# EDGAR Filing Document

**Accession Number:** 0001228627
**File Stem:** 0001140361-25-040671
**Filing Date:** 2025-11
**Character Count:** 201086
**Document Hash:** aef3db380d3174cafd2631747b178c01
**Contains OCR:** False
**Source Format:** 

## Filing Content

## Filing Summary
**0001140361-25-040671.hdr.sgml**: 20251106

**ACCESSION NUMBER**: 0001140361-25-040671

**CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE**: 424B5

**PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT**: 4

**FILED AS OF DATE**: 20251106

**DATE AS OF CHANGE**: 20251106

**FILER**: 

**COMPANY DATA:**
- **COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:** Opus Genetics, Inc.
- **CENTRAL INDEX KEY:** 0001228627
- **STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:** PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS [2834]
- **ORGANIZATION NAME:** 03 Life Sciences
- **EIN:** 113516358
- **STATE OF INCORPORATION:** DE
- **FISCAL YEAR END:** 1231

**FILING VALUES:**
- **FORM TYPE:** 424B5
- **SEC ACT:** 1933 Act
- **SEC FILE NUMBER:** 333-276462
- **FILM NUMBER:** 251456311

**BUSINESS ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 8 DAVIS DRIVE
- **STREET 2:** SUITE 220
- **CITY:** DURHAM
- **STATE:** NC
- **ZIP:** 27713
- **BUSINESS PHONE:** 248-681-9815

**MAIL ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 8 DAVIS DRIVE
- **STREET 2:** SUITE 220
- **CITY:** DURHAM
- **STATE:** NC
- **ZIP:** 27713

**FORMER COMPANY:**
- **FORMER CONFORMED NAME:** Ocuphire Pharma, Inc.
- **DATE OF NAME CHANGE:** 20201109

**FORMER COMPANY:**
- **FORMER CONFORMED NAME:** REXAHN PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
- **DATE OF NAME CHANGE:** 20050516

**FORMER COMPANY:**
- **FORMER CONFORMED NAME:** CORPORATE ROAD SHOW DOT COM INC
- **DATE OF NAME CHANGE:** 20030423

#### **TABLE OF CONTENTS**
Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5) <br>

Registration No. 333-276462

#### Prospectus Supplement <br>

#### (To Prospectus dated January 23, 2024)
![](logo_opusgenetics.jpg)<br>

#### 3,827,751 Shares of Common Stock<br>

#### Pre-Funded Warrants to Purchase 7,177,033 Shares of Common Stock<br>

#### 7,177,033 Shares of Common Stock Issuable Upon Exercise of the Pre-Funded Warrants
We are offering 3,827,751 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 (the "common stock"), directly to several institutional investors pursuant to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. The public offering price for each share of our common stock is $2.09.

We are also offering 7,177,033 pre-funded warrants (each, a "Pre-Funded Warrant") directly to certain of the purchasers who have elected to receive them in lieu of additional shares of our common stock. The public offering price for each such Pre-Funded Warrant is $2.0899, which is equal to the price per share at which the shares of common stock are sold in this offering, minus $0.0001, the exercise price of the Pre-Funded Warrants. The Pre-Funded Warrants offered hereby will be immediately exercisable and may be exercised at any time until exercised in full. This prospectus also relates to the offering of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the Pre-Funded Warrants. We collectively refer to the shares of common stock, Pre-Funded Warrants and the shares of common stock underlying the Pre-Funded Warrants as the "securities." The Pre-Funded Warrants will be issued in certificate form.

Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol "IRD". On November 5, 2025, the last reported sale price of our common stock was $2.12 per share. There is no established public trading market for the Pre-Funded Warrants, and we do not expect a market to develop. We do not intend to apply for listing of the Pre-Funded Warrants on any securities exchange or other nationally recognized trading system. Without an active trading market, the liquidity of the Pre-Funded Warrants will be limited.

The common stock and Pre-Funded Warrants are being offered directly to the purchasers without a placement agent or underwriter. We are not paying underwriting discounts or commissions in connection with this offering. We have entered into a securities purchase agreement with the purchasers for the sale of all of the securities being offered hereunder. The gross proceeds to us before expenses will be approximately $23.0 million. We estimate the total expenses of this offering will be approximately $0.3 million.

We are a "smaller reporting company" as defined under the federal securities laws and, as such, have elected to comply with certain reduced public company reporting requirements for this prospectus supplement and may elect to do so in future filings. See "*Prospectus Supplement Summary—Implications of Being a Smaller Reporting Company*."

**Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Before making an investment decision, please read the information under "<u>Risk Factors</u>" beginning on page S-[6](#sRF) of this prospectus supplement and under similar headings in any amendment or supplement to this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus or in any filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission that is incorporated by reference herein.** 

---

| | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|
|  | **Common Stock**  | **Pre-Funded**<br>**Warrants**  | **Total**  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;Public offering price per share or Pre-Funded Warrant | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;$2.09 | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;$2.0899 |  |
| Proceeds to us, before expenses | $7999999.59 | $14999281.27 | $22999280.86 |

---

The delivery of the shares of common stock and Pre-Funded Warrants to purchasers is expected to be made on or about November 7, 2025, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

**NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR DETERMINED IF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS IS TRUTHFUL OR COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.** 

#### The date of this prospectus supplement is November 5, 2025 .

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#### **TABLE OF CONTENTS**

#### Prospectus Supplement

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| [ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT](#sATP) | &nbsp;&nbsp;[S-1](#sATP) |
| [PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY](#sPS) | &nbsp;&nbsp;[S-2](#sPS) |
| [THE OFFERING](#sTO) | &nbsp;&nbsp;[S-4](#sTO) |
| [RISK FACTORS](#sRF) | &nbsp;&nbsp;[S-6](#sRF) |
| [FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS](#sFLS) | &nbsp;&nbsp;[S-8](#sFLS) |
| [USE OF PROCEEDS](#sUOP) | [S-11](#sUOP) |
| [DIVIDEND POLICY](#sDP) | [S-12](#sDP) |
| [DILUTION](#sDIL) | [S-13](#sDIL) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;[DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES WE ARE OFFERING](#sDOS) | [S-14](#sDOS) |
| [PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION](#sPOD) | [S-16](#sPOD) |
| [LEGAL MATTERS](#sLM) | [S-17](#sLM) |
| [EXPERTS](#sEXP) | [S-17](#sEXP) |
| [WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION](#sWYC) | [S-17](#sWYC) |
| [INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE](#sIOC) | [S-18](#sIOC) |

---

#### Prospectus

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| [ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS](#tATP) | [ii](#tATP) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;[PROSPECTUS SUMMARY](#tPS) | &nbsp;&nbsp;[1](#tPS) |
| [RISK FACTORS](#tRF) | &nbsp;&nbsp;[7](#tRF) |
| [FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS](#tFLS) | &nbsp;&nbsp;[8](#tFLS) |
| [USE OF PROCEEDS](#tUP) | [11](#tUP) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;[DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK](#tDCS) | [12](#tDCS) |
| [DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES](#tDBS) | [16](#tDBS) |
| [DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS](#tDW) | [22](#tDW) |
| [LEGAL OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES](#tLOS) | [24](#tLOS) |
| [PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION](#tPD) | [27](#tPD) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;[LEGAL MATTERS](#tLM) | [30](#tLM) |
| [EXPERTS](#tEXP) | [30](#tEXP) |
| [WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION](#tWYC) | [30](#tWYC) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;[INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE](#tICI) | [31](#tICI) |

---

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#### **TABLE OF CONTENTS**

#### ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
This prospectus supplement is part of a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). We provide information to you about this offering of securities in two separate documents that are bound together: (1) this prospectus supplement, which describes the specific details regarding this offering, and (2) the accompanying prospectus, which provides general information, some of which may not apply to this offering. Generally, when we refer to this "prospectus," we are referring to both documents combined. If the information in this prospectus supplement is inconsistent with the accompanying prospectus, you should rely on this prospectus supplement. However, if any statement in one of these documents is inconsistent with a statement in another document having a later date — for example, a document incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement — the statement in the document having the later date modifies or supersedes the earlier statement as our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since the earlier dates.

You should rely only on the information contained in, or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus supplement and in any free writing prospectus that we may authorize for use in connection with this offering. We have not authorized any other person to provide you with different or additional information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are not making an offer to sell or soliciting an offer to buy our securities in any jurisdiction in which an offer or solicitation is not authorized or in which the person making that offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so or to anyone to whom it is unlawful to make an offer or solicitation. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement, and in any free writing prospectus that we may authorize for use in connection with this offering, is accurate only as of the date of those respective documents. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates. You should read this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement, and any free writing prospectus that we may authorize for use in connection with this offering, in their entirety before making an investment decision. You should also read and consider the information in the documents to which we have referred you in the section of this prospectus supplement entitled "*Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference*" and in the section of the accompanying prospectus entitled "*Where You Can Find More Information*."

We are offering to sell, and seeking offers to buy, shares of common stock only in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted. The distribution of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and the offering of our common stock in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law. Persons outside the United States who come into possession of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus must inform themselves about, and observe any restrictions relating to, the offering of our common stock and the distribution of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus outside the United States. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus do not constitute, and may not be used in connection with, an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus by any person in any jurisdiction in which it is unlawful for such person to make such an offer or solicitation.

In this prospectus supplement, the terms "Opus," "Company," "we," "us," "our" and similar terms refer to Opus Genetics, Inc. (formerly known as Ocuphire Pharma, Inc.) and its subsidiaries, unless the context otherwise requires.

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

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#### **TABLE OF CONTENTS**

#### PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY
*This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this prospectus supplement. Because it is a summary, it may not contain all of the information that is important to you. Accordingly, you are urged to carefully read the entire prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, including the risks of investing in our securities discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" contained in any applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, and under similar headings in the other documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement. You should also carefully read the information incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement, including our financial statements, and the exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is a part.* 

#### Company Overview
We are a clinical-stage ophthalmic biotechnology company developing gene therapies for the treatment of inherited retinal diseases ("IRDs") and other ophthalmologic disorders. Our headquarters is located in Durham, North Carolina.

On October 22, 2024, we acquired a private corporation then operating under the name "Opus Genetics Inc." ("Private Opus") pursuant to the terms of an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 22, 2024 (such agreement, the "Merger Agreement," and the transaction consummated via the Merger Agreement, the "Opus Acquisition").

Our pipeline includes assets from the adeno-associated virus ("AAV") based gene therapy portfolio of Private Opus that address mutations in genes that cause different forms of Leber congenital amaurosis ("LCA"), bestrophinopathy, and retinitis pigmentosa. Our most advanced gene therapy program is designed to address mutations in the LCA5 gene ("LCA5"), which encodes the lebercilin protein. More specifically, we are developing OPGx-LCA5 to treat LCA5-associated IRD, an early-onset retinal degeneration, and an open-label, dose-escalation Phase 1/2 clinical trial is ongoing. OPGx-BEST1 is another gene therapy candidate in our portfolio. This asset is being developed for the treatment of IRDs associated with mutations in the BEST1 gene ("BEST1"), which can lead to legal blindness. Apart from gene therapies, our pipeline also includes Phentolamine Ophthalmic Solution 0.75%, a non-selective alpha-1 and alpha-2 adrenergic antagonist to reduce pupil size as well as APX3330, a novel small-molecule inhibitor of Ref-1 (reduction oxidation effector factor-1 protein) designed to slow the progression of non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

In November 2022, we entered into a license and collaboration agreement (as amended, the "Viatris License Agreement") with Viatris, Inc. ("Viatris"), pursuant to which we granted Viatris an exclusive license to develop, manufacture, import, export and commercialize our refractive product candidate Phentolamine Ophthalmic Solution 0.75% ("PS"). PS is a once-daily eye drop formulation of phentolamine mesylate designed to reduce pupil diameter and improve visual acuity. PS was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (the "FDA") for the treatment of pharmacologically induced mydriasis produced by adrenergic agonists (e.g., phenylephrine) or parasympatholytic (e.g., tropicamide) agents, or a combination thereof under the brand name RYZUMVI® in September 2023 and was launched commercially in April 2024. Additionally, we are currently developing PS for decreased vision under mesopic (low) light conditions following keratorefractive surgery, pursuant to a received FDA agreement under Special Protocol Assessment for its LYNX-2, a Phase 3 clinical trial.

#### Recent Developments
The Company announced the successful completion of a Type B Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy (RMAT) meeting with the FDA regarding OPGx-LCA5, its gene therapy candidate for LCA caused by mutations in the LCA5 gene.

The meeting provided constructive feedback from the FDA on key elements of the Company's registration strategy, including Chemistry, Manufacturing and Controls ("CMC") and the pivotal trial design. The FDA acknowledged the significant unmet medical need for individuals with LCA5-related blindness and reaffirmed its commitment to regulatory flexibility for rare genetic diseases. To date in the Phase 1/2 portion of the trial, six late-stage participants have been treated with OPGx-LCA5, all of whom have experienced clinically meaningful improvements in vision, providing evidence of biological activity with the potential for functional restoration of vision in individuals with advanced disease.

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#### **TABLE OF CONTENTS**
The Company will incorporate the FDA's feedback into its updated clinical development and CMC plans for the Phase 3 portion of the study, which will include enrolling as few as eight participants in a single-arm, 12-month study utilizing an adaptive design and provides flexibility regarding endpoints and number of participants, reflective of LCA5 as a rare condition with an urgent medical need.

The Company expects the Phase 3 portion of the trial will include a run-in period prior to dosing to evaluate the natural history of each participant to serve as their own control in the study. The Company is actively identifying patients for this segment and has enrolled the first participant. Efficacy and safety will be assessed using measures such as visual acuity, full-field stimulus testing, microperimetry, and Multi-Luminance Orientation and Mobility Test (MLoMT). Following availability of validated clinical drug supply manufactured with the intended commercial processes, dosing with OPGx-LCA5 is anticipated in the second half of 2026, with topline clinical data expected approximately one year later.

In September 2025, the FDA introduced the Rare Disease Evidence Principles ("RDEP") review process to facilitate the approval of drugs intended to treat rare diseases with very small patient populations, a significant unmet medical need and a known genetic defect that is the major driver of the pathophysiology. With a patient population of fewer than 1,000 individuals, the Company believes that its LCA5 program meets the eligibility criteria for the RDEP process and plans to submit an application.

Including expected proceeds from this offering and based on current operating plans, the Company expects its cash resources will fund operations into the second half of 2027, excluding any potential proceeds from callable warrants or future milestone payments.

#### Implications of Being a Smaller Reporting Company
We are a "smaller reporting company" as defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), which means that the market value of our stock held by non-affiliates plus the proposed aggregate amount of gross proceeds to us as a result of this offering is less than $700 million and our annual revenue was less than $100 million during the most recently completed fiscal year. Smaller reporting companies may take advantage of certain reduced disclosure obligations, including, among other things, providing only two years of audited financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, and smaller reporting companies have reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation. We will remain a smaller reporting company until the last day of the fiscal year in which (i) the market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates exceeds $250 million as of the end of that year's second fiscal quarter and our annual revenue exceeds $100 million during such completed fiscal year, or (ii) the market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million, regardless of our annual revenue, as of the end of that year's second fiscal quarter. To the extent we take advantage of such reduced disclosure obligations, it may also make comparison of our consolidated financial statements with other public companies difficult or impossible.

#### Corporate Information
Our principal executive offices are located at 8 Davis Drive, Suite 220, Durham, NC 27713. Our telephone number is (248) 957-9024. Our website address is www.opusgtx.com. Additionally, our filings with the SEC are posted on our website at www.opusgtx.com. The information found on or accessible through our website is not part of this or any other report we file with or furnish to the SEC. The public can also obtain copies of these filings by accessing the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov.

S-3<br>

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#### **TABLE OF CONTENTS**

#### THE OFFERING

#### Common stock offered by us
3,827,751 shares of common stock.

#### Pre-Funded Warrants offered by us
7,177,033 Pre-Funded Warrants to certain of the purchasers who have elected to receive them in lieu of additional shares of our common stock. Each Pre-Funded Warrant will be immediately exercisable upon issuance at an exercise price of $0.0001 per share of our common stock and may be exercised at any time until exercised in full. This prospectus supplement also relates to the offering of the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of these Pre-Funded Warrants.

To better understand the terms of the Pre-Funded Warrants, you should carefully read the "*Description of Securities We Are Offering*" section of this prospectus supplement. You should also read the provisions of the Pre-Funded Warrant, the form of which will be filed as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K in connection with this offering and incorporated by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus forms a part.

#### Common stock outstanding immediately before this offering
65,002,665 shares of common stock.

#### Common stock to be outstanding immediately after this offering
76,007,449 shares of common stock, assuming exercise in full of the Pre-Funded Warrants issued in this offering.

#### Use of proceeds
We estimate that we will receive net proceeds of approximately $22.7 million from the sale of the securities offered by us in this offering, assuming full exercise of all Pre-Funded Warrants, and after deducting the estimated offering expenses payable by us. We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering to advance its LCA5 and BEST-1 gene therapy clinical programs, as well as for working capital and general corporate purposes. See "*Use of Proceeds*" for additional information.

#### Nasdaq symbol
Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market (the "Nasdaq") under the symbol "IRD." There is no established trading market for the Pre-Funded Warrants and we do not expect such markets to develop. In addition, we do not intend to apply for the listing of the Pre-Funded Warrants on any national securities exchange or other trading market. Without an active trading market, the liquidity of the Pre-Funded Warrants will be limited.

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#### **TABLE OF CONTENTS**

#### Risk factors
An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. See "*Risk Factors*" beginning on page S-[6](#sRF) of this prospectus supplement and the other information included and incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement for a discussion of the risk factors you should carefully consider before deciding to invest in our securities.

The number of shares of common stock to be outstanding after the offering is based on 65,002,665 shares of common stock outstanding as of October 31, 2025, and excludes:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• 28,254,518 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants outstanding as of October 31, 2025, with a weighted-average exercise price of $1.80 per share;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• 8,832,895 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of pre-funded warrants outstanding as of October 31, 2025, with a weighted-average exercise price of $0.0001 per share;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• 7,407,510 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options outstanding as of October 31, 2025 under our 2018 Equity Incentive Plan, 2020 Equity Incentive Plan and 2021 Inducement Plan;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• 534,176 shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under our 2020 Equity Incentive Plan and 2021 Inducement Plan outstanding as of October 31, 2025; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• 2,226,031 unvested restricted stock awards as of October 31, 2025.

Unless expressly indicated or the context requires otherwise, all information in this prospectus supplement is as of October 31, 2025 and assumes no exercise of outstanding stock options described above, no settlement of unvested restricted stock units described above, no exercise of any of the warrants or pre-funded warrants described above and exercise in full of the Pre-Funded Warrants issued in this offering.

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#### **TABLE OF CONTENTS**

#### RISK FACTORS
*An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Prior to making a decision about investing in our securities, prospective investors should consider carefully all of the information included and incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including the risk factors incorporated by reference herein from our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended [December 31, 2024](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1228627/000114036125011410/ef20039022_10k.htm) and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended [March 31, 2025](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1228627/000114036125019266/ef20047563_10q.htm) and Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended [June 30, 2025](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1228627/000114036125030836/ef20050389_10q.htm), as updated by annual, quarterly and other reports and documents we file with the SEC after the date of this prospectus supplement and that are incorporated by reference herein. Each of these risk factors could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial position or cash flows, which may result in the loss of all or part of your investment. For more information, see "Where You Can Find More Information" and "Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference."* 

The risks described in these documents are not the only ones we face. There may be other unknown or unpredictable economic, business, competitive, regulatory or other factors that could have material adverse effects on our future results. Further, past financial performance may not be a reliable indicator of future performance, and historical trends should not be used to anticipate results or trends in future periods. Please also read carefully the section below entitled "Forward-Looking Statements."

#### Risks Related to This Offering

#### Management will have broad discretion as to the use of the proceeds from this offering, if any, and may not use the proceeds effectively.
We currently anticipate that any net proceeds from this offering will be used for general corporate purposes and working capital, including for preclinical studies and clinical trials and the advancement of our product candidates. However, we have not determined the specific allocation of the net proceeds from this offering, if any, among these potential uses. Our management will have broad discretion as to the application of the net proceeds from this offering, if any, and could use them for purposes other than those contemplated at the time of the offering. Our management may use the net proceeds for corporate purposes that may not improve our financial condition or market value.

***Purchasers who purchase our securities in this offering pursuant to a securities purchase agreement may have rights not available to purchasers that purchase without the benefit of a securities purchase agreement.***

In addition to rights and remedies available to all purchasers in this offering under federal securities and state law, the purchasers that enter into a securities purchase agreement will also be able to bring claims of breach of contract against us. The ability to pursue a claim for breach of contract provides those investors with the means to enforce the covenants uniquely available to them under the securities purchase agreement including timely delivery of shares and indemnification for breach of contract.

***If you purchase our common stock and Pre-Funded Warrants in this offering, you will incur immediate and substantial dilution in the book value of your shares.***

The public offering price in this offering will be substantially higher than the net tangible book value per share of our common stock. Investors purchasing common stock in this offering will pay a price per share that substantially exceeds the book value of our tangible assets after subtracting our liabilities. As a result, investors purchasing common stock in this offering will incur immediate dilution of $1.52 per share.

As a result of the dilution to investors purchasing securities in this offering, investors may receive significantly less than the purchase price paid in this offering, if anything, in the event of our liquidation. For a further description of the dilution that you will incur as a result of purchasing securities in this offering, see "Dilution."

#### Significant holders or beneficial holders of our common stock may not be permitted to exercise Pre-Funded Warrants that they hold.
The Pre-Funded Warrants being offered hereby will prohibit a holder from exercising its Pre-Funded Warrants if doing so would result in such holder (together with such holder's affiliates and any other persons acting as a group together with such holder or any of such holder's affiliates) beneficially owning more than 4.99% of our common stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the exercise, provided that, at the election of a holder and notice

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#### **TABLE OF CONTENTS**
to us, such beneficial ownership limitation as to such holder shall be 9.99% of our common stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the exercise. As a result, if you hold a significant amount of our securities, you may not be able to exercise your Pre-Funded Warrants for shares of our common stock, in whole or in part, at a time when it would be financially beneficial for you to do so.

#### An investment in the Pre-Funded Warrants and our common stock has numerous tax consequences.
There are numerous tax consequences to investors as a result of their investment in the Company. We encourage investors to seek advice from competent tax advisors as to the consequences of an investment in our Pre-Funded Warrants and common stock.

***Future sales of a significant number of our shares of common stock in the public markets, or the perception that such sales could occur, could depress the market price of our shares of common stock.***

Sales of a substantial number of our shares of common stock in the public markets, or the perception that such sales could occur, including from the exercise of outstanding warrants or sales of common stock issuable thereunder, could depress the market price of our shares of common stock and impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of additional equity securities. A substantial number of shares of common stock are being offered by this prospectus supplement. We cannot predict the number of these shares that might be sold nor the effect that future sales of our shares of common stock, including shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants, would have on the market price of our shares of common stock.

#### There is no public market for the Pre-Funded Warrants being offered in this offering.
There is no established public trading market for the Pre-Funded Warrants being offered in this offering, and we do not expect such markets to develop. In addition, we do not intend to apply to list the Pre-Funded Warrants on any securities exchange or nationally recognized trading system, including the Nasdaq. Without an active market, the liquidity of the Pre-Funded Warrants will be limited.

#### Holders of our Pre-Funded Warrants will have no rights as a common stockholder until they acquire our common stock.
Until holders of our Pre-Funded Warrants acquire shares of our common stock upon exercise of the Pre-Funded Warrants, the holders will have no rights with respect to shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of the Pre-Funded Warrants. Upon exercise of the Pre-Funded Warrants, holders will be entitled to exercise the rights of a common stockholder only as to matters for which the record date occurs after the exercise date.

#### We do not intend to pay dividends on our common stock, so any returns will be limited to the value of our stock.
We currently anticipate that we will retain future earnings for the development, operation and expansion of our business and do not anticipate declaring or paying any cash dividends for the foreseeable future. Any return to stockholders will therefore be limited to the appreciation of their stock.

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

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#### **TABLE OF CONTENTS**

#### FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, and the other documents we have filed with the SEC that are incorporated by reference herein contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and releases issued by the SEC and within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and Section 21E of the Exchange Act, which statements involve risks and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the other documents we have filed with the SEC that are incorporated by reference herein, including statements regarding our strategy, future operations, future financial position, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management, may be deemed to be forward-looking statements.

Words such as, but not limited to, "anticipate," "aim," "believe," "contemplate," "continue," "could," "design," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "might," "ongoing," "plan," "possible," "potential," "predict," "project," "seek," "should," "suggest," "strategy," "target," "will," "would," and similar expressions or phrases, or the negative of those expressions or phrases, are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. The forward-looking statements included herein represent management's current judgment and expectations, but our actual results, events and performance could differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to revise any forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances that might subsequently arise. You should not place undue reliance on forward looking statements. The cautionary statements set forth in this prospectus supplement, including in "*Risk Factors*" and elsewhere, identify important factors which you should consider in evaluating our forward-looking statements. These factors include, among other things:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• Our clinical data related to gene therapies for the treatment of IRDs is preliminary and related to a relatively small group of patients, and, as a result, data that initially appears promising may be revised, updated or invalidated at a later data readout and/or may ultimately not be capable of duplication in additional patients;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• Failure to successfully integrate our businesses following the Opus Acquisition could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• The Opus Acquisition significantly expanded our product pipeline and business operations and shifted our business strategies, which may not improve the value of our common stock;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• Our gene therapy product candidates are based on a novel technology that is difficult to develop and manufacture, which may result in delays and difficulties in obtaining regulatory approval;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• Our planned clinical trials may face substantial delays, result in failure, or provide inconclusive or adverse results that may not satisfy FDA requirements to further develop our therapeutic products;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• Delays or difficulties associated with patient enrollment in clinical trials may affect our ability to conduct and complete those clinical trials and obtain necessary regulatory approvals;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• Changes in regulatory requirements could result in increased costs or delays in development timelines;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• We depend heavily on the success of our product pipeline; if we fail to find strategic partners or fail to adequately develop or commercialize our pipeline products, our business will be materially harmed;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• Others may discover, develop, or commercialize products similar to those in our pipeline before or more successfully than we do or develop generic variants of our products even while our product patents remain active, thereby reducing our market share and potential revenue from product sales;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• We do not currently have any sales or marketing infrastructure in place and we have limited drug research and discovery resources;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• The future commercial success of our products could significantly depend upon several uncertain factors, including third-party reimbursement practices and the existence of competitors with similar products;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• Product liability lawsuits against us or our suppliers or manufacturers could cause us to incur substantial liabilities and could limit commercialization of any product candidate that we may develop;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• Failure to comply with health and safety laws and regulations could lead to material fines;

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#### **TABLE OF CONTENTS**
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• We have not generated significant revenue from sales of any products and expect to incur losses for the foreseeable future;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• Our future viability is difficult to assess due to our short operating history and our future need for substantial additional capital, access to which could be limited by any adverse developments that affect the financial services markets;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• Raising additional capital may cause our stockholders to be diluted, among other adverse effects;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• We operate in a highly regulated industry and face many challenges adapting to sudden changes in legislative reform or the regulatory environment, which affects our pipeline stability and could impair our ability to compete in international markets;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• We may not receive regulatory approval to market our developed product candidates within or outside of the U.S.;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• With respect to any of our product candidates that receive marketing approval, we may be subject to substantial penalties if we fail to comply with applicable regulatory requirements;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• Our potential relationships with healthcare providers and third-party payors will be subject to certain healthcare laws and regulations, which could expose us to extensive potential liabilities;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• We rely on third parties for material aspects of our business, such as conducting our nonclinical and clinical trials and supplying and manufacturing bulk drug substances, which exposes us to certain risks;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• We may be unsuccessful in entering into or maintaining licensing arrangements (such as the Viatris License Agreement) or establishing strategic alliances on favorable terms, which could harm our business;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• Our current focus on the cash-pay utilization for future sales of RYZUMVI may limit our ability to increase sales or achieve profitability with this product;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• Inadequate patent protection for our product candidates may result in our competitors developing similar or identical products or technology, which would adversely affect our ability to successfully commercialize;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• We may be unable to obtain full protection for our intellectual property rights under U.S. or foreign laws;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• We may become involved in lawsuits for a variety of reasons associated with our intellectual property rights, including alleged infringement suits initiated by third parties;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• We are dependent on our key personnel, and if we are not successful in attracting and retaining highly qualified personnel, we may not be able to successfully implement our business strategy;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• As we grow, we may not be able to operate internationally or adequately develop and expand our sales, marketing, distribution, and other corporate functions, which could disrupt our operations;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• The market price of our common stock is expected to be volatile;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• Our common stock may be subject to delisting from the Nasdaq and delisting could adversely affect our ability to access capital markets;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• Factors out of our control related to our securities, such as securities litigation or actions of activist stockholders, could adversely affect our business and stock price and cause us to incur significant expenses;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• Instability and operational disruptions at government agencies, such as the FDA, may adversely impact our development and commercialization plans by causing delays and requiring the use of additional, unforeseen resources to obtain regulatory approval for trials and products in our pipeline;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• Impact from current or proposed tariffs on imported goods we purchase;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• other risks and uncertainties, including those listed under the caption "*Risk Factors*" in this prospectus supplement; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• our expected use of proceeds from this offering.

Although we believe that we have a reasonable basis for each forward-looking statement contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the other documents we have filed with the SEC that are

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incorporated by reference herein, we caution you that these statements are based on our projections of the future that are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements, to differ. We may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in our forward-looking statements, and you should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Forward-looking statements should be regarded solely as our current plans, estimates and beliefs. We have included important factors in the cautionary statements included in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, and the other documents we have filed with the SEC that are incorporated by reference herein, particularly in the section entitled "*Risk Factors*" of this prospectus supplement, which we believe could cause our actual results to be materially different from the plans, intentions and expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements we make. Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment and new risks emerge from time to time. It is not possible for our management to predict all risks, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements we may make.

Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which that statement is made. We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this prospectus supplement, except as may otherwise be required by the federal securities laws.

You should read this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, documents we have filed with the SEC that are incorporated by reference herein and therein and any free writing prospectus we provide you completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect. We qualify all of the forward-looking statements in the foregoing documents by these cautionary statements.

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#### USE OF PROCEEDS
We estimate that we will receive net proceeds of approximately $22.7 million from the sale of the securities offered by us in this offering, assuming exercise in full of the Pre-Funded Warrants, and after deducting the estimated offering expenses payable by us.

We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering to advance its LCA5 and BEST-1 gene therapy clinical programs, as well as for working capital and general corporate purposes.

Our expected use of net proceeds from this offering represents our current intentions based upon our present plans and business condition. As of the date of this prospectus supplement, we cannot currently allocate specific percentages of the net proceeds that we may use for the purposes specified above, and we cannot predict with certainty all of the particular uses for the net proceeds to be received upon the completion of this offering, or the amounts that we will actually spend on the uses set forth above. The amounts and timing of our actual use of net proceeds may vary significantly depending on numerous factors, including the progress of our development efforts, the timing and costs associated with the manufacture and supply of any of our product candidates and any unforeseen cash needs. As a result, our management will have broad discretion over the use of the net proceeds from this offering.

We may temporarily invest the net proceeds in a variety of capital preservation instruments, including investment-grade instruments, certificates of deposit or direct or guaranteed obligations of the U.S. government, or may hold such proceeds as cash until they are used for their stated purpose. We have not determined the amount of net proceeds to be used specifically for such purposes.

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#### **TABLE OF CONTENTS**

#### DIVIDEND POLICY
We have never declared nor paid cash dividends on our common stock. We currently intend to retain all of our future earnings, if any, to finance the growth and development of our business. We do not intend to pay cash dividends in respect of our common stock in the foreseeable future. Any future determination to declare cash dividends will be made at the discretion of our board of directors (the "Board"), subject to compliance with applicable laws and covenants under current or future credit facilities, which may restrict or limit our ability to pay dividends, and will depend on our financial condition, operating results, capital requirements, general business conditions and other factors that the Board may deem relevant.

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#### **TABLE OF CONTENTS**

#### DILUTION
If you invest in our common stock in this offering, your interest will be diluted to the extent of the difference between the public offering price per share of our common stock and the net tangible book value per share of our common stock upon consummation of this offering. Dilution results from the fact that the public offering price is substantially in excess of the book value per share attributable to the existing stockholders for the presently outstanding stock.

The historical net tangible book value of our common stock, as of June 30, 2025, was approximately $17.5 million, or approximately $0.29 per share of common stock. Historical net tangible book value (deficit) per share is determined by dividing the number of outstanding shares of common stock into its total tangible assets (total assets less intangible assets) less total liabilities and preferred shares, if any.

Investors purchasing securities in this offering will incur immediate and substantial dilution. After giving effect to the sale of (i) shares of our common stock in this offering at the public offering price of $2.09 per share of common stock and (ii) Pre-Funded Warrants in this offering at the public offering price of $2.0899 per Pre-Funded Warrant, and after deducting estimated offering costs payable by us, our as adjusted net tangible book value as of June 30, 2025 would have been approximately $40.2 million, or approximately $0.57 per share of common stock. This represents an immediate increase in net tangible book value of $0.28 per share to existing stockholders, and an immediate dilution in the as adjusted net tangible book value of $1.52 per share to investors purchasing shares of our common stock in this offering.

The following table illustrates this per share dilution:

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| Public offering price per share of common stock |  | $2.09  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Historical net tangible book value per share as of June 30, 2025 | $0.29 |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Increase/decrease in as adjusted net tangible book value per share attributable to this offering | $0.28 |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;As adjusted net tangible book value as of June 30, 2025 after giving effect to this offering |  | $0.57  |
| Dilution per share to investors |  | $1.52 |

---

The discussion and table above assumes exercise in full of the Pre-Funded Warrants and are based on 59,908,055 shares of common stock outstanding as of June 30, 2025 and excludes:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• 29,433,401 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants outstanding as of June 30, 2025, with a weighted-average exercise price of $1.91 per share;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• 8,832,895 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of pre-funded warrants outstanding as of June 30, 2025, with a weighted-average exercise price of $0.0001 per share;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• 6,654,935 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options outstanding as of June 30, 2025 under our 2018 Equity Incentive Plan, 2020 Equity Incentive Plan and 2021 Inducement Plan;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• 836,920 shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under our 2020 Equity Incentive Plan and 2021 Inducement Plan outstanding as of June 30, 2025; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• 2,235,269 unvested restricted stock awards as of June 30, 2025.

To the extent that outstanding stock options, warrants and/or pre-funded warrants are exercised, new stock options are issued, restricted stock units are settled or we issue additional shares of common stock in the future, there will be further dilution to investors purchasing shares of common stock in this offering.

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#### **TABLE OF CONTENTS**

#### DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES WE ARE OFFERING
*The following is a summary of the material terms and provisions of the common stock and the Pre-Funded Warrants that are being offered hereby. This summary is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the provisions of the Pre-Funded Warrant, the form of which will be filed as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K in connection with this offering and incorporated by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus forms a part. Prospective investors should carefully review the terms and provisions set forth in the form of Pre-Funded Warrant.* 

We are offering 3,827,751 shares of common stock and 7,177,033 Pre-Funded Warrants to purchase shares of common stock. The shares of our common stock issuable from time to time upon exercise of the Pre-Funded Warrants, if any, are also being offered pursuant to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

#### Common Stock
As of the date of this prospectus supplement, our certificate of incorporation authorizes us to issue up to 135,000,000 shares of capital stock, all with a par value of $0.0001 per share, of which: 125,000,000 shares are designated as common stock and 10,000,000 shares are designated as preferred stock ("preferred stock"). As of October 31, 2025, 65,002,665 shares of common stock were outstanding. All outstanding shares of common stock are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid, and nonassessable. All authorized but unissued shares of our common stock are available for issuance by the Board without any further stockholder action, except as required by the listing standards of Nasdaq.

*Voting Rights. Generally, holders of our common stock are entitled to cast one vote for each share held of record on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders, including the election of directors. Accordingly, the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock entitled to vote in any election of directors can elect all of the directors standing for election, if they so choose, other than any directors that holders of any preferred stock we may issue may be entitled to elect. Except as may be provided in the certificate of incorporation or by the Board, holders of common stock have the exclusive right to vote for the election of directors and for all other purposes.* 

*Dividend Rights. Holders of our common stock have equitable rights to receive dividends, as may be lawfully declared from time to time by the Board, subject to any preferential rights of holders of any outstanding shares of preferred stock.* 

*Liquidation. In the event of our liquidation, dissolution, or winding up, the holders of common stock will be entitled to share ratably in the assets legally available for distribution to stockholders after the payment of or provision for all of our debts and other liabilities, subject to the prior rights of any preferred stock then-outstanding.* 

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

#### Pre-Funded Warrants
The Pre-Funded Warrant will be issued in certificate form. The term "pre-funded" refers to the fact that the purchase price of our common stock in this offering includes almost the entire exercise price that will be paid under the Pre-Funded Warrants, except for a nominal remaining exercise price of $0.0001. The purpose of the Pre-Funded Warrants is to enable investors that may have restrictions on their ability to beneficially own more than 4.99% (or, upon election of the holder, 9.99%) of our outstanding common stock following the consummation of this offering the opportunity to make an investment in the Company without triggering their ownership restrictions, by receiving Pre-Funded Warrants in lieu of our common stock which would result in such ownership of more than 4.99% (or 9.99%), and receive the ability to exercise their option to purchase the shares underlying the Pre-Funded Warrants at such nominal price at a later date. The holder of a Pre-Funded Warrant will not be deemed a holder of our underlying common stock until the Pre-Funded Warrant is exercised.

*Duration and Exercise Price. The Pre-Funded Warrants offered hereby will have an exercise price of $0.0001 per share. The Pre-Funded Warrants will be immediately exercisable and may be exercised at any time until exercised in full. The exercise prices and numbers of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise are subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of stock dividends, stock splits, reorganizations or similar events affecting our common stock.* 

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#### **TABLE OF CONTENTS**
*Exercise Limitation. A holder (together with its affiliates) may not exercise any portion of such holder's Pre-Funded Warrants to the extent that the holder would own more than 4.99% (or, upon the election of the holder prior to the issuance of any Pre-Funded Warrants, 9.99%) of the common stock then outstanding after giving effect to such exercise.* 

*Transferability. Subject to applicable laws, a Pre-Funded Warrant may be transferred at the option of the holder upon surrender of the Pre-Funded Warrant to us together with the appropriate instruments of transfer.* 

*Fractional Shares. No fractional shares or scrip representing fractional shares of common stock will be issued upon the exercise of the Pre-Funded Warrants. Rather, the number of shares of common stock to be issued will, at our election, either be rounded up to the nearest whole number or we will pay a cash adjustment in respect of such final fraction in an amount equal to such fraction multiplied by the exercise price.* 

*Trading Market. There is no established trading market for any of the Pre-Funded Warrants, and we do not expect a market to develop. We do not intend to apply for a listing for any of the Pre-Funded Warrants on any securities exchange or other nationally recognized trading system. Without an active trading market, the liquidity of the Pre-Funded Warrants will be limited.* 

*Rights as a Shareholder. Except as otherwise provided in the Pre-Funded Warrants or by virtue of the holders' ownership of shares of our common stock, the holders of Pre-Funded Warrants do not have the rights or privileges of holders of our common stock, including any voting rights, until such Pre-Funded Warrant holders exercise their Pre-Funded Warrants.* 

*Fundamental Transaction. In the event of a fundamental transaction, as described in the Pre-Funded Warrants and generally including any reorganization, recapitalization or reclassification of our common stock, the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of our properties or assets, our consolidation or merger with or into another person, the acquisition of more than 50% of our outstanding common stock, or any person or group becoming the beneficial owner of 50% of the voting power represented by our outstanding common stock, the holders of the Pre-Funded Warrants will be entitled to receive upon exercise of the Pre-Funded Warrants the kind and amount of securities, cash or other property that the holders would have received had they exercised the Pre-Funded Warrants immediately prior to such fundamental transaction.* 

*Waivers and Amendments. No term of the Pre-Funded Warrants may be amended or waived without the written consent of the holder of such Pre-Funded Warrant.* 

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#### PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We are selling 3,827,751 shares of our common stock and 7,177,033 Pre-Funded Warrants to purchase shares of our common stock at a public offering price of $2.09 per share of common stock (and $2.0899 per Pre-Funded Warrant) under this prospectus supplement directly to certain purchasers, without a placement agent, underwriter, broker or dealer. The closing of this offering is subject to customary closing conditions. We expect that the sale of the shares of our common stock and Pre-Funded Warrants will be completed on or around the date indicated on the cover page of this prospectus supplement. The shares of common stock and Pre-Funded Warrants will be issued separately.

The shares of common stock and Pre-Funded Warrants offered by this prospectus supplement will be sold pursuant to a securities purchase agreement between us and the purchasers purchasing shares of our common stock and Pre-Funded Warrants in this offering. For the complete terms of the securities purchase agreement, you should refer to the form of securities purchase agreement which will be filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K to be filed with the SEC in connection with this offering, and which is incorporated by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is part.

The transfer agent for our common stock is Equiniti Trust Company, LLC. The transfer agent and registrar's address is 55 Challenger Road, Floor 2, Ridgefield Park, NJ 07660.

Our common stock is currently listed on the Nasdaq under the symbol "IRD." On November 5, 2025, the closing price of our common stock was $2.12 per share. The Pre-Funded Warrants are not listed for trading on any securities exchange. There is no established public trading market for the Pre-Funded Warrants, and we do not expect a market to develop. We do not intend to list the Pre-Funded Warrants on the Nasdaq or any other national securities exchange or nationally recognized trading system.

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#### **TABLE OF CONTENTS**

#### LEGAL MATTERS
Sidley Austin LLP will pass upon the validity of the securities offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

#### EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of Opus Genetics, Inc. appearing in Opus Genetics, Inc.'s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended [December 31, 2024](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1228627/000114036125011410/ef20039022_10k.htm), have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. The financial statements of Private Opus appearing in Opus Genetics, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K/A dated [January 7, 2025](https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/1228627/000114036125000467/ef20041180_8ka.htm) have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, as set forth in their report included therein and incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

#### WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We are a reporting company and file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. We have filed with the SEC a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to the securities being offered under this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus do not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement and the exhibits to the registration statement. For further information with respect to us and the securities being offered under this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, we refer you to the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules filed as a part of the registration statement. You may obtain copies of the registration statement and its exhibits via the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov.

We are subject to the informational and reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and have filed and will file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. These periodic reports, proxy statements and other information are available for inspection and copying at the SEC's public reference facilities and on the SEC's website referred to above. We maintain a website at www.opusgtx.com. You may access these materials free of charge as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. Information contained on our website is not part of this prospectus supplement and the inclusion of our website address in this prospectus supplement is an inactive textual reference only.

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#### **TABLE OF CONTENTS**

#### INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" information into this prospectus supplement. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this prospectus supplement, except for any information that is superseded by other information that is included in this prospectus supplement. The information we incorporate by reference is an important part of this prospectus supplement and information that we subsequently file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede information in this prospectus supplement and in our other filings with the SEC.

We incorporate by reference the documents listed below, which we have already filed with the SEC, and any filings we make with the SEC under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (1) on or after the date of filing of the registration statement of which this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus forms a part and (2) on or after the date of this prospectus until the earlier of the date on which all of the securities registered hereunder have been sold or the registration statement of which this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is a part has been withdrawn (in each case, other than information that is deemed, under SEC rules, not to have been filed):

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, filed with the SEC on [March 31, 2025](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1228627/000114036125011410/ef20039022_10k.htm) (the "2024 Annual Report");

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2025, filed with the SEC on [May 15, 2025](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1228627/000114036125019266/ef20047563_10q.htm) and Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2025, filed with the SEC on [August 13, 2025](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1228627/000114036125030836/ef20050389_10q.htm) ;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the information contained in our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed with the SEC on [April 2, 2025](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1228627/000199937125003703/opus-defc14a_043025.htm) , that is incorporated by reference in the 2024 Annual Report;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• Current Reports on Form 8-K and Form 8-K/A, filed with the SEC on [January 7, 2025](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1228627/000114036125000467/ef20041180_8ka.htm) , [January 14, 2025](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1228627/000114036125001013/ny20040461x2_8k.htm) , [January 23, 2025](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1228627/000114036125001819/ef20041877_8k.htm) , [January 24, 2025](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1228627/000114036125001899/ef20042243_8k.htm) , [March 4, 2025](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1228627/000114036125006961/ef20044862_8k.htm) , [March 20, 2025](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1228627/000199937125002866/ird-8k_031925.htm) , [March 24, 2025](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1228627/000114036125010064/ef20045985_8k.htm) , [April 4, 2025](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1228627/000114036125012366/ef20046946_8k.htm) , [May 1, 2025](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1228627/000114036125016948/ef20048353_8k.htm) , [June 20, 2025](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1228627/000114036125023172/ef20050845_8k.htm) , [June 25, 2025](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1228627/000114036125023648/ef20051087_8k.htm) , [June 26, 2025](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1228627/000114036125023732/ef20051231_8k.htm) , [July 23, 2025](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1228627/000114036125026853/ef20052404_8k.htm) (excluding Item 7.01 and the related exhibits), [August 25, 2025](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1228627/000114036125032533/ef20054479_8k.htm) , [September 2, 2025](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1228627/000114036125033668/ef20054946_8k.htm) (excluding Item 7.01 and the related exhibit) and [September 30, 2025](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1228627/000114036125036637/ef20056246_8k.htm) (excluding Item 7.01 and the related exhibits); and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the description of our common stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A, filed with the SEC on [June 7, 2019](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1228627/000114036119010684/form8a12b.htm) , as updated by [Exhibit 4.12](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1228627/000114036125011410/ef20039022_ex4-12.htm) to the 2024 Annual Report and any other amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.

We also incorporate by reference any future filings (other than current reports furnished under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K and exhibits filed on such form that are related to such items unless such Form 8-K expressly provides to the contrary) made with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, including those made after the date of the initial filing of the registration statement of which this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is a part and those made after the effectiveness of such registration statement, until the termination of the offering of the common stock made by this prospectus supplement, and such filings will become a part of this prospectus supplement from the respective dates that such documents are filed with the SEC. Information in such future filings updates and supplements the information provided in this prospectus supplement. Any statements in any such future filings will automatically be deemed to modify and supersede any information herein or in any document we previously filed with the SEC that is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated herein by reference to the extent that statements in the later filed document modify or replace such earlier statements.

You may request and obtain a copy of any of the filings incorporated herein by reference, at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at the following address or phone number:

Opus Genetics, Inc.<br>

8 Davis Drive, Suite 220<br>

Durham, NC 27709<br>

(248) 957-9024<br>

Attn: Dr. George Magrath, Chief Executive Officer

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#### **TABLE OF CONTENTS**

#### PROSPECTUS
![](logo_ocuphire.jpg)<br>

### $175,000,000<br>

### &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br>

### Common Stock <br>

### Preferred Stock <br>

### Debt Securities <br>

### Warrants
We may, from time to time, offer and sell up to $175,000,000 of any combination of the securities described in this prospectus, either individually or in combination, at prices and on terms described in one or more supplements to this prospectus. We may also offer common stock or preferred stock upon conversion of debt securities, or common stock upon conversion of preferred stock, or common stock, preferred stock or debt securities upon exercise of warrants.

This prospectus describes some of the general terms that may apply to an offering of our securities. We will provide the specific terms of these offerings and securities in one or more supplements to this prospectus. We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you in connection with these offerings. The prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should carefully read this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, as well as the documents incorporated by reference, before buying any of the securities being offered.

#### This prospectus may not be used to consummate a sale of securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.
We will sell these securities directly to investors, through agents designated from time to time or to or through underwriters or dealers, on a continuous or delayed basis. For additional information on the methods of sale, you should refer to the section entitled "Plan of Distribution" in this prospectus on page [27](#tPD) and in the applicable prospectus supplement. If any underwriters are involved in the sale of any securities with respect to which this prospectus is being delivered, the names of such underwriters and any applicable discounts or commissions and over-allotment options will be set forth in a prospectus supplement. The price to the public of such securities and the net proceeds we expect to receive from such sale will also be set forth in a prospectus supplement.

Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol "OCUP." On January 9, 2024, the last reported sale price of our common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market was $3.25 per share. The applicable prospectus supplement will contain information, where applicable, as to other listings, if any, on the Nasdaq Capital Market or other securities exchange of the securities covered by the prospectus supplement.

**Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should review carefully the risks and uncertainties described under the heading "Risk Factors" contained in this prospectus on page [7](#tRF), in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q incorporated by reference into this prospectus, in the applicable prospectus supplement and in any free writing prospectuses we have authorized for use in connection with a specific offering, and under similar headings in the other documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus.** 

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

#### The date of this prospectus is January 23, 2024.

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#### **TABLE OF CONTENTS**

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| [ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS](#tATP) | [ii](#tATP) |
| [PROSPECTUS SUMMARY](#tPS) | &nbsp;&nbsp;[1](#tPS) |
| [RISK FACTORS](#tRF) | &nbsp;&nbsp;[7](#tRF) |
| [FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS](#tFLS) | &nbsp;&nbsp;[8](#tFLS) |
| [USE OF PROCEEDS](#tUP) | [11](#tUP) |
| [DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK](#tDCS) | [12](#tDCS) |
| [DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES](#tDBS) | [16](#tDBS) |
| [DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS](#tDW) | [22](#tDW) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;[LEGAL OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES](#tLOS) | [24](#tLOS) |
| [PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION](#tPD) | [27](#tPD) |
| [LEGAL MATTERS](#tLM) | [30](#tLM) |
| [EXPERTS](#tEXP) | [30](#tEXP) |
| [WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION](#tWYC) | [30](#tWYC) |
| [INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE](#tICI) | [31](#tICI) |

---

You should rely only on the information contained in, or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, along with the information contained in any free writing prospectuses we have authorized for use in connection with a specific offering. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. We are not making an offer to sell or seeking an offer to buy securities under this prospectus or the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. The information contained in this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus, and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein, are accurate only as of their respective dates, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus, or any sale of a security.

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#### ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, using a "shelf" registration process under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act. Under this shelf registration statement, we may sell from time to time in one or more offerings up to a total dollar amount of $175,000,000 of common stock and preferred stock, various series of debt securities and/or warrants to purchase any of such securities, either individually or in combination with other securities as described in this prospectus. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer.

Each time we sell any type or series of securities under this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain more specific information about the terms of that offering. We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you that may contain material information relating to these offerings. We may also add, update or change in a prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus any of the information contained in this prospectus or in the documents we have incorporated by reference into this prospectus. This prospectus, together with the applicable prospectus supplement, any related free writing prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, will include all material information relating to the applicable offering. You should carefully read both this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, together with the additional information described under "Where You Can Find More Information," before buying any of the securities being offered.

This prospectus may not be used to consummate a sale of securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

Neither we, nor any agent, underwriter or dealer has authorized anyone to provide you with any information other than contained in, or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, along with the information contained in any free writing prospectuses we have authorized for use in connection with a specific offering. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. This prospectus is an offer to sell only the securities offered hereby, but only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so. You should not assume that the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement or in any such free writing prospectus is accurate as of any date other than their respective dates. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

This prospectus contains and incorporates by reference market data and industry statistics and forecasts that are based on independent industry publications and other publicly available information. Although we believe that these sources are reliable, we do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this information and we have not independently verified this information. Although we are not aware of any misstatements regarding the market and industry data presented in this prospectus and the documents incorporated herein by reference, these estimates involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors, including those discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, and under similar headings in the other documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on this information.

This prospectus contains summaries of certain provisions contained in some of the documents described herein, but reference is made to the actual documents for complete information. All of the summaries are qualified in their entirety by the actual documents. Copies of some of the documents referred to herein have been filed, will be filed or will be incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and you may obtain copies of those documents as described below under the section entitled "Where You Can Find More Information."

Except as otherwise indicated herein or as the context otherwise requires, references in this prospectus to "Ocuphire," "the company," "we," "us," "our" and similar references refer to Ocuphire Pharma, Inc., a corporation under the laws of the State of Delaware.

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

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#### **TABLE OF CONTENTS**

#### PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
*This summary highlights selected information contained elsewhere in this prospectus or incorporated by reference herein and does not contain all of the information that you need to consider in making your investment decision. You should carefully read the entire prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, including the risks of investing in our securities discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" contained in this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, and under similar headings in the other documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus. You should also carefully read the information incorporated by reference into this prospectus, including our financial statements and related notes, and the exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, before making your investment decision.* 

#### Ocuphire Pharma, Inc.

#### Overview
We are a clinical-stage ophthalmic biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel therapies for the treatment of unmet needs of patients with retinal and refractive eye disorders.

*APX3330* 

Our lead retinal product candidate, APX3330, is a first-in-class small-molecule inhibitor of Ref-1 (reduction oxidation effector factor-1 protein). Ref-1 is a regulator of transcription factors such as HIF-1α and NF-kB. Inhibiting REF-1 reduces levels of vascular endothelial growth factor ("VEGF") and inflammatory cytokines which are known to play key roles in ocular angiogenesis and inflammation. Through inhibition of Ref-1, APX3330 normalizes the levels of VEGF to physiologic levels, unlike biologics that deplete VEGF below the levels required for normal function. APX3330 is an oral tablet administered twice per day for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy ("DR").

DR affects approximately 10 million people with diabetes and is projected to impact over 14 million Americans by 2050. DR is classified as Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy ("NPDR"), the early stage of the disease in which symptoms may be mild or nonexistent or Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy ("PDR") which is the more advanced stage of diabetic eye disease that can be highly symptomatic with loss of vision. Approximately 80% of the DR patients have NPDR that will progress to PDR if left untreated. Despite the risk for visual loss associated with this disease, over 90% of NPDR patients currently receive no course of treatment apart from observation by their eye care specialist until they develop sight-threatening complications. This is due to the treatment burden of the frequent eye injections required with currently approved therapies for this disease. APX3330 as an oral tablet has the potential to be an early, non-invasive treatment for the 8 million NPDR patients in the US.

In January 2023, we reported top-line efficacy and safety results from the ZETA-1 Phase 2 trial conducted in 103 subjects (51 treated with 600 mg daily dose of APX3330) in DR, including moderately severe and severe NPDR and mild PDR, as well as patients with diabetic macular edema without loss of central vision. Although administration of APX3330 daily did not meet the study's primary endpoint of percentage of patients with a ≥ 2-step improvement in Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study ("ETDRS") diabetic retinopathy severity scale ("DRSS") in the study eye at week 24 compared to placebo, efficacy was seen on the FDA agreed upon registration endpoint of ≥3-step worsening on a binocular DRSS Person Scale. Prevention or slowing of progression of DR to vision-threatening complication such as PDR is a clinically meaningful endpoint. APX3330 also demonstrated favorable safety and tolerability in diabetic patients. A successful End-of-Phase 2 ("EOP2") meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (the "FDA") was held in October 2023 at which we obtained agreement on the Phase 3 registration endpoint supporting the advancement of APX3330 into Phase 3. Ocuphire plans to submit a Special Protocol Assessment ("SPA") to agree on the clinical trial protocol and statistical analysis plan for the Phase 3 trials.

Prior to Ocuphire in-licensing the APX3330 product candidate, it had been studied by other sponsors in a total of 11 clinical trials (6 Phase 1 and 5 Phase 2) in a total of over 420 healthy volunteers or patients (with over 340 APX3330-treated) for inflammatory (hepatic) and oncology indications, and had demonstrated evidence of target engagement, consistent pharmacokinetics, durability, and favorable safety and tolerability. Treatment-related

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#### **TABLE OF CONTENTS**
adverse events were uncommon, and most were mild in severity. No clinically significant changes were observed in liver, kidney, or heart function. There were no treatment-related effects on hematologic or blood chemistry evaluations. APX3330 demonstrated favorable safety and tolerability in the ZETA-1 trial, consistent with the safety data from the prior 11 clinical trials.

We also in-licensed APX2009 and APX2014, which are second-generation analogs of APX3330. The unique mechanism of action of these Ref-1 inhibitors of reducing angiogenesis and inflammation could potentially be beneficial in treating other retinal diseases such as age-related macular degeneration ("AMD"), and geographic atrophy ("GA").

We are currently evaluating local delivery routes of APX3330 and its second-generation analogs in addition to the systemic (oral) route as part of its pipeline expansion in retinal therapies.

*Phentolamine Ophthalmic Solution 0.75% (POS)* 

In November 2022, we entered into a license and collaboration agreement (the "Nyxol License Agreement") with FamyGen_Life Sciences, Inc. (acquired by Viatris, Inc. ("Viatris") in January 2023) pursuant to which we granted Viatris an exclusive license to develop, manufacture, import, export and commercialize our refractive product candidate Phentolamine Ophthalmic Solution 0.75%, formerly known as Nyxol ("POS") for treating (a) reversal of pharmacologically-induced mydriasis, (b) night vision disturbances or dim light vision ("DLD"), and (c) presbyopia, and (ii) POS and low dose pilocarpine for treating presbyopia (together, the "Nyxol Products") worldwide except for certain countries and jurisdictions in Asia (the "Viatris Territory").

Under the terms of the Nyxol License Agreement, Ocuphire in partnership with Viatris, will develop the Nyxol Products in the United States. Viatris agreed to reimburse us for budgeted costs related to the development of the Nyxol Products through each applicable FDA approval. Viatris is responsible for developing the Nyxol Products in countries and jurisdictions in the Viatris Territory outside of the United States.

POS is a once-daily eye drop formulation of phentolamine mesylate designed to reduce pupil diameter and improve visual acuity. POS can potentially be used across multiple indications such as treatment of pharmacologically-induced mydriasis ("RM") (dilation of the pupil), presbyopia (age-related blurry near vision) and DLD (halos, glares and starbursts). Our management believes these multiple indications potentially represent a significant market opportunity. POS has been studied in a total of 12 clinical trials (3 Phase 1, 5 Phase 2 and 4 Phase 3) in a total of over 1100 patients (with over 650 POS-treated) and has demonstrated promising clinical data across the three targeted refractive indications.

We submitted a new drug application ("NDA") to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") in November 2022 under the 505(b)(2) pathway for POS for RM; the FDA approved the NDA in September 2023 under the brand name RYZUMVI™, which triggered a $10 million milestone payment under the Nyxol License Agreement.

We reported positive top-line data from multiple late-stage clinical trials for POS in RM, presbyopia and DLD. We reported positive top-line data from Phase 3 trials in RM: MIRA-2 in March 2021, MIRA-3 in March 2022 and MIRA-4 in April 2022. We also reported positive top-line data from a Phase 2 trial of POS for treatment of presbyopia, both as monotherapy and with low-dose pilocarpine (pilocarpine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution 0.4%, "LDP") as adjunctive therapy (VEGA-1). We reported top-line data from a Phase 3 trial in DLD in May 2022 (LYNX-1). The VEGA-2 Phase 3 study in presbyopia achieved its primary endpoint and Viatris, our development and commercial partner, is expected to continue Phase 3 development in the first half of 2024. For DLD, a SPA has been submitted and Viatris is also expected to continue Phase 3 development in the first half of 2024 following FDA agreement.

#### Recent Developments
*Clinical Milestones* 

*APX3330* 

In January 2023, we announced top-line efficacy and safety results from ZETA-1, a Phase 2b trial of APX3330 in diabetic retinopathy patients. In ZETA-1, APX3330 demonstrated favorable safety and tolerability and exhibited efficacy in slowing or prevention of DR worsening on a binocular DRSS Person Scale. The FDA agreed this was an approvable registration endpoint at our EOP2 meeting.

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#### **TABLE OF CONTENTS**
*Phentolamine Ophthalmic Solution 0.75% (POS)* 

In January 2023, we announced the initiation of the VEGA-2 Phase 3 pivotal trial, the first of two Phase 3 registration trials intended to support a presbyopia indication for POS alone and POS with LDP. The VEGA-2 Phase 3 study achieved its primary endpoint and Viatris, our development and commercial partner, is expected to continue Phase 3 development in the first half of 2024.

*Regulatory Update* 

In September 2023, we announced FDA approval of POS under the brand name RYZUMVI™ for the treatment of RM; for this approval we received a $10 million milestone payment under the Nyxol License Agreement.

In October 2023, a SPA was submitted to the FDA for DLD and Viatris, our development and commercial partner, is expected to continue Phase 3 development in the first half of 2024 following FDA agreement.

In November 2023, we announced the successful outcome of the EOP2 meeting with the FDA, at which we obtained agreement on the registration endpoint supporting the advancement of APX3330 into Phase 3. Ocuphire plans to submit a SPA to agree on the clinical trial protocol and statistical analysis plan for the Phase 3 trials and will share specifics on the study design parameters and anticipated timing once agreed with the FDA.

*Management Transitions* 

On November 1, 2023, the Company announced the appointment of George Magrath, M.D., M.B.A., M.S., as Chief Executive Officer and member of the Board of Directors. As a result of such appointment, Richard Rodgers, who was serving as Interim President and Chief Executive Officer, resigned from such position and remains on the Board.

On November 27, 2023, the Company announced the appointment of Joseph K. Schachle, as Chief Operating Officer.

*Purchase Agreement with Lincoln Park Capital Fund, LLC ("Lincoln Park")* 

On August 10, 2023, we entered into a common stock purchase agreement (the "Purchase Agreement") with Lincoln Park, which provides that, upon the terms and subject to the conditions and limitations set forth therein, Ocuphire has the sole right, but not the obligation, to direct Lincoln Park to purchase up to $50 million of shares of our common stock, par value $0.0001 (the "Common Stock"), from time to time over the 30-month term of the Purchase Agreement. Concurrently with entering into the Purchase Agreement, Ocuphire also entered into a registration rights agreement with Lincoln Park (the "Registration Rights Agreement"), pursuant to which we agreed to register the resale of the shares of our Common Stock that have been and may be issued to Lincoln Park under the Purchase Agreement pursuant to a registration statement. Upon the execution of the Purchase Agreement, we issued 246,792 shares of Common Stock to Lincoln Park as consideration for its commitment to purchase shares of our Common Stock under the Purchase Agreement. Lincoln Park has agreed not to cause or engage in any manner whatsoever in any direct or indirect short selling or hedging of our Common Stock.

*Global Economic Conditions* 

Generally, worldwide economic conditions remain uncertain, particularly due to the effects of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and potentially between Israel and Hamas, disruptions in the banking system and financial markets, lingering COVID-19 pandemic, increased inflation and increased interest rates. The general economic and capital market conditions, both in the U.S. and worldwide, have been volatile in the past and at times have adversely affected our access to capital and increased the cost of capital. The capital and credit markets may not be available to support future capital raising activity on favorable terms. If economic conditions decline, our future cost of equity or debt capital and access to the capital markets could be adversely affected.

Additionally, our operating results could be materially impacted by changes in the overall macroeconomic environment and other economic factors. Changes in economic conditions, supply chain constraints, logistics challenges, labor shortages, the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, disruptions in the banking system and financial markets, and steps taken by governments and central banks, particularly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as other stimulus and spending programs, have led to higher inflation, which has led to an increase in costs and has caused changes in fiscal and monetary policy, including increased interest rates.

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#### Risks Associated with our Business
Our business is subject to numerous risks, as described under the heading "Risk Factors" contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and in any free writing prospectuses we have authorized for use in connection with a specific offering, and under similar headings in the documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

#### Description of Securities We May Offer
We may offer shares of our common stock and preferred stock, various series of debt securities and/or warrants to purchase any of such securities, either individually or in combination, with a total dollar amount up to $175,000,000 from time to time under this prospectus, together with the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, at prices and on terms to be determined at the time of any offering. We may also offer common stock, preferred stock and/or debt securities upon the exercise of warrants. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we offer a type or series of securities under this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will describe the specific amounts, prices and other important terms of the securities, including, to the extent applicable:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• designation or classification;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• aggregate principal amount or aggregate offering price;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• maturity;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• original issue discount;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• rates and times of payment of interest or dividends;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• redemption, conversion, exercise, exchange or sinking fund terms;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• ranking;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• restrictive covenants;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• voting or other rights;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• conversion or exchange prices or rates and, if applicable, any provisions for changes to or adjustments in the conversion or exchange prices or rates and in the securities or other property receivable upon conversion or exchange; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• a discussion of material United States federal income tax considerations, if any.

The applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you may also add, update or change any of the information contained in this prospectus or in the documents we have incorporated by reference. However, no prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus will offer a security that is not registered and described in this prospectus at the time of the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

This prospectus may not be used to consummate a sale of securities unless it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

We may sell the securities directly to investors or to or through agents, underwriters or dealers. We, and our or their agents, underwriters or dealers reserve the right to accept or reject all or part of any proposed purchase of securities. If we do offer securities to or through agents, underwriters or dealers, we will include in the applicable prospectus supplement:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the names of those agents, underwriters or dealers;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• applicable fees, discounts and commissions to be paid to them;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• details regarding over-allotment options, if any; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the net proceeds to us, if any.

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#### **TABLE OF CONTENTS**
*Common Stock* 

We may issue shares of our common stock from time to time. Each holder of our common stock is entitled to one vote for each share on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders, including the election of directors. Under our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, or certificate of incorporation, and second amended and restated bylaws, or bylaws, our stockholders do not have cumulative voting rights. Because of this, the holders of a majority of the shares of common stock entitled to vote in any election of directors can elect all of the directors standing for election, if they should so choose. Subject to preferences that may be applicable to any then-outstanding preferred stock, holders of common stock are entitled to receive ratably those dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by our board of directors out of legally available funds. In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, holders of common stock are entitled to share ratably in the net assets legally available for distribution to stockholders after the payment of all of our debts and other liabilities and the satisfaction of any liquidation preference granted to the holders of any then-outstanding shares of preferred stock. Holders of common stock have no preemptive, conversion or subscription rights and there are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the common stock. The rights, preferences and privileges of the holders of common stock are subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of shares of any series of preferred stock that we may designate in the future. In this prospectus, we have summarized certain general features of the common stock under "Description of Capital Stock—Common Stock." We urge you, however, to read the applicable prospectus supplement (and any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you) related to any common stock being offered.

*Preferred Stock* 

We may issue shares of our preferred stock from time to time, in one or more series. Our board of directors will determine the designations, voting powers, preferences and rights of the preferred stock, as well as the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, including dividend rights, conversion rights, preemptive rights, terms of redemption or repurchase, liquidation preferences, sinking fund terms and the number of shares constituting any series or the designation of any series, or the designation of such series, any or all of which may be greater than the rights of our common stock. Convertible preferred stock will be convertible into our common stock or exchangeable for other securities. Conversion may be mandatory or at your option and would be at prescribed conversion rates.

If we sell any series of preferred stock under this prospectus, we will fix the designations, voting powers, preferences and rights of such series of preferred stock, as well as the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, in the certificate of designation relating to that series. We will file as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by reference from reports that we file with the SEC, the form of any certificate of designation that describes the terms of the series of preferred stock that we are offering before the issuance of the related series of preferred stock. In this prospectus, we have summarized certain general features of the preferred stock under "Description of Capital Stock—Preferred Stock." We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplement (and any free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you) related to the series of preferred stock being offered, as well as the complete certificate of designation that contains the terms of the applicable series of preferred stock.

*Debt Securities* 

We may issue debt securities from time to time, in one or more series, as either senior or subordinated debt or as senior or subordinated convertible debt. The senior debt securities will rank equally with any other unsecured and unsubordinated debt. The subordinated debt securities will be subordinate and junior in right of payment, to the extent and in the manner described in the instrument governing the debt, to all of our senior indebtedness. Convertible or exchangeable debt securities will be convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock or our other securities. Conversion or exchange may be mandatory or optional (at our option or the holders' option) and would be at prescribed conversion or exchange rates.

Any debt securities issued under this prospectus will be issued under one or more documents called indentures, which are contracts between us and a national banking association or other eligible party, as trustee. In this prospectus, we have summarized certain general features of the debt securities under "Description of Debt Securities." We urge you, however, to read the applicable prospectus supplement (and any free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you) related to the series of debt securities being offered, as

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well as the complete indenture and any supplemental indentures that contain the terms of the debt securities. A form of indenture has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and supplemental indentures and forms of debt securities containing the terms of the debt securities being offered will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part or will be incorporated by reference from reports that we file with the SEC.

*Warrants* 

We may issue warrants for the purchase of common stock, preferred stock and/or debt securities in one or more series. We may issue warrants independently or in combination with common stock, preferred stock and/or debt securities offered by any prospectus supplement. In this prospectus, we have summarized certain general features of the warrants under "Description of Warrants." We urge you, however, to read the applicable prospectus supplement (and any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you) related to the particular series of warrants being offered, as well as any warrant agreements and warrant certificates, as applicable, that contain the terms of the warrants. We have filed forms of the warrant agreements and forms of warrant certificates containing the terms of the warrants that may be offered as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. We will file as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by reference from reports that we file with the SEC, the form of warrant and/or the warrant agreement and warrant certificate, as applicable, that contain the terms of the particular series of warrants we are offering, and any supplemental agreements, before the issuance of such warrants.

Any warrants issued under this prospectus may be evidenced by warrant certificates. Warrants also may be issued under an applicable warrant agreement that we enter into with a warrant agent. We will indicate the name and address of the warrant agent, if applicable, in the prospectus supplement relating to the particular series of warrants being offered.

#### Use of Proceeds
Except as described in any applicable prospectus supplement or in any free writing prospectuses we have authorized for use in connection with a specific offering, we currently intend to use the net proceeds from this offering for working capital and general corporate purposes, which may include, among other things, funding research and development programs, vendor payables, hiring additional personnel, and capital expenditures.

#### Company Information
Our principal executive offices are located at 37000 Grand River Avenue, Suite 120, Farmington Hills, MI 48335. Our telephone number is (248) 957-9024. Our website address is www.ocuphire.com. The information contained in, or accessible through, our website does not constitute part of this prospectus, should not be relied on in determining whether to make an investment decision, and the inclusion of our website address in this prospectus is an inactive textual reference only.

#### Implications of Being a Smaller Reporting Company
We are a "smaller reporting company" under federal securities laws. For as long as we continue to be a smaller reporting company, we may take advantage of exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies, including, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements. We may continue to be a smaller reporting company if either (i) the market value of our stock held by non-affiliates is less than $250 million or (ii) our annual revenue was less than $100 million during the most recently completed fiscal year and the market value of our stock held by non-affiliates is less than $700 million. As long as we remain a smaller reporting company and non-accelerated filer, we are exempt from the attestation requirement in the assessment of our internal control over financial reporting by our independent auditors pursuant to section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the "Sarbanes-Oxley Act") but are required to make our own internal assessment of the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting.

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#### RISK FACTORS
*Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Before deciding whether to invest in our securities, you should carefully read the entire prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, including the risks of investing in our securities discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, and under similar headings in the other documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus. You should also carefully read the information incorporated by reference into this prospectus, including our financial statements, and the exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and which may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by other reports we file with the SEC in the future.* 

*The risks described in these documents are not the only ones we face, but those that we consider to be material. There may be other unknown or unpredictable economic, business, competitive, regulatory or other factors that could have material adverse effects on our future results. Past financial performance may not be a reliable indicator of future performance, and historical trends should not be used to anticipate results or trends in future periods. If any of these risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flow could be seriously harmed. This could cause the trading price of our common stock to decline, resulting in a loss of all or part of your investment. Please also read carefully the section below entitled "Forward-Looking Statements."* 

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#### FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus and the documents we have filed with the SEC that are incorporated by reference contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. These statements relate to future events or to our future operating or financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performances or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this prospectus, including statements regarding our future results of operations and financial condition, business strategy and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "design," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "plan," "potentially," "predict," "project," "should," "will" or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions.

We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. You should refer to the "Risk Factors" section contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, and under similar headings in the other documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus, for a discussion of important factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements. Given these risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond our control, we cannot assure you that the forward-looking statements in this prospectus will prove to be accurate, and you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. These risks include, among other things, that:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• we currently depend entirely on the success of Phentolamine Ophthalmic Solution 0.75% (POS) and APX3330, our only product candidates, and we may never complete clinical development of, receive marketing approval for, or successfully commercialize, POS alone or as adjunctive therapy with low dose pilocarpine (LDP), APX3330, or other product candidates we may pursue in the future for any indication;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• Viatris has exclusive rights to commercialize our POS products in key global markets and Viatris' failure to timely develop or commercialize these products would have a material adverse effect on our business and operating results;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the results of previous clinical trials may not be predictive of future results, and the results of our current and planned clinical trials may not satisfy the requirements of the FDA or non-U.S. regulatory authorities;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• changes in regulatory requirements or FDA guidance, or unanticipated events during our clinical trials, may result in changes to clinical trial protocols or additional clinical trial requirements, which could result in increased costs to us or delays in our development timelines;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• we expect to incur losses for the foreseeable future and may never achieve or maintain profitability;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• adverse global economic conditions could have a negative effect on our business results of operations and financial condition and liquidity;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• adverse developments affecting the financial services industry could negatively affect our current and projected business operations, financial condition and results of operations;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• raising additional capital may cause dilution to our stockholders, restrict our operations, or require us to relinquish rights to our technologies or product candidates;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• even if we receive marketing approval for our product candidates in the United States, we may never receive regulatory approval to market such product candidates outside of the United States;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• our employees or our representatives may engage in misconduct or other improper activities, including violating applicable regulatory standards and requirements or engaging in insider trading, which could significantly harm our business;

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• we face substantial competition, which may result in others discovering, developing, or commercializing products before or more successfully than we do;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• we lack experience in commercializing products, which may have an adverse effect on our business;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• if we are unable to establish sales and marketing capabilities or enter into agreements with third parties to sell, market, and distribute APX3330, if approved, we may not be successful in commercializing APX3330 if and when it is approved;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• product liability lawsuits against us, or our suppliers and manufacturers, could cause us to incur substantial liabilities and could limit commercialization of any product candidate that we may develop;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• we are unable to control all aspects of our clinical trials due to our reliance on clinical research organizations, contract development and manufacturing organizations and other third parties that assist us in conducting clinical trials;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• we are unable to control the supply, manufacture and testing of bulk drug substances and the formulation, testing and packaging of preclinical and clinical drug supplies of our product candidates, and will be unable to control these elements at the commercial stage, due to our reliance on third-party manufacturers and analytical facilities;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• if we are not able to establish new collaborations for APX3330 on commercially reasonable terms, we may have to alter our development, manufacturing, and commercialization plans;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• if we are unable to obtain and maintain sufficient patent protection for our product candidates, our competitors could develop and commercialize products or technology similar or identical to ours, which would adversely affect our ability to successfully commercialize any product candidates we may develop, our business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• if we do not obtain protection under the Hatch-Waxman Act and similar foreign legislation by extending the patent terms and obtaining data exclusivity for our product candidate, our business may be materially harmed;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• we may not be able to protect or practice our intellectual property rights throughout the world;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• obtaining and maintaining our patent protection depends on compliance with various procedural, document submission, fee payment, and other requirements imposed by governmental agencies, and our patent protection could be reduced or eliminated for noncompliance with these requirements;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• we depend on intellectual property sublicensed from Apexian Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Apexian") for our APX3330 product candidate under development and our additional pipeline candidates, and the termination of, or reduction or loss of rights under, this sublicense would harm our business;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• we are dependent on our key personnel, and if we are not successful in attracting and retaining highly qualified personnel, we may not be able to successfully implement our business strategy;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• we will need to develop and expand our company and may encounter difficulties in managing this development and expansion, which could disrupt our operations;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• our insurance policies are expensive and protect only from some business risk, which leaves us exposed to significant uninsured liabilities;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• environmental, social, and governance matters and any related reporting obligations may impact our business;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• if we fail to comply with the continued listing standards of the Nasdaq Capital Market, our common stock could be delisted. If it is delisted, our common stock price and the liquidity of our common stock would be impacted;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the market price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• we may be subject to securities litigation, which is expensive and could divert management attention; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• there is uncertainty regarding the use of proceeds, if any, from this offering.

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These risks are not exhaustive. Other sections of this prospectus may include additional factors that could harm our business and financial performance. Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment.

New risks and uncertainties emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for our management to predict all risks and uncertainties nor can we assess the impact of all such factors on our business or the extent to which any such factor, or combination of such factors, may cause actual results to differ from those contained in, or implied by, any forward-looking statements.

You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason after the date of this prospectus or to conform these statements to actual results or to changes in our expectations.

In addition, "we believe" and "we expect" and similar statements reflect our beliefs and opinions on the relevant subject. These statements are based upon information available to us as of the date of this prospectus, and while we believe such information forms a reasonable basis for such statements, such information may be limited or incomplete, and our statements should not be read to indicate that we have conducted an exhaustive inquiry into, or review of, all relevant information. These statements are inherently uncertain and investors are cautioned not to unduly rely upon these statements.

You should read this prospectus and the documents that we reference in this prospectus and have filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part with the understanding that our actual future results, levels of activity, performance and achievements may be different from what we expect. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements.

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#### USE OF PROCEEDS
Except as described in any applicable prospectus supplement or in any free writing prospectuses we have authorized for use in connection with a specific offering, we currently intend to use the net proceeds from this offering for working capital and general corporate purposes, which may include, among other things, funding research and development programs, vendor payables, hiring additional personnel, and capital expenditures.

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#### DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

#### General
As of the date of this prospectus, our certificate of incorporation authorizes us to issue up to 85,000,000 shares of capital stock, all with a par value of $0.0001 per share, of which: 75,000,000 shares are designated as common stock and 10,000,000 shares are designated as preferred stock.

The following summary describes the material terms of our capital stock. The description of capital stock is qualified by reference to our certificate of incorporation and our bylaws.

#### Common Stock
As of September 30, 2023, 22,610,131 shares of common stock were outstanding. All outstanding shares of common stock are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid, and nonassessable. All authorized but unissued shares of our common stock are available for issuance by our board of directors without any further stockholder action, except as required by the listing standards of Nasdaq.

*Voting Rights*

Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders, including the election of directors, and do not have cumulative voting rights. Accordingly, the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock entitled to vote in any election of directors can elect all of the directors standing for election, if they so choose, other than any directors that holders of any preferred stock we may issue may be entitled to elect.

*Dividend Rights*

Subject to preferences that may be applicable to any then-outstanding preferred stock, holders of common stock are entitled to receive ratably those dividends, if any, as may be declared by the board of directors out of legally available funds.

*Liquidation*

In the event of our liquidation, dissolution, or winding up, the holders of common stock will be entitled to share ratably in the assets legally available for distribution to stockholders after the payment of or provision for all of our debts and other liabilities, subject to the prior rights of any preferred stock then-outstanding.

*Rights and Preferences*

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

#### Preferred Stock
As of September 30, 2023, no shares of preferred stock were outstanding. Our board of directors may, without further action by our stockholders, fix the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of up to an aggregate of 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series and authorize their issuance. These rights, preferences and privileges could include dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption, liquidation preferences, sinking fund terms and the number of shares constituting any series or the designation of such series, any or all of which may be greater than the rights of our common stock. The issuance of our preferred stock could adversely affect the voting power of holders of our common stock and the likelihood that such holders will receive dividend payments and payments upon liquidation. In addition, the issuance of preferred stock could have the effect of decreasing the market price of our common stock and could also have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change of control or other corporate action.

We will fix the designations, voting powers, preferences and rights of the preferred stock of each series we issue under this prospectus, as well as the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, in the certificate of designation relating to that series. We will file as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus

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is a part, or will incorporate by reference from reports that we file with the SEC, the form of any certificate of designation that describes the terms of the series of preferred stock we are offering. We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms of the series of preferred stock being offered, including, to the extent applicable:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the title and stated value;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the number of shares we are offering;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the liquidation preference per share;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the purchase price;

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

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

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the procedures for any auction and remarketing;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the provisions for a sinking fund;

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

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

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

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• whether the preferred stock will be exchangeable into debt securities, and, if applicable, the exchange price, or how it will be calculated, and the exchange period;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• voting rights of the preferred stock;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• preemptive rights;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• restrictions on transfer, sale or other assignment;

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

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

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

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

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of, or restrictions on, the preferred stock.

If we issue shares of preferred stock under this prospectus, the shares will be fully paid and non-assessable.

#### Options and Restricted Stock
As of September 30, 2023, (i) 1,016,033 shares of common stock remain available for issuance under our 2020 Plan and 2021 Inducement Plan, stock options to purchase an aggregate of 2,249,950 shares of common stock were outstanding under our 2020 Equity Incentive Plan, or 2020 Plan, stock options to purchase an aggregate of 133,000 shares of common stock were outstanding under our 2021 Inducement Plan, and stock options to purchase an aggregate of 1,086,439 shares of common stock were outstanding under our 2018 Equity Incentive Plan, or 2018 Plan, and (ii) 282,008 unvested shares of restricted stock were outstanding.

#### Warrants
As of September 30, 2023, 7,262,896 warrants to purchase shares of our capital stock were outstanding, with a weighted average exercise price of $5.09 (subject to adjustment).

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#### Anti-Takeover Effects of Delaware Law and Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and second amended and restated bylaws contain provisions that could make it more difficult to complete an acquisition of us by means of a tender offer, a proxy contest or otherwise or the removal and replacement of our incumbent officers and directors.

*Removal of Directors; Board Vacancies; Board Size. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides for the removal of any of our directors only for cause and requires a stockholder vote of at least a majority of the voting power of the then outstanding voting stock. In addition, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that any vacancy occurring on our board of directors may be filled by a majority of directors then in office, even if less than a quorum, unless the board of directors determines that such vacancy shall be filled by the stockholders. Finally, the authorized number of directors may be changed only by a resolution of the board of directors. This system of removing directors, filling vacancies and fixing the size of the board makes it more difficult for stockholders to replace a majority of the directors.* 

*Special Stockholder Meetings. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our second amended and restated bylaws provide that a special meeting of stockholders may be called only by a resolution adopted by a majority of our board of directors or by the chairman of the board.* 

*Stockholder Advance Notice Procedure. Our second amended and restated bylaws establish an advance notice procedure for stockholders to make nominations of candidates for election as directors or to bring other business before an annual meeting of our stockholders. The second amended and restated bylaws provide that any stockholder wishing to nominate persons for election as directors at, or bring other business before, an annual meeting must deliver to our secretary a written notice of the stockholder's intention to do so. To be timely, the stockholder's notice must be delivered to or mailed and received by us not more than 120 days, and not less than 90 days before the anniversary date of the preceding annual meeting, except that if the annual meeting is set for a date that is not within 30 days before or 60 days after such anniversary date, we must receive the notice not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to the annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of (i) the 90th day prior to the annual meeting or (ii) the tenth day following the day on which we first made public announcement of the date of meeting. The notice must include the following information:* 

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• as to director nominations, all information relating to each director nominee that is required by the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies, or is otherwise required by Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• as to any other business that the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a brief description of the business to be proposed, the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting and, if any, the stockholder's material interest in the proposed business; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the name and address of the stockholder who intends to make the nomination and the class and number of our shares beneficially owned of record;

*Undesignated Preferred Stock. The ability to authorize undesignated preferred stock makes it possible for our board of directors to issue preferred stock with voting or other rights or preferences that could have the effect of delaying, deferring, preventing or otherwise impeding any attempt to change control of us.* 

*Delaware Anti-Takeover Statute. We are subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which prohibits persons deemed "interested stockholders" from engaging in a "business combination" with a publicly traded Delaware corporation for three years following the date these persons become interested stockholders 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. Generally, an "interested stockholder" is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns, or within three years prior to the determination of interested stockholder status did own, 15% or more of a corporation's voting stock. Generally, a "business combination" includes a merger, asset or stock sale, or other transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. The existence of this provision may have an anti-takeover effect with respect to transactions not approved in advance by the board of directors, such as discouraging takeover attempts that might result in a premium over the market price of our common stock.*

*Business Combinations with Interested Stockholders. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that certain "business combinations" with "interested stockholders" require approval by the holders of* 

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at least a majority of the voting power of our then outstanding shares of voting stock not beneficially owned by any interested stockholder or an affiliate or associate thereof. The foregoing restriction does not apply, however, if the transaction is either approved by a majority of our "continuing directors" or certain minimum price and procedural and other requirements are met. Generally, a "business combination" includes a merger, consolidation, liquidation, recapitalization or other similar transaction or a sale, lease, transfer or other disposition of assets or securities having an aggregate fair market value of $15 million or more. An "interested stockholder" generally means a beneficial owner of 20% or more of our voting stock, certain assignees of such beneficial owners and certain of our affiliates that within the preceding two years were the beneficial owner of 20% or more of our voting stock. A "continuing director" is defined as any member of our board who is not an affiliate or associate or representative of the interested stockholder and was a member of the board prior to the time the interested stockholder became such, and any successor of a continuing director who is unaffiliated with the interested stockholder and is recommended or elected by at least two-thirds of the continuing directors then on the board.

#### Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Equiniti Trust Company.

#### Listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market
Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol "OCUP."

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#### DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
We may issue debt securities from time to time, in one or more series, as either senior or subordinated debt or as senior or subordinated convertible debt. While the terms we have summarized below will apply generally to any debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any debt securities that we may offer in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms of any debt securities offered under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below. Unless the context requires otherwise, whenever we refer to the indenture, we also are referring to any supplemental indentures that specify the terms of a particular series of debt securities.

We will issue the debt securities under the indenture that we will enter into with the trustee named in the indenture. The indenture will be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, or the Trust Indenture Act. We have filed the form of indenture as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and supplemental indentures and forms of debt securities containing the terms of the debt securities being offered will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part or will be incorporated by reference from reports that we file with the SEC.

The following summary of material provisions of the debt securities and the indenture is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the indenture applicable to a particular series of debt securities. We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplements and any related free writing prospectuses related to the debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus, as well as the complete indenture that contains the terms of the debt securities.

#### General
The indenture does not limit the amount of debt securities that we may issue. It provides that we may issue debt securities up to the principal amount that we may authorize and may be in any currency or currency unit that we may designate. Except for the limitations on consolidation, merger and sale of all or substantially all of our assets contained in the indenture, the terms of the indenture do not contain any covenants or other provisions designed to give holders of any debt securities protection against changes in our operations, financial condition or transactions involving us.

We may issue the debt securities issued under the indenture as "discount securities," which means they may be sold at a discount below their stated principal amount. These debt securities, as well as other debt securities that are not issued at a discount, may be issued with "original issue discount," or OID, for U.S. federal income tax purposes because of interest payment and other characteristics or terms of the debt securities. Material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to debt securities issued with OID will be described in more detail in any applicable prospectus supplement.

We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms of the series of debt securities being offered, including:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the title of the series of debt securities;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• any limit upon the aggregate principal amount that may be issued;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the maturity date or dates;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the form of the debt securities of the series;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the applicability of any guarantees;

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

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• whether the debt securities rank as senior debt, senior subordinated debt, subordinated debt or any combination thereof, and the terms of any subordination;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• if the price (expressed as a percentage of the aggregate principal amount thereof) at which such debt securities will be issued is a price other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount thereof payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof, or if applicable, the portion of the principal amount of such debt securities that is convertible into another security or the method by which any such portion shall be determined;

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

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

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• if applicable, the date or dates after which, or the period or periods during which, and the price or prices at which, we may, at our option, redeem the series of debt securities pursuant to any optional or provisional redemption provisions and the terms of those redemption provisions;

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

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

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• any and all terms, if applicable, relating to any auction or remarketing of the debt securities of that series and any security for our obligations with respect to such debt securities and any other terms which may be advisable in connection with the marketing of debt securities of that series;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• whether the debt securities of the series shall be issued in whole or in part in the form of a global security or securities; the terms and conditions, if any, upon which such global security or securities may be exchanged in whole or in part for other individual securities; and the depositary for such global security or securities;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• if applicable, the provisions relating to conversion or exchange of any debt securities of the series and the terms and conditions upon which such debt securities will be so convertible or exchangeable, including the conversion or exchange price, as applicable, or how it will be calculated and may be adjusted, any mandatory or optional (at our option or the holders' option) conversion or exchange features, the applicable conversion or exchange period and the manner of settlement for any conversion or exchange;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• if other than the full principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of debt securities of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• additions to or changes in the covenants applicable to the particular debt securities being issued, including, among others, the consolidation, merger or sale covenant;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• additions to or changes in the events of default with respect to the securities and any change in the right of the trustee or the holders to declare the principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, with respect to such securities to be due and payable;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• additions to or changes in or deletions of the provisions relating to covenant defeasance and legal defeasance;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• additions to or changes in the provisions relating to satisfaction and discharge of the indenture;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• additions to or changes in the provisions relating to the modification of the indenture both with and without the consent of holders of debt securities issued under the indenture;

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

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• whether interest will be payable in cash or additional debt securities at our or the holders' option and the terms and conditions upon which the election may be made;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the terms and conditions, if any, upon which we will pay amounts in addition to the stated interest, premium, if any and principal amounts of the debt securities of the series to any holder that is not a "United States person" for federal tax purposes;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• any restrictions on transfer, sale or assignment of the debt securities of the series; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of, or restrictions on, the debt securities, any other additions or changes in the provisions of the indenture, and any terms that may be required by us or advisable under applicable laws or regulations.

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#### Conversion or Exchange Rights
We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms on which a series of debt securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock or our other securities. We will include provisions as to settlement upon conversion or exchange and whether conversion or exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our option. We may include provisions pursuant to which the number of shares of our common stock or our other securities that the holders of the series of debt securities receive would be subject to adjustment.

#### Consolidation, Merger or Sale
Unless we provide otherwise in the prospectus supplement applicable to a particular series of debt securities, the indenture will not contain any covenant that restricts our ability to merge or consolidate, or sell, convey, transfer or otherwise dispose of our assets as an entirety or substantially as an entirety. However, any successor to or acquirer of such assets (other than a subsidiary of ours) must assume all of our obligations under the indenture or the debt securities, as appropriate.

#### Events of Default under the Indenture
Unless we provide otherwise in the prospectus supplement applicable to a particular series of debt securities, the following are events of default under the indenture with respect to any series of debt securities that we may issue:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• if we fail to pay any installment of interest on any series of debt securities, as and when the same shall become due and payable, and such default continues for a period of 90 days; provided, however, that a valid extension of an interest payment period by us in accordance with the terms of any indenture supplemental thereto shall not constitute a default in the payment of interest for this purpose;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• if we fail to pay the principal of, or premium, if any, on any series of debt securities as and when the same shall become due and payable whether at maturity, upon redemption, by declaration or otherwise, or in any payment required by any sinking or analogous fund established with respect to such series; provided, however, that a valid extension of the maturity of such debt securities in accordance with the terms of any indenture supplemental thereto shall not constitute a default in the payment of principal or premium, if any;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• if we fail to observe or perform any other covenant or agreement contained in the debt securities or the indenture, other than a covenant specifically relating to another series of debt securities, and our failure continues for 90 days after we receive written notice of such failure, requiring the same to be remedied and stating that such is a notice of default thereunder, from the trustee or holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the applicable series; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• if specified events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occur.

If an event of default with respect to debt securities of any series occurs and is continuing, other than an event of default specified in the last bullet point above, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series, by notice to us in writing, and to the trustee if notice is given by such holders, may declare the unpaid principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest, if any, due and payable immediately. If an event of default specified in the last bullet point above occurs with respect to us, the principal amount of and accrued interest, if any, of each issue of debt securities then outstanding shall be due and payable without any notice or other action on the part of the trustee or any holder.

The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of an affected series may waive any default or event of default with respect to the series and its consequences, except defaults or events of default regarding payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, unless we have cured the default or event of default in accordance with the indenture. Any waiver shall cure the default or event of default.

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Subject to the terms of the indenture, if an event of default under an indenture shall occur and be continuing, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under such indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders of the applicable series of debt securities, unless such holders have offered the trustee reasonable indemnity. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee, with respect to the debt securities of that series, provided that:

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

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• subject to its duties under the Trust Indenture Act, the trustee need not take any action that might involve it in personal liability or might be unduly prejudicial to the holders not involved in the proceeding.

A holder of the debt securities of any series will have the right to institute a proceeding under the indenture or to appoint a receiver or trustee, or to seek other remedies only if:

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

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have made written request;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• such holders have offered to the trustee indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred by the trustee in compliance with the request; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the trustee does not institute the proceeding, and does not receive from the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series other conflicting directions within 90 days after the notice, request and offer.

These limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by a holder of debt securities if we default in the payment of the principal, premium, if any, or interest on, the debt securities.

We will periodically file statements with the trustee regarding our compliance with specified covenants in the indenture.

#### Modification of Indenture; Waiver
We and the trustee may change an indenture without the consent of any holders with respect to specific matters:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in the indenture or in the debt securities of any series;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• to comply with the provisions described above under "Description of Debt Securities—Consolidation, Merger or Sale;"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• to provide for uncertificated debt securities in addition to or in place of certificated debt securities;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• to add to our covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions such new covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions for the benefit of the holders of all or any series of debt securities, to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and the continuance, of a default in any such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions an event of default or to surrender any right or power conferred upon us in the indenture;

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

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• to make any change that does not adversely affect the interests of any holder of debt securities of any series in any material respect;

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

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment under any indenture by a successor trustee; or

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

In addition, under the indenture, the rights of holders of a series of debt securities may be changed by us and the trustee with the written consent of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series that is affected. However, unless we provide otherwise in the prospectus supplement applicable to a particular series of debt securities, we and the trustee may make the following changes only with the consent of each holder of any outstanding debt securities affected:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• extending the fixed maturity of any debt securities of any series;

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

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• reducing the percentage of debt securities, the holders of which are required to consent to any amendment, supplement, modification or waiver.

#### Discharge
Each indenture provides that we can elect to be discharged from our obligations with respect to one or more series of debt securities, except for specified obligations, including obligations to:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• provide for payment;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• register the transfer or exchange of debt securities of the series;

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

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• pay principal of and premium and interest on any debt securities of the series;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• maintain paying agencies;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• hold monies for payment in trust;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• recover excess money held by the trustee;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• compensate and indemnify the trustee; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• appoint any successor trustee.

In order to exercise our rights to be discharged, we must deposit with the trustee money or government obligations sufficient to pay all the principal of, any premium, if any, and interest on, the debt securities of the series on the dates payments are due.

#### Form, Exchange and Transfer
We will issue the debt securities of each series only in fully registered form without coupons and, unless we provide otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof. The indenture provides that we may issue debt securities of a series in temporary or permanent global form and as book-entry securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company, or DTC, or another depositary named by us and identified in the applicable prospectus supplement with respect to that series. To the extent the debt securities of a series are issued in global form and as book-entry, a description of terms relating to any book-entry securities will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

At the option of the holder, subject to the terms of the indenture and the limitations applicable to global securities described in the applicable prospectus supplement, the holder of the debt securities of any series can exchange the debt securities for other debt securities of the same series, in any authorized denomination and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount.

Subject to the terms of the indenture and the limitations applicable to global securities set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the debt securities may present the debt securities for exchange or for registration of transfer, duly endorsed or with the form of transfer endorsed thereon duly executed if so required

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by us or the security registrar, at the office of the security registrar or at the office of any transfer agent designated by us for this purpose. Unless otherwise provided in the debt securities that the holder presents for transfer or exchange, we will impose no service charge for any registration of transfer or exchange, but we may require payment of any taxes or other governmental charges.

We will name in the applicable prospectus supplement the security registrar, and any transfer agent in addition to the security registrar, that we initially designate for any debt securities. We may at any time designate additional transfer agents or rescind the designation of any transfer agent or approve a change in the office through which any transfer agent acts, except that we will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of each series.

If we elect to redeem the debt securities of any series, we will not be required to:

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

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• register the transfer of or exchange any debt securities so selected for redemption, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any debt securities we are redeeming in part.

#### Information Concerning the Trustee
The trustee, other than during the occurrence and continuance of an event of default under an indenture, undertakes to perform only those duties as are specifically set forth in the applicable indenture. Upon an event of default under an indenture, the trustee must use the same degree of care as a prudent person would exercise or use in the conduct of his or her own affairs. Subject to this provision, the trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the powers given it by the indenture at the request of any holder of debt securities unless it is offered reasonable security and indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities that it might incur.

#### Payment and Paying Agents
Unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will make payment of the interest on any debt securities on any interest payment date to the person in whose name the debt securities, or one or more predecessor securities, are registered at the close of business on the regular record date for the interest.

We will pay principal of and any premium and interest on the debt securities of a particular series at the office of the paying agents designated by us, except that unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will make interest payments by check that we will mail to the holder or by wire transfer to certain holders. Unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will designate the corporate trust office of the trustee as our sole paying agent for payments with respect to debt securities of each series. We will name in the applicable prospectus supplement any other paying agents that we initially designate for the debt securities of a particular series. We will maintain a paying agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of a particular series.

All money we pay to a paying agent or the trustee for the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any debt securities that remains unclaimed at the end of two years after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable will be repaid to us, and the holder of the debt security thereafter may look only to us for payment thereof.

#### Governing Law
The indenture and the debt securities will be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York, except to the extent that the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is applicable.

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#### DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
The following description, together with the additional information we may include in any applicable prospectus supplement and free writing prospectus, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the warrants that we may offer under this prospectus, which may consist of warrants to purchase common stock, preferred stock or debt securities and may be issued in one or more series. Warrants may be offered independently or in combination with common stock, preferred stock or debt securities offered by any prospectus supplement. While the terms we have summarized below will apply generally to any warrants that we may offer under this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any series of warrants in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. The following description of warrants will apply to the warrants offered by this prospectus unless we provide otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement. The applicable prospectus supplement for a particular series of warrants may specify different or additional terms.

We have filed forms of the warrant agreements and forms of warrant certificates containing the terms of the warrants that may be offered as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. We will file as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by reference from reports that we file with the SEC, the form of warrant and/or the warrant agreement and warrant certificate, as applicable, that contain the terms of the particular series of warrants we are offering, and any supplemental agreements, before the issuance of such warrants. The following summaries of material terms and provisions of the warrants are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the form of warrant and/or the warrant agreement and warrant certificate, as applicable, and any supplemental agreements applicable to a particular series of warrants that we may offer under this prospectus. We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplement related to the particular series of warrants that we may offer under this prospectus, as well as any related free writing prospectus, and the complete form of warrant and/or the warrant agreement and warrant certificate, as applicable, and any supplemental agreements, that contain the terms of the warrants.

#### General
We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms of the series of warrants being offered, including:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the offering price and aggregate number of warrants offered;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the currency for which the warrants may be purchased;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• if applicable, the designation and terms of the securities with which the warrants are issued and the number of warrants issued with each such security or each principal amount of such security;

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

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

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the effect of any merger, consolidation, sale or other disposition of our business on the warrant agreements and the warrants;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the terms of any rights to redeem or call the warrants;

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

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

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the manner in which the warrant agreements and warrants may be modified;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• a discussion of any material or special U.S. federal income tax considerations of holding or exercising the warrants;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the terms of the securities issuable upon exercise of the warrants; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of or restrictions on the warrants.

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Before exercising their warrants, holders of warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities purchasable upon such exercise, including:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• in the case of warrants to purchase debt securities, the right to receive payments of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, the debt securities purchasable upon exercise or to enforce covenants in the applicable indenture; or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• in the case of warrants to purchase common stock or preferred stock, the right to receive dividends, if any, or, payments upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up or to exercise voting rights, if any.

#### Exercise of Warrants
Each warrant will entitle the holder to purchase the securities that we specify in the applicable prospectus supplement at the exercise price that we describe in the applicable prospectus supplement. The warrants may be exercised as set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the warrants offered. Unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, warrants may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the warrants offered thereby. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will become void.

Upon receipt of payment and the warrant or warrant certificate, as applicable, properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent, if any, or any other office, including ours, indicated in the prospectus supplement, we will, as soon as practicable, issue and deliver the securities purchasable upon such exercise. If less than all of the warrants (or the warrants represented by such warrant certificate) are exercised, a new warrant or a new warrant certificate, as applicable, will be issued for the remaining warrants.

#### Governing Law
Unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, the warrants and any warrant agreements will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

#### Enforceability of Rights by Holders of Warrants
Each warrant agent, if any, will act solely as our agent under the applicable warrant agreement and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust with any holder of any warrant. A single bank or trust company may act as warrant agent for more than one issue of warrants. A warrant agent will have no duty or responsibility in case of any default by us under the applicable warrant agreement or warrant, including any duty or responsibility to initiate any proceedings at law or otherwise, or to make any demand upon us. Any holder of a warrant may, without the consent of the related warrant agent or the holder of any other warrant, enforce by appropriate legal action its right to exercise, and receive the securities purchasable upon exercise of, its warrants.

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#### LEGAL OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES
We can issue securities in registered form or in the form of one or more global securities. We describe global securities in greater detail below. We refer to those persons who have securities registered in their own names on the books that we or any applicable trustee, depositary or warrant agent maintain for this purpose as the "holders" of those securities. These persons are the legal holders of the securities. We refer to those persons who, indirectly through others, own beneficial interests in securities that are not registered in their own names, as "indirect holders" of those securities. As we discuss below, indirect holders are not legal holders, and investors in securities issued in book-entry form or in street name will be indirect holders.

#### Book-Entry Holders
We may issue securities in book-entry form only, as we will specify in the applicable prospectus supplement. This means securities may be represented by one or more global securities registered in the name of a financial institution that holds them as depositary on behalf of other financial institutions that participate in the depositary's book-entry system. These participating institutions, which are referred to as participants, in turn, hold beneficial interests in the securities on behalf of themselves or their customers.

Only the person in whose name a security is registered is recognized as the holder of that security. Securities issued in global form will be registered in the name of the depositary or its participants. Consequently, for securities issued in global form, we will recognize only the depositary as the holder of the securities, and we will make all payments on the securities to the depositary. The depositary passes along the payments it receives to its participants, which in turn pass the payments along to their customers who are the beneficial owners. The depositary and its participants do so under agreements they have made with one another or with their customers; they are not obligated to do so under the terms of the securities.

As a result, investors in a global security will not own securities directly. Instead, they will own beneficial interests in a global security, through a bank, broker or other financial institution that participates in the depositary's book-entry system or holds an interest through a participant. As long as the securities are issued in global form, investors will be indirect holders, and not legal holders, of the securities.

#### Street Name Holders
We may terminate a global security or issue securities in non-global form. In these cases, investors may choose to hold their securities in their own names or in "street name." Securities held by an investor in street name would be registered in the name of a bank, broker or other financial institution that the investor chooses, and the investor would hold only a beneficial interest in those securities through an account he or she maintains at that institution.

For securities held in street name, we or any applicable trustee or depositary will recognize only the intermediary banks, brokers and other financial institutions in whose names the securities are registered as the holders of those securities, and we or any applicable trustee or depositary will make all payments on those securities to them. These institutions pass along the payments they receive to their customers who are the beneficial owners, but only because they agree to do so in their customer agreements or because they are legally required to do so. Investors who hold securities in street name will be indirect holders, not holders, of those securities.

#### Legal Holders
Our obligations, as well as the obligations of any applicable trustee and of any third parties employed by us or a trustee, run only to the legal holders of the securities. We do not have obligations to investors who hold beneficial interests in global securities, in street name or by any other indirect means. This will be the case whether an investor chooses to be an indirect holder of a security or has no choice because we are issuing the securities only in global form.

For example, once we make a payment or give a notice to the legal holder, we have no further responsibility for the payment or notice even if that legal holder is required, under agreements with its participants or customers or by law, to pass it along to the indirect holders but does not do so. Similarly, we may want to obtain the approval of the legal holders to amend an indenture, to relieve us of the consequences of a default or of our obligation to comply with a particular provision of the indenture or for other purposes. In such an event, we would seek approval only from the holders, and not the indirect holders, of the securities. Whether and how the legal holders contact the indirect holders is up to the legal holders.

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#### Special Considerations For Indirect Holders
If you hold securities through a bank, broker or other financial institution, either in book-entry form because the securities are represented by one or more global securities or in street name, you should check with your own institution to find out:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• how it handles securities payments and notices;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• whether it imposes fees or charges;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• how it would handle a request for the holders' consent, if ever required;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• whether and how you can instruct it to send you securities registered in your own name so you can be a holder, if that is permitted in the future;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• how it would exercise rights under the securities if there were a default or other event triggering the need for holders to act to protect their interests; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• if the securities are in book-entry form, how the depositary's rules and procedures will affect these matters.

#### Global Securities
A global security is a security that represents one or any other number of individual securities held by a depositary. Generally, all securities represented by the same global securities will have the same terms.

Each security issued in book-entry form will be represented by a global security that we issue to, deposit with and register in the name of a financial institution or its nominee that we select. The financial institution that we select for this purpose is called the depositary. Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, DTC will be the depositary for all securities issued in book-entry form.

A global security may not be transferred to or registered in the name of anyone other than the depositary, its nominee or a successor depositary, unless special termination situations arise. We describe those situations below under "Special Situations When a Global Security Will Be Terminated." As a result of these arrangements, the depositary, or its nominee, will be the sole registered owner and legal holder of all securities represented by a global security, and investors will be permitted to own only beneficial interests in a global security. Beneficial interests must be held by means of an account with a broker, bank or other financial institution that in turn has an account with the depositary or with another institution that does. Thus, an investor whose security is represented by a global security will not be a legal holder of the security, but only an indirect holder of a beneficial interest in the global security.

If the prospectus supplement for a particular security indicates that the security will be issued in global form only, then the security will be represented by a global security at all times unless and until the global security is terminated. If termination occurs, we may issue the securities through another book-entry clearing system or decide that the securities may no longer be held through any book-entry clearing system.

#### Special Considerations for Global Securities
The rights of an indirect holder relating to a global security will be governed by the account rules of the investor's financial institution and of the depositary, as well as general laws relating to securities transfers. We do not recognize an indirect holder as a holder of securities and instead deal only with the depositary that holds the global security.

If securities are issued only in the form of a global security, an investor should be aware of the following:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• an investor cannot cause the securities to be registered in his or her name, and cannot obtain non-global certificates for his or her interest in the securities, except in the special situations we describe below;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• an investor will be an indirect holder and must look to his or her own bank, broker or other financial institution for payments on the securities and protection of his or her legal rights relating to the securities, as we describe above;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• an investor may not be able to sell interests in the securities to some insurance companies and to other institutions that are required by law to own their securities in non-book-entry form;

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• an investor may not be able to pledge his or her interest in a global security in circumstances where certificates representing the securities must be delivered to the lender or other beneficiary of the pledge in order for the pledge to be effective;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the depositary's policies, which may change from time to time, will govern payments, transfers, exchanges and other matters relating to an investor's interest in a global security;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• we and any applicable trustee have no responsibility for any aspect of the depositary's actions or for its records of ownership interests in a global security, nor do we or any applicable trustee supervise the depositary in any way;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the depositary may, and we understand that DTC will, require that those who purchase and sell interests in a global security within its book-entry system use immediately available funds, and your bank, broker or other financial institution may require you to do so as well; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• financial institutions that participate in the depositary's book-entry system, and through which an investor holds its interest in a global security, may also have their own policies affecting payments, notices and other matters relating to the securities.

There may be more than one financial intermediary in the chain of ownership for an investor. We do not monitor and are not responsible for the actions of any of those intermediaries.

#### Special Situations when a Global Security will be Terminated
In a few special situations described below, the global security will terminate and interests in it will be exchanged for physical certificates representing those interests. After that exchange, the choice of whether to hold securities directly or in street name will be up to the investor. Investors must consult their own banks, brokers or other financial institutions to find out how to have their interests in securities transferred to their own name, so that they will be direct holders. We have described the rights of holders and street name investors above.

Unless we provide otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the global security will terminate when the following special situations occur:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• if the depositary notifies us that it is unwilling, unable or no longer qualified to continue as depositary for that global security and we do not appoint another institution to act as depositary within 90 days;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• if we notify any applicable trustee that we wish to terminate that global security; or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• if an event of default has occurred with regard to securities represented by that global security and has not been cured or waived.

The applicable prospectus supplement may also list additional situations for terminating a global security that would apply only to the particular series of securities covered by the applicable prospectus supplement. When a global security terminates, the depositary, and not we or any applicable trustee, is responsible for deciding the names of the institutions that will be the initial direct holders.

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#### PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We may sell our securities covered by this prospectus in any of three ways (or in any combination):

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• to or through underwriters or dealers;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• directly to one or more purchasers; or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• through agents.

We may distribute the securities:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed from time to time;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• at market prices prevailing at the time of sale;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• at prices related to the prevailing market prices; or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• at negotiated prices.

Each time we offer and sell securities covered by this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement or supplements, if necessary, that will describe the method of distribution and set forth the terms of the offering, including:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the name or names of any underwriters, dealers or agents;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the amounts of securities underwritten or purchased by each of them;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the purchase price of securities and the proceeds, if any, we will receive from the sale;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• any over-allotment options under which underwriters may purchase additional securities from us;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• any underwriting discounts or commissions or agency fees and other items constituting underwriters' or agents' compensation;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the public offering price of the securities;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• any discounts, commissions or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• any securities exchange or market on which the securities may be listed.

Any public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time. We may determine the price or other terms of the securities offered under this prospectus by use of an electronic auction. We will describe how any auction will determine the price or any other terms, how potential investors may participate in the auction and the nature of the obligations of the underwriter, dealer or agent in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Underwriters or dealers may offer and sell the offered securities from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. If underwriters or dealers are used in the sale of any securities, the securities will be acquired by the underwriters or dealers for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions described above. The securities may be either offered to the public through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters, or directly by underwriters or dealers. Generally, the underwriters' or dealers' obligations to purchase the securities will be subject to certain conditions precedent. The underwriters or dealers will be obligated to purchase all of the securities if they purchase any of the securities, unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement. We may use underwriters with whom we have a material relationship. We will describe the nature of any such relationship in the prospectus supplement, naming the underwriter.

We may sell the securities through agents from time to time. The prospectus supplement will name any agent involved in the offer or sale of the securities and any commissions we pay to them. Generally, any agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment. We may authorize underwriters, dealers or agents to solicit offers by certain purchasers to purchase the securities from us at the public offering price set forth in the prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. The contracts will be subject only to those conditions set forth in the prospectus supplement, and the prospectus supplement will set forth any commissions we pay for solicitation of these contracts.

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Agents, dealers and underwriters may be entitled to indemnification by us against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution with respect to payments which the agents, dealers or underwriters may be required to make in respect thereof. Agents, dealers and underwriters may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services for us in the ordinary course of business.

All securities we may offer, other than common stock, will be new issues of securities with no established trading market. Any underwriters may make a market in these securities, but will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. We cannot guarantee the liquidity of the trading markets for any securities.

Any underwriter may engage in overallotment, stabilizing transactions, short covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Overallotment involves sales in excess of the offering size, which create a short position. This short sales position may involve either "covered" short sales or "naked" short sales. Covered short sales are short sales made in an amount not greater than the underwriters' over-allotment option to purchase additional securities in this offering described above. The underwriters may close out any covered short position either by exercising their over-allotment option or by purchasing securities in the open market. To determine how they will close the covered short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of securities available for purchase in the open market, as compared to the price at which they may purchase securities through the over-allotment option. Naked short sales are short sales in excess of the over-allotment option. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing securities in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that, in the open market after pricing, there may be downward pressure on the price of the securities that could adversely affect investors who purchase securities in this offering. Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security for the purpose of fixing the price of the security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a dealer when the securities originally sold by the dealer are purchased in a covering transaction to cover short positions.

Any underwriters who are qualified market makers on the Nasdaq Capital Market may engage in passive market making transactions in our common stock, preferred stock, warrants and debt securities, as applicable, on the Nasdaq Capital Market in accordance with Rule 103 of Regulation M, during the business day prior to the pricing of the offering, before the commencement of offers or sales of the securities. Passive market makers must comply with applicable volume and price limitations and must be identified as passive market makers. In general, a passive market maker must display its bid at a price not in excess of the highest independent bid for such security; if all independent bids are lowered below the passive market maker's bid, however, the passive market maker's bid must then be lowered when certain purchase limits are exceeded.

Any broker-dealer participating in the distribution of the shares of common stock may be deemed to be "underwriters" within the meaning of the Securities Act, and any commission paid, or any discounts or concessions allowed to, any such broker-dealer may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts under the Securities Act. At the time a particular offering of the shares of common stock is made, a prospectus supplement, if required, will be distributed which will set forth the aggregate amount of shares of common stock being offered and the terms of the offering, including the name or names of any broker-dealers or agents, any discounts, commissions and other terms and any discounts, commissions or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to broker-dealers.

Under the securities laws of some states, the shares of common stock may be sold in such states only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in some states the shares of common stock may not be sold unless such shares have been registered or qualified for sale in such state or an exemption from registration or qualification is available and is complied with.

In compliance with guidelines of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or FINRA, the maximum consideration or discount to be received by any FINRA member or independent broker dealer may not exceed 8% of the aggregate amount of the securities offered pursuant to this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement.

Similar to other purchase transactions, an underwriter's purchase to cover the syndicate short sales or to stabilize the market price of our securities may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our securities

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or preventing or mitigating a decline in the market price of our securities. As a result, the price of our securities may be higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the open market. The imposition of a penalty bid might also have an effect on the price of the securities if it discourages resales of the securities.

Neither we nor the underwriters make any representation or prediction as to the effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of the securities. If such transactions are commenced, they may be discontinued without notice at any time.

We will pay all expenses of the registration of the shares of common stock pursuant to the waiver agreements, including, without limitation, Securities and Exchange Commission filing fees and expenses of compliance with state securities or "blue sky" laws.

Once sold under the registration statement, of which this prospectus forms a part, the shares of common stock will be freely tradable in the hands of persons other than our affiliates.

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#### LEGAL MATTERS
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the validity of the securities offered by this prospectus, and any supplement thereto, will be passed upon for us by Honigman LLP.

#### EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of Ocuphire Pharma, Inc. appearing in Ocuphire Pharma, Inc.'s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2022 have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are, and audited financial statements to be included in subsequently filed documents will be, incorporated herein in reliance upon such report of Ernst & Young LLP pertaining to such financial statements (to the extent covered by consents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission) given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

#### WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
This prospectus is part of a registration statement we filed with the SEC. This prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement and the exhibits to the registration statement. For further information with respect to us and the securities we are offering under this prospectus, we refer you to the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules filed as a part of the registration statement. Neither we nor any agent, underwriter or dealer has authorized any person to provide you with different information. We are not making an offer of these securities in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front page of this prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any sale of the securities offered by this prospectus.

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. The SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC, including Ocuphire. The address of the SEC website is www.sec.gov.

We maintain a website at www.ocuphire.com. Information contained in or accessible through our website does not constitute a part of this prospectus.

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#### INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" the information we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents instead of having to repeat the information in this prospectus. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus, and later information that we file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings (including those made after the date of the initial filing of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part and prior to the effectiveness of such registration statement) we will make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Exchange Act until the termination of the offering of the shares covered by this prospectus (other than information furnished under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K):

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the SEC on [March 30, 2023](https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/1228627/000114036123014868/brhc10050364_10k.htm) , and the information specifically incorporated by reference into our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed with the SEC on [May 1, 2023](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1228627/000114036123022044/ny20008514x2_def14a.htm) ;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2023, June 30, 2023, and September 30, 2023 filed with the SEC on [May 15, 2023](https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001228627/000114036123024504/brhc20052759_10q.htm) , [August 11, 2023](https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/1228627/000114036123039196/brhc20057115_10q.htm) , and [November 13, 2023](https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/1228627/000114036123052749/ef20012451_10q.htm) respectively;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on [January 25, 2023](https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001228627/000114036123002726/brhc10046995_8k.htm) , [April 21, 2023](https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001228627/000114036123019505/brhc20051717_8k.htm) , [June 2, 2023](https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001228627/000114036123028066/brhc20053954_8k.htm) , [June 9, 2023](https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001228627/000114036123029009/brhc20054226_8k.htm) , [June 14, 2023](https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001228627/000114036123029848/brhc20054327_8k.htm) , [August 11, 2023](https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001228627/000114036123039201/brhc20057386_8k.htm) ; [September 27, 2023](https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001228627/000114036123045418/ef20011305_8k.htm) ; [November 1, 2023](https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001228627/000114036123050844/ef20013742_8k.htm) ; [November 2, 2023](https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001228627/000114036123051009/ef20013910_8k.htm) ; [November 27, 2023](https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/1228627/000114036123054632/ef20015189_8k.htm) ; and [December 6, 2023](https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/1228627/000114036123056425/ef20015996_8k.htm) ; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the description of common stock set forth in the Registration Statement on Form 8-A, filed with the SEC on [June 7, 2019](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1228627/000114036119010684/form8a12b.htm) , including any amendments thereto or reports filed for the purposes of updating this description, as updated by [Exhibit 4.6](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1228627/000114036121008099/brhc10021462_ex4-11.htm) to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the SEC on March 30, 2023, including any amendments or reports filed for the purposes of updating this description.

We will furnish without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom this prospectus is delivered, upon written or oral request, a copy of any or all of the documents incorporated by reference, including exhibits to these documents. You may request a copy of these documents by writing or telephoning us at the following address:

Ocuphire Pharma, Inc.<br>

37000 Grand River Avenue, Suite 120<br>

Farmington Hills, MI 48335<br>

(248) 957-9024<br>

Attn: Dr. George Magrath, Chief Executive Officer

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![](logo_opusgeneticsx1.jpg)<br>

#### 3,827,751 Shares of Common Stock<br>

#### Pre-Funded Warrants to Purchase 7,177,033 Shares of Common Stock<br>

#### 7,177,033 Shares of Common Stock Issuable Upon Exercise of the Pre-Funded Warrants

#### PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

#### November 5, 2025