as a result of any choice we make to reduce disclosure, there may be a less active trading market for our common stock and the market price for our common stock may be more volatile.
Risks related to our financial position
We have incurred significant operating losses since our inception, and anticipate that we will incur continued losses for the foreseeable future.
Pharmaceutical product development is a highly speculative undertaking and involves a substantial degree of risk. We were incorporated in January 2008. Our operations to date have included organizing and staffing our company, conducting research and development activities for bempedoic acid and the bempedoic acid / ezetimibe combination tablet, as well as commercializing these products. Since the launch of our products, we have generated $108.9 million in revenue from product sales in the U.S. We have obtained regulatory approval for both products from the FDA in the U.S., the EC in Europe and Swissmedic in Switzerland, but have not received approval for bempedoic acid and the bempedoic acid / ezetimibe combination tablet from any other regulatory agency. As such, we are subject to all the risks incident to the development, regulatory approval and commercialization of new pharmaceutical products and we may encounter unforeseen expenses, difficulties, complications, delays and other unknown factors.
Since our inception, we have focused substantially all of our efforts and financial resources on developing bempedoic acid. We have funded our operations to date primarily through proceeds from sales of preferred stock, public offerings of common stock and warrants, convertible promissory notes and warrants, the incurrence of indebtedness, milestone payments from collaboration agreements and revenue interest purchase agreements, and we have incurred losses in each year since our inception. Our net losses were $233.7 million and $269.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. As of December 31, 2022, we had an accumulated deficit of $1.3 billion. Substantially all of our operating losses resulted from costs incurred in connection with our development program and from selling, general and administrative costs associated with our operations. We will continue to manage our spending for clinical trials, marketing approvals, and commercialization, and we may attempt to secure additional cash resources or reduce spend in certain areas as needed to continue commercialization and further development of bempedoic acid and the bempedoic acid / ezetimibe combination tablet.
Our prior losses, combined with expected future losses, have had and will continue to have an adverse effect on our stockholders’ equity and working capital. We expect to continue to incur significant expenses and increasing operating losses for the foreseeable future related to our research and development and commercialization activities, as well as other related personnel and activities. We expect to continue to incur research and development expenses related to costs associated with obtaining CV risk reduction indications in the U.S., Europe and other territories and as they relate to any other early-stage development programs or additional indications we choose to pursue. We also expect to incur significant sales, marketing and outsourced manufacturing expenses and expect further significant general and administration expenses in connection with the commercialization of bempedoic acid and the bempedoic acid / ezetimibe combination tablet, respectively. Even though bempedoic acid and the bempedoic acid / ezetimibe combination tablet are approved in the U.S. and Europe for commercial sale, and despite expending these costs, bempedoic acid or the bempedoic acid / ezetimibe combination tablet may not be commercially successful drugs. As a public company, we have incurred and will continue to incur additional costs associated with operating as a public company. As a result, we expect to continue to incur significant and increasing operating losses for the foreseeable future. Because of the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with developing
 
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pharmaceutical products, we are unable to predict the extent of any future losses or when we will become profitable, if at all. Even if we do become profitable, we may not be able to sustain or increase our profitability on a quarterly or annual basis.
Risks related to our business development and commercialization
We depend almost entirely on the success of two products, bempedoic acid and the bempedoic acid / ezetimibe combination tablet. There is no assurance that our commercialization efforts in the U.S. and DSE’s effort in Europe with respect to either product will be successful or that we will be able to generate revenues at the levels or within the timing we expect or at the levels or within the timing necessary to support our goals.
In 2022, we generated $55.9 million in revenues from the sale of products in the U.S. Our lead products, NEXLETOL (bempedoic acid) tablet and NEXLIZET (bempedoic acid and ezetimibe) tablet, were approved by the FDA in February 2020. NEXLETOL became commercially available in the U.S. in March 2020 and NEXLIZET became commercially available in the U.S. in June 2020. On April 6, 2020, we announced that the EC approved NILEMDO (bempedoic acid) and NUSTENDI (bempedoic acid and ezetimibe) tablet for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia and mixed dyslipidemia. The decision is applicable to all 27 European Union member states plus the United Kingdom, Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein. NILEMDO (bempedoic acid) and NUSTENDI (bempedoic acid and ezetimibe) are the branded product names for bempedoic acid and the bempedoic acid / ezetimibe combination tablet in Europe. Since 2020, Daiichi Sankyo launched NILEMDO and NUSTENDI in multiple EU countries. There is no assurance that the commercial launches will be successful or that additional launches will occur on the timing we anticipate. We may encounter delays or hurdles related to our launches that affect timing.
Our business currently depends heavily on our ability to successfully commercialize NEXLETOL and NEXLIZET in the U.S. to treat patients as an adjunct to diet and maximally tolerated statin therapy for the treatment of adults with HeFH or established ASCVD who require additional lowering of LDL-C. We may never be able to successfully commercialize the products or meet our expectations with respect to revenues. Prior to our launch in March 2020, we had never marketed, sold or distributed for commercial use any pharmaceutical product. There is no guarantee that the infrastructure, systems, processes, policies, personnel, relationships and materials we have built and may alter to commercialize these products in the U.S. will be sufficient for us to achieve success at the levels we expect. Additionally, healthcare providers may not accept a new treatment paradigm for patients with HeFH or established ASCVD who require additional lowering of LDL-C. We may also encounter challenges related to reimbursement of bempedoic acid and the bempedoic acid / ezetimibe combination tablet, even if we have positive early indications from payors, including potential limitations in the scope, breadth, availability, or amount of reimbursement covering each product. Additionally, coverage by a third-party payor does not guarantee reimbursement. For example, the terms of certain agreements require or may require practitioners to seek prior authorization from the third-party payor. Payors have implemented prior authorization requirements for our products which has impacted utilization and, thus, our ability to generate revenue from commercial sales of NEXLIZET and NEXLETOL in the United States. If patients continue to experience difficulty in obtaining prior authorization for our products and/or our programs on a timely basis, this may adversely impact ongoing sales of our products.
 
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Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements
This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including the documents that we incorporate by reference, contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Any statements about our expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not historical facts and may be forward-looking. These statements are often, but are not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “projects,” “potential,” “continue,” and similar expressions, or the negative of these terms. Accordingly, these statements involve estimates, assumptions and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in them. Any forward- looking statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the factors discussed throughout this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, and in particular those factors referenced in the section “Risk Factors.”
This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus contain forward-looking statements that are based on our management’s belief and assumptions and on information currently available to our management. These statements relate to future events or our future financial performance, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about:

our ability to successfully commercialize NEXLETOL® (bempedoic acid) tablet and NEXLIZET® (bempedoic acid and ezetimibe) tablet in the United States and any other jurisdictions where we may receive marketing approval in the future;

our ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approval for our approved drugs or obtain and maintain regulatory approval for any of our current or future drug candidates, and any related restrictions, limitations, and/or warnings in the labels of NEXLETOL, NEXLIZET, NILEMDO® (bempedoic acid) tablet and NUSTENDI® (bempedoic acid and ezetimibe) tablet, or any of our current or future drug candidates that may receive marketing approval;

the rate and degree of market acceptance for our approved drugs or any current or future drug candidate for which we may receive marketing approval;

our ability and plans in managing our commercial infrastructure and successfully launch, market, and sell our approved drugs and any current or future drug candidate (or additional indications) for which we may receive marketing approval;

our ability to achieve clinical, regulatory or commercial milestones with our existing cash resources;

our ability to secure regulatory approval in the U.S. and other territories for additional indications based on the results of the CVOT of bempedoic acid, obtain applicable milestone payments from our partners and generate additional revenue as a result of the expanded indications for our products;

our ability to realize the intended benefits of the commercial collaboration and license arrangement with Daiichi Sankyo Europe GmbH, or DSE, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., or Otsuka, and Daiichi Sankyo Co. Ltd., or DS, and of our revenue interest purchase agreement with Eiger II SA LLC, or Oberland, an affiliate of Oberland Capital LLC;

our ability to replicate positive results from a completed clinical study in a future clinical study;

the potential benefits, effectiveness or safety of bempedoic acid and the bempedoic acid / ezetimibe combination tablet, as compared to statins and other low density lipoprotein cholesterol, or LDL-C, or cardiovascular risk lowering therapies, either those currently available or those in development;

our ability to respond and adhere to changes in regulatory requirements, including any requirement to conduct additional, unplanned clinical studies in connection with our pursuit of bempedoic acid and the bempedoic acid / ezetimibe combination tablet as LDL-C or cardiovascular risk lowering therapies;
 
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guidelines relating to LDL-C levels and cardiovascular risk that are generally accepted within the medical community, including recent changes and any future changes to such guidelines;

reimbursement policies, including any future changes to such policies or related legislative, executive, or administrative actions, and their impact on our ability to market, distribute and obtain payment for bempedoic acid and the bempedoic acid / ezetimibe combination tablet in the United States and in Europe, and, if approved, in other territories;

the accuracy of our estimates of the size and growth potential of the LDL-C and cardiovascular risk lowering markets and the rate and degree of bempedoic acid and the bempedoic acid / ezetimibe combination tablet’s market acceptance in the United States and in Europe, and, if approved, in other territories;

our ability to comply with healthcare laws and regulations in the U.S. and any foreign countries, including, without limitation, those applying to the marketing and sale of commercial drugs;

our ability to obtain and maintain intellectual property protection for bempedoic acid and the bempedoic acid / ezetimibe combination tablet without infringing on the intellectual property rights of others in the U.S., Europe and other territories;

our ability to attract and retain key personnel, including scientific, clinical, commercial or management personnel;

our plan and ability to establish strategic relationships or partnerships, as needed;

our ability to meet our payment obligations under our revenue interest purchase agreement and to service the interest on our convertible notes and repay such notes, to the extent required;

the impact of global economic and political developments on our business, including economic slowdowns or recessions that may result from, among others, the outbreak of COVID-19 or an inflationary environment, which could harm our commercialization efforts, as well as the value of our common stock and our ability to access capital markets; and

our ability to compete with other companies that are, or may be, developing or selling products that may compete with bempedoic acid and the bempedoic acid / ezetimibe combination tablet, in the United States and in Europe, and, if approved, in other territories.
These forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees of future performance due to a variety of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements, including, without limitation the risk factors and cautionary statements described in other documents that we file from time to time with the SEC, specifically under “Item 1A: Risk Factors” and elsewhere in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or Current Reports on Form 8-K, and the section of the prospectus titled “Risk Factors.”
The forward-looking statements in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, any related free writing prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference represent our views as of their respective dates. We anticipate that subsequent events and developments will cause our views to change. However, while we may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we assume no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements except to the extent required by applicable law. You should, therefore, not rely on these forward-looking statements as representing our views as of any date subsequent to the dates on which they were made.
This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, any related free writing prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference also contain estimates, projections and other information concerning our industry, our business, and the markets for certain diseases, including data regarding the estimated size of those markets, and the incidence and prevalence of certain medical conditions. Information that is based on estimates, forecasts, projections, market research or similar methodologies is inherently subject to uncertainties and actual events or circumstances may differ materially from events and circumstances reflected in this information. Unless otherwise expressly stated, we obtained this industry, business, market and other data from reports, research surveys, studies and similar data prepared by market research firms and other third parties, industry, medical and general publications, government data and similar sources.
 
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Use of proceeds
We expect to receive net proceeds of approximately $51.3 million from this offering, after deducting placement agent fees and estimated offering expenses payable by us, assuming exercise of all Pre-Funded Warrants being issued in this offering for cash and excluding the proceeds, if any, from the exercise of the Warrants issued in this offering. In addition, we will receive approximately $1.13 million as the gross consideration in connection with the amendments to the prior warrants held by the investors.
We currently intend to use potential proceeds from this offering, together with our existing cash and cash equivalents, to fund the ongoing commercialization efforts for NEXLETOL and NEXLIZET, research and clinical development of current or additional pipeline candidates, working capital, capital expenditures and general corporate purposes. The expected use of the net proceeds from this offering represents our intentions based upon our current plans and business conditions, which could change in the future as our plans and business conditions evolve. The amounts and timing of our actual expenditures will depend on numerous factors, including the factors described under “Risk Factors” in this prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference herein, as well as the amount of cash used in our operations. We may find it necessary or advisable to use the net proceeds for other purposes, and we will have broad discretion in the application of the net proceeds. Pending the uses described above, we plan to invest the net proceeds from this offering in short- and intermediate- term, interest-bearing obligations, investment-grade instruments, certificates of deposit or direct or guaranteed obligations of the U.S. government.
The amounts and timing of our use of the net proceeds from this offering will depend on a number of factors, such as the timing and progress of any collaborative or strategic partnering efforts, and the competitive environment for our products. As of the date of this prospectus supplement, we cannot specify with certainty all of the particular uses for the net proceeds to us from this offering. Accordingly, our management will have broad discretion in the timing and application of these proceeds.
 
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Dilution
If you invest in our securities in this offering, your ownership interest will be diluted to the extent of the difference between the effective offering price per share of our common stock in this offering and the as adjusted net tangible book value per share of our common stock immediately after this offering.
The net tangible book value of our common stock as of December 31, 2022 was approximately $(323.8) million, or approximately $(4.23) per share of common stock based upon 76,564,396 shares outstanding. Net tangible book value per share is equal to our total tangible assets, less our total liabilities, divided by the total number of shares of common stock outstanding as of December 31, 2022.Net tangible book value dilution per share to investors participating in this offering represents the difference between the effective offering price per share paid by purchasers of securities in this offering and the as adjusted net tangible book value per share of our common stock immediately after this offering.
After giving effect to this offering and after deducting placement agent fees and estimated offering expenses payable by us and assuming exercise of all Pre-Funded Warrants being issued for cash and no exercise of the Warrants, our as adjusted net tangible book value as of December 31, 2022 would have been approximately $(272.6) million, or $(2.48) per share. This represents an immediate increase in net tangible book value of $1.75 per share to existing stockholders and immediate dilution of $4.16 per share to investors purchasing our securities in this offering at the offering price. The following table illustrates this dilution on a per share basis:
Offering price per share
$ 1.675
Historical net tangible book value per share as of December 31, 2022
$ (4.23)
Increase in net tangible book value per share attributable to this offering
$ 1.75
As adjusted net tangible book value per share after giving effect to this offering 
$ (2.48)
Dilution in net tangible book value per share to investors participating in this offering
$ 4.16
The above discussion and table are based on 76,564,396 shares of our common stock outstanding as of December 31, 2022. The number of shares outstanding as of December 31, 2022 excludes:

3,842,737 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of stock options outstanding as of December 31, 2022, at a weighted average exercise price of $27.75 per share as of such date;

499,200 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise and achievement of the performance criteria of our performance-based stock options outstanding as of December 31, 2022, at a weighted average exercise price of $6.73 per share as of such date;

1,768,185 shares of common stock issuable upon the vesting of restricted stock units;

461,250 shares of common stock issuable upon the achievement of the performance criteria of our performance- based restricted stock units;

485,578 shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under our 2020 Employee Stock Purchase Plan as of December 31, 2022;

3,332,950 shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under our 2022 Stock Option and Incentive Plan as of December 31, 2022;

14,426 shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under our 2017 Inducement Equity Plan as of December 31, 2022;

36,964,286 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants outstanding as of December 31, 2022.
To the extent that outstanding stock options or performance-based stock options as of December 31, 2022 have been or may be exercised, outstanding warrants (including the Warrants) have been or may be exercised, unvested restricted stock units or performance-based restricted stock units have settled or other shares issued, investors purchasing our securities in this offering may experience further dilution. In addition,
 
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we may choose to raise additional capital due to market conditions or strategic considerations even if we believe we have sufficient funds for our current or future operating plans. To the extent that additional capital is raised through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, the issuance of these securities could result in further dilution to our stockholders.
In connection with this offering, we have agreed to amend the terms of certain existing warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 9,024,212 shares of common stock that were previously issued in December 2021 at an exercise price of $9.00 per share and an expiration date of December 7, 2023, held by the purchasers in this offering, effective upon the closing of the offering, such that the amended warrants will have a reduced exercise price of $1.55 per share and will expire three and one half years following the closing of the offering. The discussion above does not include approximately $1.13 million to be received from the purchasers as gross consideration for such warrant amendments.
 
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Description of securities offered
We are offering shares of our Common Stock, Warrants and Pre-Funded Warrants. The following description of our Common Stock, Warrants and Pre-Funded Warrants summarizes the material terms and provisions thereof, including the material terms of the Common Stock, Warrants and Pre-Funded Warrants we are offering under this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.
Common stock
The material terms and provisions of our common stock and each other class of our securities which qualifies or limits our common stock are described in the section entitled “Description of Capital Stock” beginning on page 8 of the accompanying prospectus and the Description of Securities included as Exhibit 4.4 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 21, 2023.
Warrants
The following summary of certain terms and provisions of the Warrants that are being offered hereby is not complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the provisions of the Warrant, the form of which will be filed as an exhibit to our Current Report on Form 8-K. Prospective investors should carefully review the terms and provisions of the form of Warrant for a complete description of the terms and conditions of the Warrants.
Duration and Exercise Price.   Each Warrant offered hereby has an initial exercise price per share equal to $1.55. The Warrants are immediately exercisable and will expire 3.5 years from the original issuance date. The exercise price and number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise is subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of stock dividends, stock splits, reorganizations or similar events affecting our Common Stock and the exercise price.
Exercisability.   The Warrants are exercisable, at the option of each holder, in whole or in part, by delivering to us a duly executed exercise notice accompanied by payment in full for the number of shares of our Common Stock purchased upon such exercise (except in the case of a cashless exercise as discussed below). Purchasers of the Warrants in this offering may elect to deliver their exercise notice following the pricing of the offering and prior to the issuance of the Warrants at closing to have their Warrants exercised immediately upon issuance and receive shares of Common Stock underlying the Warrants upon closing of this offering. A holder (together with its affiliates) may not exercise any portion of the Warrant to the extent that the holder would own more than 4.99% of the outstanding Common Stock (or, at the election of the purchaser, 9.99% or 14.99%). No fractional shares of Common Stock will be issued in connection with the exercise of a Warrant. In lieu of fractional shares, we will either pay the holder an amount in cash equal to the fractional amount multiplied by the exercise price or round up to the next whole share.
Cashless Exercise.   In lieu of making the cash payment otherwise contemplated to be made to us upon exercise of a Warrant in payment of the aggregate exercise price, the holder may elect instead to receive upon such exercise (either in whole or in part) the net number of shares of Common Stock determined according to a formula set forth in the Warrants, provided that such cashless exercise shall only be permitted if the registration statement to which this prospectus is a part is not effective at the time of such exercise or if the prospectus is not available for the issuance of shares of Common Stock to the Warrant holder.
Transferability.   Subject to applicable laws, a Warrant may be transferred at the option of the holder upon surrender of the Warrant to us together with the appropriate instruments of transfer.
Exchange Listing.   There is no trading market available for the Warrants on any securities exchange or nationally recognized trading system. We do not intend to list the Warrants on any securities exchange or nationally recognized trading system.
Right as a Stockholder.   Except as otherwise provided in the Warrants or by virtue of such holder’s ownership of shares of our Common Stock, the holders of the Warrants do not have the rights or privileges of holders of our Common Stock, including any voting rights, until they exercise their Warrants.
 
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Fundamental Transaction.   In the event of a fundamental transaction, as described in the Warrants and generally including any reorganization, recapitalization or reclassification of our Common Stock, the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of our properties or assets, our consolidation or merger with or into another person, the acquisition of more than 50% of our outstanding Common Stock, or any person or group becoming the beneficial owner of more than 50% of the voting power represented by our outstanding Common Stock, the holders of the Warrants will be entitled to receive upon exercise of the Warrants the kind and amount of securities, cash or other property that the holders would have received had they exercised the Warrants immediately prior to such fundamental transaction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of a fundamental transaction, the holders of the Warrants have the right to require us or a successor entity to redeem the Warrants for cash in the amount of the Black-Scholes Value (as defined in each Warrant) of the unexercised portion of the Warrants. However, in the event of a fundamental transaction which is not in our control, including a fundamental transaction not approved by our board of directors, the holders of the Warrants will only be entitled to receive from us or our successor entity, as of the date of consummation of such fundamental transaction the same type or form of consideration (and in the same proportion), at the Black Scholes Value of the unexercised portion of the Warrant that is being offered and paid to the holders of our common stock in connection with the fundamental transaction, whether that consideration is in the form of cash, stock or any combination of cash and stock, or whether the holders of our common stock are given the choice to receive alternative forms of consideration in connection with the fundamental transaction.
Pre-Funded Warrants
The following summary of certain terms and provisions of the Pre-Funded Warrants that are being offered hereby is not complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the provisions of the Pre-Funded Warrant, the form of which will be filed as an exhibit to our Current Report on Form 8-K. Prospective investors should carefully review the terms and provisions of the form of Pre-Funded Warrant for a complete description of the terms and conditions of the Pre-Funded Warrants.
The term “pre-funded” refers to the fact that the purchase price of our common stock in this offering includes almost the entire exercise price that will be paid under the Pre-Funded Warrants, except for a nominal remaining exercise price of $0.001. The purpose of the Pre-Funded Warrants is to enable investors that may have restrictions on their ability to beneficially own more than 4.99% (or, upon election of the holder, 9.99%) of our outstanding common stock following the consummation of this offering the opportunity to make an investment in the Company without triggering their ownership restrictions, by receiving Pre-Funded Warrants in lieu of our common stock which would result in such ownership of more than 4.99% (or 9.99%), and receive the ability to exercise their option to purchase the shares underlying the Pre-Funded Warrants at such nominal price at a later date.
Duration and Exercise Price.   Each Pre-Funded Warrant offered hereby has an initial exercise price per share equal to $0.001. The Pre-Funded Warrants are immediately exercisable and may be exercised at any time until the Pre-Funded Warrants are exercised in full. The exercise price and number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise is subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of stock dividends, stock splits, reorganizations or similar events affecting our Common Stock and the exercise price.
Exercisability.   The Pre-Funded Warrants are exercisable, at the option of each holder, in whole or in part, by delivering to us a duly executed exercise notice accompanied by payment in full for the number of shares of our Common Stock purchased upon such exercise (except in the case of a cashless exercise as discussed below). Purchasers of the Pre-Funded Warrants in this offering may elect to deliver their exercise notice following the pricing of the offering and prior to the issuance of the Pre-Funded Warrants at closing to have their Pre-Funded Warrants exercised immediately upon issuance and receive shares of Common Stock underlying the Pre-Funded Warrants upon closing of this offering. A holder (together with its affiliates) may not exercise any portion of the Pre-Funded Warrant to the extent that the holder would own more than 4.99% of the outstanding Common Stock (or, at the election of the purchaser, 9.99%). No fractional shares of Common Stock will be issued in connection with the exercise of a Pre-Funded Warrant. In lieu of fractional shares, we will either pay the holder an amount in cash equal to the fractional amount multiplied by the exercise price or round up to the next whole share.
 
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Cashless Exercise.   In lieu of making the cash payment otherwise contemplated to be made to us upon exercise of a Pre-Funded Warrant in payment of the aggregate exercise price, the holder may elect instead to receive upon such exercise (either in whole or in part) the net number of shares of Common Stock determined according to a formula set forth in the Pre-Funded Warrants.
Transferability.   Subject to applicable laws, a Pre-Funded Warrant may be transferred at the option of the holder upon surrender of the Pre-Funded Warrant to us together with the appropriate instruments of transfer.
Exchange Listing.   There is no trading market available for the Pre-Funded Warrants on any securities exchange or nationally recognized trading system. We do not intend to list the Pre-Funded Warrants on any securities exchange or nationally recognized trading system.
Right as a Stockholder.   Except as otherwise provided in the Pre-Funded Warrants or by virtue of such holder’s ownership of shares of our Common Stock, the holders of the Pre-Funded Warrants do not have the rights or privileges of holders of our Common Stock, including any voting rights, until they exercise their Pre-Funded Warrants.
Fundamental Transaction.   In the event of a fundamental transaction, as described in the Pre-Funded Warrants and generally including any reorganization, recapitalization or reclassification of our Common Stock, the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of our properties or assets, our consolidation or merger with or into another person, the acquisition of more than 50% of our outstanding Common Stock, or any person or group becoming the beneficial owner of more than 50% of the voting power represented by our outstanding Common Stock, the holders of the Pre-Funded Warrants will be entitled to receive upon exercise of the Pre-Funded Warrants the kind and amount of securities, cash or other property that the holders would have received had they exercised the Pre-Funded Warrants immediately prior to such fundamental transaction.
 
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Plan of Distribution
Pursuant to a letter agreement dated as of March 16, 2023, we have retained Wainwright to act as our exclusive placement agent in connection with this offering. Under the terms of the engagement letter, Wainwright is not purchasing or selling any of the securities offered by us in this offering, and is not required to arrange for the sale of any specific number or dollar amount of securities, other than to use its reasonable best efforts to arrange for the sale of such securities by us. The terms of this offering were subject to market conditions and negotiations between us, Wainwright and the prospective investors.
We are entering into a securities purchase agreement directly with the investors in connection with this offering of our common stock, Warrants, and Pre-Funded Warrants pursuant to this prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus under which we will sell the securities offered hereby directly to such investors.
Wainwright will have no authority to bind us by virtue of the engagement letter. Further, Wainwright does not guarantee that it will be able to raise new capital in any prospective offering.
Delivery of the securities offered hereby is expected to occur on or about March 22, 2023, subject to satisfaction or waiver of customary closing conditions.
We have agreed to pay Wainwright a cash fee equal to 7.0% of the gross proceeds of this offering and the gross consideration we will receive in connection with the amendment of the prior warrants. We have also agreed to reimburse Wainwright $35,000 for non-accountable expenses and up to $50,000 for legal fees and expenses and other out-of-pocket expenses and pay $15,950 for clearing fees. We have also agreed to pay Wainwright a fee equal to 7.0% of the gross exercise price paid upon exercise of each Warrant for cash, subject to FINRA Rule 5110. We estimate the total offering expenses of this offering that will be payable by us, excluding the placement agent’s fees and expenses, will be approximately $299,050.
We have agreed to indemnify Wainwright and specified other persons against certain liabilities, including liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), relating to or arising out of Wainwright’s activities under the engagement letter and to contribute to payments that Wainwright may be required to make in respect of such liabilities.
We have also agreed to pay Wainwright a tail fee equal to the cash compensation in this offering if any investor who had correspondences in connection with this offering during the term of our engagement of Wainwright, provides us with capital in any offering of our equity securities during the 6-month period following expiration or termination of our engagement of Wainwright.
Under the terms of the securities purchase agreements, from the date of such agreements until sixty (60) days after the closing of this offering, neither we nor any subsidiary shall (i) issue, enter into any agreement to issue or announce the issuance or proposed issuance of any shares of common stock or common stock equivalents, or (ii) file any registration statement or prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, subject to certain exceptions.
We have also agreed, subject to certain exceptions, until ninety (90) days after the closing of the securities purchase agreement in connection with this offering, not to (i) issue or sell any debt or equity securities that are convertible into, exchangeable or exercisable for, or include the right to receive, additional shares of common stock either (A) at a conversion price, exercise price or exchange rate or other price that is based upon, and/or varies with, the trading prices of or quotations for the shares of common stock at any time after the initial issuance of such debt or equity securities or (B) with a conversion, exercise or exchange price that is subject to being reset at some future date after the initial issuance of such debt or equity security or upon the occurrence of specified or contingent events directly or indirectly related to our business or the market for our common stock or (ii) enter into, or effect a transaction under, any agreement, including, but not limited to, an equity line of credit or an “at-the-market offering”, subject certain exceptions.
Wainwright may be deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of Section 2(a)(11) of the Securities Act, and any commissions received by it and any profit realized on the resale of the securities sold by it while acting as principal might be deemed to be underwriting discounts or commissions under the
 
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Securities Act. As an underwriter, Wainwright would be required to comply with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, including, without limitation, Rule 415(a)(4) under the Securities Act and Rule 10b-5 and Regulation M under the Exchange Act. These rules and regulations may limit the timing of purchases and sales of common stock by Wainwright acting as principal. Under these rules and regulations, Wainwright:

may not engage in any stabilization activity in connection with our securities; and

may not bid for or purchase any of our securities or attempt to induce any person to purchase any of our securities, other than as permitted under the Exchange Act, until it has completed its participation in the distribution.
The securities purchase agreement will be included as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K that we will file with the SEC and that is incorporated by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus supplement forms a part.
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. Wainwright acted as the sole book-running manager for an underwritten offering of our common stock and warrants in December 2021, and received compensation. However, except as disclosed in this prospectus supplement, we have no present arrangements with Wainwright for any further services.
 
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Legal matters
Certain legal matters with respect to the securities offered by this prospectus supplement will be passed upon for us by Goodwin Procter LLP, Boston, Massachusetts. Haynes and Boone, LLP, New York, New York is acting as counsel to the placement agent in connection with this offering.
Experts
Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, has audited our financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, as set forth in their report, which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and elsewhere in the registration statement. Our financial statements are incorporated by reference in reliance on Ernst & Young LLP’s report, given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
Where you can find more information
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3 under the Securities Act with respect to the securities offered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement. This prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement do not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement and its exhibits and schedules in accordance with SEC rules and regulations. For further information with respect to us and the securities being offered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, you should read the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, including its exhibits and schedules. Statements contained in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including documents that we have incorporated by reference, as to the contents of any contract or other document referred to are not necessarily complete, and, with respect to any contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement or any other such document, each such statement is qualified in all respects by reference to the corresponding exhibit. You should review the complete contract or other document to evaluate these statements. You may obtain copies of the registration statement and its exhibits via the SEC’s EDGAR database or our website.
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other documents with the SEC under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. The SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers, including us, that file electronically with the SEC. You may obtain documents that we file with the SEC at www.sec.gov.
We also make these documents available on our website at www.esperion.com. Our website and the information contained or connected to our website is not incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement, and you should not consider it part of this prospectus or any prospectus supplement.
 
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Incorporation by reference
The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference the information and reports we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to these documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus supplement, and information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede the information already incorporated by reference. We are incorporating by reference the documents listed below, which we have already filed with the SEC (SEC File No. 001-35986), and any future filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, including all filings made after the date of the filing of this prospectus supplement, except as to any portion of any future report or document that is not deemed filed under such provision, after the date of this prospectus supplement and prior to the termination of this offering:


Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 21, 2023 , March 6, 2023 and March 15, 2023 (in each case, excluding information furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 or 7.01, or corresponding information furnished under Item 9.01 or included as an exhibit); and

We incorporate by reference any future filings made with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act between the date of this prospectus supplement and the termination of the offering.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless specifically stated to the contrary, information that we furnish (and that is not deemed “filed” with the SEC) under Items 2.02 and 7.01 of any Current Report on Form 8-K, including the related exhibits under Item 9.01, is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or the registration statement of which this prospectus supplement is a part.
Any statement contained in a document that is incorporated by reference will be modified or superseded for all purposes to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus supplement, or in any other document that is subsequently filed with the SEC and incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement, modifies or is contrary to that previous statement. Any statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed a part of this prospectus supplement, except as so modified or superseded. Since information that we later file with the SEC will update and supersede previously incorporated information, you should look at all of the SEC filings that we incorporate by reference to determine if any of the statements in this prospectus supplement or in any documents previously incorporated by reference have been modified or superseded.
Upon request, we will provide, without charge, to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a copy of this prospectus supplement is delivered, a copy of the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement but not delivered therewith. You may request a copy of these filings, and any exhibits we have specifically incorporated by reference as an exhibit in this prospectus supplement, at no cost by writing or telephoning us at the following address: Esperion Therapeutics, Inc., 3891 Ranchero Drive, Suite 150, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, Attention: Investor Relations; or by telephone at 734-887-3903.
You may also access these documents, free of charge on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or on our website at www.esperion.com. Information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and you should not consider any information on, or that can be accessed from, our website as part of this prospectus supplement.
This prospectus supplement is part of a registration statement we filed with the SEC. We have incorporated exhibits into this registration statement. You should read the exhibits carefully for provisions that may be important to you.
You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. We are not making an offer of these securities in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus supplement or in the documents incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of this prospectus supplement or those documents.
 
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PROSPECTUS
$400,000,000
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Debt Securities
Warrants
Units
We may from time to time issue, in one or more series or classes, our common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants and/or units. We may offer these securities separately or together in units. We will specify in the applicable accompanying prospectus supplement the terms of the securities being offered. We may sell these securities to or through underwriters and also to other purchasers or through agents. We will set forth the names of any underwriters or agents, and any fees, conversions or discount arrangements, in the applicable accompanying prospectus supplement. We may not sell any securities under this prospectus without delivery of the applicable prospectus supplement.
You should read this document and any prospectus supplement or amendment carefully before you invest in our securities.
Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “ESPR.” On April 12, 2022, the closing price for our common stock, as reported on the Nasdaq Global Market, was $5.57 per share. Our principal executive office is located at 3891 Ranchero Drive, Suite 150, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108.
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should review carefully the risks and uncertainties referenced under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in this prospectus beginning on page 2 and any applicable prospectus supplement, and under similar headings in the other documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this Prospectus is April 26, 2022.

 
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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), using a “shelf” registration process.
Under this process, we may sell the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings for an aggregate offering amount of up to $400,000,000. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide one or more prospectus supplements that will contain specific information about the terms of the offering. The applicable prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read both this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement together with the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” beginning on page 28 of this prospectus.
You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, the accompanying prospectus supplement or in any related free writing prospectus filed by us with the SEC. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. This prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement do not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the securities described in the accompanying prospectus supplement or an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy such securities in any circumstances in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, the documents incorporated by reference and any related free writing prospectus is accurate only as of their respective dates. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed materially since those dates.
Unless the context suggests otherwise, all references to “us,” “our,” “Esperion Therapeutics,” “we,” the “Company” and similar designations refer to Esperion Therapeutics, Inc. and, where appropriate, our subsidiary.
 
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RISK FACTORS
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks referenced below and described in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, as well as other information we include or incorporate by reference into this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, before making an investment decision. Our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected by the materialization of any of these risks. The trading price of our securities could decline due to the materialization of any of these risks, and you may lose all or part of your investment. This prospectus and the documents incorporated herein by reference also contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including the risks referenced below and described in the documents incorporated herein by reference, including our most recent annual report on Form 10-K, as revised or supplemented by our subsequent quarterly report on Form 10-Q or our current reports on Form 8-K on file with the SEC, all of which are incorporated herein by reference, and which may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by other reports we file with the SEC in the future. The risks and uncertainties we have described are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also affect our operations.
 
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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement, any related free writing prospectus and the documents that we incorporate by reference herein or therein contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Any statements about our expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not historical facts and may be forward-looking. These statements are often, but are not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “projects,” “potential,” “continue,” and similar expressions, or the negative of these terms, or similar expressions.
Accordingly, these statements involve estimates, assumptions, risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in them. Any forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the factors discussed throughout this prospectus, and in particular those factors referenced in the section “Risk Factors.”
This prospectus contains forward-looking statements that are based on our management’s belief and assumptions and on information currently available to our management. These statements relate to future events or our future financial performance, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about:

our ability to successfully commercialize NEXLETOL® (bempedoic acid) tablet and NEXLIZET® (bempedoic acid and ezetimibe) tablet in the United States and any other jurisdictions where we may receive marketing approval in the future;

our ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approval for our approved drugs or obtain and maintain regulatory approval for any of our current or future drug candidates, and any related restrictions, limitations, and/or warnings in the labels of NEXLETOL, NEXLIZET, NILEMDO® (bempedoic acid) tablet and NUSTENDI® (bempedoic acid and ezetimibe) tablet, or any of our current or future drug candidates that may receive marketing approval;

the rate and degree of market acceptance for our approved drugs or any current or future drug candidate for which we may receive marketing approval;

our ability and plans in continuing to manage our commercial infrastructure and successfully launch, market, and sell our approved drugs and any current or future drug candidate for which we may receive marketing approval;

our ability to achieve clinical, regulatory or commercial milestones with our existing cash resources;

the design, timing or outcome of our CVOT of bempedoic acid;

our ability to realize the intended benefits of the commercial collaboration and license arrangements with Daiichi Sankyo Europe GmbH, or DSE, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., or Otsuka, and Daiichi Sankyo Co. Ltd., or DS, and of our revenue interest purchase agreement with Eiger II SA LLC, or Oberland, an affiliate of Oberland Capital LLC;

our ability to replicate positive results from a completed clinical study in a future clinical study;

the potential benefits, effectiveness or safety of bempedoic acid and the bempedoic acid / ezetimibe combination tablet, as compared to statins and other low density lipoprotein cholesterol, or LDL-C, lowering therapies, either those currently available or those in development;

our ability to respond and adhere to changes in regulatory requirements, including any requirement to conduct additional, unplanned clinical studies in connection with our pursuit of bempedoic acid and the bempedoic acid / ezetimibe combination tablet as LDL-C lowering therapies;

guidelines relating to LDL-C levels and cardiovascular risk that are generally accepted within the medical community, including recent changes and any future changes to such guidelines;
 
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reimbursement policies, including any future changes to such policies or related legislative, executive, or administrative actions, and their impact on our ability to market, distribute and obtain payment for bempedoic acid and the bempedoic acid / ezetimibe combination tablet in the United States and in Europe, and, if approved, in other territories;

the accuracy of our estimates of the size and growth potential of the LDL-C lowering market and the rate and degree of bempedoic acid and the bempedoic acid / ezetimibe combination tablet’s market acceptance in the United States and in Europe, and, if approved, in other territories;

our ability to comply with healthcare laws and regulations in the U.S. and any foreign countries, including, without limitation, those applying to the marketing and sale of commercial drugs;

our ability to obtain and maintain intellectual property protection for bempedoic acid and the bempedoic acid / ezetimibe combination tablet without infringing on the intellectual property rights of others in the U.S., Europe and other territories;

our ability to attract and retain key personnel, including scientific, clinical, commercial or management personnel;

our plan and ability to establish strategic relationships or partnerships, as needed;

our ability to meet our payment obligations under our revenue interest purchase agreement and to service the interest on our convertible notes and repay such notes, to the extent required;

the impact of global economic and political developments on our business, including economic slowdowns or recessions that may result from the outbreak of COVID-19, which could harm our commercialization efforts, as well as the value of our common stock and our ability to access capital markets; and

our ability to compete with other companies that are, or may be, developing or selling products that may compete with bempedoic acid and the bempedoic acid / ezetimibe combination tablet, in the United States and in Europe, and, if approved, in other territories.
These forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees of future performance due to a variety of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements, including the risks outlined under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in this prospectus and any related free writing prospectus, and in any other documents incorporated herein or therein (including in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K, subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and other filings we make with the SEC pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act).
The forward-looking statements in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference represent our views as of their respective dates. We anticipate that subsequent events and developments will cause our views to change. However, while we may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we assume no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements except to the extent required by applicable law. You should, therefore, not rely on these forward-looking statements as representing our views as of any date subsequent to the dates on which they were made.
This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference also contain estimates, projections and other information concerning our industry, our business, and the markets for certain diseases, including data regarding the estimated size of those markets, and the incidence and prevalence of certain medical conditions. Information that is based on estimates, forecasts, projections, market research or similar methodologies is inherently subject to uncertainties and actual events or circumstances may differ materially from events and circumstances reflected in this information. Unless otherwise expressly stated, we obtained this industry, business, market and other data from reports, research surveys, studies and similar data prepared by market research firms and other third parties, industry, medical and general publications, government data and similar sources.
 
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THE COMPANY
Overview
We are a pharmaceutical company singularly focused on developing and commercializing accessible, oral, once-daily, non-statin medicines for patients struggling with elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, or LDL-C. Through commercial execution and advancement of our CLEAR Outcomes trial and pre-clinical pipeline, we continue to evolve into a differentiated, global cardiometabolic biotech. Our team of lipid experts are dedicated to lowering bad cholesterol through the discovery, development and commercialization of innovative medicines and their combinations with established medicines. Our first two products were approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, European Medicines Agency, or EMA, and Swiss Agency for Therapeutic Products, or Swissmedic, in 2020. Bempedoic acid and the bempedoic acid / ezetimibe combination tablet are oral, once-daily, non-statin, LDL-C lowering medicines for patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, or ASCVD, or heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, or HeFH.
We were incorporated in Delaware in January 2008 and commenced our operations in April 2008. Since our inception, we have focused substantially all of our efforts and financial resources on developing and commercializing bempedoic acid and the bempedoic acid / ezetimibe combination tablets. In February 2020, the FDA approved NEXLETOL and NEXLIZET. NEXLETOL was commercially available in the U.S. on March 30, 2020 and NEXLIZET was commercially available in the U.S. on June 4, 2020. While we began to generate revenue from the sales of our products in 2020, we have funded our operations to date primarily through proceeds from sales of preferred stock, convertible promissory notes and warrants, public offerings of common stock, the incurrence of indebtedness, through collaborations with third parties and revenue interest purchase agreements, and we have incurred losses in each year since our inception.
We have never been profitable and our net losses were $269.1 million, $143.6 million and $97.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019. Substantially all of our net losses resulted from costs incurred in connection with research and development programs, selling, general and administrative costs associated with our operations. We expect to incur significant expenses and operating losses for the foreseeable future in connection with our ongoing activities, including, among others:

commercializing NEXLETOL and NEXLIZET tablets in the U.S.; and

completing the clinical development activities for the CLEAR global cardiovascular outcomes trial, or CVOT.
Accordingly, we may need additional financing to support our continuing operations and further the development of our products. We may seek to fund our operations and further development activities through collaborations with third parties, strategic alliances, licensing arrangements, permitted debt financings, permitted royalty-based financings, permitted public or private equity offerings or through other sources.
Adequate additional financing may not be available to us on acceptable terms, or at all. Our failure to raise capital as and when needed would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and our ability to pursue our business strategy or continue operations. We will need to generate significant revenues to achieve profitability, and we may never do so.
Corporate Information
Our principal executive offices are located at 3891 Ranchero Drive, Suite 150, Ann Arbor, MI 48108 and our telephone number is (734) 887-3903. Our website address is www.esperion.com. No portion of our website is incorporated by reference into this prospectus. We do not incorporate the information on or accessible through our website into this prospectus, and you should not consider any information on, or that can be accessed through, our website as part of this prospectus. Our common stock trades on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “ESPR”.
We use various trademarks and trade names in our business, including without limitation our corporate name and logo. All other trademarks or trade names referred to in this prospectus are the property of their respective owners. Solely for convenience, the trademarks and trade names in this prospectus may be referred to without the ® and ™ symbols, but such references should not be construed as any indicator that their respective owners will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, their rights thereto.
 
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USE OF PROCEEDS
We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of any securities offered under this prospectus for general corporate purposes unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement. General corporate purposes may include costs associated with the ongoing commercialization efforts for NEXLETOL and NEXLIZET; research and development and clinical development costs to support the advancement of our potential product candidates and the expansion of our research and development programs; working capital; capital expenditures; and other general corporate purposes. We may temporarily invest the net proceeds in a variety of capital preservation instruments, including short-term, investment-grade, interest- bearing instruments and U.S. government securities, or may hold such proceeds as cash, until they are used for their stated purpose. We have not determined the amount of net proceeds to be used specifically for such purposes. As a result, management will retain broad discretion over the allocation of net proceeds.
 
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GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES
We may offer shares of common or preferred stock, various series of senior or subordinated debt securities, warrants, or units consisting of combinations of the foregoing, in each case from time to time under this prospectus, together with the applicable prospectus supplement, at prices and on terms to be determined by market conditions at the time of offering. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. At the time we offer a particular type or series of securities, we will provide an applicable prospectus supplement describing the specific amounts, prices and other important terms of the securities, including, to the extent applicable:

designation or classification;

aggregate principal amount or aggregate offering price;

voting or other rights;

rates and times of payment of interest, dividends or other payments;

liquidation preference;

original issue discount;

maturity;

ranking;

restrictive covenants;

redemption, conversion, exercise, exchange, settlement or sinking fund terms, including prices or rates, and any provisions for changes to or adjustments in such prices or rates and in the securities or other property receivable upon conversion, exercise, exchange or settlement;

any securities exchange or market listing arrangements; and

important U.S. federal income tax considerations.
This prospectus may not be used to offer or sell securities unless accompanied by an applicable prospectus supplement. The applicable prospectus supplement may add, update or change information contained in this prospectus or in documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus. You should read the prospectus supplement related to any securities being offered.
We may sell the securities directly to or through underwriters, dealers or agents. We and our underwriters, dealers or agents reserve the right to accept or reject all or part of any proposed purchase of securities. If we do offer securities through underwriters or agents, we will include in the applicable prospectus supplement (i) the names of the underwriters or agents and applicable fees, discounts and commissions to be paid to them; (ii) details regarding over-allotment options, if any; and (iii) net proceeds to us.
The following descriptions are not complete and may not contain all the information you should consider before investing in any securities we may offer hereunder; they are summarized from, and qualified by reference to, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, amended and restated by-laws and the other documents referred to in the descriptions, all of which are or will be publicly filed with the SEC, as applicable. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”
 
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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
The following description of our common stock and preferred stock, together with the additional information we include in any applicable prospectus supplements, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the common stock and preferred stock that we may offer under this prospectus. The following description of our capital stock does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (our “certificate of incorporation”) and our Amended and Restated By-laws (our “by-laws” and, together with our certificate of incorporation, our “Charter Documents”), which are exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, and by applicable law. The terms of our common stock and preferred stock may also be affected by Delaware law.
Authorized Capital Stock
Our authorized capital stock consists of 120,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share, all of which are undesignated preferred stock. As of December 31, 2021, we had 62,873,694 shares of common stock outstanding and approximately 5 stockholders of record of our common stock, and no shares of preferred stock outstanding.
Common Stock
Dividends
Holders of our Common Stock are entitled to receive dividends ratably, if any, as may be declared by our board of directors out of legally available funds, subject to any preferential dividend rights of any Preferred Stock then outstanding.
Voting
Holders of our Common Stock are entitled to one vote for each share of Common Stock held of record for the election of directors and on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders. The holders of our Common Stock do not have any cumulative voting rights.
Our by-laws provide that, except as required by law or our Charter Documents and other than with respect to the election of a director or directors, all matters will be decided by the vote of the majority of the votes properly cast for and against such matter. Any election of directors by stockholders shall be determined by a plurality of the votes properly cast on the election of directors.
Other Rights
In the event of our dissolution, liquidation or winding up, holders of our Common Stock are entitled to share ratably in our net assets legally available after the payment of all our debts and other liabilities, subject to the preferential rights of any Preferred Stock then outstanding. The rights, preferences and privileges of holders of Common Stock are subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of shares of any series of Preferred Stock that we may designate and issue in the future. Holders of our Common Stock have no preemptive, subscription, redemption or conversion rights and no sinking fund provisions are applicable to our Common Stock.
When we issue shares of common stock under this prospectus, the shares will fully be paid and nonassessable and will not have, or be subject to, any preemptive or similar rights.
Listing
Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “ESPR.” On April 12, 2022, the closing price for our common stock, as reported on the Nasdaq Global Market, was $5.57 per share.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
 
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Undesignated Preferred Stock
Our board of directors is authorized to issue up to 5,000,000 shares of undesignated preferred stock in one or more series without stockholder approval. Our board of directors may determine the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions, including voting rights, dividend rights, conversion rights, redemption privileges and liquidation preferences, of each series of preferred stock.
The purpose of authorizing our board of directors to issue preferred stock in one or more series and determine the number of shares in the series and its rights and preferences is to eliminate delays associated with a stockholder vote on specific issuances. Examples of rights and preferences that the Board may fix are:

dividend rights;

dividend rates;

conversion rights;

voting rights;

terms of redemption; and

liquidation preferences.
The existence of authorized but unissued shares of preferred stock may enable our board of directors to render more difficult or to discourage an attempt to obtain control of us by means of a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise. For example, if in the due exercise of its fiduciary obligations, our board of directors were to determine that a takeover proposal is not in the best interests of us or our stockholders, our board of directors could cause shares of preferred stock to be issued without stockholder approval in one or more private offerings or other transactions that might dilute the voting or other rights of the proposed acquirer, stockholder or stockholder group. The rights of holders of our common stock described above, will be subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of any preferred stock that we may designate and issue in the future. The issuance of shares of preferred stock could decrease the amount of earnings and assets available for distribution to holders of shares of common stock. The issuance may also adversely affect the rights and powers, including voting rights, of these holders and may have the effect of delaying, deterring or preventing a change in control of us.
We will incorporate by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement, which includes this prospectus, the form of any certificate of designation that describes the terms of the series of preferred stock we are offering. This description and the applicable prospectus supplement will include:

the title and stated value;

the number of shares authorized;

the liquidation preference per share;

the purchase price;

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

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

the procedures for any auction and remarketing, if any;

the provisions for a sinking fund, if any;

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

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

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

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

preemptive rights, if any;

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

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

a discussion of any material United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the preferred stock;

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

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

any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of, or restrictions on, the preferred stock.
When we issue shares of preferred stock under this prospectus, the shares will fully be paid and nonassessable and will not be subject to any preemptive or similar rights.
Antitakeover Effects of Delaware Law and Provisions of our Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws
Certain provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law and of our certificate of incorporation and by-laws could have the effect of delaying, deferring or discouraging another party from acquiring control of us. These provisions, which are summarized below, are expected to discourage certain types of coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids and, as a consequence, they might also inhibit temporary fluctuations in the market price of our common stock that often result from actual or rumored hostile takeover attempts. These provisions are also designed in part to encourage anyone seeking to acquire control of us to first negotiate with our board of directors. These provisions might also have the effect of preventing changes in our management. It is possible that these provisions could make it more difficult to accomplish transactions that stockholders might otherwise deem to be in their best interests. However, we believe that the advantages gained by protecting our ability to negotiate with any unsolicited and potentially unfriendly acquirer outweigh the disadvantages of discouraging such proposals, including those priced above the then-current market value of our common stock, because, among other reasons, the negotiation of such proposals could improve their terms.
Delaware Takeover Statute
We are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. In general, Section 203 prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a “business combination” with an “interested stockholder” for a three-year period following the time that this stockholder becomes an interested stockholder, unless the business combination is approved in a prescribed manner. Under Section 203, a business combination between a corporation and an interested stockholder is prohibited unless it satisfies one of the following conditions:

before the stockholder became interested, our board of directors approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;

upon consummation of the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the voting stock outstanding, shares owned by persons who are directors and also officers, and employee stock plans, in some instances, but not the outstanding voting stock owned by the interested stockholder; or

at or after the time the stockholder became interested, the business combination was approved by our board of directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of the stockholders by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock which is not owned by the interested stockholder.
Section 203 defines a business combination to include:
 
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any merger or consolidation involving the corporation and the interested stockholder;

any sale, transfer, lease, pledge, exchange, mortgage or other disposition involving the interested stockholder of 10% or more of the assets of the corporation;

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

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

the receipt by the interested stockholder of the benefit of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits provided by or through the corporation.
In general, Section 203 defines an interested stockholder as any entity or person beneficially owning 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation and any entity or person affiliated with or controlling or controlled by the entity or person.
Provisions of our Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws
Our certificate of incorporation and by-laws include a number of provisions that may have the effect of delaying, deferring or discouraging another party from acquiring control of us and encouraging persons considering unsolicited tender offers or other unilateral takeover proposals to negotiate with our board of directors rather than pursue non-negotiated takeover attempts. These provisions include the items described below.
Board composition and filling vacancies.   Our certificate of incorporation provides that directors may be removed only for cause and then only by the affirmative vote of the holders of 75% or more of the shares then entitled to vote at an election of directors. Furthermore, any vacancy on our board of directors, however occurring, including a vacancy resulting from an increase in the size of our board, may only be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of our directors then in office even if less than a quorum.
No written consent of stockholders.   Our certificate of incorporation provides that all stockholder actions are required to be taken by a vote of the stockholders at an annual or special meeting, and that stockholders may not take any action by written consent in lieu of a meeting.
Meetings of stockholders.   Our by-laws provide that only a majority of the members of our board of directors then in office may call special meetings of stockholders and only those matters set forth in the notice of the special meeting may be considered or acted upon at a special meeting of stockholders. Our by-laws limit the business that may be conducted at an annual meeting of stockholders to those matters properly brought before the meeting.
Advance notice requirements.   Our by-laws establish advance notice procedures with regard to stockholder proposals relating to the nomination of candidates for election as directors or new business to be brought before meetings of our stockholders. These procedures provide that notice of stockholder proposals must be timely given in writing to our corporate secretary prior to the meeting at which the action is to be taken. Generally, to be timely, notice must be received at our principal executive offices not less than 90 days or more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary date of the annual meeting for the preceding year. The notice must contain certain information specified in the by-laws.
Amendment to certificate of incorporation and by-laws.    As required by the Delaware General Corporation Law, any amendment of our certificate of incorporation must first be approved by a majority of our board of directors and, if required by law or our certificate of incorporation, thereafter be approved by a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote on the amendment, and a majority of the outstanding shares of each class entitled to vote thereon as a class, except that the amendment of the provisions relating to stockholder action, directors, limitation of liability and the amendment of our by-laws and certificate of incorporation must be approved by not less than 75% of the outstanding shares entitled to vote on the amendment, and not less than 75% of the outstanding shares of each class entitled to vote thereon as a class.
 
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Our by-laws may be amended by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office, subject to any limitations set forth in the by-laws; and may also be amended by the affirmative vote of at least 75% of the outstanding shares entitled to vote on the amendment, or, if the board of directors recommends that the stockholders approve the amendment, by the affirmative vote of the majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote on the amendment, in each case voting together as a single class.
Undesignated preferred stock.   Our certificate of incorporation provides for authorized shares of preferred stock. The existence of authorized but unissued shares of preferred stock may enable our board of directors to render more difficult or to discourage an attempt to obtain control of us by means of a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise. For example, if in the due exercise of its fiduciary obligations, our board of directors were to determine that a takeover proposal is not in the best interests of us or our stockholders, our board of directors could cause shares of preferred stock to be issued without stockholder approval in one or more private offerings or other transactions that might dilute the voting or other rights of the proposed acquirer or insurgent stockholder or stockholder group. In this regard, our certificate of incorporation grants our board of directors broad power to establish the rights and preferences of authorized and unissued shares of preferred stock. The issuance of shares of preferred stock could decrease the amount of earnings and assets available for distribution to holders of shares of common stock. The issuance may also adversely affect the rights and powers, including voting rights, of these holders and may have the effect of delaying, deterring or preventing a change in control of us.
Exclusive jurisdiction for certain actions.   Our by-laws provide that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the federal district courts of the United Stated will be the sole and exclusive forum for resolving any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act. In addition, our by-laws provide that any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of our common stock is deemed to have notice of and consented to the foregoing provision. The enforceability of similar choice of forum provisions in other companies’ certificates of incorporation and by-laws has been challenged in legal proceedings, and it is possible that a court could find these types of provisions to be inapplicable or unenforceable.
 
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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
This section describes the general terms and provisions of our debt securities that we may issue from time to time. We may issue debt securities, in one or more series, as either senior or subordinated debt or as senior or subordinated convertible debt. While the terms we have summarized below will apply generally to any future debt securities we may offer under this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus will describe the specific terms of any debt securities offered through that prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus. The terms of any debt securities we offer under a prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus may differ from the terms we describe below. Unless the context requires otherwise, whenever we refer to the “indentures,” we also are referring to any supplemental indentures that specify the terms of a particular series of debt securities.
We will issue any senior debt securities under the senior indenture that we will enter into with the trustee named in the senior indenture. We will issue any subordinated debt securities under the subordinated indenture that we will enter into with the trustee named in the subordinated indenture. We have filed forms of these documents as exhibits to the registration statement, of which this prospectus is a part, and supplemental indentures and forms of debt securities containing the terms of the debt securities being offered will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part or will be incorporated by reference from reports that we file with the SEC.
The indentures will be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”). We use the term “trustee” to refer to either the trustee under the senior indenture or the trustee under the subordinated indenture, as applicable.
The following summaries of material provisions of the senior debt securities, the subordinated debt securities and the indentures are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the indenture applicable to a particular series of debt securities. We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus and any related free writing prospectuses related to the debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus, as well as the complete applicable indenture that contains the terms of the debt securities. Except as we may otherwise indicate, the terms of the senior indenture and the subordinated indenture are identical.
General
We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus the terms of the series of debt securities being offered, including:

the title;

the principal amount being offered, and if a series, the total amount authorized and the total amount outstanding;

any limit on the amount that may be issued;

whether or not we will issue the series of debt securities in global form, and, if so, the terms and who the depository will be;

the maturity date;

whether and under what circumstances, if any, we will pay additional amounts on any debt securities held by a person who is not a United States person for tax purposes, and whether we can redeem the debt securities if we have to pay such additional amounts;

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

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

the terms of the subordination of any series of subordinated debt;

the place where payments will be payable;
 
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restrictions on transfer, sale or other assignment, if any;

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

the date, if any, after which, the conditions upon which, and the price at which, we may, at our option, redeem the series of debt securities pursuant to any optional or provisional redemption provisions and the terms of those redemption provisions;

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

whether the indenture will restrict our ability or the ability of our subsidiaries to:

incur additional indebtedness;

issue additional securities;

create liens;

pay dividends or make distributions in respect of our capital stock or the capital stock of our subsidiaries;

redeem capital stock;

place restrictions on our subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends, make distributions or transfer assets;

make investments or other restricted payments;

sell or otherwise dispose of assets;

enter into sale-leaseback transactions;

engage in transactions with stockholders or affiliates;

issue or sell stock of our subsidiaries; or

effect a consolidation or merger;

whether the indenture will require us to maintain any interest coverage, fixed charge, cash flow-based, asset-based or other financial ratios;

a discussion of certain material or special United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the debt securities;

information describing any book-entry features;

provisions for a sinking fund purchase or other analogous fund, if any;

the applicability of the provisions in the indenture on discharge;

whether the debt securities are to be offered at a price such that they will be deemed to be offered at an “original issue discount” as defined in paragraph (a) of Section 1273 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended;

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

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

any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of, or restrictions on, the debt securities, including any additional events of default or covenants provided with respect to the debt securities, and any terms that may be required by us or advisable under applicable laws or regulations or advisable in connection with the marketing of the debt securities.
Conversion or Exchange Rights
We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus the terms on which a series of debt securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock, our preferred stock
 
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or other securities (including securities of a third-party). We will include provisions as to whether conversion or exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our option. We may include provisions pursuant to which the number of shares of our common stock, our preferred stock or other securities (including securities of a third-party) that the holders of the series of debt securities receive would be subject to adjustment.
Consolidation, Merger or Sale
Unless we provide otherwise in the prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus applicable to a particular series of debt securities, the indentures will not contain any covenant that restricts our ability to merge or consolidate, or sell, convey, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets. However, any successor to or acquirer of such assets must assume all of our obligations under the indentures or the debt securities, as appropriate. If the debt securities are convertible into or exchangeable for other securities of ours or securities of other entities, the person with whom we consolidate or merge or to whom we sell all of our property must make provisions for the conversion of the debt securities into securities that the holders of the debt securities would have received if they had converted the debt securities before the consolidation, merger or sale.
Events of Default Under the Indenture
Unless we provide otherwise in the prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus applicable to a particular series of debt securities, the following are events of default under the indentures with respect to any series of debt securities that we may issue:

if we fail to pay interest when due and payable and our failure continues for 90 days and the time for payment has not been extended;

if we fail to pay the principal, premium or sinking fund payment, if any, when due and payable at maturity, upon redemption or repurchase or otherwise, and the time for payment has not been extended;

if we fail to observe or perform any other covenant contained in the debt securities or the indentures, other than a covenant specifically relating to another series of debt securities, and our failure continues for 90 days after we receive notice from the trustee or holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the applicable series; and

if specified events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occur.
We will describe in each applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus any additional events of default relating to the relevant series of debt securities.
If an event of default with respect to debt securities of any series occurs and is continuing, other than an event of default specified in the last bullet point above, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series, by notice to us in writing, and to the trustee if notice is given by such holders, may declare the unpaid principal, premium, if any, and accrued interest, if any, due and payable immediately. If an event of default specified in the last bullet point above occurs with respect to us, the unpaid principal, premium, if any, and accrued interest, if any, of each issue of debt securities then outstanding shall be due and payable without any notice or other action on the part of the trustee or any holder.
The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of an affected series may waive any default or event of default with respect to the series and its consequences, except defaults or events of default regarding payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, unless we have cured the default or event of default in accordance with the indenture. Any waiver shall cure the default or event of default.
Subject to the terms of the indentures, if an event of default under an indenture shall occur and be continuing, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under such indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders of the applicable series of debt securities, unless such holders have offered the trustee reasonable indemnity or security satisfactory to it against any loss, liability
 
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or expense. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee, with respect to the debt securities of that series, provided that:

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

subject to its duties under the Trust Indenture Act, the trustee need not take any action that might involve it in personal liability or might be unduly prejudicial to the holders not involved in the proceeding.
A holder of the debt securities of any series will have the right to institute a proceeding under the indentures or to appoint a receiver or trustee, or to seek other remedies if:

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

the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have made written request, and such holders have offered reasonable indemnity to the trustee or security satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense or to be incurred in compliance with instituting the proceeding as trustee; and

the trustee does not institute the proceeding, and does not receive from the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series other conflicting directions within 90 days after the notice, request and offer.
These limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by a holder of debt securities if we default in the payment of the principal, premium, if any, or interest on, the debt securities, or other defaults that may be specified in the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus.
We will periodically file statements with the trustee regarding our compliance with specified covenants in the indentures.
Modification of Indenture; Waiver
Subject to the terms of the indenture for any series of debt securities that we may issue, we and the trustee may change an indenture without the consent of any holders with respect to the following specific matters:

to fix any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in the indenture;

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

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

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

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

to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor trustee;

to provide for uncertificated debt securities and to make all appropriate changes for such purpose;

to add to our covenants such new covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions for the benefit of the holders, to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and the continuance, of a default in any such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions an event of default or to surrender any right or power conferred to us in the indenture; or
 
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to change anything that does not materially adversely affect the interests of any holder of debt securities of any series.
In addition, under the indentures, the rights of holders of a series of debt securities may be changed by us and the trustee with the written consent of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series that is affected. However, subject to the terms of the indenture for any series of debt securities that we may issue or as otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus applicable to a particular series of debt securities, we and the trustee may make the following changes only with the consent of each holder of any outstanding debt securities affected:

extending the stated maturity of the series of debt securities;

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

reducing the percentage of debt securities, the holders of which are required to consent to any amendment, supplement, modification or waiver.
Discharge
Each indenture provides that, subject to the terms of the indenture and any limitation otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus applicable to a particular series of debt securities, we can elect to be discharged from our obligations with respect to one or more series of debt securities, except for specified obligations, including obligations to:

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

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

maintain paying agencies;

hold monies for payment in trust;

recover excess money held by the trustee;

compensate and indemnify the trustee; and

appoint any successor trustee.
In order to exercise our rights to be discharged, we must deposit with the trustee money or government obligations sufficient to pay all the principal of, any premium and interest on, the debt securities of the series on the dates payments are due.
Form, Exchange and Transfer
We will issue the debt securities of each series only in fully registered form without coupons and, unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof. The indentures provide that we may issue debt securities of a series in temporary or permanent global form and as book-entry securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company or another depository named by us and identified in a prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus with respect to that series.
At the option of the holder, subject to the terms of the indentures and the limitations applicable to global securities described in the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, the holder of the debt securities of any series can exchange the debt securities for other debt securities of the same series, in any authorized denomination and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount.
Subject to the terms of the indentures and the limitations applicable to global securities set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, holders of the debt securities may present the debt securities for exchange or for registration of transfer, duly endorsed or with the form of transfer endorsed thereon duly executed if so required by us or the security registrar, at the office of the security registrar or at the office of any transfer agent designated by us for this purpose. Unless otherwise provided in the debt
 
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securities that the holder presents for transfer or exchange, we will make no service charge for any registration of transfer or exchange, but we may require payment of any taxes or other governmental charges.
We will name in the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus the security registrar, and any transfer agent in addition to the security registrar, that we initially designate for any debt securities.
We may at any time designate additional transfer agents or rescind the designation of any transfer agent or approve a change in the office through which any transfer agent acts, except that we will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of each series. If we elect to redeem the debt securities of any series, we will not be required to:

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

register the transfer of or exchange any debt securities so selected for redemption, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any debt securities we are redeeming in part.
Information Concerning the Trustee
The trustee, other than during the occurrence and continuance of an event of default under an indenture, undertakes to perform only those duties as are specifically set forth in the applicable indenture. Upon an event of default under an indenture, the trustee must use the same degree of care as a prudent person would exercise or use in the conduct of his or her own affairs.
Subject to this provision, the trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the powers given it by the indentures at the request of any holder of debt securities unless it is offered reasonable security and indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities that it might incur.
Payment and Paying Agents
Unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, we will make payment of the interest on any debt securities on any interest payment date to the person in whose name the debt securities, or one or more predecessor securities, are registered at the close of business on the regular record date for the interest.
We will pay principal of and any premium and interest on the debt securities of a particular series at the office of the paying agents designated by us, except that unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, we will make interest payments by check that we will mail to the holder or by wire transfer to certain holders. Unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, we will designate the corporate trust office of the trustee as our sole paying agent for payments with respect to debt securities of each series. We will name in the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus any other paying agents that we initially designate for the debt securities of a particular series. We will maintain a paying agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of a particular series.
All money we pay to a paying agent or the trustee for the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any debt securities that remains unclaimed at the end of two years after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable will be repaid to us, and the holder of the debt security thereafter may look only to us for payment thereof.
Governing Law
The indentures and the debt securities will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, except to the extent that the Trust Indenture Act is applicable.
Ranking of Debt Securities
The subordinated debt securities will be subordinate and junior in priority of payment to certain of our other indebtedness to the extent described in a prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus. The
 
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subordinated indenture does not limit the amount of subordinated debt securities that we may issue. It also does not limit us from issuing any other secured or unsecured debt.
The senior debt securities will rank equally in right of payment to all our other senior unsecured debt. The senior indenture does not limit the amount of senior debt securities that we may issue. It also does not limit us from issuing any other secured or unsecured debt.
 
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 DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
The following description, together with the additional information we may include in any applicable prospectus supplements, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the warrants that we may offer under this prospectus and the related warrant agreements and warrant certificates. While the terms summarized below will apply generally to any warrants that we may offer, we will describe the particular terms of any series of warrants in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. If we indicate in the prospectus supplement, the terms of any warrants offered under that prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below. Specific warrant agreements will contain additional important terms and provisions and will be incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement, which includes this prospectus.
General
We may issue warrants for the purchase of common stock, preferred stock and/or debt securities in one or more series. We may issue warrants independently or together with common stock, preferred stock and/or debt securities, and the warrants may be attached to or separate from these securities.
We will evidence each series of warrants by warrant certificates that we will issue under a separate warrant agreement. We will enter into the warrant agreement with a warrant agent. We will indicate the name and address of the warrant agent in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of warrants.
We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms of the series of warrants, including:

the offering price and aggregate number of warrants offered;

the currency for which the warrants may be purchased;

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;

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

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

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

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

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

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

the periods during which, and places at which, the warrants are exercisable;

the manner of exercise;

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

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

federal income tax consequences of holding or exercising the warrants;

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

any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of or restrictions on the warrants.
 
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DESCRIPTION OF UNITS
We may issue units comprised of shares of common stock, shares of preferred stock, debt securities and warrants in any combination. We may issue units in such amounts and in as many distinct series as we wish. This section outlines certain provisions of the units that we may issue. If we issue units, they will be issued under one or more unit agreements to be entered into between us and a bank or other financial institution, as unit agent. The information described in this section may not be complete in all respects and is qualified entirely by reference to the unit agreement with respect to the units of any particular series. The specific terms of any series of units offered will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. If so described in a particular supplement, the specific terms of any series of units may differ from the general description of terms presented below. We urge you to read any prospectus supplement related to any series of units we may offer, as well as the complete unit agreement and unit certificate that contain the terms of the units. If we issue units, forms of unit agreements and unit certificates relating to such units will be incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement, which includes this prospectus.
Each unit that we may issue will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. The unit agreement under which a unit is issued may provide that the securities included in the unit may not be held or transferred separately, at any time or at any time before a specified date. The applicable prospectus supplement may describe:

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;

any provisions of the governing unit agreement;

the price or prices at which such units will be issued;

the applicable United States federal income tax considerations relating to the units;

any provisions for the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units or of the securities comprising the units; and

any other terms of the units and of the securities comprising the units.
The provisions described in this section, as well as those described under “Description of Capital Stock,” “Description of Debt Securities” and “Description of Warrants” will apply to the securities included in each unit, to the extent relevant and as may be updated in any prospectus supplements.
Issuance in Series
We may issue units in such amounts and in as many distinct series as we wish. This section summarizes terms of the units that apply generally to all series. Most of the financial and other specific terms of a particular series of units will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Unit Agreements
We will issue the units under one or more unit agreements to be entered into between us and a bank or other financial institution, as unit agent. We may add, replace or terminate unit agents from time to time. We will identify the unit agreement under which each series of units will be issued and the unit agent under that agreement in the applicable prospectus supplement.
The following provisions will generally apply to all unit agreements unless otherwise stated in the applicable prospectus supplement:
Modification without Consent
We and the applicable unit agent may amend any unit or unit agreement without the consent of any holder:

to cure any ambiguity, including modifying any provisions of the governing unit agreement that differ from those described below;
 
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to correct or supplement any defective or inconsistent provision; or

to make any other change that we believe is necessary or desirable and will not adversely affect the interests of the affected holders in any material respect.
We do not need any approval to make changes that affect only units to be issued after the changes take effect. We may also make changes that do not adversely affect a particular unit in any material respect, even if they adversely affect other units in a material respect. In those cases, we do not need to obtain the approval of the holder of the unaffected unit; we need only obtain any required approvals from the holders of the affected units.
Modification with Consent
We may not amend any particular unit or a unit agreement with respect to any particular unit unless we obtain the consent of the holder of that unit, if the amendment would:

impair any right of the holder to exercise or enforce any right under a security included in the unit if the terms of that security require the consent of the holder to any changes that would impair the exercise or enforcement of that right; or

reduce the percentage of outstanding units or any series or class the consent of whose holders is required to amend that series or class, or the applicable unit agreement with respect to that series or class, as described below.
Any other change to a particular unit agreement and the units issued under that agreement would require the following approval:

If the change affects only the units of a particular series issued under that agreement, the change must be approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding units of that series; or

If the change affects the units of more than one series issued under that agreement, it must be approved by the holders of a majority of all outstanding units of all series affected by the change, with the units of all the affected series voting together as one class for this purpose.
These provisions regarding changes with majority approval also apply to changes affecting any securities issued under a unit agreement, as the governing document.
In each case, the required approval must be given by written consent.
Unit Agreements Will Not Be Qualified under Trust Indenture Act
No unit agreement will be qualified as an indenture, and no unit agent will be required to qualify as a trustee, under the Trust Indenture Act. Therefore, holders of units issued under unit agreements will not have the protections of the Trust Indenture Act with respect to their units.
Mergers and Similar Transactions Permitted; No Restrictive Covenants or Events of Default
The unit agreements will not restrict our ability to merge or consolidate with, or sell our assets to, another corporation or other entity or to engage in any other transactions. If at any time we merge or consolidate with, or sell our assets substantially as an entirety to, another corporation or other entity, the successor entity will succeed to and assume our obligations under the unit agreements. We will then be relieved of any further obligation under these agreements.
The unit agreements will not include any restrictions on our ability to put liens on our assets, nor will they restrict our ability to sell our assets. The unit agreements also will not provide for any events of default or remedies upon the occurrence of any events of default.
Governing Law
The unit agreements and the units will be governed by Delaware law.
 
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Form, Exchange and Transfer
We will issue each unit in global — i.e., book-entry — form only. Units in book-entry form will be represented by a global security registered in the name of a depositary, which will be the holder of all the units represented by the global security. Those who own beneficial interests in a unit will do so through participants in the depositary’s system, and the rights of these indirect owners will be governed solely by the applicable procedures of the depositary and its participants. We will describe book-entry securities, and other terms regarding the issuance and registration of the units in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Each unit and all securities comprising the unit will be issued in the same form.
If we issue any units in registered, non-global form, the following will apply to them.
The units will be issued in the denominations stated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Holders may exchange their units for units of smaller denominations or combined into fewer units of larger denominations, as long as the total amount is not changed.

Holders may exchange or transfer their units at the office of the unit agent. Holders may also replace lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated units at that office. We may appoint another entity to perform these functions or perform them ourselves.

Holders will not be required to pay a service charge to transfer or exchange their units, but they may be required to pay for any tax or other governmental charge associated with the transfer or exchange. The transfer or exchange, and any replacement, will be made only if our transfer agent is satisfied with the holder’s proof of legal ownership. The transfer agent may also require an indemnity before replacing any units.

If we have the right to redeem, accelerate or settle any units before their maturity, and we exercise our right as to less than all those units or other securities, we may block the exchange or transfer of those units during the period beginning 15 days before the day we mail the notice of exercise and ending on the day of that mailing, in order to freeze the list of holders to prepare the mailing. We may also refuse to register transfers of or exchange any unit selected for early settlement, except that we will continue to permit transfers and exchanges of the unsettled portion of any unit being partially settled. We may also block the transfer or exchange of any unit in this manner if the unit includes securities that are or may be selected for early settlement.
Only the depositary will be entitled to transfer or exchange a unit in global form, since it will be the sole holder of the unit.
Payments and Notices
In making payments and giving notices with respect to our units, we will follow the procedures as described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
 
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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We may sell securities:

through underwriters;

through dealers;

through agents;

directly to purchasers; or

through a combination of any of these methods or any other method permitted by law.
In addition, we may issue the securities as a dividend or distribution or in a subscription rights offering to our existing security holders.
We may directly solicit offers to purchase securities, or agents may be designated to solicit such offers. In the prospectus supplement relating to such offering, we will name any agent that could be viewed as an underwriter under the Securities Act and describe any commissions that we must pay to any such agent. Any such agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment or, if indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, on a firm commitment basis. This prospectus may be used in connection with any offering of our securities through any of these methods or other methods described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
The distribution of the securities may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions:

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

at market prices prevailing at the time of sale;

at prices related to such prevailing market prices; or

at negotiated prices.
Each prospectus supplement will describe the method of distribution of the securities and any applicable restrictions.
The prospectus supplement with respect to the securities of a particular series will describe the terms of the offering of the securities, including the following:

the name of the agent or any underwriters;

the public offering or purchase price;

any discounts and commissions to be allowed or paid to the agent or underwriters;

all other items constituting underwriting compensation;

any discounts and commissions to be allowed or paid to dealers; and

any exchanges on which the securities will be listed.
If any underwriters or agents are used in the sale of the securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered, we will enter into an underwriting agreement, sales agreement or other agreement with them at the time of sale to them, and we will set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to such offering the names of the underwriters or agents and the terms of the related agreement with them.
In connection with the offering of securities, we may grant to the underwriters an option to purchase additional securities with an additional underwriting commission, as may be set forth in the accompanying prospectus supplement. If we grant any such option, the terms of such option will be set forth in the prospectus supplement for such securities.
If a dealer is used in the sale of the securities in respect of which the prospectus is delivered, we will sell such securities to the dealer, as principal. The dealer, who may be deemed to be an “underwriter” as that term
 
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is defined in the Securities Act, may then resell such securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by such dealer at the time of resale.
If we offer securities in a subscription rights offering to our existing security holders, we may enter into a standby underwriting agreement with dealers, acting as standby underwriters. We may pay the standby underwriters a commitment fee for the securities they commit to purchase on a standby basis. If we do not enter into a standby underwriting arrangement, we may retain a dealer-manager to manage a subscription rights offering for us.
Agents, underwriters, dealers and other persons may be entitled under agreements which they may enter into with us to indemnification by us against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of business.
If so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will authorize underwriters or other persons acting as our agents to solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase securities from us pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on the date stated in the prospectus supplement. Each contract will be for an amount not less than, and the aggregate amount of securities sold pursuant to such contracts shall not be less nor more than, the respective amounts stated in the prospectus supplement. Institutions with whom the contracts, when authorized, may be made include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and charitable institutions and other institutions, but shall in all cases be subject to our approval. Delayed delivery contracts will not be subject to any conditions except that:

the purchase by an institution of the securities covered under that contract shall not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of the jurisdiction to which that institution is subject; and

if the securities are also being sold to underwriters acting as principals for their own account, the underwriters shall have purchased such securities not sold for delayed delivery. The underwriters and other persons acting as our agents will not have any responsibility in respect of the validity or performance of delayed delivery contracts.
Offered securities may also be offered and sold, if so indicated in the prospectus supplement, in connection with a remarketing upon their purchase, in accordance with a redemption or repayment pursuant to their terms, or otherwise, by one or more remarketing firms, acting as principals for their own accounts or as agents for us. Any remarketing firm will be identified and the terms of its agreement, if any, with us and its compensation will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Remarketing firms may be deemed to be underwriters in connection with their remarketing of offered securities.
Certain agents, underwriters and dealers, and their associates and affiliates, may be customers of, have borrowing relationships with, engage in other transactions with, or perform services, including investment banking services, for us or one or more of our respective affiliates in the ordinary course of business.
In order to facilitate the offering of the securities, any underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the securities or any other securities the prices of which may be used to determine payments on such securities. Specifically, any underwriters may over allot in connection with the offering, creating a short position for their own accounts. In addition, to cover overallotments or to stabilize the price of the securities or of any such other securities, the underwriters may bid for, and purchase, the securities or any such other securities in the open market. Finally, in any offering of the securities through a syndicate of underwriters, the underwriting syndicate may reclaim selling concessions allowed to an underwriter or a dealer for distributing the securities in the offering if the syndicate repurchases previously distributed securities in transactions to cover syndicate short positions, in stabilization transactions or otherwise. Any of these activities may stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities above independent market levels. Any such underwriters are not required to engage in these activities and may end any of these activities at any time.
We may engage in at the market offerings into an existing trading market in accordance with Rule 415(a)(4) under the Securities Act. In addition, we may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions.
 
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If the applicable prospectus supplement so indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third party may use securities pledged by us or borrowed from us or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock, and may use securities received from us in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of stock. The third party in such sale transactions will be an underwriter and, if not identified in this prospectus, will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement (or a post-effective amendment). In addition, we may otherwise loan or pledge securities to a financial institution or other third party that in turn may sell the securities short using this prospectus and an applicable prospectus supplement. Such financial institution or other third party may transfer its economic short position to investors in our securities or in connection with a concurrent offering of other securities.
Under Rule 15c6-1 of the Exchange Act, trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in two business days, unless the parties to any such trade expressly agree otherwise. The applicable prospectus supplement may provide that the original issue date for your securities may be more than two scheduled business days after the trade date for your securities. Accordingly, in such a case, if you wish to trade securities on any date prior to the second business day before the original issue date for your securities, you will be required, by virtue of the fact that your securities initially are expected to settle in more than two scheduled business days after the trade date for your securities, to make alternative settlement arrangements to prevent a failed settlement.
The securities may be new issues of securities and may have no established trading market. The securities may or may not be listed on a national securities exchange. We can make no assurance as to the liquidity of or the existence of trading markets for any of the securities.
The specific terms of any lock-up provisions in respect of any given offering will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
The underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with us, or perform services for us, in the ordinary course of business for which they receive compensation.
The anticipated date of delivery of offered securities will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to each offer.
 
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LEGAL MATTERS
Certain legal matters in connection with this offering will be passed upon for us by Goodwin Procter LLP, Boston, Massachusetts. Any underwriters will also be advised about the validity of the securities and other legal matters by their own counsel, which will be named in the prospectus supplement.
EXPERTS
Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, has audited our financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, as set forth in their reports, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement. Our financial statements are incorporated by reference in reliance on Ernst & Young LLP’s reports, given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3 under the Securities Act with respect to the securities offered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement. This prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement do not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement and its exhibits and schedules in accordance with SEC rules and regulations. For further information with respect to us and the securities being offered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, you should read the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, including its exhibits and schedules. Statements contained in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including documents that we have incorporated by reference, as to the contents of any contract or other document referred to are not necessarily complete, and, with respect to any contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement or any other such document, each such statement is qualified in all respects by reference to the corresponding exhibit. You should review the complete contract or other document to evaluate these statements. You may obtain copies of the registration statement and its exhibits via the SEC’s EDGAR database or our website.
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other documents with the SEC under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). The SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers, including us, that file electronically with the SEC. You may obtain documents that we file with the SEC at www.sec.gov.
We also make these documents available on our website at www.esperion.com. Our website and the information contained or connected to our website is not incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement, and you should not consider it part of this prospectus or any prospectus supplement.
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference the information and reports we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to these documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede the information already incorporated by reference. We are incorporating by reference the documents listed below, which we have already filed with the SEC (SEC File No. 001-35986), and any future filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, including all filings made after the date of the filing of this registration statement, except as to any portion of any future report or document that is not deemed filed under such provisions until we sell all of the securities:


 
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Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 4, 2022, March 1, 2022, and March 15, 2022 (in each case, excluding information furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 or 7.01, or corresponding information furnished under Item 9.01 or included as an exhibit);


all reports and other documents subsequently filed by us pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus and prior to the termination or completion of the offering of securities under this prospectus shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus and to be a part hereof from the date of filing such reports and other documents.
Upon request, we will provide, without charge, to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a copy of this prospectus is delivered, a copy of the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus but not delivered with the prospectus. You may request a copy of these filings, and any exhibits we have specifically incorporated by reference as an exhibit in this prospectus, at no cost by writing or telephoning us at the following address: Esperion Therapeutics, Inc., 3891 Ranchero Drive, Suite 150, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, Attention: Investor Relations, or by telephone request to 734-887-3903.
You may also access these documents, free of charge on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or on our website at www. esperion.com. Information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus, and you should not consider any information on, or that can be accessed from, our website as part of this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement.
This prospectus is part of a registration statement we filed with the SEC. We have incorporated exhibits into this registration statement. You should read the exhibits carefully for provisions that may be important to you.
You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. We are not making an offer of these securities in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or in the documents incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of this prospectus or those documents.
 
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[MISSING IMAGE: lg_esperionreg-4c.jpg]
12,205,000 Shares of Common Stock
Pre-Funded Warrants to Purchase up to 20,965,747 Shares of Common Stock
Warrants to Purchase up to 33,170,747 Shares of Common Stock
Up to 54,136,494 Shares of Common Stock underlying such Pre-Funded Warrants and Warrants
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
H.C. Wainwright & Co.
March 19, 2023

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