Table of Contents

Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)

Registration No. 333-170 421

PROSPECTUS

Relating to the Resale of up to
4,371,121 Shares of Common Stock, $0.001 Par Value,
Comprised of:

(i) 209,526 Shares of Common Stock; and
(ii) up to 4,161,595 Shares of Common Stock
Issuable upon Exercise of Outstanding Warrants

CYCLACEL PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

This prospectus relates to the resale or other disposition of 4,371,121 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, by the selling stockholders identified herein, (i) 209,526 of which are issued and outstanding; and (ii) 4,161,595 of which are issuable upon exercise of five-year warrants to purchase common stock at an exercise price of $1.92 per share (the “Warrants”) that we issued as part of a private placement of our securities on October 7, 2010 (the “Private Placement”).

For a list of the selling stockholders, please refer to the section entitled “Selling Stockholders” of this prospectus. The shares may be sold or otherwise disposed of from time to time by the selling stockholders. All expenses of the registration incurred in connection herewith are being borne by us, but any brokers’ fees or commissions will be borne by the selling stockholders. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale or other disposition of common stock by the selling stockholders. However, to the extent that the Warrants are exercised for cash, we will receive the payment of the exercise price in connection with such exercise.

Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “CYCC.” On April 26, 2012, the last reported sale price for our common stock was $0.59 per share.

Investing in our securities involves significant risks. We strongly recommend that you read carefully the risks we describe in this prospectus and the risk factors that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus from our filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 19 before deciding whether to invest in our securities.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this prospectus is April 26, 2012.

Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

You should read this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference carefully before you invest. Such documents contain important information you should consider when making your investment decision. See “Incorporation of Documents by Reference” on page 55. You should rely only on the information provided in this prospectus or documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. The information contained in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this prospectus and any information we have incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or of any sale of our common stock. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.

Persons outside the United States who come into possession of this prospectus must inform themselves about, and observe any restrictions relating to, the offering of the shares of common stock and the distribution of this prospectus outside of the United States.

Table of Contents

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

Because this is only a summary, it does not contain all of the information that may be important to you. You should carefully read the more detailed information contained in this prospectus and the information incorporated by reference carefully before you invest. Our business involves significant risks. You should carefully consider the information under the heading “Risk Factors” beginning on page 19.

As used in this prospectus, unless otherwise indicated, the terms “we,” “us,” “our company,” “the Company” and “Cyclacel” refer to Cyclacel Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

Our Company

General

Cyclacel are cell cycle pioneers with a vision to improve patients’ healthcare with orally available innovative medicines.  Our goal is to develop and commercialize small-molecule drugs that target the various phases of cell cycle control for the treatment of cancer and other serious diseases, particularly those of high unmet medical need.

Our strategy is to build a diversified biopharmaceutical business focused in hematology and oncology based on a portfolio of commercial products and a development pipeline of novel drug candidates. As a development stage enterprise, substantially all efforts of the Company to date have been devoted to performing research and development, conducting clinical trials, developing and acquiring intellectual property, raising capital and recruiting and training personnel.

Recent Developments

Purchase Agreement

On March 22, 2012, we entered into a purchase agreement with certain existing institutional stockholders and raised gross proceeds of $3,036,000 to fund certain litigation-related expenses on certain intellectual property and otherwise for general corporate purposes.  Under the terms of the purchase agreement, the investors purchased 4,688,079 shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share, or the Common Shares, at a per share purchase price of $0.6476, which is equal to the 10-day average closing price of the Company’s common stock for the period ending on March 21, 2012, and obtained certain contractual economic rights, or the Economic Rights, generally related to the litigation, including rights to receive additional shares, or the Additional Shares, or warrants to purchase shares of common stock in certain circumstances.  The Common Shares are subject to a lock-up for a period of one year from the date of issuance.  The Economic Rights are transferable at any time to an affiliate of each respective investor, and are subject to a right of first refusal in favor of the Company with respect to each proposed sale, transfer or other disposition.

The purchase agreement also provides for certain registration rights with respect to the Common Shares, and if issued, the Additional Shares. We are required, upon demand of a majority-in-interest of the investors, to use our commercially reasonable efforts to file a registration statement for the resale of such securities, and to cause such registration statement to be declared effective no later than 90 days following the date of such investors’ demand (or 180 days following such date, if the Securities and Exchange Commission determines to review the registration statement at issue). The investors are also entitled to piggyback registration rights, subject to cut-backs, as more fully set forth in the purchase agreement. We also agreed to other customary obligations regarding registration, including indemnification and maintenance of the effectiveness of the registration statements.

NASDAQ Appeal

As previously reported, on September 16, 2011, we received a letter from the NASDAQ stating that for 30 consecutive business days the bid price of our common stock had closed below $1.00 per share, the minimum closing bid price required by the continued listing requirements set forth in Listing Rule 5450(a)(1), or the Rule, and that, pursuant to Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(A), we have 180 calendar days, or until March 14, 2012, to regain compliance with the minimum bid price requirement.

On March 15, 2012, we received a determination letter from NASDAQ notifying us that we had not regained compliance with the minimum closing bid price required by the continued listing requirements set forth in Listing Rule 5450(a)(1), or the Rule, during the 180 calendar days allowed to regain compliance pursuant to Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(A), and that our security is subject to delisting from the NASDAQ Global Market, unless we timely request a hearing before a NASDAQ Listing Qualifications Panel, or the Panel. We have requested a hearing before the Panel to present our plan to regain compliance with the Rule, which request automatically stays the delisting of our securities pending the issuance of the Panel’s decision. The hearing is scheduled for April 26, 2012.

1

Table of Contents

Under NASDAQ’s Listing Rules, the Panel may, at its discretion, determine to continue our listing pursuant to an exception to the Rule for a maximum of 180 calendar days from the date of the NASDAQ Staff’s notification, or through September 10, 2012. However, there can be no assurances that the Panel will do so.

Notwithstanding our request for a hearing before the Panel, if such appeal is unsuccessful, we may still transfer our listing to The NASDAQ Capital Market if it meets the initial listing criteria set forth in NASDAQ Marketplace Rule 5505, except for the bid price requirement. In that case, we may have an additional period of 180 calendar days in which to comply with the minimum bid price requirement. We currently meet these initial listing criteria, except for the bid price requirement.

Drug Candidates

The cell cycle, the process by which cells progress and divide, lies at the heart of cancer. In normal cells, the cell cycle is controlled by a complex series of signaling pathways by which a cell grows, replicated its DNA and divides. This process also includes mechanisms to ensure errors are corrected, and if not, the cells commit suicide (apoptosis). In cancer, as a result of genetic mutations, this regulatory process malfunctions, resulting in uncontrolled cell proliferation.

We have generated several families of anticancer drugs that act on the cell cycle including sapacitabine and seliciclib. We believe that these drug candidates are differentiated in that they are orally-available and interact with unique target profiles and mechanisms and have the potential to treat multiple cancer indications. CNDAC is incorporated into DNA during replication or repair, triggering a b-elimination reaction & leading to the formation of single-strand breaks (SSBs), which can activate the G2 checkpoint and/or be repaired by TC-NER. During subsequent rounds of replication, SSBs are converted to double-strand breaks (DSBs); these can be repaired by the homologous recombination repair (HRR) pathway, or, if unrepaired, result in cell death.

Our lead candidate, sapacitabine, is an orally-available prodrug of CNDAC, which is a novel nucleoside analog, or a compound with a structure similar to a nucleoside. A prodrug is a compound that has a therapeutic effect after it is metabolized within the body. CNDAC has a significantly longer residence time in the blood when it is produced in the body through metabolism of sapacitabine than when it is given directly. Sapacitabine acts through a novel dual mechanism whereby it interferes with DNA synthesis and repair by causing single-strand DNA breaks (SSBs) which can induce arrest of the cell division cycle at the G2/M checkpoint. During subsequent rounds of replication SSBs are converted to double-strand DNA breaks which may be repaired by the homologous recombination (HRR) pathway, or, if unrepaired, result in cell death. A number of nucleoside drugs, such as gemcitabine, or Gemzar®, from Eli Lilly, and cytarabine, also known as Ara-C, a generic drug, are in wide use as conventional chemotherapies. Both sapacitabine and its major metabolite, CNDAC, have demonstrated potent anti-tumor activity in both blood and solid tumors in preclinical studies. In a liver metastatic mouse model, sapacitabine was shown to be superior to gemcitabine and 5-FU, two widely used nucleoside analogs, in delaying the onset and growth of liver metastasis. We have retained worldwide rights to commercialize sapacitabine, except for Japan, for which Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., or Daiichi Sankyo, has a right of first negotiation. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, and the European Medicines Agency, or EMA, have designated sapacitabine as an orphan drug for the treatment of both Acute Myeloid Leukemia, or AML, and Myelodysplastic Syndromes, or MDS. Sapacitabine is part of Cyclacel’s pipeline of small molecule drugs designed to target and stop uncontrolled cell division.

We are currently evaluating sapacitabine in a Phase 3 study being conducted under a Special Protocol Assessment, or SPA, with the FDA for the front-line treatment of AML in the elderly. We are also exploring sapacitabine in Phase 2 studies for MDS, non-small cell lung cancer, or NSCLC, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia, or CLL and in a Phase 1 study in solid tumors in combination with our own drug candidate, seliciclib.

Our second drug candidate, seliciclib, is a novel, first-in-class, orally-available, cyclin dependent kinase, or CDK, inhibitor. The compound selectively inhibits a spectrum of enzyme targets -CDK2, CDK7 and CDK9- that are central to the process of cell division and cell cycle control. The target profile of seliciclib is differentiated from the published target profile of other CDK inhibitors. Its selectivity is differentiated by publications by independent investigators which show that seliciclib (i) is more active against NSCLC cells with K-Ras or N-Ras mutations than those with wild type Ras and (ii) overcomes resistance to letrozole (Femara®) in breast cancer cells caused by a particular form of cyclin E in complex with CDK2. Preclinical studies have shown that the drug works by inducing cell apoptosis, or cell suicide, in multiple phases of the cell cycle. To date, seliciclib has been evaluated in approximately 450 patients in several Phase 1 and 2 studies and has shown signs of anti-cancer activity. We have retained worldwide rights to commercialize seliciclib. Seliciclib has completed a Phase 2B randomized study in third-line NSCLC and is currently undergoing a study in solid tumors in combination with our own drug candidate, sapacitabine.

In addition to our lead development programs we have allocated limited resources to other programs allowing us to maintain and build on our core competency in cell cycle biology and related drug discovery. CYC116, an orally-available inhibitor of Aurora kinase, or AK, A and B and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor 2, or VEGFR2, has completed a multicenter Phase 1 trial. In our second generation CDK inhibitor program, we have discovered several series of CDK inhibitors that we believe may prove to be more potent anticancer agents than seliciclib based on preclinical observations with our most advanced drug candidate being CYC065. In our polo-like kinase or Plk inhibitor program, CYC800, we have discovered potent and selective small molecule inhibitors of Plk1, a kinase active during cell division, targeting the mitotic phase of the cell cycle. Plk was discovered by Professor David Glover, our Chief Scientist.

2

Table of Contents

We also have a number of earlier stage programs for which limited or no resources will be allocated in the foreseeable future. For example, extensive preclinical data published by independent investigators evidence activity by our CDK inhibitors, including seliciclib, in various autoimmune and inflammatory diseases and conditions associated with aberrant cell proliferation including graft-versus-host disease, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, lupus nephritis, polycystic kidney disease and rheumatoid arthritis. In our GSK-3 inhibitor program we have demonstrated evidence of activity in preclinical models of Type 2 Diabetes.

Lead Development Programs

Our pipeline and expertise in cell cycle biology

Our core area of expertise is in cell cycle biology and we focus primarily on the development of orally-available anticancer agents that target the cell cycle with the aim of slowing the progression or shrinking the size of tumors, and enhancing the quality of life and improving survival rates of cancer patients.

We have retained rights to commercialize our clinical development candidates and our business strategy is to enter into selective partnership arrangements with these programs.

Oncology Development Programs

We have generated several families of anticancer drugs that act on the cell cycle, including nucleoside analogues, CDK inhibitors, AK/VEGFR2 inhibitors and Plk inhibitors. Although a number of pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies are currently attempting to develop nucleoside analogues, CDK inhibitors, AK and/or VEGFR inhibitor drugs and Plk inhibitors, we believe that our drug candidates, are differentiated in that they are orally-available and demonstrate unique target profiles and mechanisms. For example, we believe that our sapacitabine is the only orally-available nucleoside analogue presently being tested in Phase 3 trials in AML and in Phase 2 for MDS.

In our development programs, we have been an early adopter of biomarker analysis to help evaluate whether our drug candidates are having their intended effect through their assumed mechanisms at different doses and schedules. Biomarkers are proteins or other substances whose presence in the blood can serve as an indicator or marker of diseases. Biomarker data from early clinical trials may also enable us to design subsequent trials more efficiently and to monitor patient compliance with trial protocols. We believe that in the longer term biomarkers may allow the selection of patients more likely to respond to its drugs for clinical trial and marketing purposes and increase the benefit to patients.

Research and Development Pipeline

The following table summarizes our currently active clinical and preclinical programs.

3

Table of Contents

Market opportunity in oncology

Cancer remains a major life-threatening disease in the United States with approximately 3.2 million people afflicted by cancer and approximately 1.4 million new cases of cancer diagnosed every year.

Acute myeloid leukemia is one of the most common types of leukemia or cancer in the blood and bone marrow. According to the American Cancer Society approximately 44,000 cases of leukemia are diagnosed annually in the United States of which about 13,000 are classified as AML.  Leukemia is a deadly disease with an estimated 9,000 deaths annually in the United States, almost all in adults.  The average age of a patient with AML is 67 and about two-thirds of AML patients are above 60 years old. The prognosis of AML in the elderly is poor.

The American Cancer Society estimates that approximately 16,000 to 20,000 new cases of myelodysplastic syndromes are diagnosed annually in the United Sates. Patients currently receive hypomethylating agents as first-line treatment.  There is no approved therapy for second-line treatment.

Five common solid cancer types: non-small cell lung, breast, ovarian, prostate and colorectal cancers, represent over 50% of all new cases of cancer in the United States each year and account for more than 50% of all cancer deaths in the United States.

Sapacitabine

Sapacitabine (previously known as CYC682) is an orally-available nucleoside analogue. Both sapacitabine and CNDAC, its major metabolite, have demonstrated potent anti-tumor activity in preclinical studies. Sapacitabine is an orally-available prodrug of CNDAC, which is a novel nucleoside analog, or a compound with a structure similar to a nucleoside. A prodrug is a compound that has a therapeutic effect after it is metabolized within the body. CNDAC has a significantly longer residence time in the blood when it is produced in the body through metabolism of sapacitabine than when it is given directly. Sapacitabine acts through a novel dual mechanism whereby the compound interferes with DNA synthesis through the incorporation of CNDAC into DNA and repair by causing DNA single-strand breaks.  This leads to the production of DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) and/or checkpoint activation at G2/M checkpoint.  Unrepaired DSBs cause cell death. Repair of sapacitabine-induced DSBs is dependent on the Homologous Recombinant Repair pathway.

We are currently exploring sapacitabine in both hematological cancers and solid tumors. To date, sapacitabine has been evaluated in approximately 400 patients in several Phase 1 and 2 studies and has shown signs of anti-cancer activity.  The SEAMLESS pivotal Phase 3 trial is on-going, which evaluates sapacitabine oral capsules as a front-line treatment in elderly patients aged 70 years or older with newly-diagnosed AML who are not candidates for intensive induction chemotherapy. The study will be conducted under an SPA. An SPA provides trial sponsors with an FDA agreement that the design and analysis of the trial adequately address objectives in support of a submission for a marketing application if the trial is performed according to the SPA. The SPA may only be changed through a written agreement between the sponsor and the FDA or if the FDA becomes aware of a substantial scientific issue essential to product efficacy or safety. However, an SPA does not provide any assurance that a marketing application would be approved by the FDA.

4

Table of Contents

Hematological Cancers

Randomized Phase 3 pivotal trial, SEAMLESS, as a front-line treatment in elderly patients aged 70 years or older with newly diagnosed AML who are not candidates for intensive induction chemotherapy

SEAMLESS is our pivotal Phase 3 trial for sapacitabine oral capsules as a front-line treatment of elderly patients aged 70 years or older with newly diagnosed AML who are not candidates for intensive induction chemotherapy. The study is being conducted under an SPA agreement that Cyclacel reached with the FDA. SEAMLESS builds on promising one year survival observed in elderly patients aged 70 years or older with newly diagnosed AML or AML in first relapse enrolled in a Phase 2 study of single agent sapacitabine.

The SEAMLESS study is chaired by Hagop M. Kantarjian, M.D., Chairman and Professor, Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas. SEAMLESS is a multicenter, randomized, Phase 3 study comparing two treatment arms. In Arm A, sapacitabine is administered in alternating cycles with decitabine and in Arm C decitabine is administered alone. The primary efficacy endpoint is overall survival and the study is designed to demonstrate an improvement in overall survival. Approximately 242 patients per arm or a total of 485 patients from approximately 50 centers will be enrolled. SEAMLESS will be monitored by a Data Safety Monitoring Board, or DSMB. A prespecified interim analysis for futility will be performed and reviewed by the DSMB. In October 2011, the DSMB reviewed the lead-in arm of the study, which followed the same treatment regimen as Arm A, and recommended that the study should enter the randomized stage as planned and following this recommendation we have implemented an improvement in the SEAMLESS trial design converting it into the two-arm design described above from the original three-arm design. We received written confirmation from the FDA that, following the modification in the trial design, the previously agreed SPA agreement remains valid.

Results from an on-going, multicenter, Phase 1/2 clinical trial examining the safety and efficacy of oral sapacitabine administered sequentially with decitabine, the same treatment regimen as Arm A in SEAMLESS, was reported during a poster session at the 2011 American Society of Hematology, or ASH, Annual Meeting in San Diego, California. The study enrolled 25 patients aged 70 years or older, 76% of which were aged 75 years or older. Thirty-day mortality from all causes was 4% and 60-day mortality from all causes 12%. The overall response rate was 40%. We reported median overall survival at 231 days with 44% of patients still alive. No dose-limiting toxicities were observed in 25 patients. The median age in the group is 76 years (range 72-90). Nineteen patients were 75 years or older (76%). Common adverse events regardless of cause included anemia, asthenia, decreased appetite, diarrhea, constipation, dyspnea, limb edema, hypocalcemia, nausea, febrile neutropenia, neutropenia, lung infection, and thrombocytopenia, which were mostly moderate in intensity.

Phase 2 randomized clinical trial in elderly patients with AML previously untreated or in first relapse

In December 2007, we initiated an open-label, multicenter, randomized Phase 2 clinical trial of oral sapacitabine in 60 elderly patients with AML aged 70 or older who are previously untreated or in first relapse. The Phase 2 study, led by Dr. Kantarjian, has a primary endpoint of 1-year survival rate of three dosing schedules of sapacitabine in elderly patients with previously untreated or first relapsed AML. Secondary objectives are to assess complete remission, or CR, partial remission, or PR, duration of CR or CRp, or major hematological improvement and their corresponding durations, transfusion requirements, number of hospitalized days and safety. The study uses a selection design with the objective of identifying a dosing schedule among three different arms, A. 200 mg twice daily for seven days every 3-4 weeks, B. 300 mg twice daily for seven days every 3-4 weeks, and C. 400 mg twice daily for three days per week for two weeks every 3-4 weeks, which produces a better one year survival rate in the event that all three dosing schedules are active. Each arm enrolled and treated 20 patients. Approximately 55% of patients had AML de novo and the rest had AML preceded by antecedent hematological disorder, or AHD, such as MDS, or myeloproliferative disease.  Eighty percent of the patients were untreated and 20% in first relapse. We completed enrollment of 60 AML patients in this study in October 2008. In December 2009, at the 51st ASH Annual Meeting we reported one year survival data.

The primary endpoint of one year survival was 35% on Arm A, 30% on Arm C and 10% on Arm B.  The median overall survival was 212 days on Arm C (range of 13 to over 654 days), 197 days on Arm A (range of 26 to over 610 days) and 100 days on Arm B (range of 6 to over 646 days). Overall response rate, or ORR, a secondary endpoint, was 45% on Arm A, 35% on Arm C and 25% on Arm B with CR rate of 25% on Arm C and 10% on Arms A and B. Thirty-day mortality was 10% on Arm C and Arm A and 20% on Arm B.  Approximately 30% of all patients received sapacitabine for at least 6 cycles.  Fifteen patients who survived one year or more received an average of 12 treatment cycles.

5

Table of Contents

Exploratory subgroup analysis suggests that (i) Arm C may be more effective for de novo AML and (ii) Arm A may be more effective for AML preceded by AHD, such as MDS.

The three day dosing schedule in Arm C was selected for further clinical development in elderly patients with de novo AML based on a one year survival rate of 30%, ORR of 35% with durable CRs. The 7-day dosing schedule in Arm A was selected for further clinical development in elderly patients with AML preceded by AHD based on a one year survival rate of 35%, ORR of 45% with durable hematological improvement.

Randomized Phase 2 clinical trial in older patients with MDS as a second-line treatment

Sapacitabine is in Phase 2 development as a second-line treatment in patients aged 60 or older with MDS who are previously treated with hypomethylating agents. The MDS stratum of the study is designed as a protocol amendment expanding the ongoing Phase 2 trial of sapacitabine in AML described above, to include a cohort of patients with MDS. Patients with MDS often progress to AML. The primary objective of the MDS stratum is to evaluate the one year survival rate of three dosing schedules of sapacitabine. Secondary objectives are to assess the number of patients who have achieved CR or CRp, PR, hematological improvement and their corresponding durations, transfusion requirements, number of hospitalization days and safety. The study uses a selection design with the objective of identifying a dosing schedule which produces a better one year survival rate for each stratum in the event that all three dosing schedules are active.

In February 2012, we reported interim data from the Phase 2 study. The study randomized 61 patients aged 60 years or older with IPSS score 2 or higher risk MDS to receive sapacitabine every 4 weeks on one of the 3 dosing schedules: 200 mg twice daily for 7 days, 300 mg once daily for 7 days, or 100 mg once daily for 5 days per week for 2 weeks. Among 56 patients who have had at least 30 days of follow-up, the thirty-day mortality from all causes is 5.4%. Eight patients responded with 2 CR, 2 complete remissions with incomplete platelet count recovery (CRp) and 4 major hematological improvements of platelet counts or neutrophils. Responses occurred on all 3 dosing schedules. More than 50% of the patients are still alive and longer follow-up is needed to assess 1-year survival and overall survival.

In December 2010, at the 52nd Annual Meeting of ASH, we reported interim data from three schedules of sapacitabine administered as single-agent treatment over a 4-week cycle in 61 patients with IPSS intermediate — 2 or higher risk MDS after treatment failure of hypomethylating agents, such as azacitidine and decitabine: 200 mg twice daily for 7 days, 300 mg twice daily for 7 days, or 400 mg twice daily for 3 days per week for 2 weeks. The primary endpoint of one year survival was achieved in 29%, 30% and 35% of the patients respectively among the 3 schedules tested. Median overall survival was 217, 232 and 236 days respectively. Two patients achieved a CR. The mortality rate from all causes within 30 days of randomization was 6.6%.

Solid Tumors

Phase 2 clinical trial in patients with non-small cell lung cancer

We are evaluating sapacitabine in patients in a Phase 2, open label, single arm, multicenter, clinical trial in patients with NSCLC who have had one prior chemotherapy. This study builds on the observation of prolonged stable disease of four months or longer experienced by heavily pretreated NSCLC patients involved in two Phase 1 studies of sapacitabine. The multicenter Phase 2 trial is led by Philip D. Bonomi, M.D., at Rush University Medical Center, Chicago. The primary objective of the study is to evaluate the rate of response and stable disease in patients with previously treated NSCLC. Secondary objectives are to assess progression-free survival, duration of response, duration of stable disease, one year survival, overall survival and safety.

In December 2011, we provided an update on the study. Forty-eight patients were treated with two dosing schedules, either twice daily or once a day. In the twice daily schedule 15 patients were treated with escalating doses. The recommended Phase 2 dose was reached at 75 mg twice daily for 5 days per week for 2 weeks every 3 weeks. Among 12 patients treated at this recommended Phase 2 dose, 4 achieved stable disease. All 4 responders had at least 2 prior therapies and have been discontinued from the study. Responders received an average of 7 treatment cycles.

In the once daily schedule 33 patients were treated with escalating doses. Maximum tolerated dose has not been reached at the upper limit of the dosing range as per protocol. Patients are currently being entered into the 200 mg once daily dosing level for 5 days per week for 2 weeks every 3 weeks. Among 25 patients treated with daily doses ranging from 100 mg to 175 mg, two patients achieved PR and 10 stable disease. The two PR responders had 3 or 4 prior therapies, respectively, and one remains on study. Among the 10 stable disease responders, 9 had at least 2 prior therapies and 2 remain on study. Responders received an average of 10 treatment cycles.

6

Table of Contents

Phase 1 clinical trial of sapacitabine and seliciclib in patients with advanced cancers

In the ongoing Phase 1, single-arm study of sapacitabine, a nucleoside analogue, and seliciclib, a CDK inhibitor, as an orally-administered combination regimen in patients with advanced solid tumors, 27 patients have been treated to date. The primary objective of the study is to determine the recommended Phase 2 dosing schedule of the sapacitabine and seliciclib combination, which has been achieved. Among 11 patients treated at the recommended Phase 2 doses, two patients with advanced pancreatic cancer and breast cancer, respectively, achieved PR and one patient with advanced ovarian cancer achieved stable disease. The number of treatment cycles administered ranges from 7 to 9 cycles. The breast and ovarian cancer patients remain on study. All three responders were reported by the investigator to be carriers of BRCA mutations. BRCA1 and BRCA2, or breast cancer susceptibility genes, are tumor suppressor genes that help ensure the stability of DNA, the cell’s genetic material, and help prevent uncontrolled cell growth. Genetic testing for BRCA-status is routinely available. BRCA mutation has been linked to predisposition to breast and ovarian cancer. According to the US National Cancer Institute, during her life time a woman has a 60% chance of developing breast cancer and 15-40% chance of developing ovarian cancer if she inherits a harmful BRCA mutation. These risks are 5 times and over 10 times more likely than for women without the mutation, respectively.

Orphan Designation

European Union

During May 2008, we received designation from the European Medicines Agency, or EMA, for sapacitabine as an orphan medicine in two separate indications: AML and MDS. The EMA’s Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products, or COMP, adopted a positive opinion on our application to designate sapacitabine as an orphan medicinal product for the indications of AML and MDS. The objective of European orphan medicines legislation is to stimulate research and development of medicinal products for rare diseases by providing incentives to industry. An orphan designation in the European Union confers a range of benefits to sponsor companies including market exclusivity for a period of 10 years, EMA scientific advice on protocol development, direct access to the centralized procedure for review of marketing authorizations, EMA fee reductions and eligibility for grant support from European agencies.

United States

In June 2010, we announced that the FDA granted orphan drug designation to our sapacitabine product candidate for the treatment of both AML and MDS. An orphan designation in the United States confers a range of benefits to sponsor companies, including market exclusivity for a period of seven years from the date of drug approval, the opportunity to apply for grant funding from the United States government to defray costs of clinical trial expenses, tax credits for clinical research expenses and a potential waiver of the FDA’s application user fee. Orphan status is granted by the FDA to promote the development of new drug therapies for the treatment of diseases that affect fewer than 200,000 individuals in the United States.

Seliciclib

Although our current clinical development priorities are focused on sapacitabine only, our second drug candidate, seliciclib, is a novel, first-in-class, orally-available, CDK inhibitor. The compound selectively inhibits a spectrum of enzyme targets -CDK2, CDK7 and CDK9- that are central to the process of cell division and cell cycle control. The target profile of seliciclib is differentiated from the published target profile of other CDK inhibitors. Its selectivity is differentiated by recent publications by independent investigators which showed that seliciclib (i) is more active against NSCLC cells with K-Ras or N-Ras mutations than those with wild type Ras and (ii) overcomes resistance to letrozole (Femara®) in breast cancer cells caused by a particular form of cyclin E in complex with CDK2. Preclinical studies have shown that the drug works by inducing cell apoptosis, or cell suicide, in multiple phases of the cell cycle. To date, seliciclib has been evaluated in approximately 450 patients in several Phase 1 and 2 studies and has shown signs of anti-cancer activity. We have retained worldwide rights to commercialize seliciclib.

Phase 2 clinical trial in patients with NSCLC

Four Phase 2 trials have been conducted in cancer patients to evaluate the tolerability and antitumor activities of seliciclib alone or in combination with standard chemotherapies used in the treatment of advanced NSCLC or breast cancer. Interim data from two Phase 2 open-label studies of a total of 52 patients with NSCLC, suggests that seliciclib treatment neither aggravated the known toxicities of standard first and second-line chemotherapies nor appeared to cause unexpected toxicities, although these trials were not designed to provide statistically significant comparison.

On December 21, 2010, we announced topline results from APPRAISE, our Phase 2b, randomized discontinuation, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, study of oral seliciclib capsules as a third line or later treatment in patients with NSCLC. APPRAISE was led by Chandra P. Belani, M.D. at Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Penn State University. Topline results, after unblinding the treatment assignment among randomized patients, showed that there was no difference between the seliciclib and placebo arms in terms of progression free survival, or PFS, (48 versus 53 days respectively) but an increase in median overall survival, or OS, was observed favoring the seliciclib arm over the placebo arm (388 versus 218 days respectively). A total of 187 patients from 21 centers in the United States were entered in the study after having progressed on at least two prior therapeutic regimens for their NSCLC. Of these, 53 (28%) were randomized, 27 on seliciclib and 26 on placebo. Forty-five out of 53 randomized patients (85%) received 3 or more prior therapies and 45 out of 53 randomized patients (85%) previously received at least one EGFR inhibitor drug (22 on seliciclib and 23 on placebo). Fourteen patients were crossed-over to the seliciclib arm after their cancer progressed while they were receiving placebo. Study data demonstrated seliciclib to be safe at the administered dose. There was no difference between the seliciclib and placebo arms in terms of PFS of 48 days on the seliciclib arm versus 53 days on the placebo arm. However an increase in median overall survival was observed of 388 days on the seliciclib arm versus 218 days on the placebo arm.

7

Table of Contents

Published pre-clinical work indicated that K-Ras mutational status, cyclin D1 and cyclin E1 protein levels correlated strongly with tumor sensitivity towards seliciclib. In order to explore this possible molecular rationale for the difference in OS, we retrospectively collected and analyzed available biopsy samples from APPRAISE patients who granted informed consent. As only 30 patient samples were available from the 152 APPRAISE patients who gave consent, results of the retrospective analysis were insufficient to allow meaningful correlation. A new prospectively designed study is required to test the hypothesis that these biomarkers can predict therapeutic effect of seliciclib in patients with advanced stage NSCLC.

Phase 2 clinical trials in patients with NPC

In November 2007, we commenced a Phase 2 multicenter, international, blinded randomized study of oral seliciclib as a single agent in patients with NPC. The primary objective is to evaluate 6-month progression free survival, or PFS, of two dosing schedules of seliciclib in approximately 75 patients with previously treated NPC. Secondary objectives are OS, response rate, response duration, safety and tolerability. The first part of the study is designed to confirm safety and tolerability of 400 mg twice a day for four days per week or 800 mg once a day for four days per week of seliciclib. It is open to approximately 12 to 24 patients with advanced solid tumors as well as patients with NPC. The second part of the study, which is dependent on clinical data from the lead-in phase and available resources to fund the study, is designed to detect major differences between the two dosing schedules of seliciclib and a placebo group in terms of 6-month PFS in approximately 51 patients.

In May 2009, at the ASCO annual meeting, we reported interim data from the lead-in portion of the Phase 2 study which demonstrated that oral seliciclib could be safely administered in two dosing schedules which were well tolerated and met the criteria for proceeding to the randomized stage of the study. Seliciclib treatment resulted in prolonged stable disease in 70% of previously-treated NPC patients, including 3 with stable disease lasting longer than 8 months, suggesting seliciclib inhibits tumor growth in NPC. The data support further clinical development of oral seliciclib in NPC.

CYC116

In June 2007, we initiated and completed a multicenter Phase 1 pharmacologic clinical trial of CYC116, an orally-available inhibitor of Aurora kinase A and B and VEGFR2, in patients with advanced solid tumors. Aurora kinases, or AK, are a family of serine/threonine protein kinases discovered by Professor David Glover, our Chief Scientist, which are only expressed in actively dividing cells and are crucial for the process of cell division or mitosis. These proteins, which have been found to be over-expressed in many types of cancer, have generated significant scientific and commercial interest as cancer drug targets. VEGFR2 is a receptor protein that plays a key regulatory role in the angiogenesis pathway, or blood vessel formation. VEGFR is targeted by recently approved drugs such as bevacizumab and sorafenib indicated for the treatment of several solid cancers, such as breast, colorectal, kidney, liver and lung. We have retained worldwide rights to commercialize CYC116. Further work on CYC116 will be undertaken if we have a sufficient level of resources available to direct to the program.

CYC065

In December 2010, at the ASH conference, we announced the presentation of new preclinical data for CYC065, a novel, orally-available, cell cycle kinase inhibitor currently in IND-directed development. CYC065 and other compounds in a related series target the same key CDK/cyclin complexes which are targeted by seliciclib. CYC065 retains the specificity and mechanism of action of seliciclib, but has increased anti-proliferative potency and improved pharmaceutical properties.

The data was presented by Noopur Raje, M.D., Director of the Center for Multiple Myeloma at Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center in Boston and Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Raje and his colleagues presented results of a study entitled, “CYC065, a Potent Derivative of Seliciclib Is Active In Multiple Myeloma In Preclinical Studies.” The data demonstrate that CYC065 is cytotoxic at sub-micromolar concentrations against myeloma cell lines and CD138+ myeloma cells derived from patients. CYC065 demonstrated antiproliferative activity even in the presence of the growth stimulatory effects of both cytokines and bone marrow stromal cells. CYC065 induced apoptosis in myeloma cells as evidenced by the appearance of cleaved poly ADP ribose polymerase, or PARP.

Cyclacel discovered CYC065 and other novel CDK inhibitors in collaboration with the Cancer Research UK Centre for Cancer Therapeutics at The Institute of Cancer Research, or ICR, in London, The United Kingdom.

8

Table of Contents

CYC800 (Plk)

In our polo-like kinase or Plk inhibitor program we have discovered potent and selective small molecule inhibitors of Plk1, a kinase active during cell division, targeting the mitotic phase of the cell cycle.  Plk was discovered by Professor David Glover, our Chief Scientist.

Non-oncology Programs

Cell Cycle Inhibitors in Autoimmune & Inflammatory Diseases

Preclinical results from several independent investigators suggest that cell cycle inhibitors such as seliciclib and its backup molecules arrest the progress of the cell cycle and may have therapeutic benefit in the treatment of patients with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases as well as in diseases characterized by uncontrolled cell proliferation. Published data indicate potential benefit in graft-versus-host disease, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, glomerulonephritis, lupus nephritis, polycystic kidney disease and rheumatoid arthritis.

Commercial Products

We have exclusive rights to sell and distribute three products in the United States and Canada used primarily to manage the effects of radiation or chemotherapy in cancer patients: Xclair® Cream, Numoisyn® Liquid and Numoisyn® Lozenges. All three products are approved in the United States under FDA 510 (k) or medical device registrations.

Xclair® Cream

Xclair® is an aqueous cream containing sodium hyaluronate, or hyaluronic acid, and glycyrrhetinic acid that is formulated to relieve symptoms associated with radiation dermatitis. Sodium hyaluronate is the key water-regulating substance in human skin. Sodium hyaluronate has high viscoelasticity and lubricity. When sodium hyaluronate solution is applied on the surface of skin, it forms an air permeable layer that keeps skin moist and smooth. Small molecular weight sodium hyaluronate can penetrate into the dermis where it combines with water to promote microcirculation, nutrient absorption, and metabolism. Glycyrrhetinic acid reduces inflammation and is believed to have immunomodulatory properties.

Numoisyn® Liquid

Numoisyn® Liquid is an oral solution used to replace natural saliva when salivary glands are damaged. The viscosity of Numoisyn® Liquid is similar to that of natural saliva. Linseed extract in Numoisyn® Liquid contains mucins that provide superior viscosity and reduced friction compared to water or carboxymethylcellulose or CMC solutions. Linseed extract significantly reduces the symptoms of dry mouth with increasing effect over time while Numoisyn® Liquid is used.

Numoisyn® Lozenges

Numoisyn® Lozenges dissolve slowly while moved around in the mouth. They contain sorbitol and malic acid to stimulate normal salivation and provide temporary relief of dry mouth in patients who have some residual secretory function and taste perception. Numoisyn® Lozenges support saliva’s natural protection of teeth so that teeth are not damaged with repeated use of the lozenges. They are sugar-free and buffered with calcium to protect teeth. Numoisyn® Lozenges have been demonstrated to be safe and effective for long-term use and are well tolerated by patients. Use of Numoisyn® Lozenges improves subjective symptoms of dry mouth and does not cause bacteria or plaque formation or loss of tooth enamel hardness.

Business Strategy

Our operating plan is to focus on the clinical development of sapacitabine, specifically the on-going SEAMLESS trial, with selective investment in the advancement of other clinical studies or our other drug candidates. We currently anticipate that our cash and cash equivalents of approximately $24.4 million at December 31, 2011 are sufficient to meet our anticipated short-term working capital needs and to fund our on-going sapacitabine clinical trials for at least the next twelve months. However, we cannot be certain that we will be able to raise sufficient funds to complete the development and commercialize any of our product candidates currently in clinical development, should they succeed.

Focus on the cell cycle and cancer

Our core area of expertise is in cell cycle biology and our scientists include recognized leaders in this field. In addition, our senior management has extensive experience in research, preclinical and clinical development and sales and marketing. Thus, we believe that we are well placed to exploit the significant opportunities that this area offers for new drug discovery and development for the following reasons:

9

Table of Contents

·                  The novel, mechanism-targeted cell cycle drugs we are developing are designed to be highly selective in comparison to conventional chemotherapies, potentially inducing death in cancer cells while sparing most normal cells which may give rise to fewer side-effects.

·                  We believe that our sapacitabine is the only orally-available nucleoside analogue presently being tested in the Phase 3 trial in AML and Phase 2 trial in MDS and seliciclib is the most advanced orally-available CDK inhibitor currently in Phase 2 trials. We believe that we are well positioned to realize some of the market potential of such drugs.

Develop anticancer drug candidates in all phases of the cell cycle and multiple compounds for particular cell cycle targets

Targeting a broad development program focused on multiple phases of the cell cycle allows us to minimize risk while maximizing the potential for success and also to develop products that are complementary to one another.

Enter into partnering arrangements selectively, while developing our own sales and marketing capability

We currently retain virtually all marketing rights to the compounds associated with our current clinical-stage drug programs. To optimize our commercial return, we intend to enter into selected partnering arrangements, and to leverage our sales and marketing capability by retaining co-promotion rights as appropriate. Historically, we have planned to develop compounds through the Phase 2 proof-of-efficacy stage before seeking a partner. We may be prepared to enter into partnering arrangements earlier than Phase 2 proof-of-concept trials in connection with drug programs outside our core competency in oncology.

Patents, Proprietary Technology and Collaborations

We consider intellectual property rights to be vital and use a variety of methods to secure, protect and evaluate these rights. These include:

·                  Ownership and enforcement of patent rights;

·                  Patent applications covering our own inventions in fields that we consider important to our business strategy;

·                  License agreements with third parties granting us rights to patents in fields that are important to our business strategy;

·                  Invention assignment agreements with our employees and consultants;

·                  Non-compete agreements with our key employees and consultants;

·                  Confidentiality agreements with our employees, consultants, and others having access to our proprietary information;

·                  Standard policies for the maintenance of laboratory notebooks to establish priority of our inventions;

·                  Freedom to use studies from patent counsel;

·                  Material transfer agreements; and

·                  Trademark protection.

We give priority to obtaining substance of matter claims in the United States, the EPO, Japan and other important markets if such protection is available. We prefer substance of matter claims because they give us rights to the compounds themselves, and not merely a particular use. In addition to substance of matter claims, we seek coverage for solid state forms, polymorphic and crystalline forms, medical uses, combination therapies, specific regimens, pharmaceutical forms of our compounds and synthetic routes where available and appropriate. Claims covering combination therapies, specific regimens and pharmaceutical forms can be valuable because the therapeutic effect of pharmaceuticals used in the anticancer field is often enhanced when individual therapeutics are used in particular combinations or dosed in a certain way. The availability of protection in these areas can, however, vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and combination claims are particularly difficult to obtain for many inventions. We own 15 patent applications pending in the United States, 13 before the EPO, one pending PCT application still in the international application phase, and over 50 pending patent applications in other countries. No assurances can be given that patents will be issued with respect to the pending applications, nor that the claims will provide equivalent coverage in all jurisdictions. In addition to the pending patent applications referred to above that we own, there are 26 pending patent applications worldwide to which we have a license or an option to take a license.

10

Table of Contents

Since publications in the scientific or patent literature often lag behind actual discoveries, we are not certain of being first to make the inventions covered by each of our pending patent applications or the first to file those patent applications. Generally, patent applications in the United States are maintained in secrecy for a period of 18 months or more, which increases the uncertainty we face. Moreover, the patent positions of biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies are highly uncertain and involve complex legal and factual questions. As a result, we cannot predict the breadth of claims allowed in biotechnology and pharmaceutical patents, or their enforceability. To date, there has been no consistent policy regarding the breadth of claims allowed in biotechnology patents. Third parties or competitors may challenge or circumvent our patents or patent applications, if issued. Because of the extensive time required for development, testing and regulatory review of a potential product, it is possible that before we commercialize any of our products, any related patent may expire, or remain in existence for only a short period following commercialization, thus reducing any advantage of the patent and the commercial opportunity of the product.

If patents are issued to others containing valid claims that cover our compounds or their manufacture or use or screening assays related thereto, we may be required to obtain licenses to these patents or to develop or obtain alternative technology. We are aware of several published patent applications, and understand that others may exist, that could support claims that, if granted and held valid, would cover various aspects of our developmental programs, including in some cases particular uses of our lead drug candidates, sapacitabine, seliciclib or other therapeutic candidates, or gene sequences, substances, processes and techniques that we use in the course of our research and development and manufacturing operations.

In addition, we understand that other applications and patents exist relating to uses of sapacitabine and seliciclib that are not part of our current clinical programs for those compounds. Although we intend to continue to monitor the pending applications, it is not possible to predict whether these claims will ultimately be allowed or if they were allowed what their breadth would be. In addition, we may need to commence litigation to enforce any patents issued to us or to determine the scope and validity of third-party proprietary rights. Litigation would create substantial costs. In one case we have opposed a European patent relating to human aurora kinase and the patent has been finally revoked (no appeal was filed). We are also aware of a corresponding United States patent containing method of treatment claims for specific cancers using aurora kinase modulators which, if held valid, could potentially restrict the use of our aurora kinase inhibitors once clinical trials are completed. If competitors prepare and file patent applications in the United States that claim technology that we also claim, we may have to participate in interference proceedings in the United States Patent and Trademark Office to determine which invention has priority. These proceedings could result in substantial costs, even if the eventual outcome is favorable to us. An adverse outcome in litigation could subject us to significant liabilities to third parties and require us to seek licenses of the disputed rights from third parties or to cease using the technology, even a therapeutic product, if such licenses are unavailable or too expensive.

Licenses

Several of our programs are based on technology licensed from others. Our breach of an existing license or failure to obtain a license to technology required to develop, test and commercialize our products may seriously harm our business.

Sapacitabine

On September 10, 2003, we entered into a license agreement with Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd. of Japan or Daiichi Sankyo with respect to patents and patent applications covering the sapacitabine compound. Daiichi Sankyo filed patent applications claiming sapacitabine and certain crystalline forms of sapacitabine and methods for its preparation and use which encompass our chosen commercial development form as well as related know-how and materials. The issued patents for the sapacitabine compound cover the United States, EPO, Japan and 19 other countries. These patents expire between 2012 and 2014. The issued patents for the crystalline forms cover the United States, EPO, Japan and eleven other countries, with patents pending in a further three countries. These patents expire in 2022. It may be possible to extend the term of a patent in the United States, Europe or Japan for up to five years to the extent it covers the sapacitabine compound or its crystalline form upon regulatory approval of that compound in the United States, Europe or Japan, but there is no assurance that we will be able to obtain any such extension. The license grants us the exclusive right to exploit and sublicense the sapacitabine compound and any other products covered by the patents and patent applications owned by Daiichi Sankyo. The license originally was subject to certain third party rights related to certain countries but the license has been extended and is now worldwide. The license agreement also grants us nonexclusive, sublicensed rights to CNDAC, both a precursor compound and initial metabolite of sapacitabine.

We are under an obligation to use reasonable endeavors to develop a product and obtain regulatory approval to sell a product and we have agreed to pay Daiichi Sankyo an up-front fee, reimbursement for Daiichi Sankyo’s enumerated expenses, milestone payments and royalties on a country-by-country basis. Under this agreement, $1.6 million was paid in April 2011 and further aggregate milestone payments totaling approximately $10.0 million could be payable subject to achievement of specific contractual milestones and our decision to continue with these projects. The up-front fee and certain past reimbursements have been paid. Royalties are payable in each country for the term of patent protection in the country or for ten years following the first commercial sale of licensed products in the country, whichever is later. Royalties are payable on net sales. Net sales are defined as the gross amount invoiced by us or our affiliates or licensees, less discounts, credits, taxes, shipping and bad debt losses. The agreement extends from its commencement date to the date on which no further amounts are owed under it. If we wish to appoint a third-party to develop or commercialize a sapacitabine-based product in Japan, within certain limitations, Daiichi Sankyo must be notified and given a right of first refusal to develop and/or commercialize in Japan. Effective July 11, 2011, the license was amended to irrevocably waive a termination right Daiichi Sankyo possessed under a provision of the agreement that required the Company to obtain regulatory approval to sell sapacitabine in at least one country by September 2011, and releases the Company from all claims and liability of any kind arising under such provision. The amendment further provides that the royalty fee due from us to Daiichi Sankyo on future net sales of sapacitabine be increased by a percentage between 1.25% and 1.50%, depending on the level of net sales of sapacitabine realized. In general, however, the license may be terminated by us for technical, scientific, efficacy, safety, or commercial reasons on six months notice, or twelve months if after a launch of a sapacitabine-based product, or by either party for material default.

11

Table of Contents

Seliciclib

We have entered into an agreement with Centre National de Recherche Scientifique, or CNRS, and Institut Curie that grants us worldwide rights under the patents jointly owned by CNRS, Institut Curie and the Czech Institute of Experimental Botany covering the seliciclib compound. The effective date of the agreement is February 1, 2002. The license grants exclusive rights in the fields of auto-immune diseases, cardiovascular diseases, dermatological diseases, infectious diseases, inflammatory diseases, and proliferative diseases, including cancer. Non-acute chronic diseases of the central nervous system, neurological diseases and diseases of the peripheral nervous system are specifically excluded. The license runs for the term of the patents in each country, or for ten years from the first commercial sale in each country, whichever is later. We paid an up-front fee and yearly payments and milestone payments until the patents covering the seliciclib compound, particular uses of the compound, and particular uses and derivatives of the compound were published as granted in either the United States or by EPO which occurred in 2001 and 2003, respectively. Milestones are also payable on the first commercialization of a product that consists of a new chemical entity that is covered by one of the licensed patents.

We will be obligated to pay royalties based on our net sales of products covered by the patents. Royalties are payable on a country-by-country basis for the term of patent protection in each country or ten years from the first commercial sale of royalty-bearing products in that country, whichever is later. Royalties are payable on net sales. Net sales are defined as the gross amount invoiced by us or by our affiliates for the products, less normal trade discounts, credits for returned products, taxes and shipping charges. There is one royalty rate for products that are covered by valid licensed patent claims and a second, lower royalty rate for all other products that require a license under the licensed patents. We must also pay a portion of sublicensing revenues. Although the license permits us to grant sublicenses, we cannot assign the license without the consent of the CNRS and Institut Curie, which may not be unreasonably withheld. Under the agreement, assignment is defined to include many transactions of the type that we might wish to pursue, such as a merger or an acquisition by another company, as well as certain takeovers. This restriction may prevent us from pursuing attractive business opportunities. Moreover, the occurrence of a majority takeover or a similar transaction that we may be unable to control could cause a default under the license agreement, which could lead to its termination.

We have also purchased from the Czech Institute of Experimental Botany patents and patent applications covering the use of seliciclib and related compounds. The issued patents are in the United States, Australia and South Korea. Under the purchase agreement, we will pay royalties to the Czech Institute upon sales of products covered by those patents, but only if there are no royalties paid by us to CNRS for those sales under the license agreement with CNRS and Institut Curie covering seliciclib that is described above.

Patents covering the seliciclib compound are owned jointly by the Czech Institute of Experimental Botany and CNRS. The patents have been issued in the United States, in Japan and by the EPO and expire in 2016. It may be possible to extend the term of a patent in the United States or Europe for up to five years to the extent it covers the seliciclib compound upon regulatory approval of that compound in the United States or Europe, but there is no assurance that we will be able to obtain any such extension. Under agreements between CNRS and the Czech Institute of Experimental Botany, CNRS has the exclusive right to enter into license agreements covering the patents. The agreement reserves to both CNRS and the Czech Institute of Experimental Botany certain rights, including the right to patent improvements and to use the patents for internal research purposes.

Sinclair Pharma plc

As part of the acquisition of ALIGN, we acquired from Sinclair Pharma plc, or Sinclair, United States and Canadian distribution rights to the three commercial products marketed by ALIGN Xclair® Cream, Numoisyn® Liquid and Numoisyn® Lozenges. Each of the agreements covering the three products expires in June 2015, at which time we will explore options to renew such agreements. Under these agreements, we have obligations to pay certain quarterly royalties and other amounts pursuant to the agreement which may be reduced or lapse if we exceed certain sales levels.

Manufacturing

We have no in-house manufacturing capabilities and have no current plans to establish manufacturing facilities for significant clinical or commercial production. We have no direct experience in manufacturing commercial quantities of any of Sinclair contracts with third party manufacturers to supply finished goods that meet our needs with respect to Xclair® Cream, Numoisyn® Liquid and Numoisyn® Lozenges. If any of Sinclair’s third party manufacturers or service providers do not meet our or our licensor’s requirements for quality, quantity or timeliness, or do not achieve and maintain compliance with all applicable regulations, demand for our products or our ability to continue supplying such products could substantially decline.

12

Table of Contents

Sales and Marketing

We currently have a small pharmaceutical commercial sales organization marketing our ALIGN products and advertise our ALIGN products in industry publications. If commercially justified, we expect to expand our sales and commercialization group to support our products that may be commercialized for oncology/hematology indications and possibly other therapeutic areas. We intend to market and sell directly products for indications addressing modest patient populations. For products with indications addressing large patient populations we may partner with other pharmaceutical companies. In addition, we may accelerate the expansion of our commercial organization to take advantage of any product in-licensing and acquisition opportunities that we may elect to pursue.

Government Regulation

The FDA and comparable regulatory agencies in state and local jurisdictions and in foreign countries impose substantial requirements upon the clinical development, manufacture, marketing and distribution of drugs. These agencies and other federal, state and local entities regulate research and development activities and the testing, manufacture, quality control, safety, effectiveness, labeling, storage, record keeping, approval, advertising and promotion of our drug candidates and commercialized drugs.

In the United States, the FDA regulates drugs under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and implementing regulations. The process required by the FDA before our drug candidates may be marketed in the United States generally involves the following:

·                  completion of extensive preclinical laboratory tests, preclinical animal studies and formulation studies, all performed in accordance with the FDA’s good laboratory practice, or GLP, regulations;

·                  submission to the FDA of an IND application which must become effective before clinical trials may begin;

·                  performance of adequate and well-controlled clinical trials to establish the safety and efficacy of the drug candidate for each proposed indication;

·                  submission of a NDA to the FDA;

·                  satisfactory completion of an FDA pre-approval inspection of the manufacturing facilities at which the product is produced to assess compliance with current good manufacturing practice GMP, or cGMP, regulations;

·                  FDA review and approval of the NDA prior to any commercial marketing, sale or shipment of the drug; and

·                  regulation of commercial marketing and sale of drugs.

This testing and approval process requires substantial time, effort and financial resources, and we cannot be certain that any approvals for our drug candidates will be granted on a timely basis, if at all. Preclinical tests include laboratory evaluation of product chemistry, formulation and stability, as well as studies to evaluate toxicity in animals. The results of preclinical tests, together with manufacturing information and analytical data, are submitted as part of an IND application to the FDA. The IND automatically becomes effective 30 days after receipt by the FDA, unless the FDA, within the 30-day time period, raises concerns or questions about the conduct of the clinical trial, including concerns that human research subjects will be exposed to unreasonable health risks. In such a case, the IND sponsor and the FDA must resolve any outstanding concerns before the clinical trial can begin. Our submission of an IND, or those of our collaborators, may not result in FDA authorization to commence a clinical trial. A separate submission to an existing IND must also be made for each successive clinical trial conducted during product development. Further, an independent institutional review board, or IRB, for each medical center proposing to conduct the clinical trial must review and approve the plan for any clinical trial before it commences at that center and it must monitor the clinical trial until completed. The FDA, the IRB or the clinical trial sponsor may suspend a clinical trial at any time on various grounds, including a finding that the subjects or patients are being exposed to an unacceptable health risk. Clinical testing also must satisfy extensive GCP regulations and regulations for informed consent.

13

Table of Contents

Clinical Trials

For purposes of an NDA submission and approval, clinical trials are typically conducted in the following three sequential phases, which may overlap:

·                  Phase 1:    The clinical trials are initially conducted in a limited population to test the drug candidate for safety, dose tolerance, absorption, metabolism, distribution and excretion in healthy humans or, on occasion, in patients, such as cancer patients. Phase 1 clinical trials can be designed to evaluate the impact of the drug candidate in combination with currently approved drugs.

·                  Phase 2:    These clinical trials are generally conducted in a limited patient population to identify possible adverse effects and safety risks, to determine the efficacy of the drug candidate for specific targeted indications and to determine dose tolerance and optimal dosage. Multiple Phase 2 clinical trials may be conducted by the sponsor to obtain information prior to beginning larger and more expensive Phase 3 clinical trial.

·                  Phase 3:    These clinical trials are commonly referred to as pivotal clinical trials. If the Phase 2 clinical trials demonstrate that a dose range of the drug candidate is effective and has an acceptable safety profile, Phase 3 clinical trials are then undertaken in large patient populations to further evaluate dosage, to provide substantial evidence of clinical efficacy and to further test for safety in an expanded and diverse patient population at multiple, geographically dispersed clinical trial sites.

In some cases, the FDA may condition approval of an NDA for a drug candidate on the sponsor’s agreement to conduct additional clinical trials to further assess the drug’s safety and effectiveness after NDA approval.

New Drug Application

The results of drug candidate development, preclinical testing and clinical trials are submitted to the FDA as part of an NDA. The NDA also must contain extensive manufacturing information. Once the submission has been accepted for filing, by law the FDA has 180 days to review the application and respond to the applicant. The review process is often significantly extended by FDA requests for additional information or clarification. The FDA may refer the NDA to an advisory committee for review, evaluation and recommendation as to whether the application should be approved. The FDA is not bound by the recommendation of an advisory committee, but it generally follows such recommendations. The FDA may deny approval of an NDA if the applicable regulatory criteria are not satisfied, or it may require additional clinical data or an additional pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial. Even if such data are submitted, the FDA may ultimately decide that the NDA does not satisfy the criteria for approval. Data from clinical trials are not always conclusive and the FDA may interpret data differently than we or our collaborators do. Once issued, the FDA may withdraw a drug approval if ongoing regulatory requirements are not met or if safety problems occur after the drug reaches the market. In addition, the FDA may require further testing, including Phase 4 clinical trials, and surveillance programs to monitor the effect of approved drugs which have been commercialized. The FDA has the power to prevent or limit further marketing of a drug based on the results of these post-marketing programs. Drugs may be marketed only for the approved indications and in accordance with the provisions of the approved label. Further, if there are any modifications to a drug, including changes in indications, labeling or manufacturing processes or facilities, we may be required to submit and obtain FDA approval of a new NDA or NDA supplement, which may require us to develop additional data or conduct additional preclinical studies and clinical trials.

Fast Track Designation

The FDA’s fast track program is intended to facilitate the development and to expedite the review of drugs that are intended for the treatment of a serious or life-threatening condition for which there is no effective treatment and which demonstrate the potential to address unmet medical needs for the condition. Under the fast track program, the sponsor of a new drug candidate may request the FDA to designate the drug candidate for a specific indication as a fast track drug concurrent with or after the filing of the IND for the drug candidate. The FDA must determine if the drug candidate qualifies for fast track designation within 60 days of receipt of the sponsor’s request.

If fast track designation is obtained, the FDA may initiate review of sections of an NDA before the application is complete. This rolling review is available if the applicant provides and the FDA approves a schedule for the submission of the remaining information and the applicant pays applicable user fees. However, the time period specified in the Prescription Drug User Fees Act, which governs the time period goals the FDA has committed to reviewing an application, does not begin until the complete application is submitted. Additionally, the fast track designation may be withdrawn by the FDA if the FDA believes that the designation is no longer supported by data emerging in the clinical trial process.

14

Table of Contents

In some cases, a fast track designated drug candidate may also qualify for one or more of the following programs:

·                  Priority Review. Under FDA policies, a drug candidate is eligible for priority review, or review within a six-month time frame from the time a complete NDA is accepted for filing, if the drug candidate provides a significant improvement compared to marketed drugs in the treatment, diagnosis or prevention of a disease. We cannot suggest or in any way guarantee that any of our drug candidates will receive a priority review designation, or if a priority designation is received, that review or approval will be faster than conventional FDA procedures, or that the FDA will ultimately grant drug approval.

·                  Accelerated Approval. Under the FDA’s accelerated approval regulations, the FDA is authorized to approve drug candidates that have been studied for their safety and effectiveness in treating serious or life-threatening illnesses, and that provide meaningful therapeutic benefit to patients over existing treatments based upon either a surrogate endpoint that is reasonably likely to predict clinical benefit or on the basis of an effect on a clinical endpoint other than patient survival. In clinical trials, surrogate endpoints are alternative measurements of the symptoms of a disease or condition that are substituted for measurements of observable clinical symptoms. A drug candidate approved on this basis is subject to rigorous post-marketing compliance requirements, including the completion of Phase 4 or post-approval clinical trials to validate the surrogate endpoint or confirm the effect on the clinical endpoint. Failure to conduct required post-approval studies, or to validate a surrogate endpoint or confirm a clinical benefit during post-marketing studies, will allow the FDA to withdraw the drug from the market on an expedited basis. All promotional materials for drug candidates approved under accelerated regulations are subject to prior review by the FDA. In rare instances the FDA may grant accelerated approval of an NDA based on Phase 2 data and require confirmatory Phase 3 studies to be conducted after approval and/or as a condition of maintaining approval.  We can give no assurance that any of our drugs will be reviewed under such procedures.

When appropriate, we and our collaborators may attempt to seek fast track designation or accelerated approval for our drug candidates. We cannot predict whether any of our drug candidates will obtain a fast track or accelerated approval designation, or the ultimate impact, if any, of the fast track or the accelerated approval process on the timing or likelihood of FDA approval of any of our drug candidates.

Satisfaction of FDA regulations and requirements or similar requirements of state, local and foreign regulatory agencies typically takes several years and the actual time required may vary substantially based upon the type, complexity and novelty of the product or disease. Typically, if a drug candidate is intended to treat a chronic disease, as is the case with some of our drug candidates, safety and efficacy data must be gathered over an extended period of time. Government regulation may delay or prevent marketing of drug candidates for a considerable period of time and impose costly procedures upon our activities. The FDA or any other regulatory agency may not grant approvals for new indications for our drug candidates on a timely basis, if at all. Even if a drug candidate receives regulatory approval, the approval may be significantly limited to specific disease states, patient populations and dosages. Further, even after regulatory approval is obtained, later discovery of previously unknown problems with a drug may result in restrictions on the drug or even complete withdrawal of the drug from the market. Delays in obtaining, or failures to obtain, regulatory approvals for any of our drug candidates would harm our business. In addition, we cannot predict what adverse governmental regulations may arise from future United States or foreign governmental action.

510(k)

Section 510(k) of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act requires device manufacturers to notify FDA, at least ninety days in advance, of their intent to market a medical device. This is known as Premarket Notification, or PMN, or 510(k). It allows the FDA to determine whether the device is equivalent to a device already placed into one of three classification categories. Medical device manufacturers are required to submit a PMN if they intend to introduce a device into commercial distribution for the first time or reintroduce a device that will be significantly changed or modified to the extent that its safety or effectiveness could be affected. Such change or modification could relate to the design, material, chemical composition, energy source, manufacturing process, or intended use.

Other regulatory requirements

Any products manufactured or distributed by us or our collaborators pursuant to FDA approvals are subject to continuing regulation by the FDA, including recordkeeping requirements and reporting of adverse experiences associated with the drug. Drug manufacturers and their subcontractors are required to register their establishments with the FDA and certain state agencies and are subject to periodic unannounced inspections by the FDA and certain state agencies for compliance with ongoing regulatory requirements, including cGMP, which impose certain procedural and documentation requirements upon us and our third-party manufacturers. Failure to comply with the statutory and regulatory requirements can subject a manufacturer to possible legal or regulatory action, such as warning letters, suspension of manufacturing, seizure of product, injunctive action or possible civil penalties. We cannot be certain that we or our present or future third-party manufacturers or suppliers will be able to comply with the cGMP regulations and other ongoing FDA regulatory requirements. If our present or future third-party manufacturers or suppliers are not able to comply with these requirements, the FDA may halt our clinical trials, require us to recall a product from distribution, or withdraw approval of that product.

15

Table of Contents

The FDA closely regulates the post-approval marketing and promotion of drugs, including standards and regulations for direct-to-consumer advertising, off-label promotion, industry-sponsored scientific and educational activities and promotional activities involving the Internet. A company can make only those claims relating to safety and efficacy that are approved by the FDA. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in adverse publicity, warning letters, corrective advertising and potential civil and criminal penalties. Physicians may prescribe legally available drugs for uses that are not described in the drug’s labeling and that differ from those tested by us and approved by the FDA. Such off-label uses are common across medical specialties. Physicians may believe that such off-label uses are the best treatment for many patients in varied circumstances. The FDA does not regulate the behavior of physicians in their choice of treatments. The FDA does, however, impose stringent restrictions on manufacturers’ communications regarding off-label use.

Competition

The biotechnology and biopharmaceutical industries are rapidly changing and highly competitive. We are seeking to develop and market drug candidates that will compete with other products and therapies that currently exist or are being developed. Other companies are actively seeking to develop products that have disease targets similar to those we are pursuing. We face competition from many different sources, including commercial, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, academic institutions, government agencies and private and public research institutions. Many of our competitors have significantly greater financial, manufacturing, marketing and drug development resources than we do. Smaller or early-stage companies may also prove to be significant competitors, particularly through collaborative arrangements with large and established companies. Our commercial opportunity will be reduced or eliminated if our competitors develop and commercialize products that are safer, more effective, have fewer side effects or are less expensive than any products that we may develop. In addition, competitors compete in the areas of recruiting and retaining qualified scientific and management personnel, establishing clinical trial sites and patient registration for clinical trials, as well as in acquiring technologies and technology licenses.

A large number of drug candidates are in development for the treatment of leukemia, lung cancer, lymphomas and nasopharyngeal cancer. Several pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies have nucleoside analogs or other products on the market or in clinical trials which may be competitive to sapacitabine in both hematological and oncology indications. These include Astra-Zeneca, Celgene, Cephalon, Eisai, Eli Lilly, Genzyme, GlaxoSmithKline, Hospira, Johnson & Johnson, Onconova and Sunesis. There are two other orally-available CDK inhibitors in Phase 2 clinical trials. PD-0332991 (Pfizer/Onyx), P-1446A-05 (Nicholas Piramal Ltd.) and PHA-848125 (Nerviano Medical Sciences) that target different subsets of CDK enzymes and have a different mechanism of action from seliciclib.There are a number of companies, including AstraZeneca, Astex Pharmaceuticals, Bayer-Schering, Eisai, Merck, Nerviano Medical Sciences, Pfizer, Piramal Life Sciences, and Roche that are developing CDK inhibitors in early stage clinical trials in cancer patients.  Although Aventis, a predecessor of Sanofi-Aventis, had previously announced that it has ceased Phase 2 development of alvocidib or flavopiridol, a CDK inhibitor, we believe that the National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, or CTEP, is continuing to enroll patients in a CTEP sponsored trial in patients with chronic leukemia. A number of companies are pursuing discovery and research activities in each of the other areas that are the subject of our research and drug development programs. We believe that Amgen, Astex Pharmaceuticals, AstraZeneca, Entremed, Merck, jointly with Vertex, Nerviano Medical Sciences, Pfizer, Rigel, Sunesis and Takeda-Millennium have commenced Phase 1, 2 and 3 clinical trials of Aurora kinase inhibitors in patients with advanced cancers. Several companies have reported selection of Aurora kinase inhibitor candidates for development and may have started or are expected to start clinical trials within the next twelve months. We believe that Boehringer Ingelheim, GlaxoSmithKline, Merck, Nerviano Medical Sciences, Takeda-Millennium and Tekmira Pharmaceuticals Corporation have commenced Phase 1 or Phase 2 clinical trials with Plk inhibitor candidates for oncology indications. For our ALIGN products, we believe that Beiersdorf, Daiichi Sankyo, Eisai, Johnson & Johnson, MPM Medical and other companies market products for radiation dermatitis and xerostomia.

Employees

As of March 30, 2012, we had 18 full-time employees. We believe we have been successful in attracting skilled and experienced management and scientific personnel. Our employees are not represented by any collective bargaining agreements, and management considers relations with our employees to be good.

16

Table of Contents

Legal Proceedings

From time to time, we may be involved in routine litigation incidental to the conduct of our business. On April 27, 2010, we were served with a complaint filed by Celgene Corporation in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware seeking a declaratory judgment that four of our own patents, claiming the use of romidepsin injection in T-cell lymphomas, are invalid and not infringed by Celgene’s products, but directly involve the use and administration of Celgene’s ISTODAX® (romidepsin for injection) product. On June 17, 2010, we filed our answer and counterclaims to the declaratory judgment complaint. We have filed counterclaims charging Celgene with infringement of each of our four patents and seeking damages for Celgene’s infringement as well as injunctive relief. The four patents directly involve the use and administration of Celgene’s ISTODAX® (romidepsin for injection) product.

A scheduling Order was entered February 2, 2012, at which time the court set the following significant dates: March 22, 2012 (amendment of pleadings/joinder of parties); March 14, 2013 (claim construction hearing); August 14, 2013 (summary judgment briefing); and June 2, 2014 (7 day jury trial start date). Discovery is currently ongoing.

Corporate Information

Our corporate headquarters are located at 200 Connell Drive, Suite 1500, Berkeley Heights, New Jersey, 07922, and our telephone number is (908) 517-7330. This is also where our marketing, medical and regulatory functions are located. Our research facility is located in Dundee, Scotland, which is also the center of our translational work and development programs.

17

Table of Contents

THE OFFERING

18

Table of Contents

RISK FACTORS

Any investment in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. Investors should carefully consider the risks described below, together with all of the other information included in this prospectus, before deciding whether to purchase shares of our common stock. Each of the following risk factors, either alone or taken together, could adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition, as well as adversely affect the value of an investment in our company. This prospectus also contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our operating results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain risk factors, including the risks we face as described below and elsewhere in this prospectus.

Risks Associated with Development and Commercialization of Our Drug Candidates

Clinical trial designs that were discussed with the authorities prior to their commencement may subsequently be considered insufficient for approval at the time of application for regulatory approval. Thus, our SPA regarding our SEAMLESS trial does not guarantee marketing approval or approval of our sapacitabine oral capsules for the treatment of AML.

On September 13, 2010, and as amended on October 11, 2011, we reached agreement with the FDA regarding an SPA on the design of a pivotal Phase 3 trial for our sapacitabine oral capsules as a front-line treatment in elderly patients aged 70 years or older with newly diagnosed AML, who are not candidates for intensive induction chemotherapy, or the SEAMLESS trial. An SPA provides trial sponsors with an agreement from the FDA that the design and analysis of the trial adequately address objectives in support of a submission for a marketing application if the trial is performed according to the SPA. The SPA may only be changed through a written agreement between the sponsor and the FDA or if the FDA becomes aware of a substantial scientific issue essential to product efficacy or safety. On January 11, 2011, we opened enrollment of the SEAMLESS trial.

An SPA, however, neither guarantees approval nor provides any assurance that a marketing application would be approved by the FDA. There are companies that have been granted SPAs but have ultimately failed to obtain final approval to market their drugs.  The FDA may revise previous guidance or decide to ignore previous guidance at any time during the course of clinical activities or after the completion of clinical trials. The FDA may raise issues relating to, among other things, safety, study conduct, bias, deviation from the protocol, statistical power, patient completion rates, changes in scientific or medical parameters or internal inconsistencies in the data prior to making its final decision. The FDA may also seek the guidance of an outside advisory committee prior to making its final decision. Even with successful clinical safety and efficacy data, including such data from a clinical trial conducted pursuant to an SPA, we may be required to conduct additional, expensive clinical trials to obtain regulatory approval.

If we fail to enter into and maintain successful strategic alliances for our drug candidates, we may have to reduce or delay our drug candidate development or increase our expenditures.

An important element of our strategy for developing, manufacturing and commercializing our drug candidates is entering into strategic alliances with pharmaceutical companies or other industry participants to advance our programs and enable us to maintain our financial and operational capacity.

We face significant competition in seeking appropriate alliances. We may not be able to negotiate alliances on acceptable terms, if at all. In addition, these alliances may be unsuccessful. If we fail to create and maintain suitable alliances, we may have to limit the size or scope of, or delay, one or more of our drug development or research programs. If we elect to fund drug development or research programs on our own, we will have to increase our expenditures and will need to obtain additional funding, which may be unavailable or available only on unfavorable terms.

Clinical trials are expensive, time consuming, subject to delay and may be required to continue beyond our available funding and we cannot be certain that we will be able to raise sufficient funds to complete the development and commercialize any of our product candidates currently in development, should they succeed.

Clinical trials are expensive, complex, can take many years to conduct and may have uncertain outcomes. We estimate that clinical trials of our most advanced drug candidates may be required to continue beyond our available funding and may take several more years to complete since we do not have sufficient funding at this time to complete. The designs used in some of our trials have not been used widely by other pharmaceutical companies. Failure can occur at any stage of the testing and we may experience numerous unforeseen events during, or as a result of, the clinical trial process that could delay or prevent commercialization of our current or future drug candidates, including but not limited to:

·                  delays in securing clinical investigators or trial sites for our clinical trials;

·                  delays in obtaining IRB and other regulatory approvals to commence a clinical trial;

·                  slower than anticipated rates of patient recruitment and enrollment, or reaching the targeted number of patients because of competition for patients from other trials, or if there is limited or no availability of coverage, reimbursement and adequate payment from health maintenance organizations and other third party payors for the use of agents used in our clinical trials, such as Dacogen® (decitabine) in SEAMLESS, or other reasons;

19

Table of Contents

·                  negative or inconclusive results from clinical trials;

·                  unforeseen safety issues;

·                  uncertain dosing issues may or may not be related to suboptimal pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic behaviors;

·                  approval and introduction of new therapies or changes in standards of practice or regulatory guidance that render our clinical trial endpoints or the targeting of our proposed indications obsolete;

·                  inability to monitor patients adequately during or after treatment or problems with investigator or patient compliance with the trial protocols;

·                  inability to replicate in large controlled studies safety and efficacy data obtained from a limited number of patients in uncontrolled trials;

·                  inability or unwillingness of medical investigators to follow our clinical protocols; and

·                  unavailability of clinical trial supplies.

If we suffer any significant delays, setbacks or negative results in, or termination of, our clinical trials, we may be unable to continue development of our drug candidates or generate revenue and our development costs could increase significantly. Adverse events have been observed in our clinical trials and may force us to stop development of our product candidates or prevent regulatory approval of our product candidates.

Adverse or inconclusive results from our clinical trials may substantially delay, or halt entirely, any further development of our drug candidates. Many companies have failed to demonstrate the safety or effectiveness of drug candidates in later stage clinical trials notwithstanding favorable results in early stage clinical trials. Previously unforeseen and unacceptable side effects could interrupt, delay or halt clinical trials of our drug candidates and could result in the FDA or other regulatory authorities denying approval of our drug candidates. We will need to demonstrate safety and efficacy for specific indications of use, and monitor safety and compliance with clinical trial protocols throughout the development process. To date, long-term safety and efficacy has not been demonstrated in clinical trials for any of our drug candidates. Toxicity and “serious adverse events” as defined in trial protocols have been noted in preclinical and clinical trials involving certain of our drug candidates. For example, neutropenia and gastro-intestinal toxicity were observed in patients receiving sapacitabine and elevations of liver enzymes and decrease in potassium levels have been observed in patients receiving seliciclib.

In addition, we may pursue clinical trials for sapacitabine and seliciclib in more than one indication. There is a risk that severe toxicity observed in a trial for one indication could result in the delay or suspension of all trials involving the same drug candidate. Even if we believe the data collected from clinical trials of our drug candidates are promising with respect to safety and efficacy, such data may not be deemed sufficient by regulatory authorities to warrant product approval. Clinical data can be interpreted in different ways. Regulatory officials could interpret such data in different ways than we do which could delay, limit or prevent regulatory approval. The FDA, other regulatory authorities or we may suspend or terminate clinical trials at any time. Any failure or significant delay in completing clinical trials for our drug candidates, or in receiving regulatory approval for the commercialization of our drug candidates, may severely harm our business and reputation.

We are making use of biomarkers, which are not scientifically validated, and our reliance on biomarker data may thus lead us to direct our resources inefficiently.

We are making use of biomarkers in an effort to facilitate our drug development and to optimize our clinical trials. Biomarkers are proteins or other substances whose presence in the blood can serve as an indicator of specific cell processes. We believe that these biological markers serve a useful purpose in helping us to evaluate whether our drug candidates are having their intended effects through their assumed mechanisms, and thus enable us to identify more promising drug candidates at an early stage and to direct our resources efficiently. We also believe that biomarkers may eventually allow us to improve patient selection in connection with clinical trials and monitor patient compliance with trial protocols.

For most purposes, however, biomarkers have not been scientifically validated. If our understanding and use of biomarkers is inaccurate or flawed, or if our reliance on them is otherwise misplaced, then we will not only fail to realize any benefits from using biomarkers, but may also be led to invest time and financial resources inefficiently in attempting to develop inappropriate drug candidates. Moreover, although the FDA has issued for comment a draft guidance document on the potential use of biomarker data in clinical development, such data are not currently accepted by the FDA or other regulatory agencies in the United States, the European Union or elsewhere in applications for regulatory approval of drug candidates and there is no guarantee that such data will ever be accepted by the relevant authorities in this connection. Our biomarker data should not be interpreted as evidence of efficacy.

20

Table of Contents

Due to our reliance on contract research organizations or other third parties to conduct clinical trials, we may be unable to directly control the timing, conduct and expense of our clinical trials.

We do not have the ability to independently conduct clinical trials required to obtain regulatory approvals for our drug candidates. We must rely on third parties, such as contract research organizations, data management companies, contract clinical research associates, medical institutions, clinical investigators and contract laboratories to conduct our clinical trials. In addition, we rely on third parties to assist with our preclinical development of drug candidates. If these third parties do not successfully carry out their contractual duties or regulatory obligations or meet expected deadlines, if the third parties need to be replaced or if the quality or accuracy of the data they obtain is compromised due to the failure to adhere to our clinical protocols or regulatory requirements or for other reasons, our preclinical development activities or clinical trials may be extended, delayed, suspended or terminated, and we may not be able to obtain regulatory approval for or successfully commercialize our drug candidates.

To the extent we are able to enter into collaborative arrangements or strategic alliances, we will be exposed to risks related to those collaborations and alliances.

Although we are not currently party to any collaboration arrangement or strategic alliance that is material to our business, in the future we expect to be dependent upon collaborative arrangements or strategic alliances to complete the development and commercialization of some of our drug candidates particularly after the Phase 2 stage of clinical testing. These arrangements may place the development of our drug candidates outside our control, may require us to relinquish important rights or may otherwise be on terms unfavorable to us.

Dependence on collaborative arrangements or strategic alliances will subject us to a number of risks, including the risk that:

·                  we may not be able to control the amount and timing of resources that our collaborators may devote to the drug candidates;

·                  our collaborators may experience financial difficulties;

·                  we may be required to relinquish important rights such as marketing and distribution rights;

·                  business combinations or significant changes in a collaborator’s business strategy may also adversely affect a collaborator’s willingness or ability to complete our obligations under any arrangement;

·                  a collaborator could independently move forward with a competing drug candidate developed either independently or in collaboration with others, including our competitors; and

·                  collaborative arrangements are often terminated or allowed to expire, which would delay the development and may increase the cost of developing our drug candidates.

We have no manufacturing capacity and will rely on third party manufacturers for the late stage development and commercialization of any drugs or devices we may develop or sell.

We do not currently operate manufacturing facilities for clinical or commercial production of our drug candidates under development or our currently marketed ALIGN products. We currently lack the resources or the capacity to manufacture any of our products on a clinical or commercial scale. We anticipate future reliance on a limited number of third party manufacturers until we are able, or decide to, expand our operations to include manufacturing capacities. If the FDA or other regulatory agencies approve any of our drug candidates for commercial sale, or if we significantly expand our clinical trials, we will need to manufacture them in larger quantities and will be required to secure alternative third-party suppliers to our current suppliers. To date, our drug candidates have been manufactured in small quantities for preclinical testing and clinical trials and we may not be able to successfully increase the manufacturing capacity, whether in collaboration with our current or future third-party manufacturers or on our own, for any of our drug candidates in a timely or economic manner, or at all. Significant scale-up of manufacturing may require additional validation studies, which the FDA and other regulatory bodies must review and approve. If we are unable to successfully increase the manufacturing capacity for a drug candidate whether for late stage clinical trials or for commercial sale or are unable to secure alternative third-party suppliers to our current suppliers, the drug development, regulatory approval or commercial launch of any related drugs may be delayed or blocked or there may be a shortage in supply. Even if any third party manufacturer makes improvements in the manufacturing process for our drug candidates, we may not own, or may have to share, the intellectual property rights to such innovation. Any performance failure on the part of manufacturers could delay late stage clinical development or regulatory approval of our drug, the commercialization of our drugs or our ability to sell our commercial products, producing additional losses and depriving us of potential product revenues. We depend upon a third party, Sinclair, to manufacture the commercial products sold by our ALIGN subsidiary and we cannot assure that Sinclair will be able to continue to supply the products.

21

Table of Contents

As we evolve from a company primarily involved in discovery and development to one also involved in the commercialization of drugs and devices, we may encounter difficulties in managing our growth and expanding our operations successfully.

In order to execute our business strategy, we will need to expand our development, control and regulatory capabilities and develop financial, manufacturing, marketing and sales capabilities or contract with third parties to provide these capabilities for us. If our operations expand, we expect that we will need to manage additional relationships with various collaborative partners, suppliers and other third parties. Our ability to manage our operations and any growth will require us to make appropriate changes and upgrades, as necessary, to our operational, financial and management controls, reporting systems and procedures wherever we may operate. Any inability to manage growth could delay the execution of our business plan or disrupt our operations.

The failure to attract and retain skilled personnel and key relationships could impair our drug development and commercialization efforts.

We are highly dependent on our senior management and key clinical development, scientific, technical and sales and marketing personnel. Competition for these types of personnel is intense. The loss of the services of any member of our senior management, clinical development, scientific, technical or sales and marketing staff may significantly delay or prevent the achievement of drug development and other business objectives and could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition. We also rely on consultants and advisors to assist us in formulating our strategy. All of our consultants and advisors are either self-employed or employed by other organizations, and they may have conflicts of interest or other commitments, such as consulting or advisory contracts with other organizations, that may affect their ability to contribute to us. The success of the commercialization of the ALIGN products depends, in large part, on our continued ability to develop and maintain important relationships with distributors and research and medical institutions. Failure to do that could have a material adverse effect on our ability to commercialize the ALIGN products.

We intend to expand and develop new drug candidates. We will need to hire additional employees in order to continue our clinical trials and market our drug candidates and medical devices. This strategy will require us to recruit additional executive management and clinical development, scientific and technical personnel. There is currently intense competition for skilled executives and employees with relevant clinical development, scientific and technical expertise, and this competition is likely to continue. The inability to attract and retain sufficient clinical development, scientific, technical and managerial personnel could limit or delay our product development efforts, which would adversely affect the development of our drug candidates and commercialization of our potential drugs and growth of our business.

Our drug candidates are subject to extensive regulation, which can be costly and time-consuming, and we may not obtain approvals for the commercialization of any of our drug candidates.

The clinical development, manufacturing, selling and marketing of our drug candidates are subject to extensive regulation by the FDA and other regulatory authorities in the United States, the European Union and elsewhere. These regulations also vary in important, meaningful ways from country to country. We are not permitted to market a potential drug in the United States until we receive approval of an NDA from the FDA. We have not received an NDA approval from the FDA for any of our drug candidates.

Obtaining an NDA approval is expensive and is a complex, lengthy and uncertain process. The FDA approval process for a new drug involves completion of preclinical studies and the submission of the results of these studies to the FDA, together with proposed clinical protocols, manufacturing information, analytical data and other information in an IND, which must become effective before human clinical trials may begin. Clinical development typically involves three phases of study: Phase 1, 2 and 3. The most significant costs associated with clinical development are the pivotal or suitable for registration late Phase 2 or Phase 3 clinical trials as they tend to be the longest and largest studies conducted during the drug development process. After completion of clinical trials, an NDA may be submitted to the FDA. In responding to an NDA, the FDA may refuse to file the application, or if accepted for filing, the FDA may grant marketing approval, request additional information or deny the application if it determines that the application does not provide an adequate basis for approval. In addition, failure to comply with the FDA and other applicable foreign and U.S. regulatory requirements may subject us to administrative or judicially imposed sanctions. These include warning letters, civil and criminal penalties, injunctions, product seizure or detention, product recalls, total or partial suspension of production and refusal to approve either pending NDAs, or supplements to approved NDAs.

There is substantial time and expense invested in preparation and submission of an NDA or equivalents in other jurisdictions and regulatory approval is never guaranteed. The FDA and other regulatory authorities in the United States, the European Union and elsewhere exercise substantial discretion in the drug approval process. The number, size and design of preclinical studies and clinical trials that will be required for FDA or other regulatory approval will vary depending on the drug candidate, the disease or condition for which the drug candidate is intended to be used and the regulations and guidance documents applicable to any particular drug candidate. The FDA or other regulators can delay, limit or deny approval of a drug candidate for many reasons, including, but not limited to:

22

Table of Contents

·                  those discussed in the risk factor which immediately follows;

·                  the fact that the FDA or other regulatory officials may not approve our or our third party manufacturer’s processes or facilities; or

·                  the fact that new regulations may be enacted by the FDA or other regulators may change their approval policies or adoption of new regulations requiring new or different evidence of safety and efficacy for the intended use of a drug candidate.

With regard to the ALIGN products, and following regulatory approval of any of our drug candidates, we are subject to ongoing regulatory obligations and restrictions, which may result in significant expense and limit our ability to commercialize our potential products.

With regard to our ALIGN products and our drug candidates, if any, approved by the FDA or by another regulatory authority, we are held to extensive regulatory requirements over product manufacturing, labeling, packaging, adverse event reporting, storage, advertising, promotion and record keeping. Regulatory approvals may also be subject to significant limitations on the indicated uses or marketing of the drug candidates. Potentially costly follow-up or post-marketing clinical studies may be required as a condition of approval to further substantiate safety or efficacy, or to investigate specific issues of interest to the regulatory authority. Previously unknown problems with the product or drug candidate, including adverse events of unanticipated severity or frequency, may result in restrictions on the marketing of the drug or device, and could include withdrawal of the drug or device from the market.

In addition, the law or regulatory policies governing pharmaceuticals may change. New statutory requirements may be enacted or additional regulations may be enacted that could prevent or delay regulatory approval of our drug candidates. We cannot predict the likelihood, nature or extent of adverse government regulation that may arise from future legislation or administrative action, either in the United States or elsewhere. If we are not able to maintain regulatory compliance, we might not be permitted to market our drugs and our business could suffer.

Our applications for regulatory approval could be delayed or denied due to problems with studies conducted before we in-licensed the rights to some of our product candidates.

We currently license some of the compounds and drug candidates used in our research programs from third parties. These include sapacitabine which was licensed from Daiichi Sankyo. Our present research involving these compounds relies upon previous research conducted by third parties over whom we had no control and before we in-licensed the drug candidates. In order to receive regulatory approval of a drug candidate, we must present all relevant data and information obtained during our research and development, including research conducted prior to our licensure of the drug candidate. Although we are not currently aware of any such problems, any problems that emerge with preclinical research and testing conducted prior to our in-licensing may affect future results or our ability to document prior research and to conduct clinical trials, which could delay, limit or prevent regulatory approval for our drug candidates.

We face intense competition and our competitors may develop drugs that are less expensive, safer, or more effective than our drug candidates.

A large number of drug candidates are in development for the treatment of leukemia, lung cancer, lymphomas and nasopharyngeal cancer. Several pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies have nucleoside analogs or other products on the market or in clinical trials which may be competitive to sapacitabine in both hematological and oncology indications. See “Competition” under Item 1. Business for further details.

Our competitors, either alone or together with collaborators, may have substantially greater financial resources and research and development staff. Our competitors may also have more experience:

·                  developing drug candidates;

·                  conducting preclinical and clinical trials;

·                  obtaining regulatory approvals; and

·                  commercializing product candidates.

23

Table of Contents

Our competitors may succeed in obtaining patent protection and regulatory approval and may market drugs before we do. If our competitors market drugs that are less expensive, safer, more effective or more convenient to administer than our potential drugs, or that reach the market sooner than our potential drugs, we may not achieve commercial success. Scientific, clinical or technical developments by our competitors may render our drug candidates obsolete or noncompetitive. We anticipate that we will face increased competition in the future as new companies enter the markets and as scientific developments progress. If our drug candidates obtain regulatory approvals, but do not compete effectively in the marketplace, our business will suffer.

The commercial success of our drug candidates and the ALIGN products depends upon their market acceptance among physicians, patients, healthcare providers and payors and the medical community.

If our drug candidates are approved or approved in combination with another agent such as Dacogen® (decitabine) in SEAMLESS,by the FDA or by another regulatory authority, the resulting drugs, if any, must still gain market acceptance among physicians, healthcare providers and payors, patients and the medical community, as would our distribution partners’ products, including Xclair® Cream, Numoisyn® Liquid and Numoisyn® Lozenges. The degree of market acceptance of any of our approved drugs or devices will depend on a variety of factors, including:

·                  timing of market introduction, number and clinical profile of competitive drugs;

·                  our ability to provide acceptable evidence of safety and efficacy;

·                  relative convenience and ease of administration;

·                  cost-effectiveness;

·                  availability of coverage, reimbursement and adequate payment from health maintenance organizations and other third party payors;

·                  prevalence and severity of adverse side effects; and

·                  other potential advantages over alternative treatment methods.

If our drug candidates or distribution partners’ products fail to achieve market acceptance, we may not be able to generate significant revenue and our business would suffer.

If we are unable to compete successfully in our market place, it will harm our business.

There are existing products in the marketplace that compete with our products. Companies may develop new products that compete with our products. Certain of these competitors and potential competitors have longer operating histories, substantially greater product development capabilities and financial, scientific, marketing and sales resources. Competitors and potential competitors may also develop products that are safer, more effective or have other potential advantages compared to our products. In addition, research, development and commercialization efforts by others could render our products obsolete or non-competitive. Certain of our competitors and potential competitors have broader product offerings and extensive customer bases allowing them to adopt aggressive pricing policies that would enable them to gain market share. Competitive pressures could result in price reductions, reduced margins and loss of market share. We could encounter potential customers that, due to existing relationships with our competitors, are committed to products offered by those competitors. As a result, those potential customers may not consider purchasing our products.

Intellectual property rights and distribution rights for our drug candidate seliciclib and ALIGN products are licensed from others, and any termination of these licenses could harm our business.

We have in-licensed certain patent rights in connection with the development program of our drug candidate seliciclib. Pursuant to the CNRS and Institut Curie license under which we license seliciclib, we are obligated to pay license fees, milestone payments and royalties and provide regular progress reports. We are also obligated to use reasonable efforts to develop and commercialize products based on the licensed patents.

We have in-licensed from Sinclair the distribution rights to the ALIGN products. This license agreement imposes obligations on us and expires in 2015. Although we believe we are currently in compliance with all of our material obligations under these licenses, if we were to breach any such obligations our counterparties may be entitled to terminate the licenses. Any attempts to terminate our distribution rights could have adverse consequences on the ALIGN business. This could restrict our ability to sell the ALIGN products.

24

Table of Contents

We may be exposed to product liability claims that may damage our reputation and we may not be able to obtain adequate insurance.

Because we conduct clinical trials in humans, we face the risk that the use of our drug candidates will result in adverse effects. We believe that we have obtained reasonably adequate product liability insurance coverage for our trials. We cannot predict, however, the possible harm or side effects that may result from our clinical trials. Such claims may damage our reputation and we may not have sufficient resources to pay for any liabilities resulting from a claim excluded from, or beyond the limit of, our insurance coverage or if the amount of the insurance coverage is insufficient to meet any liabilities resulting from any claims.

As we market commercialized products through our ALIGN subsidiary we are exposed to additional risks of product liability claims. These risks exist even with respect to drugs and devices that are approved for commercial sale by the FDA or other regulatory authorities in the United States, the European Union or elsewhere and manufactured in facilities licensed and regulated by the FDA or other such regulatory authorities. We have secured limited product liability insurance coverage, but may not be able to maintain such insurance on acceptable terms with adequate coverage, or at a reasonable cost. There is also a risk that third parties that we have agreed to indemnify could incur liability. Even if we were ultimately successful in product liability litigation, the litigation would consume substantial amounts of our financial and managerial resources and may exceed insurance coverage creating adverse publicity, all of which would impair our ability to generate sales of the litigated product as well as our other potential drugs.

We may be required to defend lawsuits or pay damages in connection with the alleged or actual violation of healthcare statutes such as fraud and abuse laws, and our corporate compliance programs can never guarantee that we are in compliance with all relevant laws and regulations.

Our commercialization efforts in the United States are subject to various federal and state laws pertaining to promotion and healthcare fraud and abuse, including federal and state anti-kickback, fraud and false claims laws. Anti-kickback laws make it illegal for a manufacturer to offer or pay any remuneration in exchange for, or to induce, the referral of business, including the purchase of a product. The federal government has published many regulations relating to the anti-kickback statutes, including numerous safe harbors or exemptions for certain arrangements. False claims laws prohibit anyone from knowingly and willingly presenting, or causing to be presented for payment to third-party payers including Medicare and Medicaid, claims for reimbursed products or services that are false or fraudulent, claims for items or services not provided as claimed, or claims for medically unnecessary items or services.

Our activities relating to the sale and marketing of our products will be subject to scrutiny under these laws and regulations. It may be difficult to determine whether or not our activities, comply with these complex legal requirements. Violations are punishable by significant criminal and/or civil fines and other penalties, as well as the possibility of exclusion of the product from coverage under governmental healthcare programs, including Medicare and Medicaid. If the government were to investigate or make allegations against us or any of our employees, or sanction or convict us or any of our employees, for violations of any of these legal requirements, this could have a material adverse effect on our business, including our stock price. Our activities could be subject to challenge for many reasons, including the broad scope and complexity of these laws and regulations, the difficulties in interpreting and applying these legal requirements, and the high degree of prosecutorial resources and attention being devoted to the biopharmaceutical industry and health care fraud by law enforcement authorities. During the last few years, numerous biopharmaceutical companies have paid multi-million dollar fines and entered into burdensome settlement agreements for alleged violation of these requirements, and other companies are under active investigation. Although we have developed and implemented corporate and field compliance programs as part of our commercialization efforts, we cannot assure you that we or our employees, directors or agents were, are or will be in compliance with all laws and regulations or that we will not come under investigation, allegation or sanction.

In addition, we may be required to prepare and report product pricing-related information to federal and state governmental authorities, such as the Department of Veterans Affairs and under the Medicaid program. The calculations used to generate the pricing-related information are complex and require the exercise of judgment. If we fail to accurately and timely report product pricing-related information or to comply with any of these or any other laws or regulations, various negative consequences could result, including criminal and/or civil prosecution, substantial criminal and/or civil penalties, exclusion of the approved product from coverage under governmental healthcare programs including Medicare and Medicaid, costly litigation and restatement of our financial statements. In addition, our efforts to comply with this wide range of laws and regulations are, and will continue to be, time-consuming and expensive.

If our supplier upon whom we rely fails to produce on a timely basis the finished goods in the volumes that we require or fails to meet quality standards and maintain necessary licensure from regulatory authorities, we may be unable to meet demand for our products, potentially resulting in lost revenues.

If any third party manufacturer service providers do not meet our or our licensor’s requirements for quality, quantity or timeliness, or do not achieve and maintain compliance with all applicable regulations, demand for our products or our ability to continue supplying such products could substantially decline. As the third party manufacturers are the sole supplier of the products any delays may impact our sales.

25

Table of Contents

In all the countries where we sell or may sell our products, governmental regulations exist to define standards for manufacturing, packaging, labeling and storing. All of our suppliers of raw materials and contract manufacturers must comply with these regulations. Failure to do so could result in supply interruptions. In the United States, the FDA requires that all suppliers of pharmaceutical bulk material and all manufacturers of pharmaceuticals for sale in or from the United States achieve and maintain compliance with the FDA’s cGMP regulations and guidelines. Failure of our third-party manufacturers to comply with applicable regulations could result in sanctions being imposed on them or us, including fines, injunctions, civil penalties, disgorgement, suspension or withdrawal of approvals, license revocation, seizures or recalls of products, operating restrictions and criminal prosecutions, any of which could significantly and adversely affect supplies of our products. In addition, before any product batch produced by our manufacturers can be shipped, it must conform to release specifications pre-approved by regulators for the content of the pharmaceutical product. If the operations of one or more of our manufacturers were to become unavailable for any reason, any required FDA review and approval of the operations of an alternative supplier could cause a delay in the manufacture of our products.

Our customer base is highly concentrated.

Our principal customers are a small number of wholesale drug distributors. Sales to three wholesale distributors represented 87% and 89% of our product sales in the United States for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2011, respectively. These customers comprise a significant part of the distribution network for pharmaceutical products in the United States. Three large wholesale distributors, AmerisourceBergen Corporation, Cardinal Health, Inc. and McKesson Corporation, control a significant share of the market in the United States. Our ability to distribute any product, including Xclair® Cream, Numoisyn® Liquid and Numoisyn® Lozenges and to recognize revenues on a timely basis is substantially dependent on our ability to maintain commercially reasonable agreements with each of these wholesale distributors and the extent to which these distributors, over whom we have no control, comply with such agreements. Our agreements with wholesaler distributors may contain terms that are not favorable, given our relative lack of market leverage as a company with only three approved products or other factors, which could adversely affect our commercialization of Xclair® Cream, Numoisyn® Liquid and Numoisyn® Lozenges. The loss of any of these customers could materially and adversely affect our ability to distribute our products, resulting in a negative impact on our operations and financial condition.

We may be unable to accurately estimate demand and monitor wholesaler inventory of Xclair® Cream, Numoisyn® Liquid or Numoisyn® Lozenges.  Although we attempt to monitor wholesaler inventory, which is inherently uncertain and may not be accurate, to assist us in monitoring estimated inventory levels and prescription trends. Inaccurate estimates of the demand and inventory levels of the product may cause our revenues to fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter and may cause our operating results for a particular quarter to be below expectations.

Inventory levels of Xclair® Cream, Numoisyn® Liquid or Numoisyn® Lozenges held by three wholesalers, Cardinal Health, Inc., McKesson Corporation and Amerisource Bergen, can cause our operating results to fluctuate unexpectedly if our sales to wholesalers do not match customer demand. We have entered into inventory management agreements with these U.S. wholesalers under which they provide us with data regarding inventory levels. However, these wholesalers may not be completely effective in matching inventory levels to customer demand, as they make estimates to determine customer demand. In addition, inventory is held at retail pharmacies and other non-wholesaler locations, for which we have no inventory management agreements and have no control in respect to their buying patterns. Also, the non-retail sector in the United States, which includes government institutions and large health maintenance organizations, tends to be less consistent in terms of buying patterns. Although we attempt to monitor inventory of Xclair®, Numoisyn® Liquid or Numoisyn® Lozenges in the United States through the use of internal sales forecasts and the expiration dates of product shipped, among other factors, we may have quarter-over-quarter fluctuations in inventory and ordering patterns, which can cause our operating results for a particular quarter to be below expectations.

The commercialization of our products is substantially dependent on our ability to develop effective sales and marketing capabilities.

Our successful commercialization of Xclair® Cream, Numoisyn® Liquid and Numoisyn® Lozenges in the United States will depend on our ability to establish and maintain effective sales and marketing initiatives in the United States. Although we launched the ALIGN products with a small specialty oncology sales force, we now sell and market our products via unique sales and marketing strategies in order to reduce costs. We contracted, trained and deployed additional telemarketing personnel to call on specialists who prescribe ALIGN products.  We also utilize mailings, print advertising, sampling, trade show attendance and other unique marketing programs to reach our customer base. We may increase or decrease the size of our telemarketing sales force in the future, depending on many factors, including the effectiveness of the sales force, the level of market acceptance of Xclair® Cream, Numoisyn® Liquid and Numoisyn® Lozenges and the results of our clinical trials. Prior to our launches of these products, we had never sold or marketed any products.

26

Table of Contents

For our product candidates currently under development, our strategy is to develop compounds through the Phase 2 stage of clinical testing and market or co-promote certain of our drugs. We have limited sales, marketing or distribution capabilities. We will depend primarily on strategic alliances with third parties, which have established distribution systems and sales forces, to commercialize our drugs. To the extent that we are unsuccessful in commercializing any drugs or devices ourselves or through a strategic alliance, product revenues may suffer, we may incur significant additional losses and our share price will be negatively affected.

Defending against claims relating to improper handling, storage or disposal of hazardous chemical, radioactive or biological materials could be time consuming and expensive.

Our research and development involves the controlled use of hazardous materials, including chemicals, radioactive and biological materials such as chemical solvents, phosphorus and bacteria. Our operations produce hazardous waste products. We cannot eliminate the risk of accidental contamination or discharge and any resultant injury from those materials. Various laws and regulations govern the use, manufacture, storage, handling and disposal of hazardous materials. We may be sued for any injury or contamination that results from our use or the use by third parties of these materials. Compliance with environmental laws and regulations may be expensive, and current or future environmental regulations may impair our research, development and production efforts.

Risks Related to Our Business and Financial Condition

Raising additional capital in the future may not be available to us on reasonable terms, if at all, when or as we require additional funding. If we issue additional shares of our common stock or other securities that may be convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for, our common stock, our existing stockholders would experience further dilution. If we fail to obtain additional funding, we may be unable to complete the development and commercialization of our lead drug candidate, sapacitabine, or continue to fund our research and development programs.

We have funded all of our operations and capital expenditures with proceeds from the issuance of public equity securities, private placements of our securities, interest on investments, licensing revenue, government grants, research and development tax credits and product revenue. In order to conduct the lengthy and expensive research, preclinical testing and clinical trials necessary to complete the development and marketing of our drug candidates, we will require substantial additional funds. We may have insufficient public equity available for issue to raise the required additional substantial funds to implement our operating plan and we may not be able to obtain the appropriate stockholder approvals necessary to increase our available public equity for issuance within a time that we may require additional funding. Based on our current operating plans of focusing on the advancement of sapacitabine, we expect our existing resources to be sufficient to fund our planned operations for at least the next twelve months. To meet our long-term financing requirements, we may raise funds through public or private equity offerings, debt financings or strategic alliances. Raising additional funds by issuing equity or convertible debt securities may cause our stockholders to experience substantial dilution in their ownership interests and new investors may have rights superior to the rights of our other stockholders. Raising additional funds through debt financing, if available, may involve covenants that restrict our business activities and options. To the extent that we raise additional funds through collaborations and licensing arrangements, we may have to relinquish valuable rights to our drug discovery and other technologies, research programs or drug candidates, or grant licenses on terms that may not be favorable to us. Additional funding may not be available to us on favorable terms, or at all, particularly in light of the current economic conditions.  If we are unable to obtain additional funds, we may be forced to delay or terminate our current clinical trials and the development and marketing of our drug candidates including sapacitabine.

Capital markets are currently experiencing a period of disruption and instability, which has had and could continue to have a negative impact on the availability and cost of capital.

The general disruption in the United States capital markets has impacted the broader worldwide financial and credit markets and reduced the availability of debt and equity capital for the market as a whole. These global conditions could persist for a prolonged period of time or worsen in the future. Our ability to access the capital markets may be restricted at a time when we would like, or need, to access those markets, which could have an impact on our flexibility to react to changing economic and business conditions. The resulting lack of available credit, lack of confidence in the financial sector, increased volatility in the financial markets could materially and adversely affect the cost of debt financing and the proceeds of equity financing may be materially adversely impacted by these market conditions.

The current economic conditions and financial market turmoil could adversely affect our business and results of operations.

Economic conditions remain difficult with the continuing uncertainty in the global credit markets, the European Union, the financial services industry and the United States capital markets and with the United States economy as a whole experiencing a period of substantial turmoil and uncertainty characterized by unprecedented intervention by the United States federal government and the failure, bankruptcy, or sale of various financial and other institutions. We believe the current economic conditions and financial market turmoil could adversely affect our operations, business and prospects, as well as our ability to obtain funds. If these circumstances persist or continue to worsen, our future operating results could be adversely affected, particularly relative to our current expectations.

27

Table of Contents

We are at an early stage of development as a company and we do not have, and may never have, any products that generate significant revenues.

We are at an early stage of development as a company and have a limited operating history on which to evaluate our business and prospects. While we have earned modest product revenues from the ALIGN business acquired in October 2007, since beginning operations in 1996, we have not generated any product revenues from our product candidates currently in development. We cannot guarantee that any of our product candidates currently in development will ever become marketable products and we do not anticipate material revenues from the ALIGN products in the foreseeable future. We must demonstrate that our drug candidates satisfy rigorous standards of safety and efficacy for their intended uses before the FDA, and other regulatory authorities in the United States, the European Union and elsewhere. Significant additional research, preclinical testing and clinical testing is required before we can file applications with the FDA or other regulatory authorities for premarket approval of our drug candidates. In addition, to compete effectively, our drugs must be easy to administer, cost-effective and economical to manufacture on a commercial scale. We may not achieve any of these objectives. Sapacitabine, our most advanced drug candidates for the treatment of cancer, is currently in Phase 3 for AML and Phase 2 for MDS. A combination trial of sapacitabine and seliciclib is currently in a Phase 1 clinical trial. We cannot be certain that the clinical development of these or any other drug candidates in preclinical testing or clinical development will be successful, that we will receive the regulatory approvals required to commercialize them or that any of our other research and drug discovery programs will yield a drug candidate suitable for investigation through clinical trials. Our commercial revenues from our product candidates currently in development, if any, will be derived from sales of drugs that will not become marketable for several years, if at all.

We have a history of operating losses and we may never become profitable. Our stock is a highly speculative investment.

We have incurred operating losses in each year since beginning operations in 1996 due to costs incurred in connection with our research and development activities and selling, general and administrative costs associated with our operations, and we may never achieve profitability. As of December 31, 2010 and 2011, our accumulated deficit was $241.8 million and $257.1 million, respectively. Our net loss for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011 was $19.6 million, $16.0 million and $15.2 million, respectively. Our net loss applicable to common stockholders from inception through December 31, 2011 was $298.8 million. Our drug candidates are in the mid-stages of clinical testing and we must conduct significant additional clinical trials before we can seek the regulatory approvals necessary to begin commercial sales of our drugs. We expect to incur continued losses for several years, as we continue our research and development of our drug candidates, seek regulatory approvals, commercialize any approved drugs and market and promote the ALIGN products: Xclair® Cream, Numoisyn® Liquid and Numoisyn® Lozenges. If our drug candidates are unsuccessful in clinical trials or we are unable to obtain regulatory approvals, or if our drugs are unsuccessful in the market, we will not be profitable. If we fail to become and remain profitable, or if we are unable to fund our continuing losses, particularly in light of the current economic conditions, you could lose all or part of your investment.

If we fail to comply with the continued listing requirements of the NASDAQ Global Market our common stock price may be delisted and the price of our common stock and our ability to access the capital markets could be negatively impacted.

Our common stock is currently listed for trading on the NASDAQ Global Market. We must satisfy NASDAQ’s continued listing requirements, including among other things, a minimum stockholders’ equity of $10.0 million and a minimum bid price for our common stock of $1.00 per share, or risk delisting, which would have a material adverse effect on our business. A delisting of our common stock from the NASDAQ Global Market could materially reduce the liquidity of our common stock and result in a corresponding material reduction in the price of our common stock. In addition, delisting could harm our ability to raise capital through alternative financing sources on terms acceptable to us, or at all, and may result in the potential loss of confidence by investors, suppliers, customers and employees and fewer business development opportunities. In September 2011, we received a NASDAQ Staff Deficiency Letter indicating that were not in compliance with the minimum bid price requirement for continued listing on the NASDAQ exchange because the bid price for the common stock had closed under $1.00 for 30 consecutive business days. On March 15, 2012, we were notified by the NASDAQ Staff that we did not comply with the minimum bid price set forth in NASDAQ Listing Rule 5450(a)(1) (the “Rule”) and that our securities are subject to delisting from The NASDAQ Global Market unless we request a hearing before a NASDAQ Listing Qualifications Panel (the “Panel”). We have timely requested a hearing before the Panel to discuss potential ways, which could include enacting a reverse stock split, of complying with the minimum bid price requirement, which automatically stays the delisting of our securities pending the issuance of the Panel’s decision after a hearing. Under NASDAQ’s Listing Rules, the Panel may, at its discretion, determine to continue our listing pursuant to an exception to the Rule for a maximum of 180 days from the date of the Staff’s notification or through September 10, 2012. However, there can be no assurances that the Panel will do so.

28

Table of Contents

Notwithstanding our intention to request a hearing before the panel, we may, if an appeal is unsuccessful, transfer our listing to The NASDAQ Capital Market if we meet the initial listing requirements set forth in NASDAQ Marketplace Rule 5505, except for the bid price requirement, which requirements include, among other things, the following criteria: (i) our stockholders’ equity must be at least $5,000,000; (ii) the market value of our publicly held shares must be at least $15,000,000; and (iii) the market value of our shares held by non-affiliates must be at least $1,000,000. In that case, we may have an additional 180 calendar day compliance period to regain compliance. The Company currently meets these initial listing criteria of the NASDAQ Capital Market, except for the bid price requirement.

To the extent we elect to fund the development of a drug candidate or the commercialization of a drug at our expense, we will need substantial additional funding.

We plan to market drugs on our own, with or without a partner, that can be effectively commercialized and sold in concentrated markets that do not require a large sales force to be competitive. To achieve this goal, we will need to establish our own specialized sales force, marketing organization and supporting distribution capabilities. The development and commercialization of our drug candidates is very expensive, including our Phase 3 clinical trials for sapacitabine. To the extent we elect to fund the full development of a drug candidate or the commercialization of a drug at our expense, we will need to raise substantial additional funding to:

·                  fund research and development and clinical trials connected with our research;

·                  fund clinical trials and seek regulatory approvals;

·                  build or access manufacturing and commercialization capabilities;

·                  implement additional internal control systems and infrastructure;

·                  commercialize and secure coverage, payment and reimbursement of our drug candidates, if any such candidates receive regulatory approval;

·                  maintain, defend and expand the scope of our intellectual property; and

·                  hire additional management, sales and scientific personnel.

Our future funding requirements will depend on many factors, including:

·                  the scope, rate of progress and cost of our clinical trials and other research and development activities;

·                  the costs and timing of seeking and obtaining regulatory approvals;

·                  the costs of filing, prosecuting, defending and enforcing any patent claims and other intellectual property rights;

·                  the costs associated with establishing sales and marketing capabilities;

·                  the costs of acquiring or investing in businesses, products and technologies;

·                  the effect of competing technological and market developments; and

·                  the payment, other terms and timing of any strategic alliance, licensing or other arrangements that we may establish.

If we are not able to secure additional funding when needed, especially in light of the current economic conditions and financial market turmoil, we may have to delay, reduce the scope of or eliminate one or more of our clinical trials or research and development programs or future commercialization efforts.

Any future workforce and expense reductions may have an adverse impact on our internal programs, strategic plans, and our ability to hire and retain key personnel, and may also be distracting to our management.

Further workforce and expense reductions in addition to those carried out in September 2008 and June 2009 could result in significant delays in implementing our strategic plans. In addition, employees, whether or not directly affected by such reduction, may seek future employment with our business partners or competitors. Although our employees are required to sign a confidentiality agreement at the time of hire, the confidential nature of certain proprietary information may not be maintained in the course of any such future employment. In addition, any additional workforce reductions or restructurings would be expected to involve significant expense as a result of contractual terms in certain of our existing agreements, including potential severance obligations as well as any payments that may, under certain circumstances, be required under our agreement with the Scottish Enterprise. Further, we believe that our future success will depend in large part upon our ability to attract and retain highly skilled personnel. We may have difficulty retaining and attracting such personnel as a result of a perceived risk of future workforce and expense reductions. Finally, the implementation of expense reduction programs may result in the diversion of the time and attention of our executive management team and other key employees, which could adversely affect our business.

29

Table of Contents

Funding constraints may negatively impact our research and development, forcing us to delay our efforts to develop certain product candidates in favor of developing others, which may prevent us from commercializing our product candidates as quickly as possible.

Research and development is an expensive process. As part of our operating plan, we have decided to focus our clinical development priorities on sapacitabine, while still possibly continuing to progress additional programs pending the availability of clinical data and the availability of funds, at which time we will determine the feasibility of pursuing, if at all, further advanced development of seliciclib, or additional programs. Because we have had to prioritize our development candidates as a result of budget constraints, we may not be able to fully realize the value of our product candidates in a timely manner, if at all.

We are exposed to risks related to foreign currency exchange rates.

Some of our costs and expenses are denominated in foreign currencies. Most of our foreign expenses are associated with our research and development operations of our United Kingdom-based wholly-owned subsidiary. When the United States dollar weakens against the British pound, the United States dollar value of the foreign currency denominated expense increases, and when the United States dollar strengthens against the British pound, the United States dollar value of the foreign currency denominated expense decreases. Consequently, changes in exchange rates, and in particular a weakening of the United States dollar, may adversely affect our results of operations.

Risks Related to our Intellectual Property

We may be subject to damages resulting from claims that our employees or we have wrongfully used or disclosed alleged trade secrets of their former employers.

Many of our employees were previously employed at universities or other biotechnology or pharmaceutical companies, including our competitors or potential competitors. Although no claims against us are currently pending, we may be subject to claims that these employees or we have inadvertently or otherwise used or disclosed trade secrets or other proprietary information of their former employers. Litigation may be necessary to defend against these claims. If we fail in defending such claims, in addition to paying monetary damages, we may lose valuable intellectual property rights or personnel. A loss of key research personnel or their work product could hamper or prevent our ability to commercialize certain potential drugs, which could severely harm our business. Even if we are successful in defending against these claims, litigation could result in substantial costs and be a distraction to management.

If we fail to enforce adequately or defend our intellectual property rights our business may be harmed.

Our commercial success depends in large part on obtaining and maintaining patent and trade secret protection for our drug candidates, the methods used to manufacture those drug candidates and the methods for treating patients using those drug candidates.

Specifically, sapacitabine is covered in granted, composition of matter patents that expire in 2014 in the United States and 2012 outside the United States. Sapacitabine is further protected by additional granted, composition of matter patents claiming certain, stable crystalline forms of sapacitabine and their pharmaceutical compositions and therapeutic uses that expire in 2022 (and may be eligible for a Hatch-Waxman term restoration of up to five years, which could extend the expiration date to 2027) and also patent applications claiming the combination of sapacitabine with hypomethylating agents, including decitabine, which is being tested as one of the arms of the SEAMLESS Phase 3 trial. In early development, amorphous sapacitabine was used. We have used one of the stable, crystalline forms of sapacitabine in nearly all our Phase 1 and in all of our Phase 2 clinical studies. We have also chosen this form for commercialization. Additional patents and applicants claim certain medical uses and formulations of sapacitabine which have emerged in our clinical trials. Seliciclib is protected by granted, composition of matter patents that expire in 2016. Additional patents claim certain medical uses which have emerged from our research programs.

Failure to obtain, maintain or extend the patents could adversely affect our business. We will only be able to protect our drug candidates and our technologies from unauthorized use by third parties to the extent that valid and enforceable patents or trade secrets cover them.

30

Table of Contents

Our ability to obtain patents is uncertain because legal means afford only limited protections and may not adequately protect our rights or permit us to gain or keep any competitive advantage. Some legal principles remain unresolved and the breadth or interpretation of claims allowed in patents in the United States, the European Union or elsewhere can still be difficult to ascertain or predict. In addition, the specific content of patents and patent applications that are necessary to support and interpret patent claims is highly uncertain due to the complex nature of the relevant legal, scientific and factual issues. Changes in either patent laws or in interpretations of patent laws in the United States, the European Union or elsewhere may diminish the value of our intellectual property or narrow the scope of our patent protection. Our existing patents and any future patents we obtain may not be sufficiently broad to prevent others from practicing our technologies or from developing competing products and technologies. In addition, we generally do not control the patent prosecution of subject matter that we license from others and have not controlled the earlier stages of the patent prosecution. Accordingly, we are unable to exercise the same degree of control over this intellectual property as we would over our own.

Even if patents are issued regarding our drug candidates or methods of using them, those patents can be challenged by our competitors who may argue such patents are invalid and/or unenforceable. Patents also will not protect our drug candidates if competitors devise ways of making or using these product candidates without legally infringing our patents. The U.S. Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and FDA regulations and policies and equivalents in other jurisdictions provide incentives to manufacturers to challenge patent validity or create modified, noninfringing versions of a drug in order to facilitate the approval of abbreviated new drug applications for generic substitutes. These same types of incentives encourage manufacturers to submit new drug applications that rely on literature and clinical data not prepared for or by the drug sponsor.

Proprietary trade secrets and unpatented know-how are also very important to our business. We rely on trade secrets to protect our technology, especially where we do not believe that patent protection is appropriate or obtainable. However, trade secrets are difficult to protect. Our employees, consultants, contractors, outside scientific collaborators and other advisors may unintentionally or willfully disclose our confidential information to competitors, and confidentiality agreements may not provide an adequate remedy in the event of unauthorized disclosure of confidential information. Enforcing a claim that a third-party obtained illegally and is using trade secrets is expensive and time consuming, and the outcome is unpredictable. Moreover, our competitors may independently develop equivalent knowledge, methods and know-how. Failure to obtain or maintain trade secret protection could adversely affect our competitive business position.

Intellectual property rights of third parties may increase our costs or delay or prevent us from being able to commercialize our drug candidates and/or the ALIGN products.

There is a risk that we are infringing or will infringe the proprietary rights of third parties because patents and pending applications belonging to third parties exist in the United States, the European Union and elsewhere in the world in the areas of our research and/or the ALIGN products. Others might have been the first to make the inventions covered by each of our or our licensors’ pending patent applications and issued patents and might have been the first to file patent applications for these inventions. We are aware of several published patent applications, and understand that others may exist, that could support claims that, if granted and held valid, could cover various aspects of our developmental programs, including in some cases particular uses of our lead drug candidate sapacitabine, seliciclib or other therapeutic candidates, or gene sequences, substances, processes and techniques that we use in the course of our research and development and manufacturing processes. In addition, we understand that other applications and patents exist relating to potential uses of sapacitabine and seliciclib that are not part of our current clinical programs for these compounds. Numerous third-party United States and foreign issued patents and pending applications exist in the area of kinases, including CDK, AK and Plk for which we have research programs. For example, some pending patent applications contain broad claims that could represent freedom to operate limitations for some of our kinase programs should they be issued unchanged. Although we intend to continue to monitor these applications, we cannot predict what claims will ultimately be allowed and if allowed what their scope would be. In addition, because the patent application process can take several years to complete, there may be currently pending applications, unknown to us, which may later result in issued patents that cover the production, manufacture, commercialization or use of our drug candidates. If we wish to use the technology or compound claimed in issued and unexpired patents owned by others, we will need to obtain a license from the owner, enter into litigation to challenge the validity of the patents or incur the risk of litigation in the event that the owner asserts that we infringe its patents. In one case we have opposed a European patent relating to human aurora kinase and the patent has been finally revoked (no appeal was filed). We are also aware of a corresponding U.S. patent containing method of treatment claims for specific cancers using aurora kinase modulators which, if held valid, could potentially restrict the use of our aurora kinase inhibitors once clinical trials are completed.

There has been substantial litigation and other proceedings regarding patent and other intellectual property rights in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. Defending against third party claims, including litigation in particular, would be costly and time consuming and would divert management’s attention from our business, which could lead to delays in our development or commercialization efforts. If third parties are successful in their claims, we might have to pay substantial damages or take other actions that are adverse to our business. As a result of intellectual property infringement claims, or to avoid potential claims, we might:

·                  be prohibited from selling or licensing any product that we may develop unless the patent holder licenses the patent to us, which it is not required to do;

·                  be required to pay substantial royalties or grant a cross license to our patents to another patent holder;

31

Table of Contents

·                  decide to move some of our screening work outside Europe;

·                  be required to pay substantial damages for past infringement, which we may have to pay if a court determines that our product candidates or technologies infringe a competitor’s patent or other proprietary rights; or

·                  be required to redesign the formulation of a drug candidate so it does not infringe, which may not be possible or could require substantial funds and time.

Risks Related to Securities Regulations and Investment in Our Securities

Failure to achieve and maintain internal controls in accordance with Sections 302 and 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 could have a material adverse effect on our business and stock price.

If we fail to maintain our internal controls or fail to implement required new or improved controls, as such control standards are modified, supplemented or amended from time to time, we may not be able to conclude on an ongoing basis that we have effective internal controls over financial reporting. Effective internal controls are necessary for us to produce reliable financial reports and are important in the prevention of financial fraud. If we cannot produce reliable financial reports or prevent fraud, our business and operating results could be harmed. We have concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2011.

We incur increased costs and management resources as a result of being a public company, and we may fail to comply with public company obligations.

As a public company, we face and will continue to face increased legal, accounting, administrative and other costs and expenses as a public company that we would not incur as a private company. Compliance with the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002, as well as other rules of the SEC, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and the NASDAQ Global Market resulted in a significant initial cost to us as well as an ongoing compliance cost. As a public company, we are subject to Section 404 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act relating to internal control over financial reporting. We have completed a formal process to evaluate our internal controls for purposes of Section 404, and we concluded that as of December 31, 2011, our internal control over financial reporting was effective. As our business grows and changes, there can be no assurances that we can maintain the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting.

Effective internal controls over financial reporting are necessary for us to provide reliable financial reports and, together with adequate disclosure controls and procedures, are designed to prevent fraud. If we cannot provide reliable financial reports or prevent fraud, our operating results could be harmed. We have completed a formal process to evaluate our internal control over financial reporting. However, guidance from regulatory authorities in the area of internal controls continues to evolve and substantial uncertainty exists regarding our on-going ability to comply by applicable deadlines. Any failure to implement required new or improved controls, or difficulties encountered in their implementation, could harm our operating results or cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations. Ineffective internal controls could also cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, which could have a negative effect on the trading price of our common stock.

Our common stock may have a volatile public trading price.

An active public market for our common stock has not developed. Our stock can trade in small volumes which may make the price of our stock highly volatile. The last reported price of our stock may not represent the price at which you would be able to buy or sell the stock. The market prices for securities of companies comparable to us have been highly volatile. Often, these stocks have experienced significant price and volume fluctuations for reasons that are both related and unrelated to the operating performance of the individual companies. In addition, the stock market as a whole and biotechnology and other life science stocks in particular have experienced significant recent volatility. Like our common stock, these stocks have experienced significant price and volume fluctuations for reasons unrelated to the operating performance of the individual companies. Factors giving rise to this volatility may include:

·                  disclosure of actual or potential clinical results with respect to product candidates we are developing;

·                  regulatory developments in both the United States and abroad;

·                  developments concerning proprietary rights, including patents and litigation matters;

·                  public concern about the safety or efficacy of our product candidates or technology, or related technology, or new technologies generally;

·                  concern about the safety or efficacy of our product candidates or technology, or related technology, or new technologies generally;

32

Table of Contents

·                  public announcements by our competitors or others; and

·                  general market conditions and comments by securities analysts and investors.

Fluctuations in our operating losses could adversely affect the price of our common stock.

Our operating losses may fluctuate significantly on a quarterly basis. Some of the factors that may cause our operating losses to fluctuate on a period-to-period basis include the status of our preclinical and clinical development programs, level of expenses incurred in connection with our preclinical and clinical development programs, implementation or termination of collaboration, licensing, manufacturing or other material agreements with third parties, non-recurring revenue or expenses under any such agreement, and compliance with regulatory requirements. Period-to-period comparisons of our historical and future financial results may not be meaningful, and investors should not rely on them as an indication of future performance. Our fluctuating losses may fail to meet the expectations of securities analysts or investors. Our failure to meet these expectations may cause the price of our common stock to decline.

If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or reports about us, if they change their recommendations regarding our stock adversely or if our operating results do not meet their expectations, our stock price and trading volume could decline.

The trading market for our common stock is influenced by the research and reports that industry or securities analysts publish about us. If one or more of these analysts cease coverage of us or fail to regularly publish reports on us, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which in turn could cause our stock price or trading volume to decline. Moreover, if one or more of the analysts who cover us downgrade our stock or if our operating results do not meet their expectations, our stock price could decline.

Anti-takeover provisions in our charter documents and provisions of Delaware law may make an acquisition more difficult and could result in the entrenchment of management.

We are incorporated in Delaware. Anti-takeover provisions of Delaware law and our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws may make a change in control or efforts to remove management more difficult. Also, under Delaware law, our Board of Directors may adopt additional anti-takeover measures.

We have the authority to issue up to 5 million shares of preferred stock and to determine the terms of those shares of stock without any further action by our stockholders. If the Board of Directors exercises this power to issue preferred stock, it could be more difficult for a third party to acquire a majority of our outstanding voting stock and vote the stock they acquire to remove management or directors.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws also provides staggered terms for the members of our Board of Directors. Under Section 141 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, our directors may be removed by stockholders only for cause and only by vote of the holders of a majority of voting shares then outstanding. These provisions may prevent stockholders from replacing the entire board in a single proxy contest, making it more difficult for a third-party to acquire control of us without the consent of our Board of Directors. These provisions could also delay the removal of management by the Board of Directors with or without cause. In addition, our directors may only be removed for cause and amended and restated bylaws limit the ability our stockholders to call special meetings of stockholders.

Under Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporation may not engage in a business combination with any holder of 15% or more of its capital stock until the holder has held the stock for three years unless, among other possibilities, the Board of Directors approves the transaction. Our Board of Directors could use this provision to prevent changes in management. The existence of the foregoing provisions could limit the price that investors might be willing to pay in the future for shares of our common stock.

Certain severance-related agreements in our executive employment agreements may make an acquisition more difficult and could result in the entrenchment of management.

In March 2008 (as subsequently amended, most recently as of January 1, 2011), we entered into employment agreements with our President and Chief Executive Officer and our Executive Vice President, Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer, which contain severance arrangements in the event that such executive’s employment is terminated without “cause” or as a result of a “change of control” (as each such term is defined in each agreement).  The financial obligations triggered by these provisions may prevent a business combination or acquisition that would be attractive to stockholders and could limit the price that investors would be willing to pay in the future for our stock.

33

Table of Contents

In the event of an acquisition of our common stock, we cannot assure our common stockholders that we will be able to negotiate terms that would provide for a price equivalent to, or more favorable than, the price at which our shares of common stock may be trading at such time.

We may not effect a consolidation or merger with another entity without the vote or consent of the holders of at least a majority of the shares of our preferred stock (in addition to the approval of our common stockholders), unless the preferred stock that remains outstanding and its rights, privileges and preferences are unaffected or are converted into or exchanged for preferred stock of the surviving entity having rights, preferences and limitations substantially similar, but no less favorable, to our convertible preferred stock.

In addition, in the event a third party seeks to acquire our company or acquire control of our company by way of a merger, but the terms of such offer do not provide for our preferred stock to remain outstanding or be converted into or exchanged for preferred stock of the surviving entity having rights, preferences and limitations substantially similar, but no less favorable, to our preferred stock, the terms of the Certificate of Designation of our preferred stock provide for an adjustment to the conversion ratio of our preferred stock such that, depending on the terms of any such transaction, preferred stockholders may be entitled, by their terms, to receive up to $10.00 per share in common stock, causing our common stockholders not to receive as favorable a price as the price at which such shares may be trading at the time of any such transaction. As of December 31, 2011, there were 1,213,142 shares of our preferred stock issued and outstanding. If the transaction were one in which proceeds were received by the Company for distribution to stockholders, and the terms of the Certificate of Designation governing the preferred stock were strictly complied with, approximately $13,708,505 would be paid to the preferred holders before any distribution to the common stockholders, although the form of transaction could affect how the holders of preferred stock are treated. In such an event, although such a transaction would be subject to the approval of our holders of common stock, we cannot assure our common stockholders that we will be able to negotiate terms that would provide for a price equivalent to, or more favorable than, the price at which our shares of common stock may be trading at such time.  Thus, the terms of our preferred stock might hamper a third party’s acquisition of our company.

Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws and certain provisions of Delaware law may delay or prevent a change in our management and make it more difficult for a third-party to acquire us.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws contain provisions that could delay or prevent a change in our Board of Directors and management teams. Some of these provisions:

·                  authorize the issuance of preferred stock that can be created and issued by the Board of Directors without prior stockholder approval, commonly referred to as “blank check” preferred stock, with rights senior to those of our common stock;

·                  provide for the Board of Directors to be divided into three classes; and

·                  require that stockholder actions must be effected at a duly called stockholder meeting and prohibit stockholder action by written consent.

In addition, because we are incorporated in Delaware, we are governed by the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which limits the ability of large stockholders to complete a business combination with, or acquisition of, us. These provisions may prevent a business combination or acquisition that would be attractive to stockholders and could limit the price that investors would be willing to pay in the future for our stock.

These provisions also make it more difficult for our stockholders to replace members of our Board of Directors. Because our Board of Directors is responsible for appointing the members of our management team, these provisions could in turn affect any attempt to replace our current management team. Additionally, these provisions may prevent an acquisition that would be attractive to stockholders and could limit the price that investors would be willing to pay in the future for our common stock.

We may have limited ability to pay cash dividends on our preferred stock, and there is no assurance that future quarterly dividends will be declared.

Delaware law may limit our ability to pay cash dividends on our preferred stock. Under Delaware law, cash dividends on our preferred stock may only be paid from surplus or, if there is no surplus, from the corporation’s net profits for the current or preceding fiscal year. Delaware law defines “surplus” as the amount by which the total assets of a corporation, after subtracting its total liabilities, exceed the corporation’s capital, as determined by its board of directors.

Since we are not profitable, our ability to pay cash dividends will require the availability of adequate surplus. Even if adequate surplus is available to pay cash dividends on our preferred stock, we may not have sufficient cash to pay dividends on the preferred stock or we may choose not to declare the dividends.

34

Table of Contents

On January 6, 2012, the Board of Directors decided not to declare the quarterly cash dividend on the preferred stock with respect to the fourth quarter of 2011 that would have otherwise been payable on February 1, 2012. In addition, the Board of Directors also did not declare the quarterly cash dividend with respect to each of the four quarters of fiscal year 2009, the first, second and third quarters of 2010, and the second and third quarters of 2011.

Our common and convertible preferred stock may experience extreme price and volume fluctuations, which could lead to costly litigation for us and make an investment in us less appealing.

The market price of our common and convertible preferred stock may fluctuate substantially due to a variety of factors, including:

·                  additions to or departures of our key personnel;

·                  announcements of technological innovations or new products or services by us or our competitors;

·                  announcements concerning our competitors or the biotechnology industry in general;

·                  new regulatory pronouncements and changes in regulatory guidelines;

·                  general and industry-specific economic conditions;

·                  changes in financial estimates or recommendations by securities analysts;

·                  variations in our quarterly results;

·                  announcements about our collaborators or licensors; and

·                  changes in accounting principles.

The market prices of the securities of biotechnology companies, particularly companies like us without product revenues and earnings, have been highly volatile and are likely to remain highly volatile in the future. This volatility has often been unrelated to the performance of particular companies. In the past, companies that experience volatility in the market price of their securities have often faced securities class action litigation. Moreover, market prices for stocks of biotechnology-related and technology companies frequently reach levels that bear no relationship to the performance of these companies. These market prices generally are not sustainable and are highly volatile. Whether or not meritorious, litigation brought against us could result in substantial costs, divert our management’s attention and resources and harm our financial condition and results of operations.

The future sale of our common and preferred stock and future issuances of our common stock upon conversion of our preferred stock could negatively affect our stock price and cause dilution to existing holders of our common stock.

If our common or preferred stockholders sell substantial amounts of our stock in the public market, or the market perceives that such sales may occur, the market price of our common and preferred stock could fall. If additional holders of preferred stock elect to convert their shares to shares of common stock at renegotiated prices, such conversion as well as the sale of substantial amounts of our common stock, could cause dilution to existing holders of our common stock, thereby also negatively affecting the price of our common stock.

If we exchange the convertible preferred stock for debentures, the exchange will be taxable but we will not provide any cash to pay any tax liability that any convertible preferred stockholder may incur.

An exchange of convertible preferred stock for debentures, as well as any dividend make-whole or interest make-whole payments paid in our common stock, will be taxable events for United States federal income tax purposes, which may result in tax liability for the holder of convertible preferred stock without any corresponding receipt of cash by the holder. In addition, the debentures may be treated as having original issue discount, a portion of which would generally be required to be included in the holder’s gross income even though the cash to which such income is attributable would not be received until maturity or redemption of the debenture. We will not distribute any cash to the holders of the securities to pay these potential tax liabilities.

If we automatically convert the convertible preferred stock, there is a substantial risk of fluctuation in the price of our common stock from the date we elect to automatically convert to the conversion date.

We may automatically convert the convertible preferred stock into common stock if the closing price of our common stock has exceeded $35.30.  There is a risk of fluctuation in the price of our common stock between the time when we may first elect to automatically convert the preferred and the automatic conversion date.

35

Table of Contents

We do not intend to pay cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future.

We do not anticipate paying cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. Any payment of cash dividends will depend on our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements, the outcome of the review of our strategic alternatives and other factors and will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors. Accordingly, investors will have to rely on capital appreciation, if any, to earn a return on their investment in our common stock. Furthermore, we may in the future become subject to contractual restrictions on, or prohibitions against, the payment of dividends.

The number of shares of common stock which are registered, including the shares to be issued upon exercise of our outstanding warrants, is significant in relation to our currently outstanding common stock and could cause downward pressure on the market price for our common stock.

The number of shares of common stock registered for resale, including those shares which are to be issued upon exercise of our outstanding warrants, is significant in relation to the number of shares of common stock currently outstanding. If the security holder determines to sell a substantial number of shares into the market at any given time, there may not be sufficient demand in the market to purchase the shares without a decline in the market price for our common stock. Moreover, continuous sales into the market of a number of shares in excess of the typical trading volume for our common stock, or even the availability of such a large number of shares, could depress the trading market for our common stock over an extended period of time.

If persons engage in short sales of our common stock, including sales of shares to be issued upon exercise of our outstanding warrants, the price of our common stock may decline.

Selling short is a technique used by a stockholder to take advantage of an anticipated decline in the price of a security. In addition, holders of options and warrants will sometimes sell short knowing they can, in effect, cover through the exercise of an option or warrant, thus locking in a profit. A significant number of short sales or a large volume of other sales within a relatively short period of time can create downward pressure on the market price of a security. Further sales of common stock issued upon exercise of our outstanding warrants could cause even greater declines in the price of our common stock due to the number of additional shares available in the market upon such exercise, which could encourage short sales that could further undermine the value of our common stock. You could, therefore, experience a decline in the value of your investment as a result of short sales of our common stock.

We are exposed to risk related to the marketable securities we may purchase.

We may invest cash not required to meet short term obligations in short term marketable securities. We may purchase securities in United States government, government-sponsored agencies and highly rated corporate and asset-backed securities subject to an approved investment policy. Historically, investment in these securities has been highly liquid and has experienced only very limited defaults. However, recent volatility in the financial markets has created additional uncertainty regarding the liquidity and safety of these investments. Although we believe our marketable securities investments are safe and highly liquid, we cannot guarantee that our investment portfolio will not be negatively impacted by recent or future market volatility or credit restrictions.

36

Table of Contents

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The Securities and Exchange Commission encourages companies to disclose forward-looking information so that investors can better understand a company’s future prospects and make informed investment decisions. This prospectus contains such “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be made directly in this prospectus, and they may also be made a part of this prospectus by reference to other documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which is known as “incorporation by reference.”

Words such as “may,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expects,” “projects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes” and words and terms of similar substance used in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance identify forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are management’s present expectations of future events and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements might include one or more of the following:

Please also see the discussion of risks and uncertainties under the heading “Risk Factors” beginning on page 19.

In light of these assumptions, risks and uncertainties, the results and events discussed in the forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus or in any document incorporated by reference might not occur. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this prospectus or the date of the document incorporated by reference in this prospectus. We are not under any obligation, and we expressly disclaim any obligation, to update or alter any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. All subsequent forward-looking statements attributable to Cyclacel or to any person acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section.

USE OF PROCEEDS

We will not receive any proceeds from the sale or other disposition of common stock by the selling stockholders. In the event that the outstanding Warrants are exercised for cash we may receive up to a total of approximately $8.00 million in proceeds. However, we cannot predict the timing or the amount of the exercise of these securities. Any proceeds we may receive will be used by us for general corporate purposes, including capital expenditures, the advancement of our drug candidates in clinical trials, such our SEAMLESS pivotal Phase 3 trial of oral sapacitabine, and to meet working capital needs. The amounts and timing of the expenditures will depend on numerous factors, such as the timing and progress of our clinical trials and research and development efforts, technological advances and the competitive environment for our drug candidates. We expect from time to time to evaluate the acquisition of businesses, products and technologies for which a portion of the net proceeds may be used, although we currently are not planning or negotiating any such transactions. As of the date of this prospectus, we cannot specify with certainty all of the particular uses for the net proceeds to us from the exercise of the Warrants by their holders. Accordingly, we will retain broad discretion over the use of these proceeds, if any.

37

Table of Contents

SELLING STOCKHOLDERS

We issued, on October 7, 2010, to certain institutional investors in a transaction exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, shares of our common stock, Warrants to purchase our common stock and options to purchase shares of our common stock and warrants to purchase shares of our common stock (which options have expired, unexercised). This prospectus relates to the resale or other disposition from time to time of up to a total of 4,371,121 shares of our common stock by the selling stockholders, which shares are comprised of the following securities:

Pursuant to the terms of the financing, we filed a Registration Statement on Form S-1 in order to permit the resale or other disposition of the shares of our common stock by the selling stockholders named herein (as amended, the “Original Form S-1”), which was declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on December 6, 2010. On May 16, 2011, we filed a Post-Effective Amendment to Form S-1 on Form S-3 to convert the Original Form S-1 into a Registration Statement on Form S-3, which declared effective by the Commission on June 2, 2011 (as amended, the “Form S-3”). This Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Form S-3 on Form S-1, of which this prospectus forms a part, is being filed to convert the Form S-3 into a Registration Statement on Form S-1, and contains an updated prospectus relating to the offering and sale of the securities that were registered for resale on the Original Form S-1 and the Form S-3.

The following table, to our knowledge, sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock by the selling stockholders as of March 29, 2012 (except as noted in the footnotes to the following table) and the number of shares being offered hereby by each selling stockholder. For purposes of the following description, the term “selling stockholder” includes pledgees, donees, permitted transferees or other permitted successors-in-interest selling shares received after the date of this prospectus from the selling stockholders. The information is based in part on information provided by or on behalf of the selling stockholders.

Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC, and includes voting or investment power with respect to shares, as well as any shares as to which the selling stockholder has the right to acquire beneficial ownership within sixty (60) days after March 29, 2012 through the exercise or conversion of any stock options, warrants, convertible debt or otherwise. All shares that are issuable to a selling stockholder upon exercise of the Warrants are included in the number of shares being offered in the table below. No estimate can be given as to the amount or percentage of our common stock that will be held by the selling stockholders after any sales or other dispositions made pursuant to this prospectus because the selling stockholders are not required to sell any of the shares being registered under this prospectus. The table below assumes that the selling stockholders will sell all of the shares listed in this prospectus. Unless otherwise indicated below, each selling stockholder has sole voting and investment power with respect to its shares of common stock. The inclusion of any shares in this table does not constitute an admission of beneficial ownership by the selling stockholder. Percentage of ownership is based on 59,003,301 shares of common stock outstanding as of April 19, 2012.

Except as set forth below, none of the selling stockholders has held any position or office with us or any of our affiliates, or has had any other material relationship (other than as purchasers of securities) with us or any of our affiliates, within the past three years.

The following table sets forth the beneficial ownership of the selling stockholders:

38

Table of Contents

39

Table of Contents

Except upon at least 61 days’ prior notice from the holder to us, the holder will not have the right to exercise any portion of such Warrants if the holder, together with its affiliates, would beneficially own in excess of 4.99%, as applicable, of the number of shares of our common stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the exercise, as such percentage ownership is determined in accordance with the terms of the Warrants.

40

Table of Contents

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

The selling stockholders, which as used herein includes donees, pledgees, transferees or other successors-in-interest selling shares of common stock or interests in shares of common stock received after the date of this prospectus from a selling stockholder as a gift, pledge, partnership distribution or other transfer, may, from time to time, sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any or all of their shares of common stock or interests in shares of common stock on any stock exchange, market or trading facility on which the shares are traded or in private transactions. These dispositions may be at fixed prices, at prevailing market prices at the time of sale, at prices related to the prevailing market price, at varying prices determined at the time of sale, or at negotiated prices.

The selling stockholders may use any one or more of the following methods when disposing of shares or interests therein:

The selling stockholders may, from time to time, pledge or grant a security interest in some or all of the shares of common stock owned by them and, if they default in the performance of their secured obligations, the pledgees or secured parties may offer and sell the shares of common stock, from time to time, under this prospectus, or under an amendment to this prospectus under Rule 424(b)(3) or other applicable provision of the Securities Act amending the list of selling stockholders to include the pledgee, transferee or other successors in interest as selling stockholders under this prospectus. The selling stockholders also may transfer the shares of common stock in other circumstances, in which case the transferees, pledgees or other successors in interest will be the selling beneficial owners for purposes of this prospectus.

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

The aggregate proceeds to the selling stockholders from the sale of the common stock offered by them will be the purchase price of the common stock less discounts or commissions, if any. Each of the selling stockholders reserves the right to accept and, together with their agents, from time to time, to reject, in whole or in part, any proposed purchase of common stock to be made directly or through agents. We will not receive any of the proceeds from this offering. Upon any exercise of the Warrants by payment of cash, however, we will receive the exercise price of such securities.

The selling stockholders also may resell all or a portion of the shares in open market transactions in reliance upon Rule 144 under the Securities Act, provided that they meet the criteria and conform to the requirements of that rule.

The selling stockholders and any underwriters, broker-dealers or agents that participate in the sale of the common stock or interests therein may be “underwriters” within the meaning of Section 2(11) of the Securities Act. Any discounts, commissions, concessions or profit they earn on any resale of the shares may be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. Selling stockholders who are “underwriters” within the meaning of Section 2(11) of the Securities Act will be subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act.

41

Table of Contents

To the extent required, the shares of our common stock to be sold, the names of the selling stockholders, the respective purchase prices and public offering prices, the names of any agents, dealer or underwriter, any applicable commissions or discounts with respect to a particular offer will be set forth in a prospectus supplement or, if appropriate, a post-effective amendment to the registration statement that includes this prospectus.

In order to comply with the securities laws of some states, if applicable, the common stock may be sold in these jurisdictions only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in some states the common stock may not be sold unless it has been registered or qualified for sale or an exemption from registration or qualification requirements is available and is complied with.

We have advised the selling stockholders that the anti-manipulation rules of Regulation M under the Exchange Act may apply to sales of shares in the market and to the activities of the selling stockholders and their affiliates. In addition, to the extent applicable we will make copies of this prospectus (as it may be supplemented or amended from time to time) available to the selling stockholders for the purpose of satisfying the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act. The selling stockholders may indemnify any broker-dealer that participates in transactions involving the sale of the shares against certain liabilities, including liabilities arising under the Securities Act.

We have agreed to indemnify the selling stockholders against liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act and state securities laws, relating to the registration of the shares offered by this prospectus.

We have agreed with the selling stockholders to keep the registration statement of which this prospectus constitutes a part effective until the earlier of (1) such time as all of the shares covered by this prospectus have been disposed of pursuant to and in accordance with the registration statement, or (2) the date on which all of the shares may be sold without restriction pursuant to Rule 144 of the Securities Act.

42

Table of Contents

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

Description of Common Stock

We are authorized to issue 100,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.001 par value per share. As of April 19, 2012, 59,003,301 shares of common stock were issued and outstanding. The following descriptions of our common stock and provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated by-laws are only summaries, and we encourage you to review complete copies of these documents, which have been filed as exhibits to our periodic reports with the SEC.

Dividends, Voting Rights and Liquidation

Holders of common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders, and do not have cumulative voting rights. Subject to preferences that may be applicable to any outstanding shares of preferred stock, holders of common stock are entitled to receive ratably such dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by our board of directors out of funds legally available for dividend payments. All outstanding shares of common stock are fully paid and non-assessable, and the shares of common stock to be issued upon completion of this offering will be fully paid and non-assessable. The holders of common stock have no preferences or rights of conversion, exchange, pre-emption or other subscription rights. There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the common stock. In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of our affairs, holders of common stock will be entitled to share ratably in our assets that are remaining after payment or provision for payment of all of our debts and obligations and after liquidation payments to holders of outstanding shares of preferred stock, if any.

Delaware Law and Certain Charter and By-law Provisions

The provisions of (1) Delaware law, (2) our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, and (3) our amended and restated bylaws discussed below could discourage or make it more difficult to accomplish a proxy contest or other change in our management or the acquisition of control by a holder of a substantial amount of our voting stock. It is possible that these provisions could make it more difficult to accomplish, or could deter, transactions that stockholders may otherwise consider to be in their best interests or in our best interests. These provisions are intended to enhance the likelihood of continuity and stability in the composition of our board of directors and in the policies formulated by the board of directors and to discourage certain types of transactions that may involve an actual or threatened change of control of us. These provisions are designed to reduce our vulnerability to an unsolicited acquisition proposal. The provisions also are intended to discourage certain tactics that may be used in proxy fights. Such provisions also may have the effect of preventing changes in our management.

Delaware Statutory Business Combinations Provision. We are subject to the anti-takeover provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. In general, Section 203 prohibits a publicly-held Delaware corporation from engaging in a “business combination” with an “interested stockholder” for a period of three years after the date of the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder, unless the business combination is, or the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder was, approved in a prescribed manner or another prescribed exception applies. For purposes of Section 203, a “business combination” is defined broadly to include a merger, asset sale or other transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder, and, subject to certain exceptions, an “interested stockholder” is a person who, together with his or her affiliates and associates, owns (or within three years prior, did own) 15% or more of the corporation’s voting stock.

Classified Board of Directors. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws provide that our board of directors is divided into three classes, each serving staggered three-year terms ending at the annual meeting of our stockholders. All directors elected to our classified board of directors will serve until the election and qualification of their respective successors or their earlier resignation or removal. The board of directors is authorized to create new directorships and to fill such positions so created and is permitted to specify the class to which any such new position is assigned. The person filling such position would serve for the term applicable to that class. The board of directors (or its remaining members, even if less than a quorum) is also empowered to fill vacancies on the board of directors occurring for any reason for the remainder of the term of the class of directors in which the vacancy occurred. These provisions are likely to increase the time required for stockholders to change the composition of the board of directors. For example, in general, at least two annual meetings will be necessary for stockholders to effect a change in a majority of the members of the board of directors.

Advance Notice Provisions for Stockholder Proposals and Stockholder Nominations of Directors. Our amended and restated bylaws provide that, for nominations to the board of directors or for other business to be properly brought by a stockholder before a meeting of stockholders, the stockholder must first have given timely notice of the proposal in writing to our Secretary. For an annual meeting, a stockholder’s notice generally must be delivered not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the anniversary of the mailing date of the proxy statement for the previous year’s annual meeting. Detailed requirements as to the form of the notice and information required in the notice are specified in the amended and restated bylaws. If it is determined that business was not properly brought before a meeting in accordance with our bylaw provisions, such business will not be conducted at the meeting.

43

Table of Contents

Special Meetings of Stockholders. Special meetings of the stockholders may be called only by our board of directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the total number of directors.

No Stockholder Action by Written Consent. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws do not permit our stockholders to act by written consent. As a result, any action to be effected by our stockholders must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of the stockholders.

Super-Majority Stockholder Vote Required for Certain Actions. The Delaware General Corporation Law provides generally that the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares entitled to vote on any matter is required to amend a corporation’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws, unless the corporation’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws, as the case may be, requires a greater percentage. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation requires the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of our outstanding voting stock to amend or repeal any of the provisions inconsistent with the provisions discussed in the section of this prospectus entitled “Classified Board of Directors”. This 66 2/3% stockholder vote would be in addition to any separate class vote that might in the future be required pursuant to the terms of any preferred stock that might then be outstanding. In addition, a 66 2/3% vote is also required for any amendment to, or repeal of, our amended and restated bylaws by the stockholders. Our amended and restated bylaws may be amended or repealed by a simple majority vote of the board of directors.

Preferred Stock

We have the authority to issue up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock. As of April 19, 2012, 1,213,142 shares of our preferred stock were outstanding (see “6% Convertible Exchangeable Preferred Stock” below). The description of preferred stock provisions set forth below is not complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to our certificate of incorporation and the certificate of designations relating to each series of preferred stock.

The board of directors has the right, without the consent of holders of common stock, to designate and issue one or more series of preferred stock, which may be convertible into common stock at a ratio determined by the board of directors. A series of preferred stock may bear rights superior to common stock as to voting, dividends, redemption, distributions in liquidation, dissolution, or winding up, and other relative rights and preferences. The board may set the following terms of any series preferred stock:

Dividends on outstanding shares of preferred stock will be paid or declared and set apart for payment before any dividends may be paid or declared and set apart for payment on the common stock with respect to the same dividend period.

If, upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the assets available for distribution to holders of preferred stock are insufficient to pay the full preferential amount to which the holders are entitled, then the available assets will be distributed ratably among the shares of all series of preferred stock in accordance with the respective preferential amounts (including unpaid cumulative dividends, if any) payable with respect to each series.

44

Table of Contents

Holders of preferred stock will not be entitled to preemptive rights to purchase or subscribe for any shares of any class of capital stock of the corporation. The preferred stock will, when issued, be fully paid and non-assessable. The rights of the holders of preferred stock will be subordinate to those of our general creditors.

We have previously issued 2,990,000 shares of preferred stock in one series, designated as 6% Convertible Exchangeable Preferred Stock, of which 1,213,142 are currently outstanding and are quoted on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “CYCCP.”

6% Convertible Exchangeable Preferred Stock

General

Our board of directors has designated 2,990,000 shares of the preferred stock that were issued as convertible preferred stock on November 3, 2004. The shares of convertible preferred stock are duly and validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. These shares will not have any preemptive rights if we issue other series of preferred stock. The convertible preferred stock is not subject to any sinking fund. We have no obligation to retire the convertible preferred stock. The convertible preferred stock has a perpetual maturity and may remain outstanding indefinitely, subject to the holder’s right to convert the convertible preferred stock and our right to cause the conversion of the convertible preferred stock and exchange or redeem the convertible preferred stock at our option. Any convertible preferred stock converted, exchanged or redeemed or acquired by us will, upon cancellation, have the status of authorized but unissued shares of convertible preferred stock. We will be able to reissue these cancelled shares of convertible preferred stock.

Dividends

When and if declared by our board of directors out of the legally available funds, holders of the convertible preferred stock are entitled to receive cash dividends at an annual rate of 6% of the liquidation preference of the convertible preferred stock. Dividends are payable quarterly on the first day of February, May, August and November. If any dividends are not declared, they will accrue and be paid at such later date, if any, as determined by our board of directors. Dividends on the convertible preferred stock will be cumulative from the issue date. Dividends will be payable to holders of record as they appear on our stock books not more than 60 days nor less than 10 days preceding the payment dates, as fixed by our board of directors. If the convertible preferred stock is called for redemption on a redemption date between the dividend record date and the dividend payment date and the holder does not convert the convertible preferred stock (as described below), the holder shall receive the dividend payment together with all other accrued and unpaid dividends on the redemption date instead of receiving the dividend on the dividend date. Dividends payable on the convertible preferred stock for any period greater or less than a full dividend period will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. Accrued but unpaid dividends will not bear interest.

If we do not pay or set aside cumulative dividends in full on the convertible preferred stock and any other preferred stock ranking on the same basis as to dividends, all dividends declared upon shares of the convertible preferred stock and any other preferred stock ranking on the same basis as to dividends will be declared on a pro rata basis until all accrued dividends are paid in full. For these purposes, “pro rata” means that the amount of dividends declared per share on the convertible preferred stock and any other preferred stock ranking on the same basis as to dividends bear to each other will be the same ratio that accrued and unpaid dividends per share on the shares of the convertible preferred stock and such other preferred stock bear to each other. We will not be able to redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire any of our stock ranking on the same basis as the convertible preferred stock as to dividends or liquidation preferences unless we have paid or set aside full cumulative dividends, if any, accrued on all outstanding shares of convertible preferred stock.

Unless we have paid or set aside cumulative dividends in full on the convertible preferred stock and any other of the convertible preferred stock ranking on the same basis as to dividends:

Under Delaware law, we may only make dividends or distributions to our stockholders from:

45

Table of Contents

To the extent that any dividends payable on the preferred stock are not paid, such unpaid dividends are accrued. Our board of directors also did not declare the quarterly cash dividend with respect to each of the four quarters of fiscal year 2009, the first, second and third quarters of fiscal year 2010, the second, third and fourth quarters of fiscal year 2011 and the first quarter of 2012. As the Company failed to pay in an aggregate amount equal to at least six quarterly dividends (whether or not consecutive) on the Preferred Stock, in accordance with the terms of the certificate of designations, the size of the Company’s board of directors was increased by two members and the holders of the Preferred Stock, voting separately as a class, voted on May 24, 2011 and elected two directors to fill the vacancies created thereby, which directorships shall terminate when the Company pays all accrued but unpaid dividends.

Conversion

Conversion Rights

Holders of our convertible preferred stock may convert the convertible preferred stock at any time into a number of shares of common stock determined by dividing the $10 liquidation preference by the conversion price of $23.50, being the original conversion price of $2.35 as adjusted following a reverse stock split, subject to adjustment as described below. This conversion price is equivalent to a conversion rate of approximately 0.42553 shares of common stock for each share of convertible preferred stock. We will not make any adjustment to the conversion price for accrued or unpaid dividends upon conversion. We will not issue fractional shares of common stock upon conversion. However, we will instead pay cash for each fractional share based upon the market price of the common stock on the last business day prior to the conversion date. If we call the convertible preferred stock for redemption, the holder’s right to convert the convertible preferred stock will expire at the close of business on the business day immediately preceding the date fixed for redemption, unless we fail to pay the redemption price.

Automatic Conversion

Unless we redeem or exchange the convertible preferred stock, we may elect to convert some or all of the convertible preferred stock into shares of our common stock if the closing price of our common stock has exceeded 150% of the conversion price for at least 20 out of 30 consecutive trading days ending within five trading days prior to the notice of automatic conversion. If we elect to convert less than all of the shares of convertible preferred stock, we shall select the shares to be converted by lot or pro rata or in some other equitable manner in our discretion. On or after November 3, 2007, we may not elect to automatically convert the convertible preferred stock if full cumulative dividends on the convertible preferred stock for all past dividend periods have not been paid or set aside for payment.

Conversion Price Adjustment — General

The conversion price of $23.50 will be adjusted if:

46

Table of Contents

If we implement a stockholder rights plan, this new rights plan must provide that, upon conversion of the existing convertible preferred stock the holders will receive, in addition to the common stock issuable upon such conversion, the rights under such rights plan regardless of whether the rights have separated from the common stock before the time of conversion. The distribution of rights or warrants pursuant to a stockholder rights plan will not result in an adjustment to the conversion price of the convertible preferred stock until a specified triggering event occurs.

The occurrence and magnitude of certain of the adjustments described above is dependent upon the current market price of our common stock. For these purposes, “current market price” generally means the lesser of:

·                  the closing sale price on certain specified dates, or

·                  the average of the closing prices of the common stock for the ten trading day period immediately prior to certain specified dates.

We may make a temporary reduction in the conversion price of the convertible preferred stock if our board of directors determines that this decrease would be in our best interest. We may, at our option, reduce the conversion price if our board of directors deems it advisable to avoid or diminish any income tax to holders of common stock resulting from any dividend or distribution of stock or rights to acquire stock or from any event treated as such for income tax purposes.

Conversion Price Adjustment — Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets

If we are involved in a transaction in which shares of our common stock are converted into the right to receive other securities, cash or other property, or a sale or transfer of all or substantially all of our assets under which the holders of our common stock shall be entitled to receive other securities, cash or other property, then appropriate provision shall be made so that the shares of convertible preferred stock will convert into:

(1)          if the transaction is a common stock fundamental change, as defined below, common stock of the kind received by holders of common stock as a result of common stock fundamental change in accordance with paragraph (1) below under the subsection entitled “— Fundamental Change Conversion Price Adjustments,” and

(2)          if the transaction is not a common stock fundamental change, and subject to funds being legally available at conversion, the kind and amount of the securities, cash or other property that would have been receivable upon the recapitalization, reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange by a holder of the number of shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the convertible preferred stock immediately prior to the recapitalization, reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange, after giving effect to any adjustment in the conversion price in accordance with paragraph (2) below under the subsection entitled “— Fundamental Change Conversion Price Adjustments.”

The company formed by the consolidation, merger, asset acquisition or share acquisition shall provide for this right in its organizational document. This organizational document shall also provide for adjustments so that the organizational document shall be as nearly practicably equivalent to adjustments in this section for events occurring after the effective date of the organizational document.

The following types of transactions, among others, would be covered by this adjustment:

(1)          we recapitalize or reclassify our common stock, except for:

·                  a change in par value,

·                  a change from par value to no par value,

·                  a change from no par value to par value, or

·                  a subdivision or combination of our common stock.

(2)          we consolidate or merge into any other person, or any merger of another person into us, except for a merger that does not result in a reclassification, conversion, exchange or cancellation of common stock,

(3)          we sell, transfer or lease all or substantially all of our assets and holders of our common stock become entitled to receive other securities, cash or other property, or

(4)          we undertake any compulsory share exchange.

47

Table of Contents

Fundamental Change Conversion Price Adjustments

If a fundamental change occurs, the conversion price will be adjusted as follows:

A. the applicable price, and

B. a fraction, the numerator of which is $10 and the denominator of which is (x) the amount of the redemption price for one share of convertible preferred stock if the redemption date were the date of the non-stock fundamental change (or if the date of such non-stock fundamental change falls within the period beginning on the first issue date of the convertible preferred stock through October 31, 2005, the twelve-month period commencing November 1, 2005 and the twelve-month period commencing November 1, 2006, the product of 106.0%, 105.4% or 104.8%, respectively, and $10) plus (y) any then-accrued and unpaid distributions on one share of convertible preferred stock.

Holders of convertible preferred stock may receive significantly different consideration upon conversion depending upon whether a fundamental change is a non-stock fundamental change or a common stock fundamental change. In the event of a non-stock fundamental change, the shares of convertible preferred stock will convert into stock and other securities or property or assets, including cash, determined by the number of shares of common stock receivable upon conversion at the conversion price as adjusted in accordance with (2) above. In the event of a common stock fundamental change, under certain circumstances, the holder of convertible preferred stock will receive different consideration depending on whether the holder converts his or her shares of convertible preferred stock on or after the common stock fundamental change.

Definitions for the Fundamental Change Adjustment Provision

“applicable price” means:

·                  in a non-stock fundamental change in which the holders of common stock receive only cash, the amount of cash received by a holder of one share of common stock, and

·                  in the event of any other fundamental change, the average of the daily closing price for one share of common stock during the 10 trading days immediately prior to the record date for the determination of the holders of common stock entitled to receive cash, securities, property or other assets in connection with the fundamental change or, if there is no such record date, prior to the date upon which the holders of common stock shall have the right to receive such cash, securities, property or other assets.

“common stock fundamental change” means any fundamental change in which more than 50% of the value, as determined in good faith by our board of directors, of the consideration received by holders of our common stock consists of common stock that, for the 10 trading days immediately prior to such fundamental change, has been admitted for listing or admitted for listing subject to notice of issuance on a national securities exchange or quoted on The NASDAQ National Market, except that a fundamental change shall not be a common stock fundamental change unless either:

48

Table of Contents

·                  we continue to exist after the occurrence of the fundamental change and the outstanding convertible preferred stock continues to exist as outstanding convertible preferred stock, or

·                  not later than the occurrence of the fundamental change, the outstanding convertible preferred stock is converted into or exchanged for shares of preferred stock, which preferred stock has rights, preferences and limitations substantially similar, but no less favorable, to those of the convertible preferred stock.

“fundamental change” means the occurrence of any transaction or event or series of transactions or events pursuant to which all or substantially all of our common stock shall be exchanged for, converted into, acquired for or shall constitute solely the right to receive cash, securities, property or other assets, whether by means of an exchange offer, liquidation, tender offer, consolidation, merger, combination, reclassification, recapitalization or otherwise. However, for purposes of adjustment of the conversion price, in the case of any series of transactions or events, the fundamental change shall be deemed to have occurred when substantially all of the common stock shall have been exchanged for, converted into or acquired for, or shall constitute solely the right to receive, such cash, securities, property or other assets, but the adjustment shall be based upon the consideration that the holders of our common stock received in the transaction or event as a result of which more than 50% of our common stock shall have been exchanged for, converted into or acquired for, or shall constitute solely the right to receive, such cash, securities, property or other assets.

“non-stock fundamental change” means any fundamental change other than a common stock fundamental change.

“purchaser stock price” means the average of the daily closing price for one share of the common stock received by holders of the common stock in the common stock fundamental change during the 10 trading days immediately prior to the date fixed for the determination of the holders of the common stock entitled to receive such common stock or, if there is no such date, prior to the date upon which the holders of the common stock shall have the right to receive such common stock.

Liquidation Rights

In the event of our voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation, or winding up, the holders of the convertible preferred stock shall receive a liquidation preference of $10 per share and all accrued and unpaid dividends through the distribution date. Holders of any class or series of preferred stock ranking on the same basis as your convertible preferred stock as to liquidation shall also be entitled to receive the full respective liquidation preferences and any accrued and unpaid dividends through the distribution date. Only after the preferred stock holders have received their liquidation preference and any accrued and unpaid dividends will we distribute assets to common stock holders or any of our other stock ranking junior to the shares of convertible preferred stock upon liquidation. If upon such dissolution, liquidation or winding up, we do not have enough assets to pay in full the amounts due on the convertible preferred stock and any other preferred stock ranking on the same basis with the convertible preferred stock as to liquidation, the holders of the convertible preferred stock and such other preferred stock will share ratably in any such distributions of our assets:

·                  first in proportion to the liquidation preferences until the preferences are paid in full, and

·                  then in proportion to the amounts of accrued but unpaid dividends.

After we pay any liquidation preference and accrued dividends, holders of the convertible preferred stock will not be entitled to participate any further in the distribution of our assets. The following events will not be deemed to be a dissolution, liquidation or winding up of Cyclacel:

·                  the sale of all or substantially all of the assets;

·                  our merger or consolidation into or with any other corporation; or

·                  our liquidation, dissolution, winding up or reorganization immediately followed by a reincorporation as another corporation.

Optional Redemption

We may redeem the convertible preferred stock, out of legally available funds, in whole or in part, at our option, at the redemption prices listed below. The redemption price is as follows for the 12-month period beginning November 1 of each year:

49

Table of Contents

and $10.00 at November 1, 2014 and thereafter. In each case we will pay accrued and unpaid dividends to, but excluding, the redemption date. We are required to give notice of redemption not more than 60 and not less than 20 days before the redemption date.

If we redeem less than all of the shares of convertible preferred stock, we shall select the shares to be redeemed by lot or pro rata or in some other equitable manner in our sole discretion.

Exchange Provisions

We may exchange the convertible preferred stock in whole, but not in part, for debentures on any dividend payment date on or after November 1, 2005 at the rate of $10 principal amount of debentures for each outstanding share of convertible preferred stock. Debentures will be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000, as discussed in the section entitled “Description of Debentures” below. If the exchange results in an amount of debentures that is not an integral multiple of $1,000, we will pay in cash an amount in excess of the closest integral multiple of $1,000. We will mail written notice of our intention to exchange the convertible preferred stock to each record holder not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the exchange date.

We refer to the date fixed for exchange of the convertible preferred stock for debentures as the “exchange date.” On the exchange date, the holder’s rights as a stockholder of Cyclacel shall cease, the shares of convertible preferred stock will no longer be outstanding, and will only represent the right to receive the debentures and any accrued and unpaid dividends, without interest. We may not exercise our option to exchange the convertible preferred stock for the debentures if:

·                  full cumulative dividends on the convertible preferred stock to the exchange date have not been paid or set aside for payment, or

·                  an event of default under the indenture would occur on conversion, or has occurred and is continuing.

Voting Rights

Holders of our convertible preferred stock have no voting rights except as described below or as required by law. Shares of our convertible preferred stock held by us or any entity controlled by us will not have any voting rights.

If we have not paid dividends on the convertible preferred stock or on any outstanding shares of preferred stock ranking on the same basis as to dividends with the convertible preferred stock in an aggregate amount equal to at least six quarterly dividends whether or not consecutive, we will increase the size of our board of directors by two additional directors. So long as dividends remain due and unpaid, holders of the convertible preferred stock, voting separately as a class with holders of preferred stock ranking on the same basis as to dividends having like voting rights, will be entitled to elect two additional directors at any meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected. These directors will be appointed to classes on the board as determined by our board of directors. These voting rights will terminate when we have declared and either paid or set aside for payment all accrued and unpaid dividends. The terms of office of all directors so elected will terminate immediately upon the termination of these voting rights.

As mentioned above, we have not declared the quarterly cash dividend with respect to each of the four quarters of fiscal year 2009, the first, second and third quarters of fiscal year 2010, the second, third and fourth quarters of fiscal year 2011 and the first quarter of 2012. As the Company failed to pay in an aggregate amount equal to at least six quarterly dividends (whether or not consecutive) on the Preferred Stock, in accordance with the terms of the certificate of designations, the size of the Company’s board of directors was increased by two members and the holders of the Preferred Stock, voting separately as a class, voted on May 24, 2011 and elected two directors to fill the vacancies created thereby, which directorships shall terminate when the Company pays all accrued but unpaid dividends

Without the vote or consent of the holders of at least a majority of the shares of convertible preferred stock, we may not:

·                  adversely change the rights, preferences and limitations of the convertible preferred stock by modifying our certificate of incorporation or bylaws, or

·                  authorize, issue, reclassify any of our authorized stock into, increase the authorized amount of, or authorize or issue any convertible obligation or security or right to purchase, any class of stock that ranks senior to the convertible preferred stock as to dividends or distributions of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the stock.

50

Table of Contents

No class vote on the part of convertible preferred stock shall be required (except as otherwise required by law or resolution of our board of directors) in connection with the authorization, issuance or increase in the authorized amount of any shares of capital stock ranking junior to or on parity with the convertible preferred stock both as to the payment of dividends and as to distribution of assets upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, whether voluntary or involuntary, including our common stock and the convertible preferred stock.

In addition, without the vote or consent of the holders of at least a majority of the shares of convertible preferred stock we may not:

·                  enter into a share exchange that affects the convertible preferred stock,

·                  consolidate with or merge into another entity, or

·                  permit another entity to consolidate with or merge into us,

unless the convertible preferred stock remains outstanding and its rights, privileges and preferences are unaffected or it is converted into or exchanged for convertible preferred stock of the surviving entity having rights, preferences and limitations substantially similar, but no less favorable, to the convertible preferred stock.

In determining a majority under these voting provisions, holders of convertible preferred stock will vote together with holders of any other preferred stock that rank on parity as to dividends and that have like voting rights.

Warrants

The following is a brief summary of the terms of our outstanding warrants, including the Warrants. Only the shares underlying the Warrants are being registered by us in this prospectus.

·                  The April 2006 Warrants — On April 26 2006, as part of a private placement, we sold warrants to purchase up to 2,571,429 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $7.00 per share of common stock, such warrants expiring at 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on April 26, 2013. As of April 19, 2012, there were 2,571,429 shares available for purchase under the April 2006 Warrants.

·                  The February 2007 Warrants — On February 16, 2007, as part of a “registered direct” offering of our units, we sold warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 1,062,412 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $8.44 per share of common stock, such warrants expiring at 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on February 16, 2014. As of April 19, 2012, there were 1,062,412 shares available for purchase under the February 2007 Warrants.

·                  The July 2009 Warrants — On July 29, 2009, as part of a “registered direct” offering of our units, we sold warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 735,222 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.00 per share of common stock, such warrants expiring at 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on July 29, 2014. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable warrant, except upon at least 61 days’ prior notice from the holder to us, the holder will not have the right to exercise any portion of the warrant if the holder, together with its affiliates, would beneficially own in excess of 9.99% of the number of shares of our common stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the exercise, as such percentage ownership is determined in accordance with the terms of the warrants. As of April 19, 2012, there were 692,256 shares available for purchase under the July 2009 Warrants.

·                  The January 13, 2010 Warrants — On January 13, 2010, as part of a “registered direct” offering of our units, we sold warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 712,500 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $3.26 per share of common stock, such warrants expiring at 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on January 13, 2015. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable warrant, except upon at least 61 days’ prior notice from the holder to us, the holder will not have the right to exercise any portion of the warrant if the holder, together with its affiliates, would beneficially own in excess of 4.99% of the number of shares of our common stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the exercise, as such percentage ownership is determined in accordance with the terms of the warrants. As of April 19, 2012, there were 712,500 shares available for purchase under the January 13, 2010 Warrants.

·                  The January 25, 2010 Warrants — On January 25, 2010, as part of a “registered direct” offering of our units, we sold warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 705,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $2.85 per share of common stock, such warrants expiring at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, on January 25, 2015. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable warrant, except upon at least 61 days’ prior notice from the holder to us, the holder will not have the right to exercise any portion of the warrant if the holder, together with its affiliates, would beneficially own in excess of 4.99% of the number of shares of our common stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the exercise, as such percentage ownership is determined in accordance with the terms of the warrants. As of April 19, 2012, there were 705,000 shares available for purchase under the January 25, 2010 Warrants. We refer to the February 2007 Warrants, July 2009 Warrants, January 13, 2010 and January 25, 2010 Warrants collectively as the registered direct warrants.

51

Table of Contents

·                  The Kingsbridge Warrant — On November 24, 2009, we issued to Kingsbridge Capital Limited, or Kingsbridge, an amended and restated warrant to purchase an aggregate of 175,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $1.40 per share, such warrant expiring on June 10, 2013. The Kingsbridge Warrant may not be exercised to the extent that such exercise would cause the warrant holder to beneficially own (or be deemed to beneficially own) a number of shares of our common stock that would exceed 9.9% of our then outstanding shares of common stock following such exercise. As of April 19, 2012, there were 100,000 shares available for purchase under the Kingsbridge Warrant.

·                  The PIPE Warrants — On October 7, 2010, as part of a private placement, we sold the warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 4,161,595 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.92 per share of common stock, such warrants expiring at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, on October 7, 2015. On October 7, 2010, we also sold, as part of the private placement, options to purchase up to 4,161,595 shares of common stock and warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 2,080,803 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.92 per share of common stock, such options expired on July 6, 2011 and were not exercised. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable warrant, except upon at least 61 days’ prior notice from the holder to us, the holder will not have the right to exercise any portion of such warrant if the holder, together with its affiliates, would beneficially own in excess of 4.99%, 9.99% or 19.99%, as applicable, of the number of shares of our common stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the exercise, as such percentage ownership is determined in accordance with the terms of the warrants. As of April 19, 2012, there were 4,161,595 shares available for purchase under the warrants.

·                  The July 2011 Warrants — On July 7, 2012, as part of an underwritten offering of our units, we sold warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 3,808,323 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.36 per share, such warrants expiring on July 7, 2017. As of April 19, 2012, there were 3,808,323 shares available for purchase under the warrants.

Exercisability. The exercise price and number of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of all of the warrants may be adjusted in certain circumstances, including in the event of a stock dividend, or our recapitalization, reorganization, merger or consolidation. If, for any reason, we are unable to deliver shares upon exercise of the warrants, we have no obligation to pay any cash or other consideration or otherwise “net cash settle” the warrants.

Exercise of Warrants. All of the warrants except the Warrants and the July 2012 Warrants, may be exercised upon surrender of the warrant on or prior to the expiration date at the offices of the warrant agent, with the exercise form set forth in the warrant completed and executed as indicated, either accompanied by full payment of the exercise price, by certified check payable to us, for the number of warrants being exercised or, under certain circumstances, by means of a cashless exercise, as provided for in the warrant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the holder will not be required to physically surrender the warrant unless and until the aggregate warrant shares represented by the warrant are exercised. The Warrants may be exercised in the same manner, except that such securities are exercisable by delivery of a written notice, with payment made within two trading days of the delivery of the notice of exercise. The July 2011 Warrants may be exercised by providing a copy of such warrant by facsimile.

Cashless Exercise. If, at any time during the exercisability period of any of the warrants, the holder is not permitted to sell shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the relevant warrant pursuant to the registration statement or an exemption from registration is not available, and the fair market value of our common stock exceeds the exercise price of the warrants, the holder may elect to effect a cashless exercise of the warrants, in whole or in part, by surrendering the warrants to us, together with delivery to us of a duly executed exercise notice, and cancelling a portion of the relevant warrant in payment of the purchase price payable in respect of the number of shares of our common stock purchased upon such exercise.

Buy-in Right. If we fail to issue shares of common stock to the holder of a Warrant within three business days of our receipt of a duly executed exercise notice, then the holder or any third party on behalf of the holder may, for such holder’s account, purchase in an open market transaction or otherwise, shares of common stock to deliver in satisfaction of a sale by the holder of shares of common stock issuable upon such exercise that the holder anticipated receiving from us. At such holder’s request and in its discretion, either (i) pay cash to the holder in an amount equal to the holder’s total purchase price (including brokerage commissions, if any) for the shares of common stock so purchased (the “Buy-In Price”), at which point the Company’s obligation to deliver such certificate (and to issue such shares of common stock) shall terminate, or (ii) promptly honor its obligation to deliver to the holder a certificate or certificates representing such shares and pay cash to the holder in an amount equal to the excess (if any) of the Buy-In Price over the product of (A) such number of shares of common stock, times (B) the Closing Bid Price (as defined in such warrants) on the date of exercise.

Transferability. Subject to applicable laws and the restriction on transfer set forth in the relevant subscription agreement, none of the warrants may be transferred by the holder without our consent, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed, upon surrender of the warrants to us together with the appropriate instruments of transfer.

Exchange Listing. We do not plan on making an application to list any of the warrants on The NASDAQ Global Market, any national securities exchange or other nationally recognized trading system. The common stock underlying the warrants is listed on the NASDAQ Global Market.

52

Table of Contents

Fundamental Transactions. In the event of any fundamental transaction, as described in the warrants, and generally including any merger with or into another entity (whether or not we are the surviving entity but excluding a migratory merger effected solely for the purpose of changing our jurisdiction of incorporation), sale of all or substantially all of our assets, tender offer or exchange offer, our consummation of a stock purchase agreement or other business combination (including, without limitation, a reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off or scheme of arrangement) or reclassification of our common stock, then upon any subsequent exercise of a warrant, the holder shall have the right to receive, as alternative consideration, for each share of our common stock that would have been issuable upon such exercise immediately prior to the occurrence of such fundamental transaction, the number of shares of common stock of the successor or acquiring corporation or of Cyclacel, 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 shares of our common stock for which the warrant is exercisable immediately prior to such event. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the holders of the Warrants and the July 2011 Warrants, in the event of a fundamental transaction (i) in which holders of common stock receive all cash or substantially all cash or (ii) with a person whose common stock or equivalent equity security is not quoted or listed on an eligible market, as defined in such warrant, and, in either case, at the request of the holder delivered within 30 days after consummation of the fundamental transaction, we (or our successor entity) must purchase such warrant from the holder by paying to the holder, within seven business days after such request (or, if later, on the effective date of the fundamental transaction), cash in an amount equal to the Black Scholes value, as defined in such warrant, of the remaining unexercised portion of such Warrant or the July 2011 Warrants, as applicable, on the date of such fundamental transaction. For the avoidance of doubt, the term fundamental transaction does not include any transaction in which we are not a voluntary party thereto.

Waivers and Amendments. The provisions of each warrant may be amended and we may not take any action prohibited by such warrant, or omit to perform any act required to be performed pursuant to such warrant, only with the written consent of the holder of that warrant.

Rights as a Stockholder. The warrant holders do not have the rights or privileges of holders of common stock, including any voting rights, until they exercise their warrants and receive shares of common stock. After the issuance of shares of common stock upon exercise of the warrants, each holder will be entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters to be voted on by stockholders.

No Fractional Shares. No fractional shares will be issued upon exercise of any of the warrants. With respect to all warrants, except the Warrants, we will pay to the holder thereof, in lieu of the issuance of any fractional share which is otherwise issuable to the warrant holder, an amount in cash based on the market value of the common stock on the last trading day prior to the exercise date. With respect to the Warrants, the number of shares of common stock to be issued will be rounded up to the nearest whole number.

Listing

Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “CYCC.” Our preferred stock is listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “CYCCP.”

Transfer Agent and Registrar

American Stock Transfer & Trust Company is the transfer agent and registrar for our common stock. Their address is 59 Maiden Lane, Plaza Level, New York, NY 10038, and their telephone number is (800) 937-5449.

DISCLOSURE OF COMMISSION POSITION ON INDEMNIFICATION FOR SECURITIES ACT LIABILITIES

Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “Delaware Law”) authorizes a court to award, or a corporation’s board of directors to grant, indemnity to directors and officers in terms sufficiently broad to permit such indemnification under certain circumstances for liabilities (including reimbursement for expenses incurred) arising under the Securities Act of 1933. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, provides for indemnification of officers, directors and other employees of our company to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware Law and that directors shall not be personally liable to our company or our stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except (i) for any breach of a director’s duty of loyalty to our company or our stockholders, (ii) acts and omissions that are not in good faith or that involve intentional misconduct or knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the Delaware Law, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived any improper benefit.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the registrant has been information that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.

53

Table of Contents

MARKET FOR COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

Our common stock is traded on The NASDAQ Global Market, or NASDAQ, under the symbol “CYCC.” Our preferred stock currently trades on NASDAQ under the symbol “CYCCP.” The following table summarizes, for the periods indicated, the high and low sales prices for the common stock as reported by NASDAQ:

On April 19, 2012, we had approximately 77 registered holders of record of our common stock. On April 26, 2012, the closing sale price of our common stock as reported by NASDAQ was $0.59 per share.

Dividends

We have never declared any cash dividends with respect to our common stock. Future payment of dividends is within the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on our earnings, capital requirements, financial condition and other relevant factors. Although there are no material restrictions limiting, or that are likely to limit, our ability to pay dividends on our common stock, we presently intend to retain future earnings, if any, for use in our business and have no present intention to pay cash dividends on our common stock.

54

Table of Contents

LEGAL MATTERS

Certain legal matters in connection with the offering and the validity of the common stock offered by this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Mintz, Levin, Cohen, Ferris, Glovsky & Popeo, P.C.

No person is authorized to give any information or to make any representations with respect to shares not contained in this prospectus in connection with the offer contained herein, and, if given or made, such information or representation must not be relied upon as having been authorized by us. This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any security other than the shares of common stock offered by the prospectus, nor does it constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy shares of common stock in any jurisdiction where such offer or solicitation would be unlawful. Neither the delivery of this prospectus nor any sales made hereunder shall, under any circumstances, create any implication that there has been no change in our affairs since the date hereof.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of Cyclacel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. at December 31, 2011, and for the year ended December 31, 2011 and for the period from August 13, 1996 (inception) to December 31, 2011 incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and Registration Statement have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP (US), independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon incorporated by reference elsewhere herein which, as to the period from August 13, 1996 (inception) to December 31, 2011, are based in part on the report of Ernst & Young LLP (UK), independent registered public accounting firm. The financial statements referred to above are included in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of such firms as experts in accounting and auditing.

The consolidated financial statements of Cyclacel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2010, appearing in Cyclacel Pharmaceuticals, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, filed with the SEC on March 30, 2012, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP (UK), independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in its report thereon, 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 accounting and auditing.

INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

In this document, we “incorporate by reference” certain information we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring to that information. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this prospectus. Any statement contained in this prospectus supersedes information incorporated by reference that we have filed with the SEC prior to the date of this prospectus. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below (other than any portions thereof that are not deemed “filed” with the SEC):

We hereby undertake to provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a copy of this prospectus is delivered, upon written or oral request of any such person, a copy of any and all of the information that has been incorporated by reference in this prospectus, including any exhibits that are specifically incorporated by reference in such documents. Requests for such copies should be directed as follows:

55

Table of Contents

Cyclacel Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
200 Connell Drive, Suite 1500
Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922
(908) 517-7330

Information about us is also available at our website at http://www.cyclacel.com. However, the information in our website is not a part of this prospectus and is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We file annual, quarterly and other reports and information with the SEC. These filings contain important information that does not appear in this prospectus. For further information about us, you may read and copy any reports, statements and other information filed by us at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549-0102. You may obtain further information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. Our SEC filings are also available on the SEC Internet site at http://www.sec.gov, which contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC.

56