Table of Contents

Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration No. 333-206026

 

The information contained in this preliminary prospectus supplement is not complete and may be changed. A registration statement relating to the securities has been declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission. This preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are not an offer to sell these securities and are not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED APRIL 4, 2017

 

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

(To Prospectus dated August 17, 2015)

             Shares

 

             Ordinary shares

We are offering              ordinary shares of no par value per share. Our ordinary shares are listed on The NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “QTNT.” The last reported sale price of our ordinary shares on April 3, 2017 was $6.89 per share.

We are an emerging growth company under the federal securities laws and are subject to reduced public company reporting requirements.

Investing in our ordinary shares involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully review the risks and uncertainties described under the heading “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-11 of this prospectus supplement and under the heading “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 and in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2016.

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

 

 

 

		PER SHARE				TOTAL
Public offering price		$				$
Underwriting discounts and commissions (1)
Proceeds, before expenses, to us

 

 

 

(1)

See “Underwriting” for additional information regarding the compensation payable to the underwriters.

Delivery of the ordinary shares is expected to be made on or about                     , 2017. We have granted the underwriters an option for a period of 30 days to purchase up to an additional              ordinary shares from us. If the underwriters exercise the option in full, the total underwriting discounts and commissions payable by us will be $        , and the total proceeds to us, before expenses, will be $        .

Sole Book-Running Manager

Jefferies

Lead Manager

BTIG

Prospectus Supplement dated                     , 2017.

---

Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Prospectus Supplement
		PAGE
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT			S-1
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY			S-3
RISK FACTORS			S-11
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS			S-15
USE OF PROCEEDS			S-17
CAPITALIZATION			S-18
PRICE RANGE OF OUR ORDINARY SHARES			S-19
DIVIDEND POLICY			S-20
DILUTION			S-21
CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS APPLICABLE TO HOLDERS OF ORDINARY SHARES			S-22
JERSEY CHANNEL ISLANDS REGULATORY MATTERS			S-26
UNDERWRITING			S-27
NOTICE TO INVESTORS			S-31
LEGAL MATTERS			S-35
EXPERTS			S-35
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION			S-35
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE			S-36
Prospectus
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS			iii
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY			1
RISK FACTORS			2
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS			3
USE OF PROCEEDS			5
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERENCE SHARE DIVIDENDS OF QUOTIENT LIMITED			6
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE OFFERED SECURITIES			7
DESCRIPTION OF SHARE CAPITAL			8
DESCRIPTION OF THE DEBT SECURITIES			15
DESCRIPTION OF THE RIGHTS TO PURCHASE ORDINARY SHARES OR PREFERENCE SHARES			23
DESCRIPTION OF THE WARRANTS TO PURCHASE ORDINARY SHARES OR PREFERENCE SHARES			24
DESCRIPTION OF THE WARRANTS TO PURCHASE DEBT SECURITIES			31
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION			33
LEGAL MATTERS			36
EXPERTS			37
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION			38
INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE			39

 

 

 

 

- i -

---

Table of Contents

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

This document is part of a registration statement that was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, using a “shelf” registration process and consists of two parts. The first part is the prospectus supplement, including the documents incorporated by reference herein, which describes the specific terms of this offering. The second part, the accompanying prospectus, including the documents incorporated by reference therein, provides more general information. In general, when we refer only to the prospectus, we are referring to both parts of this document combined. Before you invest, you should carefully read this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, all information incorporated by reference herein and therein, as well as the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.” These documents contain information you should carefully consider when deciding whether to invest in our ordinary shares.

This prospectus supplement may add, update or change information contained in the accompanying prospectus. To the extent there is a conflict between the information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, you should rely on information contained in this prospectus supplement, provided that if any statement in, or incorporated by reference into, one of these documents is inconsistent with a statement in another document having a later date, the statement in the document having the later date modifies or supersedes the earlier statement. Any statement so modified will be deemed to constitute a part of this prospectus only as so modified, and any statement so superseded will be deemed not to constitute a part of this prospectus.

We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized anyone to provide you with information different than or inconsistent with the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and in any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering. Neither we, nor the underwriters have authorized anyone to provide you with any different information. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may provide to you. The information contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, and in the documents incorporated by reference herein or therein is accurate only as of the date such information is presented. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.

We further note that the representations, warranties and covenants made by us in any agreement that is filed as an exhibit either to the registration statement of which the accompanying prospectus is a part or any document incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus were made solely for the benefit of the parties to such agreement, including, in some cases, for the purpose of allocating risk among the parties to such agreement, and should not be deemed to be a representation, warranty or covenant made to you or for your benefit. Moreover, such representations, warranties or covenants were accurate only as of the date they were made. Accordingly, such representations, warranties and covenants should not be relied on as accurately representing the current state of our affairs.

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus do not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the ordinary shares to which this prospectus supplement relates, nor do this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction.

Our trademark portfolio includes both United States and foreign trademark registrations and pending United States and foreign trademark applications. Other trademarks or trade names referred to in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or the documents incorporated by reference herein or therein are the property of their respective owners. Solely for convenience, the trademarks and trade names in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein are generally 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.

Certain market and industry data and forecasts included in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus were obtained from independent market research, industry publications and surveys, governmental agencies and publicly available information. We did not fund and are not otherwise affiliated with the third party sources that we cite. Industry surveys, publications and forecasts generally

 

S-1

---

Table of Contents

state that the information contained therein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but that the accuracy and completeness of such information is not guaranteed. While we are not aware of any misstatements regarding the market or industry data presented or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, our estimates involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors, including those described under the heading “Risk Factors” in this prospectus supplement and under the heading “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 and in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2016, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement. These and other important factors could result in our estimates and assumptions being materially different from future results. You should read the information contained in, or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus completely and with the understanding that future results may be materially different and worse from what we expect. See the information included under the heading “Forward-Looking Statements.”

Our fiscal year ends on March 31. Unless otherwise noted, any reference to a year preceded by the word “fiscal” refers to the twelve months ended March 31 of that year. For example, references to “fiscal 2016” refer to the twelve months ended March 31, 2016. Any reference to a year not preceded by “fiscal” refers to a calendar year.

For investors outside of the United States: We have not done anything that would permit possession or distribution of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required, other than the United States. Persons outside of 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 of the United States.

 

S-2

---

Table of Contents

 

S-3

---

Table of Contents

 

S-4

---

Table of Contents

 

S-5

---

Table of Contents

 

S-6

---

Table of Contents

 

S-7

---

Table of Contents

 

S-8

---

Table of Contents

 

S-9

---

Table of Contents

 

S-10

---

Table of Contents

RISK FACTORS

Investing in our ordinary shares involves a high degree of risk. Before buying any of our ordinary shares, you should carefully consider the risks described below, together with all of the other information included in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, together with the information incorporated by reference herein and therein, and any free writing prospectus, including the risks described under the heading “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 and in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2016. Any of these risks could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. As a result, the market price of our ordinary shares could decline, and you could lose all or part of your investment. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial may also materially and adversely affect our business operations and could result in complete or partial loss of your investment. Certain statements below are forward-looking statements. See the information included under the heading “Forward-Looking Statements.”

Risks Related to this Offering and our Ordinary Shares

Galen Partners LLP, Mrs. Deidre Cowan (the wife of our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer) and management own a significant percentage of our ordinary shares and will be able to exercise significant influence over matters subject to shareholder approval.

Certain entities affiliated with Galen Partners LLP, Mrs. Deidre Cowan (the wife of our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer) and our executive officers and directors, together with their respective affiliates, held 36.6% of our outstanding ordinary shares as of December 31, 2016. These shareholders will be able to exert a significant degree of influence over our management and affairs and over matters requiring shareholder approval, including the election of our Board of Directors and approval of significant corporate transactions. This concentration of ownership could have the effect of entrenching our management and/or our Board of Directors, delaying or preventing a change in our control or otherwise discouraging a potential acquirer from attempting to obtain control of us, which in turn could have a material and adverse effect on the fair market value of our securities.

If securities analysts do not continue to cover our ordinary shares or publish unfavorable research or reports about our business, this may have a negative impact on the market price of our ordinary shares.

The trading market for our ordinary shares depends on the research and reports that securities analysts publish about our business and our company. We do not have any control over these analysts. There is no guarantee that securities analysts will continue to cover the ordinary shares of our company. If securities analysts do not cover the ordinary shares of our company, the lack of research coverage may adversely affect the market price of our ordinary shares. If our shares are the subject of an unfavorable report, our share price and trading volume would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts ceases to cover our company or fails to publish regular reports on our company, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which could cause our share price or trading volume to decline.

The price of our ordinary shares is likely to be volatile, and purchasers of our shares could incur substantial losses.

Like other emerging life sciences companies, the market price of our ordinary shares is likely to be volatile. The factors below may also have a material adverse effect on the market price of our shares:

 

∎

fluctuations in our results of operations;

 

∎

delays in the planned commercialization of MosaiQ™;

 

∎

speed and timing of adoption of MosaiQ™ by key target customers;

 

∎

our ability to enter new markets;

 

∎

negative publicity;

 

∎

changes in securities or industry analyst recommendations regarding our company, the sectors in which we operate, the securities market generally, conditions in the financial markets and the perception of our ability to raise additional funding;

 

∎

regulatory developments affecting MosaiQ™ or our industry, including announcement of new adverse regulatory decisions in respect of MosaiQ™;

 

∎

announcements of studies and reports relating to our products or planned products, including MosaiQ™, or those of our competitors;

 

S-11

---

Table of Contents

∎

changes in the economic performance or market valuations of our competitors;

 

∎

actual or anticipated fluctuations in our annual and quarterly financial results;

 

∎

conditions in the industries in which we operate;

 

∎

announcements by us or our competitors of new products, acquisitions, strategic relations, joint ventures or capital commitments;

 

∎

additions to or departures of our key executives and employees;

 

∎

fluctuations of exchange rates;

 

∎

release or expiry of lock-up or other transfer restrictions on our outstanding securities subject to such restrictions; and

 

∎

sales or perceived sales of additional ordinary shares.

In addition, the securities of life sciences companies have recently experienced significant volatility. The volatility of the securities of life sciences companies often does not relate to the operating performance of those companies. As we operate in a single industry, we are especially vulnerable to these factors to the extent that they affect our industry or our products, or to a lesser extent our markets. In the past, securities class action litigation has often been initiated against companies following periods of volatility in their stock price. This type of litigation could result in substantial costs and divert our management’s attention and resources, and could also require us to make substantial payments to satisfy judgments or to settle litigation.

You will incur immediate and substantial dilution as a result of this offering.

Since the price per share of the ordinary shares being offered is substantially higher than the net tangible book value per share of our ordinary shares, you will suffer immediate and substantial dilution in the net tangible book value of the ordinary shares you purchase in this offering. Based on the public offering price of $        per share, if you purchase ordinary shares in this offering, you will suffer immediate dilution of $        per share with respect to the net tangible book value of the ordinary shares. See “Dilution.”

Substantial future sales of our ordinary shares in the public market, or the perception that these sales could occur, could cause the price of our ordinary shares to decline, irrespective of the underlying performance of our business.

Additional sales of our ordinary shares in the public market after this offering, and in particular sales by our directors, executive officers and principal shareholders, or the perception that these sales could occur, could cause the market price of our ordinary shares to decline. Approximately 10,511,306 ordinary shares directly or indirectly owned by our executive officers, directors and certain of our other existing shareholders as of April 3, 2017 will be subject to lock-up agreements with the underwriters of this offering that restrict the sale of ordinary shares by those parties for a period of 90 days after the date of this prospectus supplement. However, all of the ordinary shares sold in this offering, as well as approximately 19,050,469 ordinary shares that were sold or issued pursuant to effective registration statements or resold pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act, or are registered for public resale under an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, will not be subject to lock-up agreements with the underwriters and will be freely tradable without restriction under the Securities Act. To the extent any of these shares are sold into the market, particularly in substantial quantities, the market price of our ordinary shares could decline.

Management will have broad discretion as to the use of the proceeds from this offering, and we may not use the proceeds effectively.

Our management will have broad discretion as to the application of the net proceeds of this offering and could use them for purposes other than those currently contemplated and may not use them effectively. Our shareholders may not agree with the manner in which our management chooses to allocate and spend the net proceeds. Moreover, our management may use the net proceeds for corporate purposes that may not increase our profitability or our market value. See “Use of Proceeds” for a description of our management’s intended use of the proceeds from this offering. The failure by our management to apply these funds effectively could result in financial losses, and those financial losses could have a material adverse effect on our business and cause the price of our ordinary shares to decline. Pending their use, our management may invest the net proceeds from this offering in a manner that does not produce income.

 

S-12

---

Table of Contents

We may need to raise additional capital, which may not be available on favorable terms, if at all, and which may cause dilution to shareholders, restrict our operations or adversely affect our ability to operate our business.

We expect to fund our operations in the near-term, including the continued development of MosaiQ^™ to commercialization, from a combination of funding sources, including through the use of existing cash and short term investment balances, the issuance of new equity, debt or other securities, milestone payments under our distribution and supply agreement with Ortho related to MosaiQ^™ and the sale and leaseback of our Biocampus facility in Edinburgh, Scotland. We cannot be certain that we will be able to obtain additional financing on favorable terms, if at all, and any additional financings could result in additional dilution to our then existing shareholders or restrict our operations or adversely affect our ability to operate our business. In addition, the indenture governing our 12% senior secured notes due 2023 contains limitations on our ability to incur debt and issue preferred and/or disqualified stock. If we are unable to obtain needed financing on acceptable terms, or otherwise, we may not be able to implement our business plan, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. We may not be able to meet our business objectives, our share price may fall and investors may lose some or all of their investment. If we raise funds by issuing equity securities, or if our outstanding options or warrants are exercised, the percentage ownership of our then shareholders will be reduced. In addition, if we issue equity, debt or other securities to raise additional funds, the new equity, debt or other securities may have rights, preferences and privileges senior to those of our existing shareholders.

We have never paid cash dividends and do not intend to pay cash dividends on our ordinary shares in the foreseeable future.

We have never paid dividends on ordinary shares and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our ordinary shares in the foreseeable future. In addition, the indenture governing our 12% senior secured notes due 2023 contains covenants that limit our ability to pay dividends on our ordinary shares. Under Jersey, Channel Islands law, any payment of dividends would be subject to relevant legislation and our Amended Articles of Association provide that all dividends must be approved by our Board of Directors and, in some cases, our shareholders, and may only be paid from our distributable profits available for the purpose, determined on an unconsolidated basis.

Risks Related to Government Regulation

Recent global economic and political conditions could result in significant changes to legislation, government policies, rules and regulations, which may have a material adverse effect on our business.

The impact of recent political and economic developments in the United States, the United Kingdom and Europe, including the election of Mr. Donald Trump as president of the United States, the referendum in the United Kingdom in which voters approved an exit from the European Union, commonly referred to as “Brexit,” and the results of several 2017 elections in European nations, including Germany and France, are uncertain. These political and economic developments could result in changes to legislation or reformation of government policies, rules and regulations pertaining to the U.S. healthcare system, tax and trade. Such changes could have a significant impact on our business by increasing the cost of doing business, affecting our ability to sell our products and negatively impacting our profitability.

In January 2017, the U.S. Congress voted to adopt a budget resolution for fiscal year 2017 that, while not a law, is widely viewed as the first step toward the passage of legislation that would repeal certain aspects of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, or PPACA. Further, on January 20, 2017, President Trump signed an Executive Order directing federal agencies with authorities and responsibilities under the PPACA to waive, defer, grant exemptions from, or delay the implementation of certain provisions of the PPACA. The U.S. Congress also could consider subsequent legislation to replace elements of the PPACA that are repealed, such as the legislation it introduced in March 2017. The PPACA significantly impacted the pharmaceutical and medical device industries and clinical laboratories, and the repeal, replacement or modification of the PPACA, or other legislative or regulatory actions, could meaningfully further change the way healthcare services are delivered and may materially impact aspects of our business. We cannot predict whether future healthcare initiatives will be implemented at the federal or state level or in countries outside of the United States in which we may do business, or the effect any future legislation or regulation will have on us.

Additionally, there have been recent public announcements by members of the U.S. Congress, President Trump and his administration regarding the possible implementation of a border tax, tariff or increase in custom duties on products manufactured outside of and imported into the United States, as well as the renegotiation of U.S. trade

 

S-13

---

Table of Contents

agreements. Our conventional reagent products are manufactured in Scotland and our MosaiQ^™ instruments and microarrays will be manufactured in Germany and Switzerland, respectively. The implementation of a border tax, tariff or higher customs duties on our products imported into the United States, or any potential corresponding actions by other countries in which we do business, could negatively impact our financial performance.

Lastly, as a result of the June 23, 2016 “Brexit” referendum, the British government will begin negotiating the terms of the United Kingdom’s future relationship with the European Union. Although it is unknown what those terms will be, it is possible that there will be greater restrictions on imports and exports between the United Kingdom and European Union countries and increased regulatory complexities. These changes may adversely affect our operations and financial results.

 

S-14

---

Table of Contents

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, and the documents incorporated by reference herein and 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, or the Exchange Act. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, and other future conditions, and include estimates and projections. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as “strategy,” “objective,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “predict,” “project,” “target,” “potential,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “continue,” “contemplate,” “might,” “design” and other similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Although we believe that we have a reasonable basis for each forward-looking statement contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, we caution you that these statements are based on a combination of facts and factors currently known by us and our expectations of the future, about which we cannot be certain, and are subject to numerous known and unknown risks and uncertainties.

Forward-looking statements include statements about:

 

∎

the development, regulatory approval and commercialization of MosaiQ™;

 

∎

the design of blood grouping and disease screening capabilities of MosaiQ™ and the benefits of MosaiQ™ for both customers and patients;

 

∎

future demand for and customer adoption of MosaiQ™, the factors that we believe will drive such demand and our ability to address such demand;

 

∎

our expected profit margins for MosaiQ™;

 

∎

the size of the market for MosaiQ™;

 

∎

the regulation of MosaiQ™ by the FDA or other regulatory bodies, or any unanticipated regulatory changes or scrutiny by such regulators;

 

∎

future plans for our conventional reagent products;

 

∎

the status of our future relationships with customers, suppliers, and regulators relating to our conventional reagent products;

 

∎

future demand for our conventional reagent products and our ability to meet such demand;

 

∎

our ability to manage the risks associated with international operations;

 

∎

anticipated changes, trends and challenges in our business and the transfusion diagnostics market;

 

∎

the effects of competition;

 

∎

the expected outcome or impact of litigation;

 

∎

our ability to protect our owned and in-licensed intellectual property and operate our business without infringing upon the intellectual property rights of others;

 

∎

our anticipated use of the net proceeds of this offering;

 

∎

our anticipated cash needs and our expected sources of funding, including the achievement of product development milestones, and our estimates regarding our capital requirements and capital expenditures; and

 

∎

our plans for executive and director compensation for the future.

We may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in our forward-looking statements, and you should not place significant reliance on our forward-looking statements. The inclusion of forward-looking information should not be regarded as a representation by us or any other person that the future plans, estimates or expectations that we contemplate will be achieved. Actual results or events could differ materially from the plans, intentions and expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements we make. Important factors that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include those identified under the heading “Risk Factors” in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or any related free writing prospectus and the factors referenced in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year

 

S-15

---

Table of Contents

ended March 31, 2016 and in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2016, which are incorporated by reference herein, including those set forth under “Risk Factors”, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” therein. These factors should not be construed as exhaustive, and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements included in and incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or any other offering material.

Many important factors, in addition to the factors described in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein or therein, may adversely and materially affect our results as indicated in forward-looking statements. You should read this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein and the documents that we have filed as exhibits to either the registration statement of which the accompanying prospectus is a part or any document incorporated by reference herein or therein, as well as any prospectus supplement or other offering material, completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different and worse from what we expect.

The forward-looking statements in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein represent our views as of the date of this prospectus supplement or such document, as applicable. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

 

S-16

---

Table of Contents

USE OF PROCEEDS

We estimate that the net proceeds of the sale of    of our ordinary shares in this offering will be approximately $        million, or approximately $        million if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares, after deducting the underwriting discount and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

We currently anticipate that we will use the net proceeds received by us to fund the ongoing scale up and, if approved, commercialization of MosaiQ™ and for working capital and other general corporate purposes.

Our expected use of the net proceeds from this offering is based upon our present plans and business condition. As of the date of this prospectus supplement, we cannot predict with certainty all of the particular uses for the net proceeds to be received upon the completion of this offering or the amounts that we will actually spend on the uses set forth above. The amounts and timing of our actual use of proceeds will vary depending on numerous factors, including the factors described under the heading “Risk Factors” in this prospectus supplement and under the heading “Risk Factors” beginning on page 15 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 and under the heading “Risk Factors” beginning on page 32 of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2016, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement. As a result, management will retain broad discretion over the allocation of the net proceeds from this offering, and investors will be relying on the judgment of our management regarding the application of the net proceeds.

Pending the use of the net proceeds of this offering as described above, we plan to invest the net proceeds of this offering on an interim basis in high-quality, short-term, interest-bearing obligations, investment-grade instruments or certificates of deposit.

 

S-17

---

Table of Contents

CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth our cash, cash equivalents and capitalization as of December 31, 2016:

 

∎

on an actual basis;

 

∎

on an as adjusted basis, to give effect to our issuance and sale of                ordinary shares at the public offering price of $        per share, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

 

		AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2016
		ACTUAL				AS ADJUSTED
		(In thousands, except share data)
Cash and cash equivalents		$	14,328			$
Short-term investments			30,009
Long-term debt		$	80,063			$
7% Cumulative redeemable preference shares			17,013
Shareholders’ equity:
Ordinary shares (no par value), 29,511,775 issued and outstanding actual; issued and outstanding as adjusted			172,288
Additional paid in capital			14,753
Accumulated other comprehensive loss			(19,130	)
Accumulated deficit			(172,993	)
Total shareholders’ equity (deficit)			(5,082	)
Total Capitalization		$	91,994			$

The above does not include:

 

∎

175,525 ordinary shares issuable upon the exercise of warrants outstanding as of December 31, 2016, at a weighted average exercise price of $13.67 per ordinary share;

 

∎

1,826,590 ordinary shares issuable upon the exercise of options outstanding as of December 31, 2016, at a weighted-average exercise price of $8.13 per ordinary share;

 

∎

668,608 ordinary shares issuable upon the vesting of RSUs and MRSUs outstanding as of December 31, 2016; and

 

∎

692,790 ordinary shares reserved for future grant or issuance under the 2014 Plan as of December 31, 2016.

In addition, for purposes of the above presentation, we have assumed no options, warrants, RSUs or MSRUs or ordinary shares were issued or granted after December 31, 2016, no outstanding warrants or options were exercised after December 31, 2016 and no outstanding RSUs or MSRUs vested after December 31, 2016. As a result, the 50,000 shares we issued on February 9, 2017 are not included in the presentation above.

The as adjusted information above is illustrative only and our capitalization following the closing of this offering will be adjusted based on the actual offering price and other terms of this offering determined at pricing. You should read this table in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations“ in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and our audited consolidated financial statements and related notes for the year ended March 31, 2016 included therein and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations“ in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes for the quarter and nine months ended December 31, 2016 included therein, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement.

 

S-18

---

Table of Contents

PRICE RANGE OF OUR ORDINARY SHARES

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low intraday sale prices of our ordinary shares as reported by The NASDAQ Global Market.

 

		HIGH				LOW
Fiscal Year 2017
Fourth Quarter		$	7.10			$	4.54
Third Quarter		$	8.42			$	3.75
Second Quarter		$	8.64			$	5.67
First Quarter		$	12.96			$	7.25
Fiscal Year 2016
Fourth Quarter		$	16.00			$	6.50
Third Quarter		$	17.44			$	11.05
Second Quarter		$	19.95			$	12.78
First Quarter		$	17.15			$	13.04
Fiscal Year 2015
Fourth Quarter		$	18.03			$	12.35
Third Quarter		$	19.89			$	9.02
Second Quarter		$	10.98			$	7.49
First Quarter (From May 27, 2014)		$	9.76			$	5.82

The closing sale price of our ordinary shares on April 3, 2017 on The NASDAQ Global Market was $6.89 per share. As of April 3, 2017, we had 20 shareholders of record.

 

S-19

---

Table of Contents

DIVIDEND POLICY

We have never declared or paid cash dividends on our ordinary shares. We currently intend to retain all available funds and any future earnings, if any, to fund the development and expansion of our business and we do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Any future determination as to the declaration and payment of dividends, if any, will be made at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend on then existing conditions, including our results of operations, financial conditions, contractual restrictions, capital requirements, business prospects and other factors our Board of Directors may deem relevant.

 

S-20

---

Table of Contents

DILUTION

Our net tangible book value as of December 31, 2016 was approximately $(5.9) million, or $(0.20) per share. Net tangible book value per share is determined by dividing our total tangible assets, less total liabilities, by the number of ordinary shares outstanding as of December 31, 2016. Dilution in net tangible book value per share represents the difference between (i) the amount per share paid by investors purchasing ordinary shares in this offering and (ii) the net tangible book value per share immediately after this offering.

After giving effect to the sale of    ordinary shares in this offering at the public offering price of $        per share, and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, our as adjusted net tangible book value as of December 31, 2016 would have been approximately $        million, or $        per share. This represents an immediate increase in net tangible book value of $        per share to existing shareholders and an immediate dilution in net tangible book value of $        per share to investors purchasing our ordinary shares in this offering.

The following table illustrates this dilution on a per share basis:

 

Public offering price per share						$
Net tangible book value per share as of December 31, 2016		$	(0.20	)
Increase in net tangible book value per share attributable to this offering		$
As adjusted net tangible book value per share after this offering						$
Dilution per share to new investors purchasing ordinary shares in this offering						$

If the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase an additional    ordinary shares at the public offering price of $        per share, our as adjusted net tangible book value per share would be $        per share, representing an immediate increase in net tangible book value of $        per share to existing shareholders and immediate dilution in net tangible book value of $        per share to investors purchasing ordinary shares in this offering.

The number of ordinary shares to be outstanding after this offering is based on 29,511,775 ordinary shares outstanding as of December 31, 2016, and excludes the following:

 

∎

175,525 ordinary shares issuable upon the exercise of warrants outstanding as of December 31, 2016, at a weighted average exercise price of $13.67 per ordinary share;

 

∎

1,826,590 ordinary shares issuable upon the exercise of options outstanding as of December 31, 2016, at a weighted-average exercise price of $8.13 per ordinary share;

 

∎

668,608 ordinary shares issuable upon the vesting of RSUs and MRSUs outstanding as of December 31, 2016; and

 

∎

692,790 ordinary shares reserved for future grant or issuance under the 2014 Plan as of December 31, 2016.

In addition, for purposes of the above presentation, we have assumed no options, warrants, RSUs or MSRUs or ordinary shares were issued or granted after December 31, 2016, no outstanding warrants or options were exercised after December 31, 2016 and no outstanding RSUs or MSRUs vested after December 31, 2016. As a result, the 50,000 shares we issued on February 9, 2017 are not included in the presentation above.

To the extent that new options are issued under the 2014 Plan or we issue additional ordinary shares in the future (including upon any exercise of our warrants or options), there will be further dilution to investors participating in this offering. See “Risk Factors—You will incur immediate and substantial dilution as a result of this offering.”

 

S-21

---

Table of Contents

CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS APPLICABLE TO HOLDERS OF ORDINARY SHARES

The following discussion is the opinion of Clifford Chance US LLP as to the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the investment in an ordinary share, based upon the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), the U.S. Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, judicial decisions, revenue rulings and revenue procedures of the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”), and other administrative pronouncements of the Internal Revenue Service, all available as of the date hereof. This discussion is applicable to U.S. Holders (as defined below) that hold our ordinary shares as capital assets for U.S. federal income tax purposes (generally property held for investment).

For purposes of this discussion you are a “U.S. Holder” if you are a beneficial owner of an ordinary share that is:

 

∎

an individual citizen or resident of the United States, as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes;

 

∎

a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;

 

∎

an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or

 

∎

a trust if it is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust.

This discussion does not address all U.S. federal income tax consequences applicable to you if you are subject to special treatment under the U.S. federal income tax laws, including if you are:

 

∎

a dealer in securities or currencies;

 

∎

a financial institution;

 

∎

a regulated investment company;

 

∎

a real estate investment trust;

 

∎

an insurance company;

 

∎

a tax exempt organization;

 

∎

a person holding our ordinary shares as part of a hedging, integrated or conversion transaction, a constructive sale or a straddle;

 

∎

a trader in securities that has elected the mark to market method of accounting for your securities;

 

∎

a person liable for alternative minimum tax;

 

∎

a U.S. expatriate or former U.S. citizen or long-term resident;

 

∎

an investor that holds ordinary shares through a financial account at a foreign financial institution that does not meet the requirements for avoiding withholding with respect to certain payments under Section 1471 of the Code;

 

∎

persons who acquired ordinary shares pursuant to the exercise of any employee share option or otherwise as compensation;

 

∎

a person who actually or constructively owns 10% or more of our voting stock; or

 

∎

a person whose “functional currency” is not the U.S. dollar.

If a partnership (including any entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds ordinary shares, the tax treatment of a partner will depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. If you are a partner of a partnership holding ordinary shares you should consult your tax advisors.

The authorities upon which this discussion is based are subject to change, which could apply retroactively, and are subject to differing interpretations, either of which could affect the U.S. federal income tax consequences discussed below. This discussion does not address all of the U.S. federal income tax consequences that may apply to you in light of your particular circumstances. Moreover, this discussion does not address any state, local or non-U.S. tax consequences, or any aspects of U.S. federal tax law other than income taxation. If you are considering an investment in ordinary shares you should consult your own tax advisors concerning the U.S. federal income tax

 

S-22

---

Table of Contents

consequences to you in light of your particular circumstances as well as any consequences arising under the laws of any other taxing jurisdiction.

The discussion below under “—Distributions” and “—Sale or Other Disposition of Ordinary Shares” is subject to the passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”) rules discussed under “—Passive Foreign Investment Company.” See the discussion under “—Passive Foreign Investment Company.”

Distributions on Ordinary Shares

Distributions will be includible in a U.S. Holder’s income as dividends to the extent paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. To the extent that the amount of any distribution exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits for a taxable year, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles, the distribution will first be treated as a tax free return of capital, and the balance in excess of a U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the shares will be taxed as capital gain recognized on a sale or exchange. However, we do not expect to calculate our earnings and profits in accordance with U.S. federal income tax principles, and, accordingly, U.S. Holders should expect that a distribution will generally be reported as a dividend (as discussed above) even if that distribution (or a portion thereof) would otherwise be treated as a tax-free return of capital or as capital gain. Such dividends will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction allowed to U.S. corporations for dividends received from other U.S. corporations.

Dividends received from a qualified foreign corporation are treated as qualified dividends provided that an investor holds the stock for at least 61 days within a specified 121-day period beginning on the date which is 60 days before the ex-dividend date and other requirements are satisfied. A non-U.S. corporation is treated as a qualified foreign corporation with respect to dividends received from that corporation on shares that are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States. U.S. Department of the Treasury guidance indicates that shares are considered to be readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States if they are listed on the NASDAQ, where our ordinary shares are currently listed. Qualified dividends received by non-corporate U.S. Holders, including individuals, are taxed at the rates applicable to long-term capital gains, which are lower than the rates applicable to ordinary income. We should be treated as a qualified foreign corporation so long as we are listed on the NASDAQ. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the application of these rules given their particular circumstances.

Generally, dividends will constitute non-U.S. source “passive category” income for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding how to account for dividends that are paid in a currency other than the U.S. dollar.

Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of Ordinary Shares

A U.S. Holder will recognize U.S. source capital gain or loss upon the sale or other taxable disposition of ordinary shares in an amount equal to the difference between the U.S. dollar value of the amount realized upon the disposition and the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in such ordinary shares Any capital gain or loss will be long-term if the ordinary shares have been held for more than one year at the time of the sale or other taxable disposition. Certain non-corporate U.S. Holders, including individuals, are eligible for reduced rates of taxation on long-term capital gains. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding how to account for sale or other disposition proceeds that are paid in a currency other than the U.S. dollar.

Medicare Contributions Tax

Certain U.S. Holders that are individuals, estates or certain trusts must pay a 3.8% tax on their “net investment income.” Net investment income generally includes, among other things, dividend income and net gains from the disposition of stock. A U.S. Holder that is an individual, estate or trust should consult its tax advisor regarding the applicability of the Medicare tax to its income and gains in respect of its investment in our ordinary shares.

 

S-23

---

Table of Contents

Passive Foreign Investment Company

In general, a non-U.S. corporation is treated as a PFIC for any taxable year in which: (i) at least 75% of its gross income for such year is passive income or (ii) at least 50% of the value (determined on a quarterly basis) of its assets during such year is attributable to assets that produce or are held for the production of passive income (the “PFIC asset test”). For this purpose, passive income includes dividends, interest, certain royalties and rents and gains from the disposition of passive assets. If a non-U.S. corporation owns, directly or indirectly, at least 25% (by value) of the stock of another corporation, such non-U.S. corporation will be treated, for purposes of the PFIC tests, as owning its proportionate share of the other corporation’s assets and receiving its proportionate share of the other corporation’s income.

Based on the composition of our income and value of our assets (determined using their fair market values), we do not believe we were a PFIC for our taxable year ended March 31, 2016 and do not currently expect to be a PFIC for the taxable year ending March 31, 2017 or the foreseeable future, although there can be no assurance in this regard because our status as a PFIC depends, in part, on the application of complex U.S. federal income tax rules, which are subject to differing interpretations. A non-U.S. corporation is classified as a PFIC in any year in which it meets either the income or asset test discussed above, which depends on the actual financial results for each year in question. Accordingly, it is possible that we may become a PFIC in the current or any future taxable year due to changes in our asset or income composition. Because we value our goodwill based on the market value of our equity, a decrease in the price of our ordinary shares may also result in our becoming a PFIC. In addition, the composition of our income and assets will be affected by how, and how quickly, we spend the cash we raised in offerings.

If we are a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder holds our ordinary shares, such U.S. Holder will be subject to special tax rules with respect to any “excess distribution” received and any gain realized from a sale or other disposition, including a pledge, of ordinary shares. Distributions received in a taxable year that are greater than 125% of the average annual distributions received during the shorter of the three preceding taxable years or a U.S. Holder’s holding period for the ordinary shares will be treated as excess distributions. Under these special tax rules:

 

∎

the excess distribution or gain will be allocated ratably over a U.S. Holder’s holding period for the ordinary shares;

 

∎

the amount allocated to the current taxable year, and any taxable year prior to the first taxable year in which we were a PFIC, will be treated as ordinary income; and

 

∎

the amount allocated to each other year will be subject to tax at the highest tax rate in effect for that year and the interest charge applicable to underpayments of tax will be imposed on the resulting tax attributable to each such year.

The tax liability for amounts allocated to taxable years prior to the year of disposition or excess distribution in which we were a PFIC cannot be offset by any net operating losses for such years, and gains (but not losses) realized on the sale or other disposition of the ordinary shares cannot be treated as capital, even if a U.S. Holder holds the ordinary shares as capital assets. In addition, non-corporate U.S. Holders will not be eligible for reduced rates of taxation on any dividends received from us, if we are a PFIC in the taxable year in which such dividends are paid or in the preceding taxable year. A U.S. Holder will be required to file Internal Revenue Service Form 8621 (or any other form specified by the U.S. Department of the Treasury) if such U.S. Holder holds our ordinary shares in any year in which we are a PFIC.

If we are a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder holds ordinary shares, our ordinary shares will continue to be treated as interests in a PFIC with respect to that U.S. Holder for all succeeding taxable years during which that U.S. Holder holds our ordinary shares unless we cease to be a PFIC and a U.S. Holder makes a “deemed sale” election with respect to the ordinary shares. If a U.S. Holder makes a deemed sale election, such U.S. Holder will be deemed to have sold ordinary shares held at their fair market value as of the last day of the last year during which we were a PFIC (the “termination date”). U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding our possible status as a PFIC as well as the benefit of making an actual or protective deemed sale election.

In certain circumstances, in lieu of being subject to the excess distribution rules discussed above, a U.S. Holder may make an election to include gain on the stock of a PFIC as ordinary income under a mark-to-market method,

 

S-24

---

Table of Contents

provided that such stock is “regularly traded” on a “qualified exchange.” In general, our ordinary shares will be treated as “regularly traded” for a given calendar year if more than a de minimis quantity of our ordinary shares is traded on a qualified exchange on at least 15 days during each calendar quarter of such calendar year. Our ordinary shares are currently listed on the NASDAQ, which should be a “qualified exchange” for this purpose. No assurance can be given that our ordinary shares will be regularly traded on a qualified exchange for purposes of the mark-to-market election.

If a U.S. Holder makes an effective mark-to-market election, such U.S. Holder will include in each year as ordinary income the excess of the fair market value of the ordinary shares at the end of the year over the adjusted tax basis in the ordinary shares. Such U.S. Holder will be entitled to deduct as an ordinary loss each year the excess of the adjusted tax basis in the ordinary shares over their fair market value at the end of the year, but only to the extent of the net amount previously included in income as a result of the mark-to-market election. A U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the ordinary shares will be increased by the amount of any income inclusion and decreased by the amount of any deductions under the mark-to-market rules. Any distributions that we make would generally be subject to the rules discussed above under “—Distributions,” except that the lower rate applicable to qualified dividend income would not apply. If a U.S. Holder makes a mark-to-market election it will be effective for the taxable year for which the election is made and all subsequent taxable years (provided that, for any subsequent taxable year in which we are not a PFIC, a U.S. Holder will not include in income mark-to-market gain or loss) unless the ordinary shares are no longer regularly traded on a qualified exchange or the IRS consents to the revocation of the election. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors about the availability and advisability of the mark-to-market election in their particular circumstances.

Investors in certain PFICs can elect to be taxed on their share of the PFIC’s ordinary income and net capital gain by making a qualified electing fund election (a “QEF election”), which, if made, would result in tax treatment different from (and generally less adverse than) the general tax treatment for PFICs described above under the excess distribution regime. We do not expect that a U.S. Holder will be eligible to make a QEF election with respect to our ordinary shares.

Each U.S. Holder is urged to consult its own tax advisor concerning the U.S. federal income tax consequences of holding ordinary shares if we are a PFIC in any taxable year during its holding period.

Holder Reporting Requirements

Certain U.S. Holders, including individuals and certain entities, that hold “specified foreign financial assets,” as defined in the Treasury regulations (which may include ordinary shares), other than in an account at a U.S. financial institution or the U.S. branch of a non-U.S. financial institution, are required to report certain information relating to such assets. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the effect, if any, of this and any other reporting requirements on their ownership and disposition of our ordinary shares. Failure to comply with applicable reporting requirements could result in the imposition of substantial penalties.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

A U.S. Holder may be subject to information reporting on amounts received by such U.S. Holder from a distribution on, or disposition of ordinary shares, unless such U.S. Holder establishes that it is exempt from these rules. If a U.S. Holder does not establish that it is exempt from these rules, it may be subject to backup withholding on the amounts received unless it provides a taxpayer identification number and otherwise complies with the requirements of the backup withholding rules. Backup withholding is not an additional tax and the amount of any backup withholding from a payment that is received will be allowed as a credit against a U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle such U.S. Holder to a refund, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

 

S-25

---

Table of Contents

JERSEY CHANNEL ISLANDS REGULATORY MATTERS

It was a condition to the consummation of this offering that, prior to the pricing of this offering, a copy of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus shall have been delivered to the registrar of companies in accordance with Article 5 of the Companies (General Provisions) (Jersey) Order 2002, and the registrar shall have given, and not withdrawn, consent to its circulation. Such consent was received on April 4, 2017.

It was a condition to the consummation of this offering that, prior to the pricing of this offering, the Jersey Financial Services Commission shall have given, and not withdrawn, its consent under Article 4 of the Control of Borrowing (Jersey) Order 1958 to the issue of our ordinary shares by the company. Such consents were received on January 18, 2012, April 24, 2014 and January 1, 2017.

It must be distinctly understood that, in giving these consents, neither the registrar of companies nor the Jersey Financial Services Commission takes any responsibility for the financial soundness of the company or for the correctness of any statements made, or opinions expressed, with regard to it.

As a result of changes to Jersey law on September 25, 2014 permitting us to participate in Nasdaq’s direct registration system, in August 2015 we enabled direct registration ownership of our ordinary shares. Please contact your broker-dealer for additional information.

If you are in any doubt about the contents of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus you should consult your stockbroker, bank manager, solicitor, accountant or other financial adviser.

The directors of the company have taken all reasonable care to ensure that the facts stated in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are true and accurate in all material respects, and that there are no other facts the omission of which would make misleading any statement in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, whether of facts or of opinion. All the directors accept responsibility accordingly.

It should be remembered that the price of securities and the income from them can go down as well as up.

 

S-26

---

Table of Contents

UNDERWRITING

Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the underwriting agreement, dated                 , 2017, between us and Jefferies LLC, as representative of the underwriters named below and sole book-running manager of this offering, we have agreed to sell to the underwriters and each of the underwriters has agreed, severally and not jointly, to purchase from us, the respective number of ordinary shares shown opposite its name below.

 

Underwriters		NUMBER OF SHARES
Jefferies LLC
BTIG, LLC
Total

The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the several underwriters are subject to certain conditions precedent such as the receipt by the underwriters of officers’ certificates and legal opinions and approval of certain legal matters by its counsel. The underwriting agreement provides that the underwriters will purchase all of the ordinary shares if any of them are purchased. If an underwriter defaults, the underwriting agreement provides that the purchase commitments of the non-defaulting underwriters may be increased or the underwriting agreement may be terminated. We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters and certain of their controlling persons against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and to contribute to payments that the underwriters may be required to make in respect of those liabilities.

The underwriters have advised us that, following the completion of this offering, they currently intend to make a market in the ordinary shares as permitted by applicable laws and regulations. However, the underwriters are not obligated to do so, and the underwriters may discontinue any market-making activities at any time without notice in their sole discretion. Accordingly, no assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the trading market for the ordinary shares, that you will be able to sell any of the ordinary shares held by you at a particular time or that the prices that you receive when you sell will be favorable.

The underwriters are offering the ordinary shares subject to their acceptance of the ordinary shares from us and subject to prior sale. The underwriters reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or modify offers to the public and to reject orders in whole or in part.

Commission and Expenses

The underwriters have advised us that they propose to offer the ordinary shares to the public at the initial public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus and to certain dealers, which may include the underwriters, at that price less a concession not in excess of $        per ordinary share. After the offering, the initial public offering price and concession may be reduced by the representative. No such reduction will change the amount of proceeds to be received by us as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus.

The following table shows the public offering price, the underwriting discounts and commissions that we are to pay the underwriters and the proceeds, before expenses, to us in connection with this offering. Such amounts are shown assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares.

 

PER SHARE

TOTAL

WITHOUT OPTION TO PURCHASE ADDITIONAL SHARES

WITH OPTION TO PURCHASE ADDITIONAL SHARES

WITHOUT OPTION TO PURCHASE ADDITIONAL SHARES

WITH OPTION TO PURCHASE ADDITIONAL SHARES

Public offering price

$

$

$

$

Underwriting discounts and commissions

$

$

$

$

Proceeds to us, before expenses

$

$

$

$

 

S-27

---

Table of Contents

We estimate expenses payable by us in connection with this offering, other than the underwriting discounts and commissions referred to above, will be approximately $         . We have also agreed to reimburse the underwriters up to $25,000 for their FINRA counsel fee. In accordance with FINRA Rule 5110, this reimbursed fee is deemed underwriting compensation for this offering.

Listing

Our ordinary shares are listed on The NASDAQ Global Market under the trading symbol “QTNT”.

Stamp Taxes

If you purchase ordinary shares offered in this prospectus, you may be required to pay stamp taxes and other charges under the laws and practices of the country of purchase, in addition to the offering price listed on the cover page of this prospectus.

Option to Purchase Additional Shares

We have granted to the underwriters an option, exercisable for 30 days from the date of this prospectus, to purchase, from time to time, in whole or in part, up to an aggregate of                  shares from us at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, less underwriting discounts and commissions. If the underwriters exercise this option, each underwriter will be obligated, subject to specified conditions, to purchase a number of additional shares proportionate to that underwriter’s initial purchase commitment, as indicated in the table above.

No Sales of Similar Securities

We have agreed that we will not (i) offer, pledge, announce the intention to sell, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, (ii) file with the SEC a registration statement under the Securities Act relating to, any of our ordinary shares or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any ordinary shares, or publicly disclose the intention to make any offer, sale, pledge, disposition or filing, or (iii) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers all or a portion of the economic consequences associated with the ownership of any ordinary shares or any such other securities (regardless of whether any of these transactions are to be settled by the delivery of ordinary shares or such other securities, in cash or otherwise), in each case without the prior written consent of Jefferies LLC for a period of 90 days after the date of this prospectus supplement other than (a) the ordinary shares to be sold hereunder, (b) issuances of ordinary shares upon the exercise or vesting of options, warrants, restricted share units or multi-year restricted share units disclosed as outstanding in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any documents incorporated by reference herein or therein, (c) any issuance to directors, executive officers or employees of ordinary shares, share options or other equity awards not exercisable for a period of 90 days after the date of this prospectus supplement under our existing equity incentive plans, (d) issuances of ordinary shares, or any securities convertible, exercisable or exchangeable for ordinary shares, issued by us in connection with the acquisition of businesses, technologies, assets or intellectual property as long as (x) the aggregate amount of any such securities does not exceed 5% of the number of ordinary shares outstanding immediately after the issuance and sale of the ordinary shares to be sold hereunder and (y) each person to whom such securities are issued agrees in writing with Jefferies LLC to be bound by a lock-up agreement or (e) post-effective amendments in respect of our registration statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-203818), as amended.

For a period of 90 days after the date of this prospectus supplement, our directors, executive officers and certain shareholders, holding in the aggregate approximately 10,511,306 of our ordinary shares as of April 3, 2017, have agreed that they will not, without the prior written consent of Jefferies LLC, (1) sell, offer to sell, contract or agree to sell, hypothecate, pledge, grant any option to purchase or otherwise dispose of or agree to dispose of, directly or indirectly, or file (or participate in the filing of) a registration statement in respect of, or establish or increase a put equivalent position or liquidate or decrease a call equivalent position within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act with respect to, any ordinary shares or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for our ordinary shares (including, without limitation, ordinary shares or such other securities which may be deemed to be beneficially owned by such directors, executive officers, managers and members in accordance with the rules

 

S-28

---

Table of Contents

and regulations of the SEC and securities which may be issued upon exercise of a stock option or warrant), (2) enter into any swap or other agreement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the ordinary shares or any of our other securities that are substantially similar to the ordinary shares, or any securities convertible into or exercisable for, or any warrants or other rights to acquire, our ordinary shares, whether any such transaction described in clause (1) or (2) above is to be settled by delivery of ordinary shares or such other securities, in cash or otherwise, or (3) publicly announce an intention to effect any transaction specified in clause (1) or (2) other than (a) the registration of the offer or sale of the ordinary shares to be sold hereunder, (b) bona fide gifts, (c) dispositions to any trust for the direct or indirect benefit of the director, executive officer or shareholder and/or their immediate family, (d) dispositions by will, other testamentary document or intestate succession to the legal representative, heir, beneficiary or a member of the immediate family of the director, executive officer or shareholder, (e) as a distribution to the limited partners, members, trust beneficiaries or shareholders of the shareholder, (f) dispositions to the director’s, executive officer’s or shareholder’s affiliates, or to any investment fund or other entity controlled or managed by, directly or indirectly, the director, executive officer or shareholder, or (g) the entry into any trading plan established pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act, provided that such plan does not provide for any sales or other dispositions of ordinary shares during the 90 days after the date of this prospectus supplement, no public announcement or public disclosure of entry into such plan is made or required to be made, and the director, executive officer or shareholder does not otherwise voluntarily effect any public announcement or public disclosure regarding the entry into or existence of any such plan; provided that, in the case of any transfer or disposition pursuant to clauses (b) through (f), (i) each transferee, distributee or recipient shall execute and deliver to Jefferies LLC a lock-up agreement, (ii) no public announcement or public disclosure of entry into such plan is voluntarily made or required to be made and (iii) any such transfer or distribution shall not involve a disposition for value.

Jefferies LLC may, in its sole discretion and at any time or from time to time before the termination of the 90-day period release all or any portion of the securities subject to lock-up agreements. There are no existing agreements between the underwriters and any of our shareholders who will execute a lock-up agreement, providing consent to the sale of shares prior to the expiration of the lock-up period.

Stabilization

The underwriters have advised us that, pursuant to Regulation M under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, certain persons participating in the offering may engage in short sale transactions, stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions or the imposition of penalty bids in connection with this offering. These activities may have the effect of stabilizing or maintaining the market price of the ordinary shares at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. Establishing short sales positions may involve either “covered” short sales or “naked” short sales.

“Covered” short sales are sales made in an amount not greater than the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares of our ordinary shares in this offering. The underwriters may close out any covered short position by either exercising their option to purchase additional ordinary shares or purchasing ordinary shares in the open market. In determining the source of shares to close out the covered short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of shares available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase shares through the option to purchase additional shares.

“Naked” short sales are sales in excess of the option to purchase additional ordinary shares. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing shares in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the ordinary shares in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in this offering.

A stabilizing bid is a bid for the purchase of ordinary shares on behalf of the underwriters for the purpose of fixing or maintaining the price of the ordinary shares. A syndicate covering transaction is the bid for or the purchase of ordinary shares on behalf of the underwriters to reduce a short position incurred by the underwriters in connection with the offering. Similar to other purchase transactions, the underwriters’ purchases to cover the syndicate short sales may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our ordinary shares or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of our ordinary shares. As a result, the price of our ordinary shares may be higher than

 

S-29

---

Table of Contents

the price that might otherwise exist in the open market. A penalty bid is an arrangement permitting the underwriters to reclaim the selling concession otherwise accruing to a syndicate member in connection with the offering if the ordinary shares originally sold by such syndicate member are purchased in a syndicate covering transaction and therefore have not been effectively placed by such syndicate member.

Neither we nor the underwriters make any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of ordinary shares. The underwriters are not obligated to engage in these activities and, if commenced, any of the activities may be discontinued at any time.

The underwriters may also engage in passive market making transactions in our ordinary shares on The NASDAQ Global Select Market in accordance with Rule 103 of Regulation M during a period before the commencement of offers or sales of our ordinary shares in this offering and extending through the completion of distribution. A passive market maker must display its bid at a price not in excess of the highest independent bid of that security. However, if all independent bids are lowered below the passive market maker’s bid, that bid must then be lowered when specified purchase limits are exceeded.

Electronic Distribution

A prospectus in electronic format may be made available by e-mail or on the web sites or through online services maintained by the underwriters or their affiliates. In those cases, prospective investors may view offering terms online and may be allowed to place orders online. The underwriters may agree with us to allocate a specific number of ordinary shares for sale to online brokerage account holders. Any such allocation for online distributions will be made by the underwriters on the same basis as other allocations. Other than the prospectus in electronic format, the information on the underwriters’ web sites and any information contained in any other web site maintained by any of the underwriters is not part of this prospectus, has not been approved and/or endorsed by us or the underwriters and should not be relied upon by investors.

Other Activities and Relationships

The underwriters and certain of their affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, financing and brokerage activities. The underwriters and certain of their affiliates have, from time to time, performed, and may in the future perform, various commercial and investment banking and financial advisory services for us and our affiliates, for which they received or will receive customary fees and expenses.

In the ordinary course of their various business activities, the underwriters and certain of their affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers, and such investment and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments issued by us and our affiliates. If the underwriters or their affiliates have a lending relationship with us, they routinely hedge their credit exposure to us consistent with their customary risk management policies. The underwriters and their affiliates may hedge such exposure by entering into transactions which consist of either the purchase of credit default swaps or the creation of short positions in our securities or the securities of our affiliates, including potentially the ordinary shares offered hereby. Any such short positions could adversely affect future trading prices of the ordinary shares offered hereby. The underwriters and certain of their affiliates may also communicate independent investment recommendations, market color or trading ideas and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or instruments and may at any time hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.

 

S-30

---

Table of Contents

NOTICE TO INVESTORS

Canada

Resale Restrictions

The distribution of the securities in Canada is being made only in the provinces of Ontario, Quebec, Alberta and British Columbia on a private placement basis exempt from the requirement that we prepare and file a prospectus with the securities regulatory authorities in each province where trades of these securities are made. Any resale of the securities in Canada must be made under applicable securities laws which may vary depending on the relevant jurisdiction, and which may require resales to be made under available statutory exemptions or under a discretionary exemption granted by the applicable Canadian securities regulatory authority. Purchasers are advised to seek legal advice prior to any resale of the securities.

Representations of Canadian Purchasers

By purchasing the securities in Canada and accepting delivery of a purchase confirmation, a purchaser is representing to us and the dealer from whom the purchase confirmation is received that:

 

∎

the purchaser is entitled under applicable provincial securities laws to purchase the securities without the benefit of a prospectus qualified under those securities laws as it is an “accredited investor” as defined under National Instrument 45-106—Prospectus Exemptions;

 

∎

the purchaser is a “permitted client” as defined in National Instrument 31-103—Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations;

 

∎

where required by law, the purchaser is purchasing as principal and not as agent; and

 

∎

the purchaser has reviewed the text above under Resale Restrictions.

Conflicts of Interest

Canadian purchasers are hereby notified that Jefferies LLC is relying on the exemption set out in section 3A.3 or 3A.4, if applicable, of National Instrument 33-105—Underwriting Conflicts from having to provide certain conflict of interest disclosure in this document.

Statutory Rights of Action

Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if the prospectus (including any amendment thereto) such as this document contains a misrepresentation, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory. The purchaser of these securities in Canada should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal advisor.

Enforcement of Legal Rights

All of our directors and officers as well as the experts named herein may be located outside of Canada and, as a result, it may not be possible for Canadian purchasers to effect service of process within Canada upon us or those persons. All or a substantial portion of our assets and the assets of those persons may be located outside of Canada and, as a result, it may not be possible to satisfy a judgment against us or those persons in Canada or to enforce a judgment obtained in Canadian courts against us or those persons outside of Canada.

Taxation and Eligibility for Investment

Canadian purchasers of the securities should consult their own legal and tax advisors with respect to the tax consequences of an investment in the securities in their particular circumstances and about the eligibility of the securities for investment by the purchaser under relevant Canadian legislation.

 

S-31

---

Table of Contents

Australia

This prospectus is not a disclosure document for the purposes of Australia’s Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) of Australia, or Corporations Act, has not been lodged with the Australian Securities & Investments Commission and is only directed to the categories of exempt persons set out below. Accordingly, if you receive this prospectus in Australia:

You confirm and warrant that you are either:

 

∎

a “sophisticated investor” under section 708(8)(a) or (b) of the Corporations Act;

 

∎

a “sophisticated investor” under section 708(8)(c) or (d) of the Corporations Act and that you have provided an accountant’s certificate to the company which complies with the requirements of section 708(8)(c)(i) or (ii) of the Corporations Act and related regulations before the offer has been made; or

 

∎

a “professional investor” within the meaning of section 708(11)(a) or (b) of the Corporations Act.

To the extent that you are unable to confirm or warrant that you are an exempt sophisticated investor or professional investor under the Corporations Act any offer made to you under this prospectus is void and incapable of acceptance.

You warrant and agree that you will not offer any of the shares issued to you pursuant to this prospectus for resale in Australia within 12 months of those securities being issued unless any such resale offer is exempt from the requirement to issue a disclosure document under section 708 of the Corporations Act.

European Economic Area

In relation to each member state of the European Economic Area which has implemented the Prospectus Directive, each referred to herein as a Relevant Member State, with effect from and including the date on which the Prospectus Directive is implemented in that Relevant Member State, referred to herein as the Relevant Implementation Date, no offer of any securities which are the subject of the offering contemplated by this prospectus has been or will be made to the public in that Relevant Member State other than any offer where a prospectus has been or will be published in relation to such securities that has been approved by the competent authority in that Relevant Member State or, where appropriate, approved in another Relevant Member State and notified to the relevant competent authority in that Relevant Member State in accordance with the Prospectus Directive, except that with effect from and including the Relevant Implementation Date, an offer of such securities may be made to the public in that Relevant Member State:

 

∎

to any legal entity which is a “qualified investor” as defined in the Prospectus Directive;

 

∎

to fewer than 150 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Directive), as permitted under the Prospectus Directive, subject to obtaining the prior consent of the underwriters for any such offer; or

 

∎

in any other circumstances falling within Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive,

provided that no such offer of securities shall require the Company or the underwriters to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 16 of the Prospectus Directive.

For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer to the public” in relation to any securities in any Relevant Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the securities to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe the securities, as the same may be varied in that Relevant Member State by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that Relevant Member State and the expression “Prospectus Directive” means Directive 2003/71/EC (and amendments thereto, including Directive 2010/73/EU, the “2010 PD Amending Directive”), and includes any relevant implementing measure in the Relevant Member State.

Hong Kong

No securities have been offered or sold, and no securities may be offered or sold, in Hong Kong, by means of any document, other than to persons whose ordinary business is to buy or sell shares or debentures, whether as principal or agent; or to “professional investors” as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571) of Hong Kong and any rules made under that Ordinance; or in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a

 

S-32

---

Table of Contents

“prospectus” as defined in the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32) of Hong Kong or which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap.32) of Hong Kong. No document, invitation or advertisement relating to the securities has been issued or may be issued or may be in the possession of any person for the purpose of issue (in each case whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere), which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public of Hong Kong (except if permitted under the securities laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to securities which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571) of Hong Kong and any rules made under that Ordinance.

This prospectus has not been registered with the Registrar of Companies in Hong Kong. Accordingly, this prospectus may not be issued, circulated or distributed in Hong Kong, and the securities may not be offered for subscription to members of the public in Hong Kong. Each person acquiring the securities will be required, and is deemed by the acquisition of the securities, to confirm that he is aware of the restriction on offers of the securities described in this prospectus and the relevant offering documents and that he is not acquiring, and has not been offered any securities in circumstances that contravene any such restrictions.

Japan

The offering has not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan (Law No. 25 of 1948 of Japan, as amended), or FIEL, and the Initial Purchaser will not offer or sell any securities, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of Japan (which term as used herein means, unless otherwise provided herein, any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan), or to others for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to a resident of Japan, except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of, and otherwise in compliance with, the FIEL and any other applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines of Japan.

Singapore

This prospectus has not been and will not be lodged or registered with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this prospectus and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or the invitation for subscription or purchase of the securities may not be issued, circulated or distributed, nor may the securities be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to the public or any member of the public in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore, or the SFA, (ii) to a relevant person as defined under Section 275(2), or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A) of the SFA, and in accordance with the conditions, specified in Section 275 of the SFA, or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of any other applicable provision of the SFA.

Where the securities are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 of the SFA by a relevant person which is:

 

∎

a corporation (which is not an accredited investor as defined under Section 4A of the SFA) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor; or

 

∎

a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary is an accredited investor,

securities (as defined in Section 239(1) of the SFA) of that corporation or the beneficiaries’ rights and interest in that trust shall not be transferable for six months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the Offer Shares under Section 275 of the SFA except:

 

∎

to an institutional investor or to a relevant person defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA, or to any person arising from an offer referred to in Section 275(1A) or Section 276(4)(i)(B) of the SFA;

 

∎

where no consideration is given for the transfer;

 

∎

where the transfer is by operation of law;

 

∎

as specified in Section 276(7) of the SFA; or

 

∎

as specified in Regulation 32 of the Securities and Futures (Offers of Investments) (Shares and Debentures) Regulations 2005 of Singapore.

 

S-33

---

Table of Contents

Switzerland

The securities may not be publicly offered in Switzerland and will not be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange, or SIX, or on any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. This prospectus has been prepared without regard to the disclosure standards for issuance prospectuses under art. 652a or art. 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations or the disclosure standards for listing prospectuses under art. 27 ff. of the SIX Listing Rules or the listing rules of any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. Neither this prospectus nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the securities or the offering may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland.

Neither this prospectus nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the offering, the Company or the securities have been or will be filed with or approved by any Swiss regulatory authority. In particular, this prospectus will not be filed with, and the offer of securities will not be supervised by, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority, or FINMA, and the offer of securities has not been and will not be authorized under the Swiss Federal Act on Collective Investment Schemes, or CISA. The investor protection afforded to acquirers of interests in collective investment schemes under the CISA does not extend to acquirers of securities.

United Kingdom

This prospectus is only being distributed to, and is only directed at, persons in the United Kingdom that are qualified investors within the meaning of Article 2(1)(e) of the Prospectus Directive that are also (i) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended, referred to herein as the Order, and/or (ii) high net worth entities falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order and other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated. Each such person is referred to herein as a Relevant Person.

This prospectus and its contents are confidential and should not be distributed, published or reproduced (in whole or in part) or disclosed by recipients to any other persons in the United Kingdom. Any person in the United Kingdom that is not a Relevant Person should not act or rely on this document or any of its contents.

Israel

This document does not constitute a prospectus under the Israeli Securities Law, 5728-1968, or the Securities Law, and has not been filed with or approved by the Israel Securities Authority. In the State of Israel, this document is being distributed only to, and is directed only at, and any offer of the ordinary shares is directed only at, investors listed in the first addendum, or the Addendum, to the Israeli Securities Law, consisting primarily of joint investment in trust funds, provident funds, insurance companies, banks, portfolio managers, investment advisors, members of the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, underwriters, venture capital funds, entities with equity in excess of NIS 50 million and “qualified individuals”, each as defined in the Addendum (as it may be amended from time to time), collectively referred to as qualified investors (in each case purchasing for their own account or, where permitted under the Addendum, for the accounts of their clients who are investors listed in the Addendum). Qualified investors will be required to submit written confirmation that they fall within the scope of the Addendum, are aware of the meaning of same and agree to it.

 

S-34

---

Table of Contents

LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the issuance of our ordinary shares offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Carey Olsen, our Jersey, Channel Islands counsel, and certain other matters will be passed upon for us by Clifford Chance US LLP, New York, New York. Covington & Burling LLP, New York, New York, is counsel to the underwriters in connection with this offering.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of Quotient Limited appearing in Quotient Limited’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2016 have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon (which contains an explanatory paragraph describing conditions that raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern as described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements), included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We have filed a registration statement, of which the accompanying prospectus is a part, covering the ordinary shares offered hereby. As allowed by SEC rules, the accompanying prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement and the exhibits thereto. We refer you to the registration statement and the exhibits thereto for further information. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is qualified in its entirety by such other information.

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. These filings are available for inspection and copying at the public reference room of the SEC, 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, DC 20549. Information about the operation of the public reference room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. Our SEC filings, including the registration statement of which the accompanying prospectus is a part, are also available to you on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. We also maintain a website on the Internet with the address of www.quotientbd.com where you can find additional information. All internet addresses provided in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus are for information purposes only and are not intended to be hyperlinks. We are not incorporating by reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus the information on our website or any other website, except for the information specifically incorporated by reference herein, and you should not consider our website or any other website to be a part of this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or other offering materials.

 

S-35

---

Table of Contents

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference the information we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document that we have filed separately with the SEC. You should read the information incorporated by reference because it is an important part of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. We incorporate by reference the following information or documents that we have filed with the SEC (excluding those portions of any Form 8-K that are not deemed “filed” pursuant to the General Instructions of Form 8-K):

 

∎

our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2016 filed with the SEC on May 31, 2016;

 

∎

our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended June 30, 2016, September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2016 filed with the SEC on August 9, 2016, November 11, 2016 and February 7, 2017, respectively;

 

∎

our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on August 3, 2016, October 14, 2016, October 31, 2016 (SEC Accession No. 0001564590-16-026530), November 8, 2016, November 15, 2016 and February 14, 2017;

 

∎

Amendment No. 3 to Form 8-A/A filed with the SEC on October 30, 2015; and

 

∎

our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed with the SEC on July 26, 2016 (but only with respect to information required by Part III of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2016).

All reports and other documents we subsequently file pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the termination of this offering, including all such reports and documents we may file with the SEC from the date of this prospectus supplement until we have sold all of the ordinary shares to which this prospectus supplement relates or the offering is otherwise terminated, but excluding any information furnished to, rather than filed with, the SEC, will also be incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and deemed to be part of this prospectus supplement from the date of the filing of such reports and documents.

Any statement contained in any document incorporated by reference herein or in the accompanying prospectus shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus supplement to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus supplement modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus supplement.

All of the documents that are incorporated by reference are available at the web site maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. In addition, if you request, either orally or in writing, we will provide you with a copy of any or all documents that are incorporated by reference. Such documents will be provided to you free of charge, but will not contain any exhibits, unless those exhibits are incorporated by reference into the document. Requests should be addressed to the Company Secretary at Quotient Limited, 9 Castle Street, St Helier, JE2 3RT, Jersey, Channel Islands.

 

S-36

---

Table of Contents

QUOTIENT LIMITED

Ordinary Shares, Preference Shares, Debt Securities, Rights to Purchase Ordinary Shares, Rights to Purchase Preference Shares, Warrants to Purchase Ordinary Shares, Warrants to Purchase Preference Shares and Warrants to Purchase Debt Securities

 

 

We may offer and sell, from time to time, the securities covered by this prospectus. This prospectus describes some of the general terms that may apply to these securities and the general manner in which they may be offered. We will provide the specific terms of these securities and such offerings in supplements to this prospectus. The prospectus supplements may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. The prospectus supplements will also contain information, where applicable, about certain federal income tax considerations relating to, and any listing on a securities exchange of, the securities covered by such prospectus supplement. You should read this prospectus and any supplements carefully before you make an investment decision.

We may sell these securities to or through underwriters and also to other purchasers or through agents, or directly to purchasers, on a continuous or delayed basis. The names of any underwriters or agents and the specific terms of a plan of distribution will be stated in an accompanying prospectus supplement. More information about how these securities may be offered and sold is included in the section entitled “Plan of Distribution” contained in this prospectus. No securities may be sold without delivery of a prospectus supplement describing the method and terms of the offering of those securities.

Our ordinary shares and the warrants sold in our initial public offering are listed on The NASDAQ Global Market under the symbols “QTNT” and “QTNTW,” respectively. The last reported sale price of our ordinary shares and warrants on The NASDAQ Global Market on July 30, 2015 was $16.40 per share and $5.95 per warrant.

We are an “emerging growth company” under applicable Securities and Exchange Commission rules and, as such, have elected to comply with certain reduced public company reporting requirements for this prospectus and future filings.

 

 

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Before buying any of our securities, you should carefully read the discussion of material risks of investing in our securities described in our Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, which is incorporated herein by reference, in addition to the other information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, in an applicable prospectus supplement or in other offering material. Please see the section entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 2 of this prospectus, as well as the sections entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 15 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2015.

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.

No Jersey, Channel Islands regulatory consent is required in respect of this prospectus and, consequently, no consent has been sought from the Jersey Financial Services Commission in connection with this prospectus.

 

 

The date of this prospectus is August 17, 2015.

---

Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

		Page
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS			iii
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY			1
RISK FACTORS			2
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS			3
USE OF PROCEEDS			5
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERENCE SHARE DIVIDENDS OF QUOTIENT LIMITED			6
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE OFFERED SECURITIES			7
DESCRIPTION OF SHARE CAPITAL			8
DESCRIPTION OF THE DEBT SECURITIES			15
DESCRIPTION OF THE RIGHTS TO PURCHASE ORDINARY SHARES OR PREFERENCE SHARES			23
DESCRIPTION OF THE WARRANTS TO PURCHASE ORDINARY SHARES OR PREFERENCE SHARES			24
DESCRIPTION OF THE WARRANTS TO PURCHASE DEBT SECURITIES			31
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION			33
LEGAL MATTERS			36
EXPERTS			37
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION			38
INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE			39

 

- i -

---

Table of Contents

We have not authorized anyone to provide any information or to make any representations other than that contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or any other offering material prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you. Do not rely upon any information or representations made outside of such sources. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. We are not making an offer to sell, or soliciting an offer to buy, these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer, sale or solicitation is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or any other offering material prepared by us is accurate only as of its respective date. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since such date.

We further note that the representations, warranties and covenants made by us in any agreement that is filed as an exhibit either to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part or any document incorporated by reference herein or in any prospectus supplement were made solely for the benefit of the parties to such agreement, including, in some cases, for the purpose of allocating risk among the parties to such agreement, and should not be deemed to be a representation, warranty or covenant made to you or for your benefit. Moreover, such representations, warranties or covenants were accurate only as of the date they were made. Accordingly, such representations, warranties and covenants should not be relied on as accurately representing the current state of our affairs.

Our trademark portfolio includes both United States and foreign trademark registrations and pending United States and foreign trademark applications. Other trademarks or trade names referred to in this prospectus or the documents incorporated by reference herein are the property of their respective owners. Solely for convenience, the trademarks and trade names in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein are generally 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.

Certain market and industry data and forecasts included in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or any other offering material were obtained from independent market research, industry publications and surveys, governmental agencies and publicly available information. We did not fund and are not otherwise affiliated with the third party sources that we cite. Industry surveys, publications and forecasts generally state that the information contained therein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but that the accuracy and completeness of such information is not guaranteed. While we are not aware of any misstatements regarding the market or industry data presented or incorporated by reference herein or in any prospectus supplement or other offering material, our estimates involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors, including those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in this prospectus.

Our fiscal year ends on March 31. Unless otherwise noted, any reference to a year preceded by the word “fiscal” refers to the twelve months ended March 31 of that year. For example, references to “fiscal 2015” refer to the twelve months ended March 31, 2015. Any reference to a year not preceded by “fiscal” refers to a calendar year.

For investors outside of the United States: We have not done anything that would permit possession or distribution of this prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required, other than the United States. Persons outside of the United States who come into possession of this prospectus must inform themselves about, and observe any restrictions relating to, the offering of the securities and the distribution of this prospectus outside of the United States.

 

- ii -

---

Table of Contents

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus provides you with a general description of the ordinary shares, preference shares, debt securities, rights to purchase ordinary shares or preference shares and warrants to purchase ordinary shares, preference shares or debt securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide you with this prospectus and a prospectus supplement or other offering material, if applicable, that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement or other offering material may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement or other offering material together with additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference.” Information incorporated by reference after the date of this prospectus may add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. Any information in such subsequent filings that is inconsistent with this prospectus will supersede the information in this prospectus or any earlier prospectus supplement.

This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, using a “shelf registration” process. Under a shelf registration process, we may, from time to time, sell the securities covered by this prospectus in one or more offerings. This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement do not contain all of the information included in the registration statement. For further information, we refer you to the registration statement, including its exhibits, which can be read at the SEC’s web site (www.sec.gov) or at the SEC’s offices referred to under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

This prospectus contains summaries of certain provisions contained in some of the documents described herein, but reference is made to the actual documents for complete information. All of the summaries are qualified in their entirety by the actual documents. Copies of some of the documents referred to herein have been filed or will be filed or incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and you may obtain copies of those documents as described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference.” You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date of each document.

 

- iii -

---

Table of Contents

 

- 1 -

---

Table of Contents

RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Before buying any of our securities, you should carefully consider the discussion of material risks of investing in our securities described in our SEC filings, including our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, which is incorporated herein by reference, in addition to the other information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, in an applicable prospectus supplement or in other offering material, before purchasing any of our securities. Any of these risks could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial may also materially and adversely affect our business operations.

 

- 2 -

---

Table of Contents

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, and other future conditions, and include estimates and projections. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as “strategy,” “objective,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “predict,” “project,” “target,” “potential,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “continue,” “contemplate,” “might,” “design” and other similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Although we believe that we have a reasonable basis for each forward-looking statement contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, we caution you that these statements are based on a combination of facts and factors currently known by us and our expectations of the future, about which we cannot be certain, and are subject to numerous known and unknown risks and uncertainties.

Forward-looking statements include statements about:

 

•

the development, regulatory approval and commercialization of MosaiQTM;

 

•

the design of blood grouping and disease screening capabilities of MosaiQTM and the benefits of MosaiQTM for both customers and patients;

 

•

future demand for and customer adoption of MosaiQTM, the factors that we believe will drive such demand and our ability to address such demand;

 

•

our expected profit margins for MosaiQ™;

 

•

the size of the market for MosaiQ™;

 

•

the regulation of MosaiQTM by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or the FDA, or other regulatory bodies, or any unanticipated regulatory changes or scrutiny by such regulators;

 

•

future plans for our conventional reagent products;

 

•

the status of our future relationships with customers, suppliers, and regulators relating to our conventional reagent products;

 

•

future demand for our conventional reagent products and our ability to meet such demand;

 

•

our ability to manage the risks associated with international operations;

 

•

anticipated changes, trends and challenges in our business and the transfusion diagnostics market;

 

•

the effects of competition;

 

•

the expected outcome or impact of pending or threatened litigation;

 

•

our ability to protect our intellectual property and operate our business without infringing upon the intellectual property rights of others;

 

•

our anticipated cash needs and our expected sources of funding, including proceeds from exercises of our outstanding warrants, and our estimates regarding our capital requirements and capital expenditures (including the expected cost of a new expanded manufacturing facility in Edinburgh, Scotland); and

 

•

our plans for executive and director compensation for the future.

We may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in our forward-looking statements, and you should not place significant reliance on our forward-looking statements. The inclusion of forward-looking information should not be regarded as a representation by us or any other person that the future plans, estimates or expectations that we contemplate will be achieved. Actual results or events could differ materially from the plans, intentions and expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements we make.

 

- 3 -

---

Table of Contents

Important factors that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include those identified under the heading “Risk Factors” in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any other offering material and the factors referenced in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, which is incorporated by reference herein, including those set forth under “Risk Factors”, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” therein. These factors should not be construed as exhaustive, and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements included in and incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any other offering material.

Many important factors, in addition to the factors described in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein, may adversely and materially affect our results as indicated in forward-looking statements. You should read this prospectus, the documents that we have incorporated by reference herein and the documents that we have filed as exhibits to either the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part or any document incorporated by reference herein, as well as any prospectus supplement or other offering material, completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different and worse from what we expect.

The forward-looking statements in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein represent our views as of the date of this prospectus or such document, as applicable. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

 

- 4 -

---

Table of Contents

USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless otherwise disclosed in the applicable prospectus supplement, we expect to use the net proceeds from the sale of the offered securities under this prospectus to continue the development of MosaiQ^TM, as described elsewhere in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein, as well as for working capital, operating expenses and other general corporate purposes.

 

- 5 -

---

Table of Contents

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERENCE SHARE DIVIDENDS OF QUOTIENT LIMITED

The ratios of earnings to fixed charges for each of the periods indicated are set forth in the following table. Our earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges for each of those periods. For the periods indicated, we had no outstanding preference shares with required dividend payments. Therefore, earnings were insufficient to cover combined fixed charges and preference share dividends by the same amounts referenced in footnote 1 below.

 

		Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
		2015				2014				2013				2012				2011
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges			(1	)			(1	)			(1	)			(1	)			(1	)

 

(1)

The ratio of earnings to fixed charges is computed by dividing loss before taxes plus fixed charges by fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of interest expense (including interest expense from capital leases), debt financing expense and the estimated portion of rental expense deemed by us to be representative of the interest factor of rental payments under operating leases. Earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges by $654,000, $638,000, $592,000, $1.8 million and $3.5 million for the years ended March 31, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015, respectively.

 

- 6 -

---

Table of Contents

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE OFFERED SECURITIES

We may, from time to time, offer under this prospectus, separately or together:

 

•

ordinary shares,

 

•

preference shares,

 

•

debt securities,

 

•

rights to purchase ordinary shares,

 

•

rights to purchase preference shares,

 

•

warrants to purchase ordinary shares,

 

•

warrants to purchase preference shares, and

 

•

warrants to purchase debt securities.

The aggregate initial offering price of the securities offered by us will not exceed $200,000,000.

 

- 7 -

---

Table of Contents

DESCRIPTION OF SHARE CAPITAL

General

Quotient Limited was originally formed as a private limited liability, no par value company named QBDG (Newco) Limited, on January 18, 2012 under the Companies (Jersey, Channel Islands) Law 1991 (referred to below, as amended, as the “Jersey Companies Law”) with the registered number 109886. The company changed its name to Quotient Biodiagnostics Holdings Limited on January 27, 2012, and changed its name to Quotient Limited on May 10, 2013. On April 3, 2014, the company’s status was changed to a public limited liability no par value company.

The registered office of Quotient Limited is at c/o Quotient Limited, P.O. Box 1075, Elizabeth House, 9 Castle Street, St Helier Jersey, Channel Islands, JE2 2QP and its principal executive office is at Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Midlothian, EH26 OPZ, United Kingdom.

Authorized and Issued Share Capital

We are a no par value company, meaning that our shares do not have any nominal or par value. Our constitutional documents permit us to issue an unlimited number of shares.

The issued share capital of our company as of July 31, 2015 was 17,029,851 fully paid ordinary shares of nil par value and 666,665 fully paid 7% cumulative redeemable preference shares of nil par value.

Ordinary Shares

Ordinary shares we may issue from time to time will have no preemptive rights or other rights to subscribe for additional ordinary shares, no rights of redemption, conversion or exchange and no sinking fund rights. In the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, the holders of our ordinary shares are entitled to share equally and ratably in our assets, if any, remaining after the payment of all our debts and liabilities and the liquidation preference of any issued and outstanding preference shares, if applicable. All of the ordinary shares offered will be fully paid and non-assessable. Holders of our ordinary shares are entitled to receive such dividends as may be lawfully declared from time to time by our board of directors.

Preference Shares

Subject to limitations contained in our Memorandum and Articles of Association and in any Statement of Rights filed at the Companies Registry in Jersey in respect of the Company and any limitations prescribed by applicable law, our Board of Directors is authorized to issue preference shares in one or more series and to fix the designation, powers, preferences and rights and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such shares, including but not limited to dividend rates, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption/repurchase (including sinking fund provisions), redemption/repurchase prices and liquidation preferences, and the number of shares constituting and the designation of any such series, without further vote or action by our shareholders. Each prospectus supplement will describe, as to the preference shares to which it relates, the title of the series, the designation, powers, preferences and rights the series, the qualifications, limitations and restrictions of the series and any other material terms of the series. All of the preference shares offered will be fully paid and non-assessable.

Existing Preference Shares

7% Cumulative Redeemable Preference Shares

On January 30, 2015, we issued in a private placement 666,665 7% cumulative redeemable preference shares, which we refer to below as the preference shares, at a price of $22.50 per share, for an aggregate

 

- 8 -

---

Table of Contents

subscription price of approximately $15 million. The material terms and provisions of the preference shares, as set forth in the Statement of Rights in relation to Preference Shares in the capital of the Company, or the Statement of Rights, are summarized below. The following description is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the Statement of Rights, which is filed as an exhibit to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 30, 2015 and incorporated by reference into this prospectus. You should review a copy of the Statement of Rights for a complete description of the terms and conditions applicable to the preference shares.

Each preference share has a right to a cumulative preferential dividend of 7% per annum of the subscription price paid for that preference share on and from the date of issue of such preference share to (but excluding) the date of redemption of such preference share, or the Preferential Dividend. The Preferential Dividend accrues quarterly and is payable in connection with the redemption of the preference shares. We have the right (but are under no obligation) to make payments from time to time of some or all of the then accrued but unpaid Preferential Dividend balance, and will not declare or pay dividends or make any other distributions of income or profits to the holders of our ordinary shares for so long as any accrued Preferential Dividend remains accrued but unpaid.

The holders of the preference shares have the right to require us to redeem the preference shares after four years, or the Holder Redemption Trigger Date, subject to our right to extend the Holder Redemption Trigger Date in one year increments up to a maximum of ten (10) years from the issue date. We have the right to redeem all or some of the preference shares at any time. The preference shares are subject to automatic redemption upon a Change of Control of our company as defined in the Statement of Rights. On the redemption of the preference shares, we will first pay the amount of the accrued Preferential Dividend and then the redemption price per preference share, which is equal to the subscription price paid therefor.

On a winding-up or liquidation of our company, the preference shares will rank pari passu with our ordinary shares with respect to the repayment of amounts paid up thereon. Immediately prior to a winding-up or liquidation of our company, all accrued and unpaid Preferential Dividends in respect of the preference shares will be capitalized into new preference shares on the basis of one (1) new preference share for each whole $22.50 of Preferential Dividend accrued.

The holders of the preference shares are subject to certain transfer restrictions and also have certain other rights described in the Statement of Rights.

Memorandum and Articles of Association

Public limited companies formed under the laws of Jersey, Channel Islands are governed in general by two organizational documents, a Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association. The Memorandum of Association sets forth the basic constitutional details of the company and its authorized share capital. The Articles of Association set forth other general corporate matters, including the rights of shareholders and provisions concerning shareholder and director meetings and directors’ terms and fees. The full text of both our Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association are exhibits to this registration statement and are also available at our website, www.quotientbd.com. Information contained on our website or that is accessible through it is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus and should not be considered to be part of this prospectus, and you should not rely on any such information in making the decision whether to purchase the ordinary shares.

Quotient Memorandum of Association

Under the Jersey Companies Law, the capacity of a Jersey company is not limited by anything contained in its Memorandum or Articles of Association. Accordingly, we are able to operate in any markets and to provide any services which are legally permissible and that the directors deem appropriate. Our Memorandum of Association permits us to issue an unlimited number of shares and warrants.

 

- 9 -

---

Table of Contents

Quotient Articles of Association

Voting rights

Each shareholder (other than holders of the preference shares) is entitled to one vote on a show of hands and to one vote per share held by such shareholder on a poll. There is no cumulative voting of shares.

Shareholders are ineligible to vote (unless our board determines otherwise) if any call or other sum presently payable by the shareholder to us in connection with such shares remains unpaid.

No holder of a preference share is entitled to vote (either in person or by proxy and whether by ballot or on a show of hands) at any general meeting of the Company or be counted in determining the total number of votes which may be cast at any such meeting, or required for the purposes of an ordinary resolution or special resolution of any members or any class of members, or for the purposes of any other consent required under our Articles of Association, except that the holders of the preference shares are entitled to receive notice of, attend and vote at any meeting of the holders of the preference shares as a class, where each holder of a preference share is entitled to vote one vote per share on a poll.

Transfer of Shares

Shareholders may transfer certificated shares through a customary share transfer form and the presentation of the applicable physical share certificate. Any of our shares purchased on NASDAQ represent only beneficial interests in the underlying aggregate certificated share position held by DTC. Transfers in “street name” through the DTC system are legally considered a transfer of the beneficial interest and are to be conducted in accordance with NASDAQ and DTC procedures.

Beneficial holders in “street name” may request at any time that actual ordinary shares in certificated form be registered in their name, which would therefore accord them full rights as legal shareholders under Jersey law. A beneficial holder’s broker may obtain on such holder’s behalf shares in certificated form through Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, our transfer agent. However, the conversion from a beneficial interest in securities legally owned by Cede & Co., the nominee used by DTC, as holder of legal title to the securities to actual securities, and vice versa, may require both time and the payment of processing fees to our transfer agent in addition to fees that may be levied by a beneficial holder’s brokerage firm.

Our Board of Directors in its discretion may suspend the registration of transfers of shares for periods not exceeding thirty (30) days in any year. Our Board of Directors may also decline to register transfers of shares:

 

•

that are not fully paid; and

 

•

upon which we have a lien.

If our Board of Directors declines to register a transfer of shares, we must notify the transferee within two (2) months thereafter.

Dividends and Other Distributions

In order to be able to declare any dividends, our directors must issue a statutory solvency statement to the effect that, immediately following the date on which the dividends are proposed to be paid, the company will be able to discharge its liabilities as they fall due and, having regard to the prospects of the company and to the intentions of the directors with respect to the management of the company’s business and the amount and character of the financial resources that will in the view of the directors be available to the company, the company will be able to continue to carry on business and discharge its liabilities as they fall due for the twelve (12) months immediately following the date on which the dividend is proposed to be paid (or until the company is dissolved on a solvent basis, if earlier).

 

- 10 -

---

Table of Contents

Dividends (other than a Preferential Dividend) must be apportioned and paid pro rata according to the amounts paid on shares, unless otherwise specified in the rights attached to a specific class or classes of shares. Dividends (other than a Preferential Dividend) do not accrue interest and may, if unclaimed, be invested by our Board of Directors on our behalf until claimed. Any dividend unclaimed after a period of twelve (12) years from the date of declaration of such dividend or the date on which such dividend became due for payment is forfeited and becomes our property.

Our Articles of Association provide that our Board of Directors may offer our shareholders the right to receive in lieu of any cash dividend (or part thereof) that we declare on our ordinary shares, such number of our ordinary shares that are (or nearly as possible) equivalent in value to the cash dividend, based on the market price of such shares determined in accordance with our Articles of Association.

The terms of our preference shares provide that, other than the Preferential Dividend, no holder of preference shares has any right to participate in any distribution made by the Company, whether of income, profits or otherwise.

Winding Up

If we are wound up (whether the liquidation is voluntary, under supervision, or by the courts of Jersey) the liquidator (or the board, where no liquidator is appointed) may, with the authority of a special resolution of our shareholders, divide among our shareholders part or all of our assets, or transfer any part of our assets to a trustee for the benefit of our shareholders.

Changes in Capital and Allotment of Securities

We may, by special resolution of our shareholders, alter our Memorandum of Association to increase or reduce the number of shares that we are authorized to issue, to consolidate all or any of our shares (whether issued or not) into fewer shares or to divide all or any of our shares (whether issued or not) into more shares, in each case in compliance with the Jersey Companies Law.

Subject to the provisions of the Jersey Companies Law, our board has the discretion to issue authorized but unissued shares.

Variation of Class Rights

The rights attaching to any class of shares may only be altered by written consent of holders of not less than two-thirds (2/3) in number of the issued shares of that class, or by special resolution of the relevant class passed at a class shareholder meeting by the holders of not less than two-thirds (2/3) in number of the issued shares of that class being voted in person or by proxy at such meeting.

Change in Control

There are no provisions in our Articles of Association which would have an effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in our control.

General Meetings

An annual general meeting and any other shareholders’ meeting (whether convened for the passing of an ordinary or a special resolution of our shareholders) shall be called by at least fourteen (14) clear days’ notice given to our shareholders, directors and our auditors.

 

- 11 -

---

Table of Contents

Borrowing Powers

Our Board of Directors has the full authority to authorize our entry into agreements to borrow money, to grant security over our assets and to issue debentures and other securities whether outright or as collateral security for any debt, liability or obligation of us or of any third party.

Directors

We may, by resolution of our shareholders, vary the minimum or maximum number of directors (subject to a minimum of two (2) directors). Currently the minimum number of directors is two (2) and there is no maximum number of directors. We currently have eight (8) members on our Board of Directors.

Shareholders are only able to appoint a person as a director at a shareholder meeting if (i) the relevant person has been recommended by our board or is a serving director who is retiring at that shareholder meeting; or (ii) if a shareholder (other than the person proposed as a director) who is entitled to attend and vote at that shareholder meeting has submitted written notice to us of their intention to nominate the relevant person during the period from (and including) the date that is one hundred twenty (120) days before, to and including the date that is ninety (90) days before, the first anniversary of the last annual general meeting of the Company meeting, along with a notice from the relevant person confirming their willingness to be appointed.

Directors are required to disclose any conflicts of interest with respect to any contract or proposed contract or any other arrangement or proposed arrangement with us.

Other Jersey, Channel Islands Law Considerations

Purchase of Own Shares

As with declaring a dividend, we may not buy back or redeem our shares unless our directors who are to authorize the buy back or redemption have made a statutory solvency statement that, immediately following the date on which the buy back or redemption is proposed, the company will be able to discharge its liabilities as they fall due and, having regard to prescribed factors, the company will be able to continue to carry on business and discharge its liabilities as they fall due for the twelve (12) months immediately following the date on which the buy back or redemption is proposed (or until the company is dissolved on a solvent basis, if earlier).

If the above conditions are met, we may purchase shares in the manner described below.

We may purchase on a stock exchange our own fully paid shares pursuant to a special resolution of our shareholders. The resolution authorizing the purchase must specify:

 

•

the maximum number of shares to be purchased;

 

•

the maximum and minimum prices which may be paid; and

 

•

a date, not being later than eighteen (18) months after the passing of the resolution, on which the authority to purchase is to expire.

We may purchase our own fully paid shares otherwise than on a stock exchange pursuant to a special resolution of our shareholders but only if the purchase is made on the terms of a written purchase contract which has been approved by an ordinary resolution of our shareholders. The shareholder from whom we propose to purchase or redeem shares is not entitled to take part in such shareholder vote in respect of the shares to be purchased.

We may fund a redemption or purchase of our own shares from any source. We cannot purchase our shares if, as a result of such purchase, only redeemable shares would remain in issue.

 

- 12 -

---

Table of Contents

If authorized by a resolution of our shareholders, any shares that we redeem or purchase may be held by us as treasury shares. Any shares held by us as treasury shares may be cancelled, sold, transferred for the purposes of or under an employee share scheme or held without cancelling, selling or transferring them. Shares redeemed or purchased by us are cancelled where we have not been authorized to hold these as treasury shares.

Mandatory Purchases and Acquisitions

The Jersey Companies Law provides that where a person has made an offer to acquire a class of all of our outstanding shares not already held by the person and has as a result of such offer acquired or contractually agreed to acquire ninety percent (90%) or more of such outstanding shares, that person is then entitled (and may be required) to acquire the remaining shares. In such circumstances, a holder of any such remaining shares may apply to the Jersey court for an order that the person making such offer not be entitled to purchase the holder’s shares or that the person purchase the holder’s shares on terms different to those under which the person made such offer.

Other than as described above, we are not subject to any regulations under which a shareholder that acquires a certain level of share ownership is then required to offer to purchase all of our remaining shares on the same terms as such shareholder’s prior purchase.

Compromises and Arrangements

Where we and our creditors or shareholders or a class of either of them propose a compromise or arrangement between us and our creditors or our shareholders or a class of either of them (as applicable), the Jersey court may order a meeting of the creditors or class of creditors or of our shareholders or class of shareholders (as applicable) to be called in such a manner as the court directs. Any compromise or arrangement approved by a majority in number representing seventy-five percent (75%) or more in value of the creditors or seventy-five percent (75%) or more of the voting rights of shareholders or class of either of them (as applicable) if sanctioned by the court, is binding upon us and all the creditors, shareholders or members of the specific class of either of them (as applicable).

Whether the capital of the company is to be treated as being divided into a single or multiple class(es) of shares is a matter to be determined by the court. The court may in its discretion treat a single class of shares as multiple classes, or multiple classes of shares as a single class, for the purposes of the shareholder approval referred to above taking into account all relevant circumstances, which may include circumstances other than the rights attaching to the shares themselves.

No Pre-Emptive Rights

The Jersey Companies Law does not confer any pre-emptive rights to purchase our shares or warrants on our security holders.

Rights of Minority Shareholders

Under Article 141 of the Jersey Companies Law, a shareholder may apply to court for relief on the ground that the conduct of our affairs, including a proposed or actual act or omission by us, is “unfairly prejudicial” to the interests of our shareholders generally or of some part of our shareholders, including at least the shareholder making the application. What amounts to unfair prejudice is not defined in the Jersey Companies Law. There may also be common law personal actions available to our shareholders.

Under Article 143 of the Jersey Companies Law (which sets out the types of relief a court may grant in relation to an action brought under Article 141 of the Jersey Companies Law), the court may make an order regulating our affairs, requiring us to refrain from doing or continuing to do an act complained of, authorizing civil proceedings and providing for the purchase of shares by us or by any of our other shareholders.

 

- 13 -

---

Table of Contents

Share Registrar (Transfer Agent)

The share registrar and transfer agent for our ordinary shares in the United States is Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, 17 Battery Place, New York, NY 10004. Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company and its affiliates in Jersey, Channel Islands are collectively responsible for managing both our legal share register in Jersey, Channel Islands and our interaction, including moving our shares into and out of, the DTC system. Our legal share register is kept at Elizabeth House, 9 Castle Street, St Helier, Jersey JE2 3RT.

Listing

Our ordinary shares are quoted on the Nasdaq Global Market under the trading symbol “QTNT.”

 

- 14 -

---

Table of Contents

DESCRIPTION OF THE DEBT SECURITIES

The following description of our debt securities sets forth certain terms and provisions of our debt securities that we may offer from time to time in one or more distinct series. This section summarizes certain terms of any debt securities that we anticipate will be common to all series. Please note that the terms of any series of debt securities that we may offer may differ significantly from the common terms described in this prospectus. Most of the specific terms of any series of debt securities that we offer, and any differences from the common terms described in this prospectus, will be described in the prospectus supplement for such securities to be attached to the front of this prospectus.

An indenture will govern any debt securities that we issue. An indenture is a contract between us and a financial institution acting as trustee on your behalf. We will enter into an indenture with an institution having corporate trust powers, which will act as trustee, relating to any debt securities that are offered by this prospectus. The indenture will be subject to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. The trustee under an indenture has the following two main roles:

 

•

the trustee can enforce your rights against us if we default; there are some limitations on the extent to which the trustee acts on your behalf, which are described later in this prospectus; and

 

•

the trustee will perform certain administrative duties for us, which include sending you interest payments and notices.

As this section is a summary of some of the terms of the debt securities we may offer under this prospectus, it does not describe every aspect of the debt securities. In particular, the form of indenture we have filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part is a base indenture which contemplates that the specific terms of any debt securities may be set forth in one or more resolutions of our board of directors or supplemental indentures to the indenture. We urge you to read the indenture and the other documents (including any supplemental indentures) we file with the SEC relating to the debt securities because the indenture for those securities and those other documents, and not this description, will define your rights as a holder of our debt securities. We have filed the form of indenture as an exhibit to the registration statement that we have filed with the SEC, and we will file any such other documents (including any supplemental indentures) as exhibits to an annual, quarterly or other report that we file with the SEC. See “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference,” for information on how to obtain copies of the indenture and any such other documents. References to the “indenture” mean the indenture that will define your rights as a holder of debt securities, a form of which we have filed as an exhibit to the registration statement. The actual indenture we enter into in connection with an offering of debt securities may differ significantly from the form of indenture we have filed.

General

The indenture does not limit the aggregate principal amount of our debt securities that we may issue. We may issue our debt securities under the indenture from time to time in one or more series. The indenture does not limit the amount of other indebtedness, or our debt securities other than secured indebtedness, which we or our subsidiaries may issue.

Unless otherwise provided in a prospectus supplement, our senior debt securities will be our unsecured obligations and will rank equally with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. Our subordinated debt securities will be our unsecured obligations and will be subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all of our senior indebtedness.

Each prospectus supplement will describe the following terms of the offered debt securities:

 

•

the title of the series;

 

•

any limit on the aggregate principal amount;

 

- 15 -

---

Table of Contents

•

the principal payment dates;

 

•

the interest rates, if any, which rate may be zero if our debt securities are issued at a discount from the principal amount payable at maturity, or the method by which the interest rates will be determined, including, if applicable, any remarketing option or similar method;

 

•

the date or dates from which interest, if any, will accrue or the method by which the date or dates will be determined;

 

•

the interest payment dates and regular record dates;

 

•

whether and under what circumstances we will pay additional amounts because of taxes or governmental charges that might be imposed on holders of our debt securities and, if so, whether and on what terms we will have the option to redeem our debt securities in lieu of paying these additional amounts; whether and on what terms we will have the option to redeem our debt securities in lieu of paying additional amounts in respect of applicable taxes, fees, duties, assessments or governmental charges that might be imposed on you and the terms of the option;

 

•

the place or places where the principal of, any premium or interest on or any additional amounts with respect to any of our debt securities will be payable, where any of our debt securities that are issued in registered form may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange, and where any of our debt securities may be surrendered for conversion or exchange;

 

•

whether any of our debt securities are to be redeemable at our option and, if so, the date or dates on which, the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the other terms and conditions upon which they may be redeemed, in whole or in part;

 

•

whether we will be obligated to redeem or purchase any of our debt securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provision or at your option, and, if so, the dates or prices and the other terms on which our debt securities must be redeemed or purchased pursuant to this obligation and any provisions for the remarketing of our debt securities so redeemed or purchased;

 

•

if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000, the denominations in which any of our debt securities to be issued in registered form will be issuable and, if other than denominations of $5,000, the denominations in which any of our debt securities to be issued in bearer form will be issuable;

 

•

whether our debt securities will be convertible into ordinary shares and/or exchangeable for other securities, whether or not issued by us and, if so, the terms and conditions upon which our debt securities will be convertible or exchangeable;

 

•

if other than the principal amount, the portion of the principal amount, or the method by which the portion will be determined, of our debt securities that will be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity of our debt securities;

 

•

if other than United States dollars, the currency of payment in which the principal of, any premium or interest on or any additional amounts on our debt securities will be paid;

 

•

whether the principal of, any premium or interest on or any additional amounts on our debt securities will be payable, at our or your election, in a currency other than that in which our debt securities are stated to be payable, and the dates and the other terms upon which this election may be made;

 

•

any index, formula or other method used to determine the amount of principal of, any premium or interest on or any additional amounts on our debt securities;

 

•

whether our debt securities are to be issued in the form of one or more global securities and, if so, the identity of the depositary for the global security or securities;

 

•

whether our debt securities are senior or subordinated and, if subordinated, the applicable subordination provisions;

 

- 16 -

---

Table of Contents

•

in the case of our subordinated debt securities, the relative degree, if any, to which our subordinated debt securities will be senior to or be subordinated to other series of our subordinated debt securities or our other indebtedness in right of payment, whether the other series of our subordinated debt securities or other indebtedness is outstanding or not;

 

•

any deletions from, modifications of or additions to our covenants;

 

•

any deletions from, modifications of or additions to our events of default;

 

•

whether the provisions described below under “Discharge, Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance” will be applicable to our debt securities;

 

•

whether any of our debt securities are to be issued upon the exercise of warrants and the time, manner and place for our debt securities to be authenticated and delivered; and

 

•

any other terms, conditions, rights and preferences of our debt securities and any other deletions from or modifications or additions to the indenture, which may not be consistent with the terms set forth in this prospectus.

We will have the ability under the indenture to “reopen” a previously issued series of debt securities and issue additional debt securities of that series or establish additional terms of that series.

Unless otherwise set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, principal of, premium and interest on our debt securities will initially be payable at the corporate trust office of the trustee or any other office or agency designated by us. Interest on our debt securities issued in registered form:

 

•

may be paid by check mailed to the persons entitled to the payments at their addresses appearing on the security register or by transfer to an account maintained by the payee with a bank located in the United States; and

 

•

will be payable on any interest payment date to the persons in whose names the debt securities are registered at the close of business on the regular record date with respect to the interest payment date.

We will designate the initial paying agents, which will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement, and may, at any time, designate additional paying agents, rescind the designation of any paying agent or approve a change in the office through which any paying agent acts. However, we are required to maintain a paying agent in each place where the principal of or any premium or interest on our debt securities are payable.

Unless otherwise set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, you may present our debt securities for transfer, duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer if so required by us or the security registrar, or exchange for other debt securities of the same series containing identical terms and provisions, in any authorized denominations, and of a like aggregate principal amount, in each case at the office or agency maintained by us for this purpose, which will initially be the corporate trust office of the trustee. Any transfer or exchange will be made without service charge, although we may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge and any other expenses then payable. We are not required to:

 

•

issue, register the transfer of, or exchange our debt securities 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 and ending at the close of business on the day of mailing; or

 

•

register the transfer of or exchange any debt security selected for redemption, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any debt security being redeemed in part.

Unless otherwise set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will only issue our debt securities in fully registered form without coupons in minimum denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000. If our debt securities are issued in bearer form, any restrictions and considerations, including offering restrictions and U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to these securities and to payment on and transfer and exchange of these securities, will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

- 17 -

---

Table of Contents

Our debt securities may be issued as original issue discount securities, which means that they will bear no interest or bear interest at a rate which, at the time of issuance, is below market rates. Our debt securities issued as original issue discount securities will be sold at a substantial discount below their principal amount.

U.S. federal income tax and other considerations applicable to original issue discount securities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

If the purchase price, or the principal of, or any premium or interest on any of our debt securities is payable in, or if any of our debt securities are denominated in, one or more foreign currencies or currency units, the restrictions, elections, U.S. federal income tax considerations, specific terms and other information will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Unless otherwise set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, the indenture will not limit our ability to incur indebtedness or protect holders of our debt securities in the event of a sudden and significant decline in our credit quality or a takeover, recapitalization or highly leveraged or similar transaction involving us. Accordingly, we could in the future enter into transactions that could increase the amount of our outstanding indebtedness or otherwise affect our capital structure or credit rating.

There is no requirement that we issue debt securities in the future under the indenture, and we may use other indentures or documentation, containing different provisions in connection with future issues of other debt securities.

Conversion and Exchange

The terms, if any, on which our debt securities are convertible into or exchangeable for, either mandatorily or at our or your option, property or cash, ordinary shares, preference shares or other securities, whether or not issued by us, or a combination of any of these, will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Global Securities

Our debt securities may be issued, in whole or in part, in the form of one or more global securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a depositary identified in the applicable prospectus supplement and registered in the name of the depositary or its nominee. Interests in any global debt security will be shown on, and transfers of our debt securities will be effected only through, records maintained by the depositary and its participants as described below.

The specific terms of the depositary arrangement will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Covenants Applicable to Debt Securities

The prospectus supplement related to an issuance of debt securities by us will set forth covenants that impose limitations and restrictions on us and our subsidiaries.

Consolidation, Amalgamation, Merger and Sale of Assets

The indenture provides that we may not:

 

•

consolidate or amalgamate with or merge into any person or convey, sell, transfer or lease our properties and assets as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to any person; or

 

•

permit any person to consolidate or amalgamate with or merge into us, or convey, sell, transfer or lease its properties and assets as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to us;

 

- 18 -

---

Table of Contents

unless:

 

•

the surviving entity (if other than us) expressly assumes the payment of all amounts on all of our debt securities and the performance of our obligations under the indenture and our debt securities;

 

•

the surviving entity (if other than us) provides for conversion or exchange rights in accordance with the provisions of our debt securities of any series that are convertible or exchangeable into ordinary shares or other securities;

 

•

immediately after giving effect to the transaction no event of default, and no event which after notice or lapse of time or both would become an event of default, will have happened and be continuing; and

 

•

we deliver an officers’ certificate and legal opinion to the trustee with respect to the transaction.

Events of Default

Unless otherwise stated in the applicable prospectus supplement, each of the following events will constitute an event of default under the indenture for any series of debt securities issued hereunder:

 

•

default in the payment of any interest on any debt security of such series when the interest becomes due and payable, and continuance of this default for a period of 30 days;

 

•

default in the payment of the principal of or any premium on any debt security of such series when the principal or premium becomes due and payable either at maturity, upon any redemption, by declaration of acceleration or otherwise;

 

•

default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment when due;

 

•

default in the performance of any covenant in respect of the debt securities of such series, and the continuance of this default for a period of 60 days after we have received written notice from the trustee or the holders;

 

•

our bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization; and

 

•

any other event of default, which will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

If an event of default with respect to our debt securities of any series, other than events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, occurs and is continuing, either the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the series may declare the principal amount, or a lesser amount as may be provided for in our debt securities, of all outstanding debt securities of the series to be immediately due and payable by written notice. At any time after a declaration of acceleration has been made, but before a judgment or decree for payment of money has been obtained by the trustee, generally, the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of the series may rescind and annul the declaration of acceleration. Any event of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization will cause the principal amount and accrued interest, or the lesser amount as provided for in our debt securities, to become immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act by the trustee or any holder.

The indenture provides that, within 90 days after the occurrence of any event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an event of default the trustee will transmit notice of the default to each holder of our debt securities unless the default has been cured or waived. However, except in the case of a default in the payment of principal of, or premium, or interest, if any, on or any sinking fund or purchase fund installment with respect to any debt security, the trustee may withhold this notice if and so long as the board of directors, executive committee or trust committee of directors and/or responsible officers of the trustee determines in good faith that the withholding of the notice is in the best interest of the holders.

If an event of default occurs and is continuing with respect to our debt securities of any series, the trustee may, in its discretion, proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the holders of our debt securities

 

- 19 -

---

Table of Contents

by all appropriate judicial proceedings. The indenture provides that, subject to the duty of the trustee during any default to act with the required standard of care, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders, unless the holders have offered the trustee reasonable indemnity. Subject to these indemnification provisions, the holders of a majority in principal amount of our outstanding debt securities of any series will generally 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 such series.

Modification and Waiver

We and the trustee may modify or amend the indenture with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series affected by the modification or amendment, so long as the modification or amendment does not, without the consent of each affected holder:

 

•

change the stated maturity of the principal of or any premium or installment of interest on any debt security;

 

•

reduce the principal amount of, or the rate, or modify the calculation of the rate, of interest on, or any premium payable upon the redemption of, any debt security;

 

•

reduce the amount of the principal of an original issue discount security that would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity of the original issue discount security or the amount provable in bankruptcy;

 

•

change the place of payment or the coin or currency in which the principal of or any premium or interest on with respect to any debt security is payable;

 

•

impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or after the stated maturity of any debt security or, in the case of redemption, on or after the redemption date or, in the case of repayment at the option of any holder, on or after the repayment date;

 

•

reduce the percentage in principal amount of our outstanding debt securities, the consent of whose holders is required in order to take specific actions;

 

•

modify any of the provisions regarding the waiver of past defaults and the waiver of specified covenants by the holders of our debt securities, except to increase any percentage of consents required;

 

•

make any change that adversely affects the right to convert or exchange any debt security into or for our ordinary shares or other securities, whether or not issued by us, cash or property in accordance with its terms;

 

•

modify any of the provisions of any supplemental indenture relating to the subordination of our subordinated debt securities in a manner adverse to holders of our subordinated debt securities; or

 

•

modify any of the above provisions of the indenture dealing with modification and waiver in any other respect, except to increase any percentage of consents required to amend the indenture or for any waiver or to add to the provisions that cannot be modified without the approval of each affected holder.

We and the trustee may modify or amend the indenture and our debt securities of any series without the consent of any holder in order to, among other things:

 

•

provide for a successor to our company pursuant to a consolidation, amalgamation, merger or sale of assets;

 

•

add to our covenants for the benefit of the holders of all or any series of our debt securities or to surrender any right or power conferred upon us;

 

•

provide for a successor trustee with respect to our debt securities of all or any series;

 

- 20 -

---

Table of Contents

•

cure any ambiguity or correct or supplement any provision which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision, or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under the indenture which will not adversely affect the interests of the holders of our debt securities of any series;

 

•

change the conditions, limitations and restrictions on the authorized amount, terms or purposes of issue, authentication and delivery of our debt securities;

 

•

add any additional events of default with respect to all or any series of our debt securities;

 

•

add guarantees of any series of our debt securities or secure any series of our debt securities;

 

•

provide for conversion or exchange rights of the holders of any series of our debt securities;

 

•

make any other change that does not materially adversely affect the interests of the holders of any of our debt securities then outstanding; or

 

•

comply with any requirement of the SEC in connection with the qualification of the indenture under the U.S. Trust Indenture Act of 1939.

The holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of our outstanding debt securities of any series may, on behalf of the holders of all debt securities of that series, waive any past default and its consequences with respect to the debt securities of that series, except a default:

 

•

in the payment of principal of or any premium or interest on the debt securities of that series; or

 

•

in respect of a covenant or provision that cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security of any series affected.

Under the indenture, we must annually furnish the trustee with a statement regarding our performance of specified obligations and any default in our performance under the indenture. We are also required to deliver to the trustee, within five days after its occurrence, written notice of any event of default, or any event which after notice or lapse of time or both would constitute an event of default, resulting from the failure to perform any covenant contained in the indenture or our debt securities.

Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

We may discharge all our obligations on our debt securities, which we refer to as defeasance, or elect to be discharged from complying with certain covenants in the indenture, except for certain ministerial obligations, like registering transfers or exchanges of our debt securities, which we refer to as covenant defeasance.

Defeasance or covenant defeasance, as the case may be, will be conditioned upon the irrevocable deposit by us with the trustee, in trust, of a cash amount or government obligations, or both, which, through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in accordance with their terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay the principal of and any premium and interest on our debt securities on the scheduled due dates.

We may only do this if, among other things:

 

•

the defeasance or covenant defeasance does not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, the indenture or any other material agreement or instrument to which we are a party or by which we are bound;

 

•

no event of default or event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become an event of default with respect to our debt securities to be defeased will have occurred and be continuing on the date of establishment of the trust and, with respect to defeasance only, there shall not have occurred a bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization at any time during the period ending on the 91st day after that date; and

 

- 21 -

---

Table of Contents

•

we have delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that you will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the defeasance or covenant defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the defeasance or covenant defeasance had not occurred. The opinion of counsel, in the case of defeasance, must refer to and be based upon a letter ruling of the Internal Revenue Service received by us, a revenue ruling published by the Internal Revenue Service or a change in applicable U.S. federal income tax law occurring after the date of the indenture.

New York Law to Govern

The indenture and our debt securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the state of New York.

We will irrevocably submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any New York state court or any U.S. federal court sitting in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, in respect of any legal action or proceeding arising out of or in relation to the indenture and the debt securities and will agree that all claims in respect of such legal action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York state or U.S. federal court and will waive, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of any such action or proceeding in any such court.

Information Concerning the Trustee

We may, from time to time, borrow from or maintain deposit accounts and conduct other banking transactions with the trustee and its affiliates in the ordinary course of business.

Under the indenture, the trustee is required to transmit annual reports to all holders regarding its eligibility and qualifications as trustee under the indenture and related matters.

 

- 22 -

---

Table of Contents

DESCRIPTION OF THE RIGHTS TO PURCHASE ORDINARY SHARES OR PREFERENCE SHARES

The following summary sets forth certain terms and provisions of the rights we may issue to our shareholders to purchase from us our ordinary shares or our preference shares. The rights will be issued pursuant to a separate rights agreement to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as rights agent at the time of issuance.

General

The rights may be issued under the rights agreement independently or together with any other securities offered by a prospectus supplement. If rights are offered, the applicable prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms and provisions of the rights, which may differ from the terms described in this prospectus. To the extent that any particular terms of the rights described in a prospectus supplement differ from any of the terms described herein, then the terms described herein will be deemed to have been superseded by that prospectus supplement. We encourage you to read the applicable rights agreement, which we will file as an exhibit to, or incorporate by reference in, the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. The prospectus supplement will include the following terms, without limitations:

 

•

the exercise price;

 

•

the date of determining the shareholders entitled to the rights distribution;

 

•

the rights agent;

 

•

the aggregate number of ordinary shares or preference shares purchasable upon exercise of the rights;

 

•

the aggregate number of rights issued;

 

•

the date, if any, on and after which the rights will be separately transferable;

 

•

the date on which the right to exercise the rights will commence, and the date on which the right will expire;

 

•

the method by which holders of rights will be entitled to exercise;

 

•

the conditions to the completion of the offering, if any;

 

•

the withdrawal, termination and cancellation rights, if any;

 

•

any applicable federal income tax considerations; and

 

•

any other terms of the rights, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the distribution, exchange and exercise of the rights.

Each right will entitle the holder of rights to purchase for cash the number of ordinary shares or preference shares at the exercise price provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. Rights may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date for the rights provided in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Exercise of Rights

Holders may exercise rights as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Upon receipt of payment and the rights certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the rights agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement, we will, as soon as practicable, forward the ordinary shares or preference shares, as applicable, purchasable upon exercise of the rights. If less than all of the rights issued in any rights offering are exercised, we may offer any unsubscribed securities directly to persons other than shareholders, to or through agents, underwriters or dealers or through a combination of such methods, including pursuant to standby arrangements, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

- 23 -

---

Table of Contents

DESCRIPTION OF THE WARRANTS TO PURCHASE ORDINARY SHARES OR PREFERENCE SHARES

The following summary sets forth certain terms and provisions of the ordinary share warrants and preference share warrants. The warrants will be issued pursuant to a share warrant agreement between us and a share warrant agent to be selected at the time of issue.

General

The share warrants may be issued under the share warrant agreement independently or together with any other securities offered by a prospectus supplement. If share warrants are offered, the applicable prospectus supplement will describe the designation and the specific terms of the share warrants, which may differ from the terms described in this prospectus. To the extent that any particular terms of the warrants described in a prospectus supplement differ from any of the terms described herein, then the terms described herein will be deemed to have been superseded by that prospectus supplement. We encourage you to read the applicable warrant agreement, which we will file as an exhibit to, or incorporate by reference in, the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. The prospectus supplement will include the following terms, without limitations:

 

•

the offering price, if any;

 

•

the designation and terms of the ordinary shares or preference shares purchasable upon exercise of the share warrants;

 

•

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

 

•

the number of ordinary shares or preference shares purchasable upon exercise of one share warrant and the initial price at which shares may be purchased upon exercise of the share warrant;

 

•

the date on which the right to exercise the share warrants shall commence and the date on which these rights shall expire;

 

•

a discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations;

 

•

any call provisions;

 

•

the currency in which the offering price, if any, and exercise price are payable;

 

•

the antidilution provisions of the share warrants;

 

•

the maximum or minimum number of warrants that may be exercised at any time;

 

•

information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any; and

 

•

any other terms of the share warrants.

The ordinary shares or preference shares issuable upon exercise of the share warrants will, when issued in accordance with the share warrant agreement, be fully paid and nonassessable. This means that the shares will be paid for in full at the time they are issued, and, once they are paid for in full, there will be no further liability for further assessments or taxation.

Exercise of Share Warrants

You may exercise your share warrants by surrendering to the share warrant agent your share warrant certificate with the form of election to purchase on the reverse of the certificate properly completed and executed by you, or your authorized agent, which signature must be guaranteed by a bank or trust company, by a broker or dealer which is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, which we refer to in this prospectus as

 

- 24 -

---

Table of Contents

the FINRA, or by a member of a national securities exchange. You must indicate on the form of election whether you are electing to exercise all or a portion of the share warrants evidenced by the certificate. You must also submit a payment of the aggregate exercise price of the share warrants to be exercised in lawful money of the United States along with your share warrant certificates, unless otherwise set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Upon receipt of the share warrant certificate, form of election and aggregate payment, if applicable, by the share warrant agent, the share warrant agent will requisition from the transfer agent for the ordinary shares or the preference shares, as the case may be, a certificate representing the number of ordinary shares or preference shares purchased for issuance and delivery to you or upon your written order. If you exercise less than all of the share warrants evidenced by any share warrant certificate, the share warrant agent shall deliver to you a new share warrant certificate representing your unexercised share warrants.

Anti-dilution and Other Provisions

The exercise price payable, the number of ordinary shares or preference shares purchasable upon the exercise of each share warrant and the number of share warrants outstanding are subject to adjustment if specified events occur. These events include:

 

•

the issuance of a stock dividend to holders of ordinary shares or preference shares; and

 

•

a combination, subdivision or reclassification of ordinary shares or preference shares.

In lieu of adjusting the number of ordinary shares or preference shares purchasable upon exercise of each share warrant, we may elect to adjust the number of share warrants. No adjustment in the number of shares purchasable upon exercise of the share warrants will be required until cumulative adjustments require an adjustment of at least 1% in the number of shares purchasable. We may also, at our option, reduce the exercise price at any time. No fractional shares will be issued upon exercise of share warrants, but we will pay the cash value of any fractional shares otherwise issuable. Notwithstanding the preceding sentences, in case of any consolidation, merger, or sale or conveyance of our property as an entirety or substantially as an entirety, you, as a share warrant holder, shall have the right to the kind and amount of shares of stock and other securities and property, including cash, receivable by a holder of the number of ordinary shares or preference shares into which your share warrants were exercisable immediately prior to this event.

No Rights as Shareholders

You will not be entitled, by virtue of being a share warrant holder, to vote, to consent, to receive dividends, to receive notice as shareholders with respect to any meeting of shareholders for the election of our directors or any other matter, or to exercise any rights whatsoever as shareholders of our company.

Existing Warrants

Warrants Sold in Initial Public Offering

The material terms and provisions of the warrants sold in our initial public offering are summarized below. For purposes of this description, we refer to these warrants as our IPO warrants. The following description is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the form of ordinary share purchase warrant, which is filed as an exhibit to our registration statement on Form S-1 filed with the SEC on April 23, 2014, and incorporated by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. You should review a copy of the form of ordinary share purchase warrant for a complete description of the terms and conditions applicable to the IPO warrants.

Term

The IPO warrants are exercisable during the period beginning on July 24, 2014 and ending at 5:30 P.M. on October 25, 2015. The term can also be extended by us at our sole discretion.

 

- 25 -

---

Table of Contents

Anti-Dilution Protection

The IPO warrants contain full ratchet anti-dilution protection upon the issuance of any ordinary shares, securities convertible into ordinary shares or certain other issuances at a price below the then-existing exercise price of the IPO warrants, with certain exceptions. The terms of the IPO warrants, including these anti-dilution protections, may make it difficult for us to raise additional capital at prevailing market terms in the future.

Exercise Price

The exercise price of the IPO warrants is $8.80 per whole ordinary share. The exercise price is subject to adjustment in the event of certain share dividends and distributions, share splits, share combinations, share issuances, reclassifications or similar events affecting our ordinary shares, as well as the anti-dilution protection described above. The exercise price can also be lowered by us at our sole discretion.

Exercisability

Holders may exercise the IPO warrants beginning on July 24, 2014 and at any time during the applicable term of the IPO warrants. The IPO warrants will be 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 in cash for the number of our ordinary shares purchased upon such exercise.

Buy-In

In addition to any other rights available to the warrant holder, if we fail to deliver ordinary shares underlying IPO warrants in accordance with their terms of exercise, and if the warrant holder is required to purchase, or the warrant holder’s brokerage firm otherwise purchases, ordinary shares to deliver in satisfaction of a sale by the warrant holder of ordinary shares which the warrant holder anticipated receiving upon such exercise, then we shall, at the holder’s request and discretion, either (i) pay cash to the warrant holder in an amount equal to the warrant holder’s total purchase price (including brokerage commissions, if any) for the ordinary shares so purchased (the “Buy-In Price”), or (ii) promptly deliver ordinary shares and pay cash to the warrant holder in an amount equal to the excess (if any) of the Buy-In Price over the product of (A) such number of ordinary shares, times (B) the VWAP on the date of exercise, as defined in the ordinary share purchase warrant.

No Fractional Shares

No fractional shares or scrip representing fractional shares shall be issued upon the exercise of the IPO warrants. As to any fraction of a share which the holder would otherwise be entitled to purchase upon such exercise, we shall, at our election, either pay a cash adjustment in respect of such final fraction in an amount equal to such fraction multiplied by the exercise price of the IPO warrant or round up to the next whole share.

Transferability

Subject to applicable laws and the restriction on transfer set forth in the IPO warrants, the IPO warrants may be transferred at the option of the holder upon surrender of the warrant to us together with the appropriate instruments of transfer.

Authorized Shares

During the period the IPO warrants are outstanding, we will reserve from our authorized and unissued ordinary shares a sufficient number of shares to provide for the issuance of ordinary shares underlying the IPO warrants upon the exercise of the IPO warrants.

 

- 26 -

---

Table of Contents

Exchange Listing

The IPO warrants are listed for trading on NASDAQ under the symbol “QTNTW.”

Fundamental Transactions

In the event of any fundamental transaction, as described in the IPO warrants and generally including any merger with or into another entity, sale of all or substantially all of our assets, tender offer or exchange offer, or reclassification of our ordinary shares, then upon any subsequent exercise of an IPO warrant the holder shall have the right to receive as alternative consideration, for each ordinary share that would have been issuable upon such exercise immediately prior to the occurrence of such fundamental transaction, the number of shares of share capital or common stock of the successor or acquiring corporation or of Quotient, if it is the surviving corporation, and any additional consideration receivable upon or as a result of such transaction by a holder of the number of ordinary shares for which the IPO warrant is exercisable immediately prior to such event. In addition, in the event of a fundamental transaction other than one in which a successor entity that is a publicly traded corporation whose share capital or stock is quoted or listed for trading on an eligible market assumes the IPO warrants such that the IPO warrants shall be exercisable for the publicly traded shares or common stock of such successor entity, we or our successor entity shall, at the holder’s option, exercisable at any time concurrently with, or within thirty (30) days after, the consummation of the fundamental transaction, purchase the IPO warrant from the holder by paying an amount of cash equal to the value of the remaining unexercised portion of the IPO warrant on the date of the consummation of such fundamental transaction, as determined by the Black Scholes option pricing model.

Right as a Shareholder

Except as otherwise provided in the IPO warrants or by virtue of such holder’s ownership of ordinary shares, the holders of the IPO warrants do not have the rights or privileges of holders of our ordinary shares, including any voting rights, until they exercise their IPO warrants.

Waivers and Amendments

Any term of the IPO warrants issued in our initial public offering may be amended or waived with our written consent and the written consent of holders representing sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the IPO warrants then outstanding. The foregoing notwithstanding, we may extend the termination date and reduce the exercise price without the consent of the holders.

Enforceability of Rights by Holders of IPO Warrants

Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Co., or the warrant agent, will act solely as our agent under the warrant agent agreement described below and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust with any holder of any warrant. The warrant agent will have no duty or responsibility in case of any default by us under the IPO warrants, including any duty or responsibility to initiate any proceedings at law or otherwise, or to make any demand upon us. Any holder of an IPO warrant may, without the consent of the warrant agent or the holder of any other IPO warrant, enforce by appropriate legal action its right to exercise, and receive the securities purchasable upon exercise of, its IPO warrants.

Registration of Ordinary Shares

No IPO warrants will be exercisable unless at the time of exercise a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the IPO warrants is effective, a prospectus relating to ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the IPO warrants is current and the ordinary shares have been registered or qualified or deemed to be exempt from registration or qualification under the securities laws of the state or other jurisdiction of residence of the holder of the IPO warrants. Under the terms of

 

- 27 -

---

Table of Contents

the IPO warrants, we have agreed to meet these conditions by using our best efforts to maintain an effective registration statement and ensure a current prospectus relating to the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the IPO warrants until the termination date of the IPO warrants, and to use our best efforts to register such ordinary shares under the securities laws of the state or other jurisdiction of residence of the holders in the event an exemption is not available. However, we cannot assure you that we will be able to do so, and if we do not maintain an effective registration statement or current prospectus related to the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the IPO warrants, we may not be able to settle any such warrant exercise. In no event will we be required to net cash settle or cash settle any warrant exercise, subject to the buy-in rights described above. If we are unable to comply with our obligation to maintain an effective registration statement or current prospectus related to the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the IPO warrants, the IPO warrants may have no value, the market for the IPO warrants may be limited and the IPO warrants may expire worthless.

Warrant Agent Agreement

On May 23, 2014, we entered into a warrant agreement with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Co. to act as agent for the IPO warrants. A holder of IPO warrants may exercise them by delivering to the warrant agent at its corporate trust department located at 17 Battery Place, 8th Floor, New York, New York 10004 a duly executed notice of exercise form, paying to the warrant agent the applicable aggregate exercise price by wire transfer or cashier’s check drawn on a U.S. bank and, to the extent required, surrendering to the warrant agent such IPO warrants for cancellation within the applicable time periods provided for in the IPO warrants.

Pre-Funded Warrants Sold in the November Private Placement

On November 26, 2014, we issued 2,000,000 newly issued ordinary shares at a price of $9.50 per share and 850,000 newly issued pre-funded warrants at a price of $9.49 per warrant in a private placement. The material terms and provisions of the pre-funded warrants sold in this private placement are summarized below. The following description is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the form of pre-funded warrant, which is filed as an exhibit to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 26, 2014, which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus. You should review a copy of the form of pre-funded warrant for a complete description of the terms and conditions applicable to the pre-funded warrants.

Term

The pre-funded warrants are exercisable at the option of the holder on any business day not later than 5:00 P.M., New York time, on or after December 1, 2014 and on or before December 1, 2017.

Exercise Price

The pre-funded warrants provide for an exercise price of $0.01 per share.

Exercise Limitations

A pre-funded warrant holder will not have the right to exercise any portion of the pre-funded warrants if the holder, together with its affiliates, would beneficially own in excess of nine point ninety-nine percent (9.99%) of the number of ordinary shares outstanding immediately after giving effect to the exercise, as such percentage ownership is determined in accordance with the terms of the pre-funded warrants. However, any holder may increase or decrease such percentage to any other percentage upon at least sixty-one (61) days’ prior notice from the holder to us.

Anti-Dilution Protection

The exercise price of the pre-funded warrants, and in some cases the number of shares issuable upon exercise of the pre-funded warrants, will be subject to adjustment in the event of share splits, share dividends, combinations, rights offerings and similar events affecting our ordinary shares.

 

- 28 -

---

Table of Contents

Exercisability

The pre-funded warrant holders must deliver an executed exercise notice, surrender the pre-funded warrants if required, and surrender payment in cash of the aggregate exercise price of the shares being acquired upon exercise of the pre-funded warrants.

Buy-in

In addition to any other rights available to the holder, if we fail to cause our transfer agent to transmit to the holder warrant shares in accordance with the terms of the pre-funded warrants, and if the holder is required by its broker to purchase (in an open market transaction or otherwise) or the holder’s brokerage firm otherwise purchases, ordinary shares to deliver in satisfaction of a sale by the holder of the warrant shares which the holder anticipated receiving upon such exercise, then we shall (A) pay in cash to the holder the amount, if any, by which (x) the holder’s total purchase price (including brokerage commissions, if any) for the ordinary shares so purchased exceeds (y) the amount obtained by multiplying (1) the number of warrant shares that we were required to deliver to the holder in connection with the exercise at issue times (2) the price at which the sell order giving rise to such purchase obligation was executed, and (B) at the option of the holder, either reinstate the portion of the pre-funded warrants and equivalent number of warrant shares for which such exercise was not honored (in which case such exercise shall be deemed rescinded) or deliver to the holder the number of ordinary shares that would have been issued had we timely complied with our exercise and delivery obligations hereunder.

No Fractional Shares

No fractional ordinary shares will be issued in connection with the exercise of a pre-funded warrant. In lieu of fractional shares, we will pay the holder an amount in cash equal to the fractional amount multiplied by the exercise price.

Transferability

The pre-funded warrants may be transferred only pursuant to a registration statement filed under the Securities Act, or an exemption from such registration. Subject to such restrictions and subject to compliance with the applicable laws of Jersey, Channel Islands, we shall transfer the pre-funded warrants from time to time upon the books to be maintained by us for that purpose, upon surrender for transfer, properly endorsed or accompanied by appropriate instructions for transfer and such other documents as we may reasonably require to establish that such transfer is being made in accordance with the terms of the pre-funded warrants, and a new pre-funded warrant shall be issued to the transferee and we shall cancel the surrendered pre-funded warrant.

Exchange Listing

We do not intend to list the pre-funded warrants on any securities exchange or automated quotation system.

Fundamental Transactions

In the event (i) we, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effect any merger or consolidation and we are not the surviving corporation, or if (ii) we, directly or indirectly, effect any sale, lease, license, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of our assets in one or a series of related transactions, or (iii) any, direct or indirect, purchase offer, tender offer or exchange offer whether by us or another entity is completed pursuant to which holders of ordinary shares are permitted to sell, tender or exchange their shares for other securities, cash or property and such has been accepted by the holders of fifty percent (50%) or more of the outstanding ordinary shares, or (iv) we, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effect any reclassification, reorganization or recapitalization of the ordinary shares or any compulsory share exchange pursuant to which the ordinary shares are effectively converted into or exchanged for other securities, cash or property, or (v) we, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions

 

- 29 -

---

Table of Contents

consummate a stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination (including, without limitation, a reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off or scheme of arrangement) with another person or group of persons whereby such other person or group of persons acquires more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding ordinary shares (not including any ordinary shares held by the other person or other persons making or party to, or associated or affiliated with the other persons making or party to, such stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination), then following such event, the holders of the pre-funded warrants will be entitled to receive upon exercise of the pre-funded warrants the same kind and amount of securities, cash or property which the holders would have received had they exercised the pre-funded warrants immediately prior to such fundamental transaction. Any successor to us or surviving entity shall assume the obligations under the pre-funded warrants.

Amendment

The pre-funded warrants may be modified or amended or the provisions thereof waived with the written consent of our company and the holder.

 

- 30 -

---

Table of Contents

DESCRIPTION OF THE WARRANTS TO PURCHASE DEBT SECURITIES

The following summary sets forth certain terms and provisions of the debt warrants. The debt warrants will be issued pursuant to a debt warrant agreement between us and a debt warrant agent to be selected at the time of issue.

General

The debt warrants may be issued under the debt warrant agreement independently or together with any other securities offered by a prospectus supplement. If debt warrants are offered, the applicable prospectus supplement will describe the designation and the specific terms of the debt warrants, which may differ from the terms described in this prospectus. To the extent that any particular terms of the warrants described in a prospectus supplement differ from any of the terms described herein, then the terms described herein will be deemed to have been superseded by that prospectus supplement. We encourage you to read the applicable warrant agreement, which we will file as an exhibit to, or incorporate by reference in, the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. The prospectus supplement will include the following terms, without limitations:

 

•

the offering price, if any;

 

•

the designation, aggregate principal amount and terms of our debt securities purchasable upon exercise of the debt warrants;

 

•

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

 

•

the principal amount of our debt securities purchasable upon exercise of one debt warrant and the price at which the principal amount of our debt securities may be purchased upon exercise of the debt warrant;

 

•

the date on which the right to exercise the debt warrants shall commence and the date on which this right shall expire;

 

•

a discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations;

 

•

whether the warrants represented by the debt warrant certificates will be issued in registered or bearer form;

 

•

the currency, currencies or currency units in which the offering price, if any, and exercise price are payable;

 

•

the antidilution provisions of the debt warrants;

 

•

the maximum or minimum number of warrants that may be exercised at any time;

 

•

information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any; and

 

•

any other terms of the debt warrants.

You, as a debt warrant holder, will generally not have any of the rights of holders of our debt securities, including the right to receive the payment of principal of, any premium or interest on, or any additional amounts with respect to, our debt securities or to enforce any of the covenants of our debt securities or the indenture.

Exercise of Debt Warrants

You may exercise your debt warrants by surrendering at the office of the debt warrant agent your debt warrant certificate with the form of election to purchase on the reverse side of the certificate properly completed and signed by you, which signature must be guaranteed by a bank or trust company, by a broker or dealer which is a member of the FINRA or by a member of a national securities exchange. You must also submit a payment in

 

- 31 -

---

Table of Contents

full of the exercise price, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Upon the exercise of debt warrants, we will issue the debt securities in authorized denominations in accordance with your instructions. If you exercise less than all of the debt warrants evidenced by your debt warrant certificate, a new debt warrant certificate will be issued for the remaining number of debt warrants.

 

- 32 -

---

Table of Contents

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell the offered securities in any one or more of the following ways from time to time:

 

•

through agents;

 

•

to or through underwriters;

 

•

through dealers; or

 

•

directly to purchasers.

The applicable prospectus supplement will set forth the specific terms of the offering of the offered securities, including:

 

•

the name or names of any underwriters, dealers or agents;

 

•

the purchase price of the offered securities and the proceeds to us from the sale;

 

•

any underwriting discounts and commissions or agency fees and other items constituting underwriters’ or agents’ compensation; and

 

•

any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers and any securities exchange on which the offered securities may be listed, any of which initial public offering price, discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.

The distribution of the offered securities may be effected from time to time:

 

•

in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed;

 

•

at market prices prevailing at the time of sale;

 

•

at prices related to the prevailing market prices; or

 

•

at negotiated prices.

Offers to purchase offered securities may be solicited by agents designated by us from time to time. Any agent involved in the offer or sale of the offered securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered will be named, and any commissions payable by us to the agent will be set forth, in the applicable prospectus supplement. Any agent may be deemed to be an underwriter, as that term is defined in the Securities Act, of the offered securities so offered and sold.

If offered securities are sold to the public by means of an underwritten offering, either through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters or directly by the managing underwriters, we will execute an underwriting agreement with an underwriter or underwriters, and the names of the specific managing underwriter or underwriters, as well as any other underwriters, will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. In addition, the terms of the transaction, including commissions, discounts and any other compensation of the underwriters and dealers, if any, will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, which prospectus supplement will be used by the underwriters to make resales of the offered securities. If underwriters are utilized in the sale of the offered securities, the offered securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions, including:

 

•

negotiated transactions;

 

•

at fixed public offering prices; or

 

•

at varying prices determined by the underwriters at the time of sale.

 

- 33 -

---

Table of Contents

In addition, the underwriting agreement will provide that the obligations of the underwriters are subject to specified conditions precedent and that the underwriters with respect to a sale of offered securities will be obligated to purchase all of the offered securities of a series if any are purchased.

We may grant to the underwriters options to purchase additional offered securities to cover over- allotments, if any, at the public offering price, with additional underwriting discounts or commissions as may be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. If we grant any over-allotment option, the terms of the over-allotment option will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

If a dealer is utilized in the sales of offered securities, we will sell the offered securities to the dealer as principal. The dealer may then resell the offered securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by the dealer at the time of resale. Any dealer may be deemed to be an underwriter of the offered securities so offered and sold. The name of the dealer and the terms of the transaction will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Offers to purchase offered securities may be solicited directly by us and the sale of the offered securities may be made by us directly to institutional investors or others with respect to any resale of the offered securities. The terms of any of these sales will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Offered securities may also be offered and sold 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 agreements, 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 the offered securities remarketed by them.

In compliance with FINRA guidelines, the maximum compensation to the underwriters or agents in connection with the sale of securities pursuant to this prospectus will not exceed 8% of the aggregate total offering price to the public of the securities as set forth on the cover page of any applicable prospectus supplement or other offering material. It is anticipated that the maximum compensation to be received in connection with the sale of the securities will be significantly less than 8% of the total offering price to the public as set forth on the cover page of any applicable prospectus supplement or other offering material.

Agents, underwriters, dealers and remarketing firms may be entitled, under agreements entered into with us, to indemnification by us against some civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act that may arise from any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or any omission or alleged omission to state a material fact in this prospectus, any supplement or amendment hereto or any other offering material, in the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part or in any of the documents incorporated by reference herein or therein, or to contribution with respect to payments which the agents, underwriters, dealers or remarketing firms may be required to make.

We may authorize underwriters or other persons acting as our agent to solicit offers by specified institutions to purchase offered securities from us, pursuant to contracts providing for payments and delivery on a future date, which will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Institutions with which these contracts may be made include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and charitable institutions and others. However, in all cases, these institutions must be approved by us. The obligations of any purchaser under any contract will be subject to the condition that the purchase of the offered securities shall not, at the time of delivery, be prohibited under the laws of the jurisdiction to which the purchaser is subject. The underwriters and other agents will not have any responsibility in respect of the validity or performance of these contracts.

The offered securities may also be sold in one or more of the following transactions: (i) block transactions (which may involve crosses) in which a broker-dealer may sell all or a portion of such securities as agent, but may position and resell all or a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction; (ii) a special offering,

 

- 34 -

---

Table of Contents

an exchange distribution or a secondary distribution in accordance with applicable NASDAQ or other stock exchange, quotation system or over-the-counter market rules; (iii) sales “at the market” to or through a market maker or into an existing trading market, on an exchange or otherwise, for such securities; and (iv) sales in other ways not involving market makers or established trading markets, including direct sales to purchasers.

Each series of offered securities will be a new issue and, other than the ordinary shares, which are listed on the NASDAQ Global Market, will have no established trading market. We may elect to list any series of offered securities on an exchange and, in the case of the ordinary shares, on any additional exchange. However, unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we shall not be obligated to do so. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the trading market for any of the offered securities.

Concurrently with any offering of debt securities that are convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for our ordinary shares, we may offer from time to time our ordinary shares by means of a separate prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus. Our ordinary shares may be offered to the public in an offering by underwriters, dealers or agents. In addition, we may agree to loan ordinary shares to affiliates of such underwriters, dealers or agents, which affiliates we refer to as the “share borrowers,” pursuant to a share lending agreement to be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Such share borrowers may use the borrowed shares to facilitate transactions by which investors in the notes may hedge their investments in such notes. In connection with facilitating those transactions, the share borrowers and their affiliates may receive customary, negotiated fees from investors.

In connection with any offering of debt securities that are convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for our ordinary shares, we may enter into convertible debt security hedge transactions with affiliates of the underwriters. Such convertible debt security hedge transactions may reduce the potential dilution upon conversion of such debt securities. We may apply a portion of the net proceeds from the sale of such debt securities to pay the cost of such convertible debt security hedge transactions.

In connection with establishing an initial hedge of these transactions, the hedge counterparty or its affiliates may enter into various derivative transactions with respect to our ordinary shares, concurrently with or shortly after the pricing of such debt securities. These activities could have the effect of increasing or preventing a decline in the price of our ordinary shares concurrently with or shortly after the pricing of such debt securities.

In addition, the hedge counterparty or its affiliates will likely modify its hedge position following the pricing of such debt securities from time to time by entering into or unwinding various derivative transactions and/or purchasing or selling our ordinary shares in secondary market transactions prior to the maturity of such debt securities (including during any settlement period in respect of any conversion of such debt securities). The effect, if any, of any of these transactions and activities on the market price of our ordinary shares or such debt securities will depend in part on market conditions and cannot be ascertained at this time, but any of these activities could impact the price of our ordinary shares and the value of such debt securities and, as a result, the value of the consideration and the number of shares, if any, that you would receive upon conversion of such debt securities and, under certain circumstances, your ability to convert such debt securities.

Underwriters, dealers, agents and remarketing firms may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us and our subsidiaries or our affiliates in the ordinary course of business.

 

- 35 -

---

Table of Contents

LEGAL MATTERS

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the validity of the ordinary shares and preference shares in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered will be passed upon for us by Carey Olsen, our Jersey, Channel Islands counsel, and the validity of the debt securities, warrants and rights in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered will be passed upon for us by Clifford Chance US LLP, our U.S. counsel.

 

- 36 -

---

Table of Contents

EXPERTS

The financial statements appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2015 have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon (which contains an explanatory paragraph describing conditions that raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern as described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements), included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance on such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

 

- 37 -

---

Table of Contents

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We have filed a registration statement, of which this prospectus is a part, covering the securities offered hereby. As allowed by SEC rules, this prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement and the exhibits thereto. We refer you to the registration statement and the exhibits thereto for further information. This prospectus is qualified in its entirety by such other information.

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. These filings are available for inspection and copying at the public reference room of the SEC, 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, DC 20549. Information about the operation of the public reference room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. Our SEC filings, including the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, are also available to you on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. We also maintain a website on the Internet with the address of www.quotientbd.com where you can find additional information. All internet addresses provided in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement are for information purposes only and are not intended to be hyperlinks. We are not incorporating by reference into this prospectus or any prospectus supplement the information on our website or any other website, and you should not consider our website or any other website to be a part of this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or other offering materials.

 

- 38 -

---

Table of Contents

INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference the information we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document that we have filed separately with the SEC. You should read the information incorporated by reference because it is an important part of this prospectus. We incorporate by reference the following information or documents that we have filed with the SEC (excluding those portions of any Form 8-K that are not deemed “filed” pursuant to the General Instructions of Form 8-K):

 

•

our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2015 filed with the SEC on June 1, 2015;

 

•

Amendment No. 2 to Form 8-A/A filed with the SEC on May 28, 2014; and

 

•

our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed with the SEC on July 28, 2015.

All reports and other documents we subsequently file pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the termination of this offering, including all such reports and documents we may file with the SEC after the date of the initial registration statement of which this prospectus is a part and prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement, but excluding any information furnished to, rather than filed with, the SEC, will also be incorporated by reference into this prospectus and deemed to be part of this prospectus from the date of the filing of such reports and documents.

Any statement contained in any document incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus.

All of the documents that are incorporated by reference are available at the web site maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. In addition, if you request, either orally or in writing, we will provide you with a copy of any or all documents that are incorporated by reference. Such documents will be provided to you free of charge, but will not contain any exhibits, unless those exhibits are incorporated by reference into the document. Requests should be addressed to the Company Secretary at Quotient Limited, 9 Castle Street, St Helier, JE2 3RT, Jersey, Channel Islands.

 

- 39 -

---

Table of Contents

 

 

             Shares

 

 

Ordinary Shares

 

 

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

 

 

Sole Book-Running Manager

Jefferies

Lead Manager

BTIG

                    , 2017