As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 15, 2020March 30, 2021

Registration No. 333-__________


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

Daré Bioscience, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
20-4139823
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

3655 Nobel Drive, Suite 260
San Diego, California 92122
(858) 926-7655
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of
registrant’s principal executive offices)

Lisa Walters-Hoffert
Chief Financial Officer
Daré Bioscience, Inc.
3655 Nobel Drive, Suite 260
San Diego, California 92122
(858) 926-7655
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

Copies to:
Edwin Astudillo,Scott M. Stanton, Esq.
Shana C. Hood,Jenna M. Stewart, Esq.
Breakwater Law Group, LLPMintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C.
415 S. Cedros Ave.,3580 Carmel Mountain Road, Suite 260300
Solana Beach,San Diego, California 9207592130
(858) 227-6661314-1500

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:
From time to time after the effective date of this registration statement as determined by the registrant.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box: ¨




If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box: x
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ¨
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ¨
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ¨
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer ¨
Accelerated filer ¨
Non-accelerated filer x
Smaller reporting company x
Emerging growth company ¨

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ¨

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of Each Class of
Securities to be Registered
Amount to be Registered (1)Proposed
Maximum Offering Price per Unit (3)
Proposed
Maximum Aggregate Offering Price (3)
Amount of Registration Fee
Common Stock, $0.0001 par value(2)(3)(3)
Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value(2)(3)(3)
Debt Securities(2)(3)(3)
Warrants(2)(3)(3)
Rights(2)(3)(3)
Purchase Contracts(2)(3)(3)
Units(2)(3)(3)
Total(2)$200,000,000(3)$18,470(4)



Title of Each Class of
Securities to be Registered
Amount to be Registered (1)Proposed
Maximum Offering Price per Unit (3)
Proposed
Maximum Aggregate Offering Price (3)
Amount of Registration Fee
Common Stock, $0.0001 par value5,008,917
(2)$1.12$5,609,987$728(2)


(1)Pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), the shares being registered hereunder include such indeterminate number of shares of common stock as may be issuable with respect to the shares being registered hereunder as a result of stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions.
(2)This number is comprised of: (i) 2,999,990 shares are issued and outstanding, and (ii) up to 2,008,927 shares that may be issued contingent upon the achievement of specified milestones (the “contingent shares”), assuming (a) the achievement of all such milestones, (b) that the registrant elects to pay the consideration owed with respect to such achievement in shares of common stock, and (c) that the per share price used to calculate the number of shares issued with respect to the achievement of the applicable milestone is $1.12, which represents the average of the high and low prices of the registrant’s common stock as reported on The Nasdaq Capital Market on May 8, 2020.
(3)Estimated solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(c) under the Securities Act, based upon the average of the high and low prices of the registrant's common stock as reported on The Nasdaq Capital Market on May 8, 2020.

(1)Pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), the shares being registered hereunder include such indeterminate number of shares of common stock as may be issuable with respect to the shares being registered hereunder as a result of stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions.

(2)There are being registered hereunder such indeterminate number of shares of common stock and preferred stock, such indeterminate principal amount of debt securities, such indeterminate number of warrants, rights and purchase contracts to purchase common stock, preferred stock or debt securities, and such indeterminate number of units, as shall have an aggregate initial offering price not to exceed $200,000,000. Any securities registered hereunder may be sold separately or as units with other securities registered hereunder. The securities registered also include such indeterminate number of shares of common stock and preferred stock and amount of debt securities as may be issued upon conversion of or exchange for preferred stock or debt securities that provide for conversion or exchange, upon exercise of warrants or rights or performance of purchase contracts or pursuant to the anti-dilution provisions of any such securities.

(3)The proposed maximum initial offering price per share or unit and the proposed maximum aggregate offering price per class of security will be determined, from time to time, by the registrant in connection with the issuance by the registrant of the securities registered hereunder and is not specified as to each class of security pursuant to General Instruction II.D. of Form S-3. If any debt securities are issued at an original issue discount, then the offering price of such debt securities shall be in such greater principal amount as shall result in an aggregate initial offering price not to exceed $200,000,000, less the aggregate dollar amount of all securities previously issued hereunder.

(4)Pursuant to Rule 415(a)(6) under the Securities Act, the securities registered hereunder include unsold securities previously registered pursuant to Registration Statement No. 333-227019, which was declared effective on September 21, 2018 (the “Prior Registration Statement”). The Prior Registration Statement registered the offer and sale of an indeterminate principal amount of debt securities and an indeterminate number of shares of common stock, shares of preferred stock, depositary shares, purchase contracts, purchase units and warrants to purchase common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares or debt securities having an aggregate initial offering price not to exceed $60,000,000, of which $30,701,865 remain unsold (the “Unsold Securities”) as the date of filing of this registration statement, which the registrant has determined to include in this registration statement. The registrant paid a filing fee of $7,470 (calculated at the prior filing fee rate) relating to the Unsold Securities under the Prior Registration Statement and pursuant to Rule 415(a)(6) under the Securities Act, no additional filing fee is due with respect to the Unsold Securities in connection with the filing of this registration statement. The registrant is also registering new securities on this registration statement with an aggregate initial offering price of $169,298,135 (the “New Securities”), which aggregate offering price is not specified as to each class of securities. A filing fee of $18,470 with respect to the New Securities is being paid in connection with the filing of this registration statement. To the extent that, after the filing date hereof and prior to the effectiveness of this registration statement, the registrant sells any Unsold Securities pursuant to the Prior Registration Statement, the registrant will identify in a pre-effective amendment to this registration statement the updated amount of Unsold Securities from the Prior Registration Statement to be included in this registration statement pursuant to Rule 415(a)(6) and the updated amount of New Securities to be registered on this registration statement. Pursuant to Rule 415(a)(6), the offering of the Unsold Securities under the Prior Registration Statement will be deemed terminated as of the date of effectiveness of this registration statement.
THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(a), MAY DETERMINE.





The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission becomes effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting anany offer to buy these securities in any state or jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED MAY 15, 2020MARCH 30, 2021
PROSPECTUS
DARÉ BIOSCIENCE, INC.
darebioinlinefullcolorrgbab.jpg

5,008,917 Shares of Common Stock$200,000,000
COMMON STOCK
PREFERRED STOCK
DEBT SECURITIES
WARRANTS
RIGHTS
PURCHASE CONTRACTS
UNITS

This prospectus relateswill allow us to the possible resaleissue, from time to time of upat prices and on terms to 5,008,917 shares of our common stock, which are held by,be determined at or may be issuedprior to the selling stockholders identified in this prospectus. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of any shares offered by this prospectus.
The selling stockholders acquired or will acquire the shares offered by this prospectus in connection with our acquisition of Microchips Biotech, Inc., or Microchips, pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated November 10, 2019, or the merger agreement. The number of shares of common stock being registered hereunder is comprised of: (i) 2,999,990 shares that we issued to the selling stockholders in connection with the closing of the merger, and (ii) up to 2,008,927 shares that may be issued to the selling stockholders contingent upon the achievement of specified milestones set forth in the merger agreement. The actual number of shares issued to the selling stockholders, if any, upon the achievement of such milestones could be materially more or less than 2,008,927 shares of common stock. See “Microchips Acquisition” on page 7 of this prospectus.
The registration of shares of our common stock covered by this prospectus does not mean that the selling stockholders will offer or sell any of such shares of our common stock. The selling stockholders may resell or dispose of the shares of our common stock, or interests therein, at fixed prices, at prevailing market prices at the time of sale or at prices negotiated with purchasers,the offering, up to or through one or more underwriters, dealers or agents, or through$200,000,000 of any other meanscombination of the securities described in this prospectus, under "Planeither individually or in units. We may also offer common stock or preferred stock upon conversion of Distribution" beginning on page 12or exchange for the debt securities; common stock upon conversion of or exchange for the preferred stock; common stock, preferred stock or debt securities upon the exercise of warrants or rights; or any combination of our equity securities upon the performance of purchase contracts.
This prospectus describes the general terms of these securities and the general manner in which these securities will be offered. We will provide you with the specific terms of any offering in one or more supplements to this prospectus. The selling stockholdersprospectus supplements will bear all commissionsalso describe the specific manner in which these securities will be offered and discounts, ifmay also supplement, update or amend information contained in this document. You should read this prospectus and any attributableprospectus supplement, as well as any documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus or any prospectus supplement, carefully before you invest.
Our securities may be sold directly by us to you, through agents designated from time to time or to or through underwriters or dealers. For additional information on the methods of sale, you should refer to the section entitled “Plan of Distribution” in this prospectus and in the applicable prospectus supplement. If any underwriters or agents are involved in the sale of our securities with respect to which this prospectus is being delivered, the names of such underwriters or dispositionagents and any applicable fees, commissions or discounts and over- allotment options will be set forth in a prospectus supplement. The price to the public of such securities and the shares of common stock, or interests therein. Wenet proceeds that we expect to receive from such sale will bear all costs, expenses and feesalso be set forth in connection with the registration of the shares of common stock.a prospectus supplement.
Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “DARE.” On May 14, 2020,March 29, 2021, the last reported sale price of our common stock was $1.05 per share.$1.65. The applicable prospectus supplement will contain information, where applicable, as to any other listing, if any, on any securities market or other securities exchange of the securities covered by the prospectus supplement.Prospective purchasers of our securities are urged to obtain current information as to the market prices of our securities, where applicable.

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Before deciding whether to invest in our securities, you should consider carefully the risks that we have described on page 58 of this prospectus under the caption “Risk Factors,” as well as in the documents incorporated by reference in 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 , 2020.
The date of this prospectus is, 2021.






TABLE OF CONTENTS






i





ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, utilizing a “shelf” registration process.Under this shelf registration process, we may offer shares of our common stock and preferred stock, various series of debt securities and/or warrants, rights or purchase contracts to purchase any of such securities, either individually or in units, in one or more offerings, with a total value of up to $200,000,000.This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer.Each time we offer securities under this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the type or series of securities offered and the terms of that offering.
This prospectus does not contain all of the information included in the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. For a more complete understanding of the offering of the securities, you should refer to the registration statement, including its exhibits. This prospectus, together with any prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus that we subsequently authorize for use in connection with this offering and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus, includes all material information relating to the offering of securities under this prospectus. You should carefully read this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus that we subsequently authorize for use in connection with this offering, the information and documents incorporated herein by reference and the additional information under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” before making an investment decision.
You should rely only on the information we have provided or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, or in any prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus that we subsequently authorize for use in connection with this offering. Neither we, nor any selling stockholder, have authorized anyone to provide you with information different from that contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. You should assume that the information in this prospectus, or any related prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, is accurate only as of the date on the front of the document and that any information we have incorporated herein by reference is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus, or such prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, or any sale of a security.
Neither we, nor any selling stockholder, are offering to sell or seeking offers to purchase these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. We have not done anything that would permit this offering or possession or distribution of this prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required, other than in the United States. Persons outside the United States who come into possession of this prospectus must inform themselves about, and observe any restrictions relating to, the offering of the securities hereunder and the distribution of this prospectus outside the United States.
The representations, warranties and covenants made by us in any agreement that is filed as an exhibit to any document that is incorporated by reference in this prospectus were made solely for the benefit of the parties to such agreement, including, in some cases, for the purpose of allocating risk among the parties to such agreements, and should not be deemed to be a representation, warranty or covenant to you. Moreover, such representations, warranties or covenants were accurate only as of the date when made. Accordingly, such representations, warranties and covenants should not be relied on as accurately representing the current state of our affairs.
1


Unless otherwise indicated, information contained in this prospectus concerning our industry and the markets in which we operate, including our general expectations and market position, market opportunity and market size, is based on information from various sources, including peer reviewed journals, formal presentations at medical and scientific society meetings and third-parties commissioned by us or our licensors to provide market research and analysis, and is subject to a number of assumptions and limitations. Although we are responsible for all of the disclosure contained in this prospectus and we believe the information from industry publications and other third-party sources included in this prospectus is reliable, such information is inherently imprecise. Information that is based on estimates, forecasts, projections, market research or similar methodologies is inherently subject to uncertainties and actual events or circumstances may differ materially from events and circumstances that are assumed in this information. The industry in which we operate is subject to a high degree of uncertainty and risk due to a variety of factors.
To the extent there are inconsistencies between this prospectus, any related prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, and any documents incorporated by reference, the document with the most recent date will control.
Unless the context otherwise requires, “Daré,” “Daré Bioscience,” “the Company,” “we,” “us,” “our” and similar terms refer to Daré Bioscience, Inc. and its subsidiaries. When we refer to “you” we mean potential holders of the securities we may offer under this prospectus.

2


PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this prospectus. This summary provides an overview of selected information and does not contain all of the information you should consider before investing in our securities. We urge you to read this entire prospectus, including our consolidated financial statements, notes to our consolidated financial statements and other information incorporated herein by reference to our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, or included in any applicable prospectus supplement. Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk and uncertainty. Therefore, carefully consider the risk factors set forth in this prospectus, including those incorporated herein by reference to our most recent annual and quarterly filings with the SEC, as well as other information in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein or therein, before purchasing our securities. Each of the risk factors could adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition, as well as adversely affect the value of an investment in our securities.
About Daré Bioscience
We are a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to the acceleration ofadvancing innovative products for women’s health. We are driven by a mission to identify, acquiredevelop and developbring to market a diverse portfolio of differentiated therapies that expand treatment options, improve outcomes and facilitate convenience for women, primarily in the areas of contraception, fertility,vaginal health, sexual health and sexual and vaginal health.fertility. Our business strategy is to in-license or otherwise acquire the rights to differentiated product candidates in our areas of focus, some of which have existing clinical proof-of-concept data, and to take those candidates through advanced stages ofmid- to late-stage clinical development, and then out-license these products to companies with salesestablish and distribution capabilities in women's healthleverage strategic partnerships to leverage their commercial capabilities. We and our wholly owned subsidiaries operate in one business segment.achieve commercialization.
Since July 2017, we have assembled a portfolio of clinical-stage and pre-clinical-stage candidates. While we will continue to assess opportunities to expand our portfolio, our current focus is on advancing our existing product candidates through mid- and late stages of clinical development or U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, approval. Our global commercialization and development strategy involves partnering with pharmaceutical companies and regional distributors with established marketing and sales capabilities in women's health, including through co-development and promotion agreements, once we have advanced a candidate through mid- to late-stage clinical development.
Our portfolio includes three product candidates in advanced clinical development:
DARE-BV1, a novel thermosetting bioadhesive hydrogel formulated with clindamycin phosphate 2% to be administered in a single vaginally delivered application, as a first line treatment for bacterial vaginosis, or BV;vaginosis;
OvapreneOvaprene®, a hormone-free, monthly vaginal contraceptive; and
Sildenafil Cream, 3.6%, a proprietary cream formulation of sildenafil for topical administration to the vulva and vagina for treatment of female sexual arousal disorder, or FSAD.disorder.
Our portfolio also includes three product candidates in Phase 1 clinical development or that we believe are Phase 1-ready:
DARE-HRT1, a combination bio-identical estradiol and progesterone intravaginal ring for the treatment of menopausal symptoms, including vasomotor symptoms, or VMS, as part of a hormone replacement therapy or HRT, following menopause;
DARE-VVA1, a vaginally delivered formulation of tamoxifen to treat vulvar vaginal atrophy, or VVA, in patients with hormone- receptor positive breast cancer; and
DARE-FRT1, an intravaginal ring containing bio-identical progesterone for the prevention of preterm birth and for fertilitybroader luteal phase support as part of an in vitro fertilization treatment plan.plan; and
DARE-VVA1, a vaginally delivered formulation of tamoxifen to treat vulvar vaginal atrophy in patients with hormone-receptor positive breast cancer.
In addition, our portfolio includes these pre-clinical stage product candidates:
A microchip-based,DARE-LARC1, a combination product designed to provide long-acting, reversible contraception comprising an implantable, user-controlled wireless drug delivery system and a contraceptive application of that technology utilizing levonorgestrel that is designed to provide user-controlled, long-acting, reversible contraception
levonorgestrel;


ORB-204 and ORB-214, injectable formulations of etonogestrel designed to provide contraception over 6-month and 12-month formulations of injectable etonogestrel for contraception;periods, respectively; and
DARE-RH1, a novel approach to non-hormonalnon-hormonal contraception for both men and women by targeting the CatSper ion channel.channel.
3


Our primary operations have consisted of, and are expected to continue to consist primarily of, product research and development and advancing our portfolio of product candidates through clinical development and regulatory approval. We expect that the majority of our research and development expenses in 20202021 and 20212022 will support the advancement of DARE-BV1, Ovaprene and Sildenafil Cream, 3.6%.
To date, we have not obtained any regulatory approvals for any of our product candidates, commercialized any of our product candidates or generated any product revenue. We are subject to several risks common to clinical-stage biopharmaceutical companies, including dependence on key individuals, competition from other companies, the need to develop commercially viable products in a timely and cost-effective manner, and the need to obtain adequate additional capital to fund the development
The effect of product candidates. We are also subject to several risks common to other companies in the industry, including rapid technology change, regulatory approval of products, uncertainty of market acceptance of products, competition from substitute products and larger companies, compliance with government regulations, protection of proprietary technology, dependence on third parties, and product liability.
In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic and efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19 remain a rapidly evolving and uncertain risk to our business, operating results, financial condition and stock price. In November 2020, the U.S. began to experience a substantial surge in cases and hospitalizations and intensive care unit capacity became strained. States and counties across the country imposed or re-imposed stay-at-home orders and shutdowns of non-essential businesses in efforts to reduce spread of the disease. As of March 29, 2021, the FDA had issued emergency use authorizations for three vaccines for the prevention of COVID-19. However, while President Biden recently said that there will be enough vaccine supply for every adult in the U.S. by the end of May 2021, the vaccination effort in the U.S. and elsewhere got off to a bumpy start and continues to rapidly evolve. We do not yet knowface significant, complex challenges, and the timeline for the pandemic and its associated restrictions to end remain uncertain. Given the high level of uncertainty regarding the duration and impact of the pandemic on the U.S. and global economies, workplace environments and capital markets, we are unable to assess the full extent of its potentialthe effects of the pandemic on our business, including the anticipated aggregate costs for development of our product candidates, on our anticipated timelines for the development of our product candidates, or on the supply chain for our clinical supplies. However, thesebusiness. These effects could have a material adverse impact on our business, operating results and financial condition, including, without limitation, by adversely impacting our ability to raise capital when needed or on terms favorable or acceptable to us and increasing the anticipated aggregate costs and timelines for the development and marketing approval of our product candidates. For further discussion of risks and uncertainties related to the COVID-19 pandemic, see the risk factor titled, The COVID-19 pandemic and efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19 could negatively impact our business, including by increasing the cost and timelines for our clinical development programs, in Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 that is incorporated by reference into this prospectus, as well as any risk factor similarly subcaptioned in any document subsequently incorporated by reference into this prospectus or any amendment or supplement to this prospectus.
Summary of Risk Factors
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Before deciding whether to purchase any of our securities, you should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described in the section captioned “Risk Factors” in this prospectus and the applicable accompanying prospectus supplement, and under similar headings in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus and the applicable accompanying prospectus supplement. The occurrence of any of these risk factors could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects. In these circumstances, the market price of our common stock could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment in our common stock. These risk factors include, but are not limited to, the following:
We will need to raise additional capital to continue our operations and remain a going concern, and our ability to do so may be limited and more expensive due to low trading volume, price or market capitalization, our lack of revenue, net losses and limited operating history, and/or applicable laws and regulations. If we fail to obtain additional capital, we will be unable to complete development or obtain regulatory approval for commercialization of our product candidates.
We have a limited operating history, have incurred significant losses since our inception and expect to continue to incur losses for the foreseeable future, which, together with our limited financial resources and substantial capital requirements, make it difficult to assess our prospects.
The COVID-19 pandemic and efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19 could negatively impact our business, including by increasing the cost and timelines for our clinical development programs.
We may not receive any additional payments under our license agreement with Bayer, and Bayer may terminate the agreement at any time without cause upon limited prior notice.
4


Due in part to our limited financial resources, we may fail to effectively develop the product candidates in our portfolio and execute our current product development plans, including the commencement and completion of clinical trials and regulatory submissions, in accordance with our current timeline expectations.
We depend heavily on the success of our lead product candidates, DARE-BV1, Ovaprene and Sildenafil Cream, 3.6%. Clinical development is a lengthy and expensive process with an inherently uncertain outcome. Failure to successfully develop and obtain regulatory approval to market and sell any of these product candidates on our anticipated timelines, or at all, could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.
Microchips AcquisitionWe have a relatively small number of employees and if we fail to attract and retain key personnel, we may not successfully complete development of, obtain regulatory approval for or commercialize our product candidates, or otherwise implement our business plan.
In November 2019,We rely on, and intend to continue to rely on, third parties for the execution of significant aspects of our product development programs, including the conduct of our clinical and non-clinical studies and the supply and manufacture of our product candidates. Failure of these third parties, including multiple single source suppliers and manufacturers, to successfully carry out their contractual duties, comply with regulatory requirements and applicable law, or meet expected deadlines may cause significant delays in our development timelines and/or failure of our programs.
Interim, topline and preliminary data from our clinical trials that we acquired Microchips Biotech, Inc.,announce or Microchips, viapublish from time to time may change as more patient data become available and are subject to audit and verification procedures that could result in material changes in the final data, and others, including regulatory authorities, may not agree with our interpretation of study data.
Our business depends on obtaining the approval of regulatory authorities, and in particular, FDA approval, for our product candidates in a merger transaction. Microchipstimely manner, and the requirements or pathways for obtaining approval for our product candidates may change over time, requiring more financial resources and development time than we currently anticipate.
Our business strategy is to establish and leverage strategic partnerships to achieve commercialization of our product candidates, if approved. We have no internal sales, marketing or distribution capabilities. Under any such collaborations, we may not have control over several key elements relating to the development and commercialization of our product candidates, and any failure by such third parties to adequately perform their obligations under our agreements could negatively impact our business, operating results and financial condition.
The product candidates we are developing a proprietary, microchip-based, implantable drug delivery system designedor may develop are likely to storeface significant competition. If we receive marketing approval for any of our product candidates, their ability to compete and precisely deliver numerous therapeutic doses over months and years on a schedule determinedpotential to generate revenue will be impacted by the userefficacy and controlled via wireless remote. Microchips’safety outcomes of our clinical trials, the label claims that the FDA or other regulatory authorities approve for the product, and the degree of acceptance among the medical community and consumers and their preference of our products over available alternative products.
Even if we obtain regulatory approval in the United States or elsewhere to market any of our products, the reimbursement environment at the time of approval may hurt our financial prospects. If the out-of-pocket costs for our products are deemed by women to be unaffordable, a commercial market may never develop.
The loss or impairment of our rights under any license agreement for our lead product candidate iscandidates could prevent us from developing or commercializing them, which would have a pre-clinical stage contraceptive applicationmaterial adverse effect on our business prospects, operations and viability.
Our failure to adequately protect or enforce our and our licensors’ intellectual property rights could materially harm our proprietary position in the marketplace or prevent or impede the commercialization of our current and potential future products.
5


Lack of patent protection for the active ingredients in certain of our product candidates, including DARE-BV1 and Sildenafil Cream, 3.6%, may limit the commercial opportunity for those products if competitors are able to develop and commercialize safe and effective alternative formulations or methods of delivery of the technology that utilizes levonorgestrel.active ingredients.
The numberprice of shares ofour common stock being registered hereunderhas been and may continue to be highly volatile and such volatility could be unrelated to our performance and operating results. Volatility in our market price may subject us to increased risk of securities litigation, including class-action lawsuits, which could be expensive and divert management attention.
There is comprised of: (i) 2,999,990 sharesno assurance that we issued towill continue satisfying the selling stockholders in connection with the closinglisting requirements of the merger,Nasdaq Capital Market, and (ii) up to 2,008,927 shares that may be issued to the selling stockholders contingent upon the achievement of specified funding, product development and regulatory milestones set forthsuch failure could result in the mergersuspension or delisting of our common stock, which could, among other things, substantially impair our ability to raise additional capital and have an adverse effect on the market price of, and the efficiency of the trading market for, our common stock.
Future sales and issuances of our equity, including sales and issuances of our common stock under our ATM sales agreement, governingunder our purchase agreement with Lincoln Park and upon exercise of our stock options and warrants, or the merger. The actual numberperception that such sales may occur, could adversely affect the market price of shares issuedour common stock, even if our business is doing well.
Cyber-attacks, security breaches, loss of data and other disruptions to the selling stockholders upon the achievementour information technology systems or those of such milestones, ifour third-party service providers could compromise sensitive information related to our business, delay or prevent us from accessing critical information or expose us to liability, any of which could be materially more or less than 2,008,927 shares of common stock. See “Microchips Acquisition” on page 7 of this prospectus.adversely affect our business and our reputation.
Additional Information
For additional information related to our business and operations, please refer to the annual and quarterly reports incorporated herein by reference, as described under the caption “Incorporation of Documents by Reference” on page 1429 of this prospectus.
Corporate Information
We are incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware. Our principal executive offices are located at 3655 Nobel Drive, Suite 260, San Diego, California 92122, and our telephone number at that address is (858) 926-7655. We maintain a website at www.darebioscience.com, to which we regularly post copies of our press releases as well as additional information about us. The information contained on, or that can be accessed through, our website is not a part of this prospectus. We have included our website address in this prospectus solely as an inactive textual reference.
Daré Bioscience® is a registered trademark of Daré Bioscience, Inc. Ovaprene® is a registered trademark licensed to Daré Bioscience, Inc. All brand names or trademarks appearing in this prospectus are the property of their respective holders. Use or display by us of other parties’ trademarks, trade dress, or products in this


prospectus is not intended to, and does not, imply a relationship with, or endorsements or sponsorship of, us by the trademark or trade dress owners.
The OfferingOfferings Under This Prospectus
Under this prospectus, we may offer shares of our common stock and preferred stock, various series of debt securities and/or warrants, rights or purchase contracts to purchase any of such securities, either individually or in units, with a total value of up to $200,000,000, from time to time at prices and on terms to be determined by market conditions at the time of the offering.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:
designation or classification;
aggregate principal amount or aggregate offering price;
maturity, if applicable;
6


Shares of common stock offered by selling stockholders5,008,917
(1)
rates and times of payment of interest or dividends, if any;
redemption, conversion or sinking fund terms, if any;
voting or other rights, if any; and
conversion or exercise prices, if any.
The prospectus supplement also may add, update or change information contained in this prospectus or in documents we have incorporated by reference into this prospectus.However, no prospectus supplement will fundamentally change the terms that are set forth in this prospectus or offer a security that is not registered and described in this prospectus at the time of its effectiveness.
We may sell the securities directly to investors or to or through agents, underwriters or dealers.We, and our agents or underwriters, reserve the right to accept or reject all or part of any proposed purchase of securities.If we offer securities through agents or underwriters, we will include in the applicable prospectus supplement:
the names of those agents or underwriters;
applicable fees, discounts and commissions to be paid to them;
details regarding over-allotment options, if any; and
the net proceeds to us.
This prospectus may not be used to consummate a sale of any securities unless it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

7


Use of proceeds
We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of our common stock offered by the selling stockholders under this prospectus. See “Use of Proceeds” on page 7 of this prospectus.

Risk factors
Investment in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 5 of this prospectus, as well as the other information included in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, for a discussion of risks you should carefully consider before investing in our common stock.

Nasdaq Capital Market symbol“DARE”

1)Comprised of: (i) 2,999,990 shares that we issued to the selling stockholders in connection with the closing of the merger, and (ii) up to 2,008,927 shares, or the Contingent Consideration Shares, that may be issued to the selling stockholders contingent upon the achievement of specified funding, product development and regulatory milestones set forth in the merger agreement governing the merger pursuant to which we acquired Microchips. The number of Contingent Consideration Shares assumes (a) the achievement of all the milestones for which we may elect to pay the consideration owed in shares of our common stock, (b) that we so elect to pay such consideration in shares of our common stock, and (c) that the per share price used to calculate the number of Contingent Consideration Shares issued with respect to the achievement of the applicable milestone is $1.12, which represents the average of the high and low prices of our common stock on May 8, 2020 as reported on The Nasdaq Capital Market. None of the Contingent Consideration Shares have been earned or issued as of the date of this prospectus. The actual number of Contingent Consideration Shares issued to the selling stockholders, if any, could be materially more or less than 2,008,927 shares of common stock. See “Microchips Acquisition” on page 7 of this prospectus.



RISK FACTORS
Investing in our securities involves significant risk. In additionThe prospectus supplement applicable to each offering of our securities will contain a discussion of risks related to that offering. Prior to making a decision about investing in our securities, you should carefully consider the specific factors discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, together with all of the other information includedcontained or incorporated by reference in the prospectus supplement or contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, includingprospectus. You should carefully consider the risks, uncertainties and assumptions discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” included in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K, as revisedmay be amended, supplemented or supplementedsuperseded from time to time by our subsequentinformation in quarterly reports on Form 10-Q or ourand current reports on Form 8-K that we have filedfile with the SEC after the date of this prospectus, all of which are incorporated herein by reference (other than current reports on Form 8-K, or portions thereof, furnished under Items 2.02 or 7.01 of Form 8-K), you should consider the risks described below before making an investment decision with respect to our common stock. We expect to update these risks and our other Risk Factors from time to time in periodic and current reports we file with the SEC in the future. Such updated Risk Factors will be incorporated by reference in this prospectus. Please refer to our subsequently filed reports for additional information relating to the risks associated with investing in our common stock.. The risks and uncertainties we have described are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also affect our operations. The occurrence of any of these risks might cause you to lose all or part of your investment.investment in the offered securities.


8


SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus contain or incorporate by reference forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements, including statements regarding our strategy, future operations, future financial position, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management, are forward-looking statements.management. Forward-looking statements, include all statements that are not historical facts and, in some cases, can be identified by terms such as “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “design,” “intend,” “expect,” “could,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “seek,” “should,” “would,” “contemplate,” project,” “target,” “tend to,” or the negative version of these words and similar expressions.
Forward-looking statements 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, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including those factors discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” contained or incorporated in this prospectus and in any related prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus we may authorize for use in connection with thisa specific offering. These factors and the other cautionary statements contained or incorporated in this prospectus and in the applicable prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectus we may authorize for use in connection with a specific offering should be read as being applicable to all related forward-looking statements whenever they appear in this prospectus. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement. The following factors are among those that may cause such differences:
Inability to continue as a going concern;
Inability to raise additional capital, under favorable terms or at all, including as a result of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic;
Inability to successfully attract partners and enter into collaborations relating to the development and/or commercialization of our product candidates on a timely basis or on acceptable terms;terms, or at all;
A decision by Bayer HealthCare LLC to discontinue its commercial interest in Ovaprene® and/or to terminate our license agreement;
FailureInability or an increase in projected costs to select or capitalize on the most scientifically, clinically or commercially promising or profitable indications or therapeutic areastimely develop, obtain regulatory approval for our product candidates due to limited financial resources;
Inability to develop and commercialize our product candidates;
Failure or delay in starting, conducting and completing clinical trials or obtaining United States Food and Drug Administration, or FDA or foreign regulatory approval for our product candidates in a timely manner, including as a result of matters beyond our control such as the effects related to geopolitical actions, natural disasters, or public health emergencies or pandemics, such as the COVID-19 pandemic;
A change in the FDA Center assigned primary oversight responsibility for our combination product candidates;
A change in regulatory requirements for our product candidates, including the development pathway pursuant to Section 505(b)(2) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, or the FDA's 505(b)(2) pathway;
Unsuccessful clinical trial outcomes stemming from clinical trial designs, failure to enroll a sufficient number of patients, higher than anticipated patient dropout rates, failure to meet established clinical endpoints, undesirable side effects and other safety concerns;
Reaching a conclusion regarding the efficacy or safety of a product candidate following full evaluation of complete clinical study data that is materially different from topline study results we may report;
Communication from the FDA or another regulatory authority that it does not accept or agree with our assumptions, estimates, calculations, conclusions or analyses of clinical or nonclinical study data regarding a product candidate, or that it interprets or weighs the importance of study data differently than we have in a manner that negatively impacts the candidate's prospects for regulatory approval in a timely manner, or at all;
Negative publicity concerning the safety and efficacy of our product candidates, or of product candidates being developed by others that share characteristics similar to our candidates;
Inability to demonstrate sufficient efficacy of our product candidates;
Failure to select or capitalize on the most scientifically, clinically or commercially promising or profitable indications or therapeutic areas for our product candidates due to limited financial resources;
Loss of our licensed rights to develop and commercialize a product candidate as a result of the termination of the underlying licensing agreement;
9


Monetary obligations and other requirements in connection with our exclusive, in-license agreements covering the patents and related intellectual property related to our product candidates, or our merger or asset purchase agreements relating to the acquisition of our product candidates;
Developments by our competitors that make our product candidates less competitive or obsolete;
Dependence on third parties to conduct nonclinical studies and clinical trials of our product candidates;
Dependence on third parties to supply and manufacture clinical trial materials and, if any of our candidates are approved, commercial product, including components of our products as well as the finished product, in accordance with current good manufacturing practices and in the quantities needed;
Cyber-attacks, security breaches or similar events compromising our technology systems or the technology systems of third parties on which we rely;
Interruptions in, or the complete shutdown of, the operations of third parties on which we rely, including clinical sites, manufacturers, suppliers, and other vendors, from matters beyond their control, such as the effects related to geopolitical actions, natural disasters, or public health emergencies or pandemics, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, and our lack of recourse against such third parties if their inability to perform is excused under the terms of our agreements with such parties;


Failure of our product candidates, if approved, to gain market acceptance or obtain adequate coverage for third party reimbursement;
A reduction in demand for contraceptives caused by an elimination of current requirements that health insurance plans cover and reimburse certain FDA-cleared or approved contraceptive products without cost sharing;
Uncertainty as to whether health insurance plans will cover our product candidates even if we successfully develop and obtain regulatory approval for them;
Unfavorable or inadequate reimbursement rates for our product candidates set by the United States government and other third-party payers even if they become covered products under health insurance plans;
Difficulty in introducing branded products in a market made up of generic products;
Inability to adequately protect or enforce our, or our licensor’s, intellectual property rights;
Lack of patent protection for the active ingredients in certain of our product candidates which could expose those product candidates to competition from other formulations using the same active ingredients;
Higher risk of failure associated with product candidates in pre-clinical stages of development that may lead investors to assign them little to no value and make these assets difficult to fund;
Disputes or other developments concerning our intellectual property rights;
Actual and anticipated fluctuations in our quarterly or annual operating results;
Price and volume fluctuations in the stock market, and in our stock in particular, which could subject us to securities class-action litigation;
Failure to maintain the listing of the Company’sour common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market or another nationally recognized exchange;
Litigation or public concern about the safety of our potential products;
Strict government regulations on our business, including various fraud and abuse laws, including, without limitation, the U.S. federal Anti-Kickback Statute, the U.S. federal False Claims Act and the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act;
Regulations governing the production or marketing of our product candidates;
Loss of, or inability to attract, key personnel; and
Increased costs as a result of operating as a public company, and substantial time devoted by our management to compliance initiatives and corporate governance practices.
InvestorsYou are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this prospectus or the date of the document incorporated by reference in this prospectus. We do not undertake any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which any statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law.
10


USE OF PROCEEDS
TheWe will have broad discretion over the use of net proceeds from the sale or other disposition of securities offered hereby. Unless otherwise indicated in the common stock covered by thisapplicable prospectus are solely for the accounts of the selling stockholders. We will not receivesupplement and any proceeds from any sale or other disposition of these shares of common stock by the selling stockholders.
MICROCHIPS ACQUISITION
Overview
In November 2019, we acquired Microchips Biotech, Inc., or Microchips, via a merger transaction in which a wholly owned subsidiary we formed for purposes of this transaction merged with and into Microchips, and Microchips survived as our wholly owned subsidiary. Microchips is developing a proprietary, microchip-based, implantable drug delivery system designed to store and precisely deliver numerous therapeutic doses over months and years on a schedule determined by the user and controlled via wireless remote. Microchips’ lead product candidate is a pre-clinical stage contraceptive application of the technology that utilizes levonorgestrel.
At the closing of the merger, we issued an aggregate of 2,999,990 shares of our common stock to the selling stockholders, all of whom were the stockholders of Microchips’ immediately prior to the effective time of the merger. We agreed to pay the following contingent consideration to the selling stockholders: (1) up to $46.5 million contingent upon the achievement of specified funding, product development and regulatory milestones; up to $2.3 million of whichfree writing prospectus we may elect to pay in shares of our common stock, subject to approval of our stockholders to the extent necessary to comply with Nasdaq Listing Rule


5635; (2) up to $55.0 million contingent upon the achievement of specified amounts of aggregate net sales of products incorporating the intellectual property we acquired in the merger; (3) tiered royalty payments ranging from low single-digit to low double-digit percentages of annual net sales of such products, subject to customary provisions permitting royalty reductions and offset; and (4) a percentage of sublicense revenue related to such products.
Shares Being Registered
The number of shares of common stock being registered hereunder is comprised of: (i) 2,999,990 shares that we issued to the selling stockholdersauthorize for use in connection with a specific offering, we intend to use the closingnet proceeds from the sale of securities under this prospectus for general corporate purposes, including working capital, operating expenses and capital expenditures. We may also use the merger, and (ii) upnet proceeds to 2,008,927 shares, repay any debts and/or the Contingent Consideration Shares, that may be issued to the selling stockholders contingent upon the achievement of specified funding, product development and regulatory milestones set forthacquire or invest in the merger agreement, collectively, the Development Milestones. The number of Contingent Consideration Shares assumes (a) the achievement of all the milestones for whichcomplementary businesses, products or technologies, although we may elect to pay the consideration owed in shares of our common stock, (b) that we so elect to pay such consideration in shares of our common stock, and (c) that the per share price used to calculate the number of Contingent Consideration Shares issuedhave no current commitments or agreements with respect to the achievement of the applicable milestone is $1.12, which represents the average of the high and low prices of our common stock on May 8, 2020 as reported on The Nasdaq Capital Market.
If we elect to pay any of the consideration owed upon the achievement of a Development Milestone in shares of our common stock, the number of shares issuable will be determined based on: (a) with respect to $1.0 million of the amounts owed upon achievement of certain of the Development Milestones, the dollar amount payable upon achievement of the applicable milestone divided by the greater of (i) $1.15such acquisitions or (ii) the average closing price of our common stock over the five consecutive trading days immediately prior to achievement of the applicable milestone; and (b) with respect to $1.3 million of the amounts owed upon achievement of certain of the other Development Milestones, the dollar payable upon achievement of the applicable milestone divided by the average closing price of our common stock over the five consecutive trading days immediately prior to achievement of the applicable milestone.
The Contingent Consideration Shares have neither been earned nor issuedinvestments as of the date of this prospectus. The actual number
We have not determined the amount of Contingent Consideration Shares issuednet proceeds to be used specifically for the foregoing purposes. As a result, you will be relying on the judgment of our management regarding the application of the proceeds of any sale of securities offered hereby. If a material part of the net proceeds is to be used to repay indebtedness, we will set forth the interest rate and maturity of such indebtedness in a prospectus supplement. Pending use of the net proceeds, we intend to invest the proceeds in interest-bearing, marketable securities.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We may offer securities under this prospectus from time to time pursuant to underwritten public offerings, negotiated transactions, block trades or a combination of these methods. We may sell the securities (1) through underwriters or dealers, (2) through agents or (3) directly to one or more purchasers, or through a combination of such methods. We may distribute the securities from time to time in one or more transactions at:
a fixed price or prices, which may be changed from time to time;
market prices prevailing at the time of sale;
prices related to the selling stockholders,prevailing market prices; or
negotiated prices.
We may directly solicit offers to purchase the securities being offered by this prospectus. We may also designate agents to solicit offers to purchase the securities from time to time, and may enter into arrangements for “at-the-market,” equity line or similar transactions. We will name in a prospectus supplement any underwriter or agent involved in the offer or sale of the securities.
If we utilize a dealer in the sale of the securities being offered by this prospectus, we will sell the securities to the dealer, as principal. The dealer may then resell the securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by the dealer at the time of resale.
If we utilize an underwriter in the sale of the securities being offered by this prospectus, we will execute an underwriting agreement with the underwriter at the time of sale, and we will provide the name of any underwriter in the prospectus supplement which the underwriter will use to make resales of the securities to the public. In connection with the sale of the securities, we, or the purchasers of the securities for whom the underwriter may act as agent, may compensate the underwriter in the form of underwriting discounts or commissions. The underwriter may sell the securities to or through dealers, and the underwriter may compensate those dealers in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions.
With respect to underwritten public offerings, negotiated transactions and block trades, we will provide in the applicable prospectus supplement information regarding any compensation we pay to underwriters, dealers or agents in connection with the offering of the securities, and any discounts, concessions or commissions allowed by underwriters to participating dealers. Underwriters, dealers and agents participating in the distribution of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and any discounts and commissions received by them and any profit realized by them on resale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions. We may enter into agreements to indemnify underwriters, dealers and agents against civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments they may be required to make in respect thereof.
11


If so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will authorize underwriters, dealers or other persons acting as our agents to solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase securities from us pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on the date stated in each applicable prospectus supplement. Each contract will be for an amount not less than, and the aggregate amount of securities sold pursuant to such contracts shall not be less nor more than, the respective amounts stated in each applicable prospectus supplement. Institutions with whom the contracts, when authorized, may be made include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and charitable institutions and other institutions, but shall in all cases be subject to our approval. Delayed delivery contracts will not be subject to any conditions except that:
the purchase by an institution of the securities covered under that contract shall not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of the jurisdiction to which that institution is subject; and
if the securities are also being sold to underwriters acting as principals for their own account, the underwriters shall have purchased such securities not sold for delayed delivery. The underwriters and other persons acting as our agents will not have any responsibility in respect of the validity or performance of delayed delivery contracts.
One or more firms, referred to as “remarketing firms,” may also offer or sell the securities, if a prospectus supplement so indicates, in connection with a remarketing arrangement upon their purchase. Remarketing firms will act as principals for their own accounts or as our agents. These remarketing firms will offer or sell the securities in accordance with the terms of the securities. Each prospectus supplement will identify and describe any remarketing firm and the terms of its agreement, if any, couldwith us and will describe the remarketing firm’s compensation. Remarketing firms may be materially moredeemed to be underwriters in connection with the securities they remarket. Remarketing firms may be entitled under agreements that may be entered into with us to indemnification by us against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and may be customers of, engage in transactions with or lessperform services for us in the ordinary course of business.
Certain underwriters may use this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement for offers and sales related to market-making transactions in the securities. These underwriters may act as principal or agent in these transactions, and the sales will be made at prices related to prevailing market prices at the time of sale. Any underwriters involved in the sale of the securities may qualify as “underwriters” within the meaning of Section 2(a)(11) of the Securities Act. In addition, the underwriters’ commissions, discounts or concessions may qualify as underwriters’ compensation under the Securities Act and the rules of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., or FINRA.
All securities we may offer, other than 2,008,927 shares of common stock depending on whether and to what extent the applicable Development Milestones are achieved, whether we elect to pay the amount due in shares of our common stock, may be new issues of securities with no established trading market.Any agents or 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 can make no assurance as to the liquidity of or the existence, development or maintenance of trading markets for any of the securities. There is currently no market for any of the securities we may offer hereby, other than our common stock which is listed on the average closingNasdaq Capital Market.Underwriters may make a market in our common stock, but will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. We have no current plans for listing of the preferred stock, debt securities, warrants, rights or units on any securities exchange or quotation system; any such listing with respect to any particular preferred stock, debt securities, warrants, rights or units will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement or other offering materials, as the case may be.
In order to facilitate the offering of the securities, certain persons participating in the offering may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the securities. This may include over-allotments or short sales of the securities, which involve the sale by persons participating in the offering of more securities than we sold to them. In these circumstances, these persons would cover such over-allotments or short positions by making purchases in the open market or by exercising their over-allotment option. In addition, these persons may stabilize or maintain the price of the securities by bidding for or purchasing the applicable security in the open market or by imposing penalty bids, whereby selling concessions allowed to dealers participating in the offering may be reclaimed if the securities sold by them are repurchased in connection with stabilization transactions. The effect of these transactions may be to stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. These transactions may be discontinued at any time.
The underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in other transactions with us, or perform other services for us, in the ordinary course of their business.
12


Under Rule 15c6-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in two business days, unless the parties to any such trade expressly agree otherwise or the securities are sold by us to an underwriter in a firm commitment underwritten offering. The applicable prospectus supplement may provide that the original issue date for your securities may be more than two scheduled business days after the trade date for your securities. Accordingly, in such a case, if you wish to trade securities on any date prior to the second business day before the original issue date for your securities, you will be required, by virtue of the fact that your securities initially are expected to settle in more than two scheduled business days after the trade date for your securities, to make alternative settlement arrangements to prevent a failed settlement.
DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK
We are authorized to issue 120,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share. As of March 29, 2021, we had 47,312,822 shares of common stock outstanding.
The following summary of certain provisions of our common stock overdoes not purport to be complete. You should refer to the five consecutive trading days immediately priorsection of this prospectus entitled “Certain Provisions of Delaware Law and of Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws” and our Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, referred to achievementherein as our restated certificate of incorporation, and our Second Amended and Restated By-laws, as amended, referred to herein as our restated bylaws, both of which are included as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. The summary below is also qualified by provisions of applicable law.
General
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, except that unless otherwise required by law, holders of our common stock are not entitled to vote on any amendment to our restated certificate of incorporation that relates solely to the terms of one or more outstanding series of preferred stock, if the holders of such affected series are entitled, either separately or together as a class with the holders of one or more such other series, to vote thereon pursuant to our restated certificate of incorporation. Holders of our common stock do not have cumulative voting rights.
An election of directors will be decided by a plurality of the votes cast by the stockholders entitled to vote on the election at a duly held stockholders’ meeting at which a quorum is present. All other questions will be decided by a majority of the votes cast by stockholders entitled to vote thereon at a duly held meeting of stockholders at which a quorum is present, except when a different vote is required by law, our restated certificate of incorporation or restated bylaws.
Dividends
Holders of our common stock are entitled to receive proportionately any dividends as may be declared by our board of directors out of legally available funds, subject to any preferential dividend or other rights of any series of preferred stock that we may designate and issue in the future.
Liquidation and Dissolution
In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders of our common stock will be 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 of any then outstanding shares of preferred stock.
No Preemptive Rights
Holders of our common stock have no preemptive, conversion, subscription or other rights, and there are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable milestone, and, if applicable, if we obtain approvalto our common stock.
Rights of Preferred Stock May be Senior to Rights of Common Stock
Our board of directors has the authority, without further action by our stockholders, to issue up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series and to fix the extent necessary to comply with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635. The numberrights, preferences, privileges and restrictions thereof. These rights, preferences and privileges could include dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of Contingent Consideration Shares is not intended to constitute an indicationredemption, and liquidation preferences, any or predictionall of whether anywhich may be greater than the rights of the Development Milestones will be achieved or the future market priceholders of our common stock.
Nasdaq
13


Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, with offices at 6201 15th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11219.
Stock Exchange Listing Rule 5635
Our common stock is listed on Thethe Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “DARE.”
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK
We are authorized to issue up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share. As of the date of this prospectus, no shares of our preferred stock were outstanding or designated. The following summary of certain provisions of our preferred stock does not purport to be complete. You should refer to our restated certificate of incorporation and restated bylaws, both of which are included as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. The summary below is also qualified by provisions of applicable law.
General
Our board of directors may, from time to time, direct the issuance of shares of preferred stock in one or more series and may, at the time of issuance, determine the rights, preferences and limitations of each series, including voting rights, dividend rights, conversion rights, redemption privileges and liquidation preferences.Satisfaction of any dividend preferences of outstanding shares of preferred stock would reduce the amount of funds available for the payment of dividends on shares of our common stock.Holders of shares of preferred stock may be entitled to receive a preference payment in the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of our company before any payment is made to the holders of shares of our common stock.In some circumstances, the issuance of shares of preferred stock may render more difficult or tend to discourage a merger, tender offer or proxy contest, the assumption of control by a holder of a large block of our securities or the removal of incumbent management.Upon the affirmative vote of our board of directors, without stockholder approval, unless and only to the extent stockholder approval is required by the listing standards of any securities exchange on which our securities are listed, we may issue shares of preferred stock with voting and conversion rights which could adversely affect the holders of shares of our common stock.
If we offer a specific series of preferred stock under this prospectus, we will describe the terms of that series of preferred stock in the prospectus supplement for such offering and will file a copy of the amended and restated certificate of incorporation or the certificate of designations establishing the terms of the preferred stock with the SEC.To the extent required, this description will include:
the title and stated value;
the number of shares offered, the liquidation preference, if any, per share and the purchase price;
the dividend rate(s), period(s) and/or payment date(s), or method(s) of calculation for such dividends;
whether dividends will be cumulative or non-cumulative and, if cumulative, the date from which dividends will accumulate;
the procedures for any auction and remarketing, if any;
the provisions for a sinking fund, if any;
the provisions for redemption, if applicable;
any listing of the preferred stock on any securities exchange or market;
whether the preferred stock will be convertible into our common stock, and, if applicable, the conversion price (or how it will be calculated) and conversion period;
whether the preferred stock will be exchangeable into debt securities, and, if applicable, the exchange price (or how it will be calculated) and exchange period;
voting rights, if any, of the preferred stock;
a discussion of any material and/or special U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the preferred stock;
the relative ranking and preferences of the preferred stock as to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of our company; and
14


any material limitations on issuance of any class or series of preferred stock ranking pari passu with or senior to the series of preferred stock as to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our company.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for our preferred stock will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
The following description, together with the additional information we include in any applicable prospectus supplements, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus.While the terms we have summarized below will apply generally to any future debt securities we may offer pursuant to this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any debt securities that we may offer in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement.If we so indicate in a prospectus supplement, the terms of any debt securities offered under such prospectus supplement may differ from the terms we describe below, and to the extent the terms set forth in a prospectus supplement differ from the terms described below, the terms set forth in the prospectus supplement shall control.
We may sell from time to time, in one or more offerings under this prospectus, debt securities, which may be senior or subordinated.We will issue any such senior debt securities under a senior indenture that we will enter into with a trustee to be named in the senior indenture.We will issue any such subordinated debt securities under a subordinated indenture, which we will enter into with a trustee to be named in the subordinated indenture.We have filed forms of these documents as exhibits to the registration statement, of which this prospectus is a part.We use the term “indentures” to refer to either the senior indenture or the subordinated indenture, as applicable.The indentures will be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as in effect on the date of the indenture.We use the term “debenture trustee” to refer to either the trustee under the senior indenture or the trustee under the subordinated indenture, as applicable.
The following summaries of material provisions of the senior debt securities, the subordinated debt securities and the indentures are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the Nasdaq Listing Rules governing listing requirementsprovisions of the indenture applicable to a particular series of debt securities.
General
Each indenture provides that debt securities may be issued from time to time in one or more series and may be denominated and payable in foreign currencies or units based on or relating to foreign currencies.Neither indenture limits the amount of debt securities that may be issued thereunder, and each indenture provides that the specific terms of any series of debt securities shall be set forth in, or determined pursuant to, an authorizing resolution and/or a supplemental indenture, if any, relating to such series.
We will describe in each prospectus supplement the following terms relating to a series of debt securities:
the title or designation;
the aggregate principal amount and any limit on the amount that may be issued;
the currency or units based on or relating to currencies in which debt securities of such series are denominated and the currency or units in which principal or interest or both will or may be payable;
whether we will issue the series of debt securities in global form, the terms of any global securities and who the depositary will be;
the maturity date and the date or dates on which principal will be payable;
the interest rate, which may be fixed or variable, or the method for determining the rate and the date interest will begin to accrue, the date or dates interest will be payable and the record dates for interest payment dates or the method for determining such dates;
whether or not the debt securities listed thereon. Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(a) requires, amongwill be secured or unsecured, and the terms of any secured debt;
the terms of the subordination of any series of subordinated debt;
the place or places where payments will be payable;
15


our right, if any, to defer payment of interest and the maximum length of any such deferral period;
the date, if any, after which, and the price at which, we may, at our option, redeem the series of debt securities pursuant to any optional redemption provisions;
the date, if any, on which, and the price at which we are obligated, pursuant to any mandatory sinking fund provisions or otherwise, to redeem, or at the holder’s option to purchase, the series of debt securities;
whether the indenture will restrict our ability to pay dividends, or will require us to maintain any asset ratios or reserves;
whether we will be restricted from incurring any additional indebtedness;
a discussion of any material or special U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to a series of debt securities;
the denominations in which we will issue the series of debt securities, if other things,than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof; and
any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of, or restrictions on, the debt securities.
We may issue debt securities that provide for an issuer obtain stockholder approval prioramount less than their stated principal amount to be due and payable upon declaration of acceleration of their maturity pursuant to the issuanceterms of the indenture.We will provide you with information on the federal income tax considerations and other special considerations applicable to any of these debt securities in connectionthe applicable prospectus supplement.
Conversion or Exchange Rights
We will set forth in the prospectus supplement the terms, if any, 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 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; No Protection in Event of a Change of Control or Highly Leveraged Transaction
The indentures do not contain any covenant that restricts our ability to merge or consolidate, or sell, convey, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets. However, any successor to or acquirer of such assets must assume all of our obligations under the indentures or the debt securities, as appropriate.
Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not contain any provisions that may afford holders of the debt securities protection in the event we have a change of control or in the event of a highly leveraged transaction (whether or not such transaction results in a change of control), which could adversely affect holders of debt securities.
Events of Default Under the Indenture
The following are events of default under the indentures with respect to any series of debt securities that we may issue:
if we fail to pay interest when due and our failure continues for 90 days and the time for payment has not been extended or deferred;
if we fail to pay the principal, or premium, if any, when due and the time for payment has not been extended or delayed;
if we fail to observe or perform any other covenant set forth in the debt securities of such series or the applicable indentures, other than a covenant specifically relating to and for the benefit of holders of another series of debt securities, and our failure continues for 90 days after we receive written notice from the debenture trustee or holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the applicable series; and
if specified events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occur as to us.
16


No event of default with respect to a particular series of debt securities (except as to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization) necessarily constitutes an event of default with respect to any other series of debt securities.The occurrence of an event of default may constitute an event of default under any bank credit agreements we may have in existence from time to time.In addition, the occurrence of certain events of default or an acceleration under the indenture may constitute an event of default under certain of our other indebtedness outstanding from time to time.
If an event of default with respect to debt securities of any series at the time outstanding occurs and is continuing, then the trustee or the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may, by a notice in writing to us (and to the debenture trustee if given by the holders), declare to be due and payable immediately the principal (or, if the debt securities of that series are discount securities, that portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) of and premium and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all debt securities of that series. Before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained with respect to debt securities of any series, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series (or, at a meeting of holders of such series at which a quorum is present, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of such series represented at such meeting) may rescind and annul the acceleration if all events of default, other than the non-payment of accelerated principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, with respect to debt securities of that series, have been cured or waived as provided in the applicable indenture (including payments or deposits in respect of principal, premium or interest that had become due other than as a result of such acceleration). We refer you to the prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities that are discount securities for the particular provisions relating to acceleration of a portion of the principal amount of such discount securities upon the occurrence of an event of default.
Subject to the terms of the indentures, if an event of default under an indenture shall occur and be continuing, the debenture 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 debenture 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 debenture trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the debenture trustee, with respect to the debt securities of that series, provided that:
the direction so given by the holder is not in conflict with any law or the applicable indenture; and
subject to its duties under the Trust Indenture Act, the debenture 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 only have the right to institute a proceeding under the indentures or to appoint a receiver or trustee, or to seek other remedies if:
the holder previously has given written notice to the debenture trustee of a continuing event of default with respect to that series;
the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have made written request, and such holders have offered reasonable indemnity to the debenture trustee to institute the proceeding as trustee; and
the debenture 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 (or at a meeting of holders of such series at which a quorum is present, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of such series represented at such meeting) other conflicting directions within 60 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 acquisitionapplicable debenture trustee regarding our compliance with specified covenants in the applicable indenture.
Modification of Indenture; Waiver
The debenture trustee and we may change the stockapplicable indenture without the consent of another company if, dueany holders with respect to specific matters, including:
to fix any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in the present or potential issuanceindenture; and
17


to change anything that does not materially adversely affect the interests of common stock, including sharesany holder of debt securities of any series issued pursuant to such indenture.
In addition, under the indentures, the rights of holders of a series of debt securities may be changed by us and the debenture 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 (or, at a meeting of holders of such series at which a quorum is present, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of such series represented at such meeting) that is affected.However, the debenture trustee and we may make the following changes only with the consent of each holder of any outstanding debt securities affected:
extending the fixed maturity of the series of debt securities;
reducing the principal amount, reducing the rate of or extending the time of payment of interest, or any premium payable upon the redemption of any debt securities;
reducing the principal amount of discount securities payable upon acceleration of maturity;
making the principal of or premium or interest on any debt security payable in currency other than that stated in the debt security; or
reducing the percentage of debt securities, the holders of which are required to consent to any amendment or waiver.
Except for certain specified provisions, the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series (or, at a meeting of holders of such series at which a quorum is present, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of such series represented at such meeting) may on behalf of the holders of all debt securities of that series waive our compliance with provisions of the indenture.The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may on behalf of the holders of all the debt securities of such series waive any past default under the indenture with respect to that series and its consequences, except a default in the payment of the principal of, premium or any interest on any debt security of that series or in respect of a covenant or provision, which cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security of the series affected; provided, however, that the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may rescind an earn-outacceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from the acceleration.
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 obligations to:
the transfer or exchange of debt securities of the series;
replace stolen, lost or mutilated debt securities of the series;
maintain paying agencies;
hold monies for payment in trust;
compensate and indemnify the trustee; and
appoint any successor trustee.
In order to exercise our rights to be discharged with respect to a series, we must deposit with the trustee money or government obligations sufficient to pay all the principal of, the 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 otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof. The indentures provide that we may issue debt securities of a series in temporary or permanent global form and as book-entry securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company or another depositary named by us and identified in a prospectus supplement with respect to that series.
18


At the option of the holder, subject to the terms of the indentures and the limitations applicable to global securities described in the applicable prospectus supplement, the holder of the debt securities of any series can exchange the debt securities for other debt securities of the same series, in any authorized denomination and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount.
Subject to the terms of the indentures and the limitations applicable to global securities set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the debt securities may present the debt securities for exchange or for registration of transfer, duly endorsed or with the form of transfer endorsed thereon duly executed if so required by us or the security registrar, at the office of the security registrar or at the office of any transfer agent designated by us for this purpose.Unless otherwise provided in the debt securities that the holder presents for transfer or exchange or in the applicable indenture, we will make no service charge for any registration of transfer or exchange, but we may require payment of any taxes or other governmental charges.
We will name in the applicable prospectus supplement the security registrar, and any transfer agent in addition to the security registrar, that we initially designate for any debt securities.We may at any time designate additional transfer agents or rescind the designation of any transfer agent or approve a change in the office through which any transfer agent acts, except that we will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of each series.
If we elect to redeem the debt securities of any series, we will not be required to:
issue, register the transfer of, or exchange any debt securities of that series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of mailing of a notice of redemption of any debt securities that may be selected for redemption and ending at the close of business on the day of the mailing; or
register the transfer of or exchange any debt securities so selected for redemption, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any debt securities we are redeeming in part.
Information Concerning the Debenture Trustee
The debenture trustee, other than during the occurrence and continuance of an event of default under the applicable 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 debenture trustee under such indenture 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 debenture trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the powers given it by the indentures at the request of any holder of debt securities unless it is offered reasonable security and indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities that it might incur.
Payment and Paying Agents
Unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, 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 similar typeone or more predecessor securities, are registered at the close of provision: (i)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, will we make interest payments by check which we will mail to the holder. Unless we otherwise indicate in a prospectus supplement, we will designate the corporate trust office of the debenture trustee in the City of New York 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 debenture trustee for the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any debt securities which 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 security thereafter may look only to us for payment thereof.
Governing Law
The indentures and the debt securities will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, except to the extent that the Trust Indenture Act is applicable.
Subordination of Subordinated Debt Securities
19


Our obligations pursuant to any subordinated debt securities will be unsecured and will be subordinate and junior in priority of payment to certain of our other indebtedness to the extent described in a prospectus supplement.The subordinated indenture does not limit the amount of senior indebtedness we may incur.It also does not limit us from issuing any other secured or unsecured debt.
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
General
We may issue warrants to purchase shares of our common stock, has preferred stock and/or will have upon issuance voting power equal todebt securities in one or more series together with other securities or separately, as described in excessthe applicable prospectus supplement. Below is a description of 20%certain general terms and provisions of the voting power outstanding beforewarrants that we may offer. Particular terms of the issuancewarrants will be described in the warrant agreements and the prospectus supplement relating to the warrants.
The applicable prospectus supplement will contain, where applicable, the following terms of and other information relating to the warrants:
the specific designation and aggregate number of, and the price at which we will issue, the warrants;
the currency or currency units in which the offering price, if any, and the exercise price are payable;
the designation, amount and terms of the securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants;
if applicable, the exercise price for shares of our common stock or securities convertible into or exercisable for common stock; or (ii)and the number of shares of common stock to be issued isreceived upon exercise of the warrants;
if applicable, the exercise price for shares of our preferred stock, the number of shares of preferred stock to be received upon exercise, and a description of that series of our preferred stock;
if applicable, the exercise price for our debt securities, the amount of debt securities to be received upon exercise, and a description of that series of debt securities;
the date on which the right to exercise the warrants will begin and the date on which that right will expire or, if you may not continuously exercise the warrants throughout that period, the specific date or dates on which you may exercise the warrants;
whether the warrants will be equal toissued in fully registered form or bearer form, in definitive or global form or in excessany combination of 20%these forms, although, in any case, the form of a warrant included in a unit will correspond to the form of the unit and of any security included in that unit;
any applicable material U.S. federal income tax consequences;
the identity of the warrant agent for the warrants and of any other depositaries, execution or paying agents, transfer agents, registrars or other agents;
the proposed listing, if any, of the warrants or any securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants on any securities exchange;
if applicable, the date from and after which the warrants and the common stock, preferred stock and/or debt securities will be separately transferable;
if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of the warrants that may be exercised at any one time;
information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any;
the anti-dilution provisions of the warrants, if any;
any redemption or call provisions;
whether the warrants may be sold separately or with other securities as parts of units; and
any additional terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the warrants.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for any warrants will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
20


DESCRIPTION OF RIGHTS
General
We may issue rights to our stockholders to purchase shares of our common stock, preferred stock or the other securities described in this prospectus.We may offer rights separately or together with one or more additional rights, debt securities, preferred stock, common stock, warrants or purchase contracts, or any combination of those securities in the form of units, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement.Each series of rights will be issued under a separate rights agreement to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as rights agent.The rights agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the certificates relating to the rights of the series of certificates and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders of rights certificates or beneficial owners of rights.The following description sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the rights to which any prospectus supplement may relate.The particular terms of the rights to which any prospectus supplement may relate and the extent, if any, to which the general provisions may apply to the rights so offered will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.To the extent that any particular terms of the rights, rights agreement or rights certificates described in a prospectus supplement differ from any of the terms described below, then the terms described below will be deemed to have been superseded by that prospectus supplement.We encourage you to read the applicable rights agreement and rights certificate for additional information before you decide whether to purchase any of our rights.We will provide in a prospectus supplement the following terms of the rights being issued:
the date of determining the stockholders entitled to the rights distribution;
the aggregate number of shares of common stock, outstandingpreferred stock or other securities purchasable upon exercise of the rights;
the exercise price;
the aggregate number of rights issued;
whether the rights are transferrable and the date, if any, on and after which the rights may be separately transferred;
the date on which the right to exercise the rights will commence, and the date on which the right to exercise the rights will expire;
the method by which holders of rights will be entitled to exercise;
the conditions to the completion of the offering, if any;
the withdrawal, termination and cancellation rights, if any;
whether there are any backstop or standby purchaser or purchasers and the terms of their commitment, if any;
whether stockholders are entitled to oversubscription rights, if any;
any applicable material U.S. federal income tax considerations; and
any other terms of the rights, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the distribution, exchange and exercise of the rights, as applicable.
Each right will entitle the holder of rights to purchase for cash the principal amount of shares of common stock, preferred stock or other securities at the exercise price provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. Rights may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date for the rights provided in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Holders may exercise rights as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Upon receipt of payment and the rights certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the rights agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement, we will, as soon as practicable, forward the shares of common stock, preferred stock or other securities, as applicable, purchasable upon exercise of the rights.If less than all of the rights issued in any rights offering are exercised, we may offer any unsubscribed securities directly to persons other than stockholders, to or through agents, underwriters or dealers or through a combination of such methods, including pursuant to standby arrangements, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Rights Agent
The rights agent for any rights we offer will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
21


DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASE CONTRACTS
We may issue purchase contracts, including contracts obligating holders to purchase from us, and for us to sell to holders, a specific or variable number of our debt securities, shares of common stock, preferred stock, warrants or rights, or securities of an entity unaffiliated with us, or any combination of the above, at a future date or dates.Alternatively, the purchase contracts may obligate us to purchase from holders, and obligate holders to sell to us, a specific or variable number of our debt securities, shares of common stock, preferred stock, warrants, rights or other property, or any combination of the above.The price of the securities or other property subject to the purchase contracts may be fixed at the time the purchase contracts are issued or may be determined by reference to a specific formula described in the purchase contracts.We may issue purchase contracts separately or as a part of units each consisting of a purchase contract and one or more of our other securities described in this prospectus or securities of third parties, including U.S. Treasury securities, securing the holder’s obligations under the purchase contract.The purchase contracts may require us to make periodic payments to holders or vice versa and the payments may be unsecured or pre-funded on some basis.The purchase contracts may require holders to secure the holder’s obligations in a manner specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any purchase contracts in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered, including, to the extent applicable, the following:
whether the purchase contracts obligate the holder or us to purchase or sell, or both purchase and sell, the securities subject to purchase under the purchase contract, and the nature and amount of each of those securities, or the method of determining those amounts;
whether the purchase contracts are to be prepaid;
whether the purchase contracts are to be settled by delivery, or by reference or linkage to the value, performance or level of the securities subject to purchase under the purchase contract;
any acceleration, cancellation, termination or other provisions relating to the settlement of the purchase contracts;
any applicable material U.S. federal income tax considerations; and
whether the purchase contracts will be issued in fully registered or global form.
The preceding description sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the purchase contracts to which any prospectus supplement may relate. The particular terms of the purchase contracts to which any prospectus supplement may relate and the extent, if any, to which the general provisions may apply to the purchase contracts so offered will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. To the extent that any particular terms of the purchase contracts described in a prospectus supplement differ from any of the terms described above, then the terms described above will be deemed to have been superseded by that prospectus supplement.
We encourage you to read the applicable purchase contract for additional information before you decide whether to purchase any of our purchase contracts.
DESCRIPTION OF UNITS
The following description, together with the additional information that we include in any applicable prospectus supplements summarizes the material terms and provisions of the units that we may offer under this prospectus. While the terms we have summarized below will apply generally to any units that we may offer under this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any series of units in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms of any units offered under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below.
We will incorporate by reference from reports that we file with the SEC, the form of unit agreement that describes the terms of the series of units we are offering, and any supplemental agreements, before the issuance of the stock or securities.
related series of units.The issuancefollowing summaries of material terms and provisions of the 2,999,990 sharesunits are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the unit agreement and any supplemental agreements applicable to a particular series of units.We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplements related to the particular series of units that we issued tomay offer under this prospectus, as well as any related free writing prospectuses and the selling stockholders in connection withcomplete unit agreement and any supplemental agreements that contain the closingterms of the merger was less than 20%units.
22


General
We may issue units consisting of ourcommon stock, preferred stock, one or more debt securities, warrants, rights or purchase contacts for the purchase of common stock, preferred stock and/or debt securities in one or more series, in any combination.Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit.Thus, the holder of a unit will have the rights and outstanding common stock. As discussed above,obligations of a holder of each security included in the actual numberunit.The unit agreement under which a unit is issued may provide that the securities included in the unit may not be held or transferred separately, at any time or at any time before a specified date.
We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms of Contingent Consideration Shares issued to the selling stockholders, if any, will depend on a numberseries of factors,units being offered, including:
the designation and terms of the units and of the securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances those securities may be held or transferred separately;
any provisions of the governing unit agreement that differ from those described below; and
any provisions for the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units or of the securities comprising the units.
The provisions described in this section, as well as those set forth in any prospectus supplement or as described under “Description of Common Stock,” “Description of Preferred Stock,” “Description of Debt Securities,” “Description of Warrants,” “Description of Rights” and “Description of Purchase Contracts” will apply to what extenteach unit, as applicable, and to any common stock, preferred stock, debt security, warrant, right or purchase contract included in each unit, as applicable.
Unit Agent
The name and address of the unit agent for any units we offer will be set forth in the applicable Development Milestonesprospectus supplement.
Issuance in Series
We may issue units in such amounts and in such numerous distinct series as we determine.
Enforceability of Rights by Holders of Units
Each unit agent will act solely as our agent under the applicable unit agreement and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust with any holder of any unit.A single bank or trust company may act as unit agent for more than one series of units.A unit agent will have no duty or responsibility in case of any default by us under the applicable unit agreement or unit, including any duty or responsibility to initiate any proceedings at law or otherwise, or to make any demand upon us.Any holder of a unit may, without the consent of the related unit agent or the holder of any other unit, enforce by appropriate legal action its rights as holder under any security included in the unit.

23


FORMS OF SECURITIES
Each debt security, warrant, purchase contract and unit will be represented either by a certificate issued in definitive form to a particular investor or by one or more global securities representing the entire issuance of securities. Definitive securities name you or your nominee as the owner of the security, and in order to transfer or exchange these securities or to receive payments other than interest or other interim payments, you or your nominee must physically deliver the securities to the trustee, registrar, paying agent or other agent, as applicable. Global securities name a depositary or its nominee as the owner of the debt securities, warrants, purchase contracts or units represented by these global securities. The depositary maintains a computerized system that will reflect each investor’s beneficial ownership of the securities through an account maintained by the investor with its broker/dealer, bank, trust company or other representative, as we explain more fully below.
Global Securities
We may issue our debt securities, warrants, purchase contracts and units in the form of one or more fully registered global securities that will be deposited with a depositary or its nominee identified in the applicable prospectus supplement and registered in the name of that depositary or nominee. In those cases, one or more global securities will be issued in a denomination or aggregate denominations equal to the portion of the aggregate principal or face amount of the securities to be represented by global securities. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole for securities in definitive registered form, a global security may not be transferred except as a whole by and among the depositary for the global security, the nominees of the depositary or any successors of the depositary or those nominees.
If not described below, any specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any securities to be represented by a global security will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to those securities. We anticipate that the following provisions will apply to all depositary arrangements.
Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be limited to persons, called participants, that have accounts with the depositary or persons that may hold interests through participants. Upon the issuance of a global security, the depositary will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the participants’ accounts with the respective principal or face amounts of the securities beneficially owned by the participants. Any dealers, underwriters or agents participating in the distribution of the securities will designate the accounts to be credited. Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be shown on, and the transfer of ownership interests will be effected only through, records maintained by the depositary, with respect to interests of participants, and on the records of participants, with respect to interests of persons holding through participants. The laws of some states may require that some purchasers of securities take physical delivery of these securities in definitive form. These laws may impair your ability to own, transfer or pledge beneficial interests in global securities.
So long as the depositary, or its nominee, is the registered owner of a global security, that depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the securities represented by the global security for all purposes under the applicable indenture, warrant agreement, purchase contract or unit agreement. Except as described below, owners of beneficial interests in a global security will not be entitled to have the securities represented by the global security registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of the securities in definitive form and will not be considered the owners or holders of the securities under the applicable indenture, warrant agreement, purchase contract or unit agreement. Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in a global security must rely on the procedures of the depositary for that global security and, if that person is not a participant, on the procedures of the participant through which the person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder under the applicable indenture, warrant agreement, purchase contract or unit agreement. We understand that under existing industry practices, if we request any action of holders or if an owner of a beneficial interest in a global security desires to give or take any action that a holder is entitled to give or take under the applicable indenture, warrant agreement, purchase contract or unit agreement, the depositary for the global security would authorize the participants holding the relevant beneficial interests to give or take that action, and the participants would authorize beneficial owners owning through them to give or take that action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners holding through them.
Principal, premium, if any, and interest payments on debt securities, and any payments to holders with respect to warrants or units, represented by a global security registered in the name of a depositary or its nominee will be made to the depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner of the global security. None of us, or any trustee, warrant agent, unit agent or other agent of ours, or any agent of any trustee, warrant agent or unit agent will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in the global security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to those beneficial ownership interests.
24


We expect that the depositary for any of the securities represented by a global security, upon receipt of any payment to holders of principal, premium, interest or other distribution of underlying securities or other property on that registered global security, will immediately credit participants’ accounts in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in that global security as shown on the records of the depositary. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in a global security held through participants will be governed by standing customer instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with the securities held for the accounts of customers or registered in “street name,” and will be the responsibility of those participants.
If the depositary for any of the securities represented by a global security is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as depositary or ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and a successor depositary registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act is not appointed by us within 90 days, we will issue securities in definitive form in exchange for the global security that had been held by the depositary. Any securities issued in definitive form in exchange for a global security will be registered in the name or names that the depositary gives to the relevant trustee, warrant agent, unit agent or other relevant agent of ours or theirs. It is expected that the depositary’s instructions will be based upon directions received by the depositary from participants with respect to ownership of beneficial interests in the global security that had been held by the depositary.

CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF DELAWARE LAW AND OF OUR CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS
Anti-Takeover Effect Provisions
Certain provisions in our restated certificate of incorporation and our restated bylaws and applicable provisions under the Delaware General Corporation Law, or the DGCL, may have an anti-takeover effect, including:
Classified Board. We have a classified board of directors with three-year staggered terms, which may delay the ability of stockholders to change the composition of a majority of our board of directors.
Number of Directors. The number of directors on our board of directors is established by our board of directors, which may delay the ability of stockholders to change the composition of a majority of our board of directors.
No Cumulative Voting. Our stockholders cannot cumulate their votes in the election of directors, which limits the ability of minority stockholders to elect director candidates.
Filling of Vacancies. Our board of directors have the exclusive right to elect a director to fill any vacancy or newly created directorship.
Removing Directors. A director may be removed only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of at least 75% of the votes which all the stockholders would be entitled to cast in any annual election of directors or class of directors.
Prohibition on Written Consent. Our stockholders are achieved, whether weprohibited from acting by written consent, which forces stockholder action to be taken at an annual or special meeting of our stockholders.
Calling Special Meetings. Special meetings of our stockholders may be called only by our board of directors, the chairman of our board of directors or our chief executive officer, which may delay the ability of our stockholders to force consideration of a proposal or to take action, including the removal of directors.
Advance Notice Procedures. Stockholders must comply with the advance notice procedures in our restated bylaws to nominate candidates to our board of directors and to propose matters to be acted upon at a stockholders’ meeting, which may discourage or deter a potential acquirer from soliciting proxies to elect the acquirer’s own slate of directors or otherwise attempting to payobtain control of us;
Supermajority Provisions. The affirmative vote of the amount dueholders of at least 75% of the votes which all the stockholders would be entitled to cast in any annual election of directors or class of directors is required to amend or repeal, or to adopt any provision inconsistent with, the provisions in our restated certificate of incorporation that relate to, among other matters, the classification of our board of directors, the number of our directors, the removal of our directors, the filling of vacancies on our board of directors, the prohibition on our stockholders to act by written consent, and the calling of special meetings of our stockholders.
25


Bylaw Amendments. Our board of directors, by majority vote, may amend, alter or repeal our restated bylaws and may adopt new bylaws. Our stockholders may not adopt, amend, alter or repeal our restated bylaws or adopt any provision inconsistent therewith, unless such action is approved, in addition to any vote required by our restated certificate of incorporation, by the affirmative vote of holders of at least 75% of the votes that all the stockholders would be entitled to cast in any annual election of directors or class of directors, and the affirmative vote of holders of at least 75% of the votes that all the stockholders would be entitled to cast in any annual election of directors or class of directors is required to amend or repeal, or to adopt any provision inconsistent with, the foregoing. These provisions may inhibit the ability of an acquirer from amending our restated certificate of incorporation or our restated bylaws to facilitate a hostile acquisition and may allow our board of directors to take additional actions to prevent a hostile acquisition.
Preferred Stock. Our board of directors can determine to issue shares of ourpreferred stock and to determine the price and other terms of those shares, including preferences and voting rights, without stockholder approval, which could significantly dilute the ownership of a hostile acquirer.
Additional Authorized Shares of Capital Stock. The shares of authorized common stock and on the average closing pricepreferred stock available for issuance under our restated certificate of our common stock over the five consecutive trading days immediately priorincorporation could be issued at such times, under such circumstances, and with such terms as to achievementimpede a change in control.
DGCL Section 203.We are subject to Section 203 of the applicable milestone.
To the extent the issuance of Contingent Consideration Shares isDGCL, which, subject to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(a), we will not issuecertain exceptions, prohibits a Delaware corporation from engaging in any “business combination” with any “interested stockholder” for three years following the date that such Contingent Consideration Shares unless and until we have obtained stockholder approval in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rules.
SELLING STOCKHOLDERS
This prospectus relates tobecame an interested stockholder, unless: (i) before such date, the sale or other dispositionboard of up to 5,008,917 shares of our common stock that are or may become issuable to the selling stockholders (or, as applicable, their respective pledgees, distributees, transferees, or any of their respective successors in interest). See “Microchips Acquisition” on page 7 of this prospectus.


The registration of shares of our common stock covered by this prospectus does not mean that the selling stockholders will offer or sell any of such shares of our common stock. The selling stockholders may resell or disposedirectors of the sharescorporation approved either the business combination or the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder; (ii) on consummation of our commonthe transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock or interests therein, at fixed prices, at prevailing market pricesof the corporation outstanding at the time of sale or at prices negotiated with purchasers, to or through one or more underwriters, dealers or agents, or through any other means described in this prospectus under "Plan of Distribution" on page 12 of this prospectus. The selling stockholders will bear all commissions and discounts, if any, attributable to the sale or disposition of the shares of common stock, or interests therein. We will bear all costs, expenses and fees in connection with the registration of the shares of common stock.
The following table sets forth certain information known to us with respect to the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of May 12, 2020 by the selling stockholders, as determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act. Fortransaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the number of shares outstanding those shares owned (a) by persons who are directors and also officers and (b) by employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or (iii) on or after such date, the business combination is approved by the board of commondirectors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least 66 2⁄3% of the outstanding voting stock beneficiallynot owned by the interested stockholder.
The term "business combination" generally includes mergers or consolidations resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. The term "interested stockholder" generally means any person, other than the corporation and any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the corporation, who, together with affiliates and associates, owns (or owned within three years prior to the offering, the numberdetermination of shares of common stock being offered and the number of shares of common stock beneficially owned upon completioninterested stockholder status) 15% or more of the offering,outstanding voting stock of the corporation. The provisions of Section 203 of the DGCL may deter a hostile takeover or delay a change in control.
Choice of Forum
Our restated bylaws provide that, among other things, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the courts located within the State of Delaware will serve as the exclusive forum for the adjudication of (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of us; (ii) any action or proceeding asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any current or former director, officer or other employee of ours, to us or our stockholders; (iii) any action or proceeding asserting a claim against us or any current or former director, officer or other employee of ours, arising out of or pursuant to any provision of the DGCL, our restated certificate of incorporation or our restated bylaws (as each may be amended from time to time); (iv) any action or proceeding to interpret, apply, enforce or determine the validity of our restated certificate of incorporation or our restated bylaws (including any right, obligation, or remedy thereunder); (v) any action or proceeding as to which the DGCL confers jurisdiction to the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware; and (vi) any action asserting a claim against us or any director, officer or other employee of ours, governed by the associated percentages,internal affairs doctrine, in all cases to the fullest extent permitted by law and subject to the court’s having personal jurisdiction over the indispensable parties named as defendants. This choice of forum provision will not apply to actions or suits brought to enforce a duty or liability created by the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction. In addition, our restated bylaws provide that, unless we assumedconsent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the federal district courts of the United States of America shall be the sole exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act.
26


We believe these choice of forum provisions may benefit us by providing increased consistency in the application of Delaware law and federal securities laws by chancellors and judges, as applicable, particularly experienced in resolving corporate disputes, efficient administration of cases on a more expedited schedule relative to other forums and protection against the burdens of multi-forum litigation. These provisions may have the effect of discouraging lawsuits against us and/or our directors, officers and employees as they may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that the selling stockholders will be issued in the aggregate 2,008,927 Contingent Consideration Shares, which is an estimate of the number of Contingent Consideration Shares that may be issued to the selling stockholders in the future. As described in further detail in “Microchips Acquisition,” above, the actual number of Contingent Consideration Shares issued to the selling stockholders, if any, could be materially more or less than 2,008,927 shares. The percent of beneficial ownershipstockholder finds favorable for the selling stockholders is based on 26,646,191 shares of our common stock outstanding as of May 12, 2020.
Except as described below, to our knowledge, none of the selling stockholders has been an officer or director of ours or of our affiliates within the past three years or had any material relationshipdisputes with us or our affiliates withindirectors, officers or employees.
Limitation of Liability and Indemnification
Section 102 of the past three years. DGCL permits a corporation to eliminate the personal liability of its directors to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for a breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except (i) for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders; (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; (iii) for any willful or negligent violation of sections of the DGCL related to the declaration and payment of dividends and to the purchase or redemption of the corporation’s capital stock; or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.
Our knowledgerestated certificate of incorporation provides that no director of our corporation shall be personally liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duty as a director, notwithstanding any provision of law imposing such liability, except to the extent that the DGCL prohibits the elimination or limitation of liability of directors for breaches of fiduciary duty.
Our restated certificate of incorporation provides that we will indemnify each individual who was or is based on information provideda party or threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the selling stockholders through questionnaires we distributedright of us), by reason of the fact that such individual is or was, or has agreed to become, our director or officer, or is or was serving, or has agreed to serve, at our request as a director, officer, partner, employee or trustee of, or in a similar capacity with, another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise (all such individuals being referred to as an Indemnitee), or by reason of any action alleged to have been taken or omitted in such capacity, against all expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred in connection with such action, suit or proceeding and any appeal therefrom if such Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner the filingIndemnitee reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, our best interests, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, such Indemnitee had no reasonable cause to believe the Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful.
Our restated certificate of incorporation also provides that we will indemnify any Indemnitee who was or is a party to an action or suit by or in the right of us to procure a judgment in our favor by reason of the registration statementfact that the Indemnitee is or was, or has agreed to become, our director or officer, or is or was serving, or has agreed to serve, at our request as a director, officer, partner, employee or trustee or, or in a similar capacity with, another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, or by reason of which this prospectus is a part.
Information about the selling stockholders may change over time. Any changed information will be set forthany action alleged to have been taken or omitted in an amendment to the registration statement or supplement to this prospectus,such capacity, against all expenses (including attorneys’ fees) and, to the extent permitted by law, amounts paid in settlement actually and requiredreasonably incurred by law.



Selling Stockholder
 Shares of Common Stock Beneficially Owned Prior to the Offering # of Shares of Common Stock Being Offered Shares of Common Stock Beneficially Owned Upon Completion of this Offering (1)
 # %  # %
Entities affiliated with Polaris Venture Partners (2) 2,456,114
 9.22% 1,986,662
 469,452
 1.76%
Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. (3) 1,563,720
 5.87% 1,563,720
 
 
MS Pace LP (4) 644,213
 2.42% 644,213
 
 
Entities affiliated with Intersouth Partners (5) 349,882
 1.31% 349,882
 
 
Entities affiliated with Flybridge Capital Partners (6) 124,904
 *
 124,904
 
 
Robert S. Langer, Jr. (7) 112,766
 *
 96,716
 16,050
 *
InterWest Partners X, L.P. (8) 84,096
 *
 84,096
 
 
Lisa Anne Furnish Revocable Trust (9) 37,211
 *
 37,211
 
 
Charles E. Hutchinson 2011 Irrevocable Trusts (10) 41,160
 *
 41,160
 
 
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (11) 28,905
 *
 28,905
 
 
Michael J. Cima (12) 25,048
 *
 25,048
 
 
John T. Santini, Jr. and Catherine Santini (13) 21,538
 *
 21,538
 
 
Omega Fund IV, L.P. (14) 197
 *
 197
 
 
The Michael D Langer 2010 Trust (15) 77
 *
 77
 
 
The Susan K Langer 2010 Trust (16) 77
 *
 77
 
 
The Samuel A Langer 2012 Trust (17) 77
 *
 77
 
 
Other former stockholders of Microchips as a group (2 stockholders) (18) 4,425
 *
 4,425
 
 
*Less than 1%
1)Assumes that the selling stockholders will sell all the shares offered by this prospectus. The selling stockholders may sell some, all or none of the shares offered by this prospectus.
2)Shares beneficially owned prior to the offering consist of (a) 1,142,961 shares held of record by, and 765,375 Contingent Consideration Shares that may become issuable to, Polaris Venture Partners III, L.P. (“PVP III”), (b) 29,152 shares held of record by, and 19,521 Contingent Consideration Shares that may become issuable to, Polaris Venture Partners Entrepreneurs' Fund III, L.P. (“PVPEF III”), (c) 17,760 shares held of record by, and 11,893 Contingent Consideration Shares that may become issuable to, Polaris Venture Partners Founders' Fund III, L.P. (“PVPFF III,” and, together with PVP III and PVPEF III, the “PVP III Funds”), (d) 140,574 shares are held of record by Polaris Venture Partners IV, L.P. (“PVP IV”), (e) 2,635 shares are held of record by Polaris Venture Partners Entrepreneurs’ Fund IV, L.P. (“PVPEF IV,” and, together with PVP IV, the “PVP IV Funds”), (f) 314,804 shares are held of record by Polaris Venture Partners V, L.P. (“PVP V”), (g) 6,135 shares are held of record by Polaris Partners Entrepreneurs’


Fund V, L.P. (“PVPEF V”), (h) 2,156 shares are heldIndemnitee in connection with such action, suit or proceeding and any appeal therefrom, if the Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner which the Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, our best interests, except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of record by Polaris Venture Partners Founders’ Fund V, L.P. (“PVPFF V”),any claim, issue or matter as to which the Indemnitee shall have been adjudged to be liable to us, unless, and (i) 3,148 shares are heldonly to the extent, that the Court of record by Polaris Venture Partners Special Founders’ Fund V, L.P. (“PVPSFF V,” and, together with PVP V, PVPEF V and PVPFF V,Chancery of Delaware or the “PVP V Funds”). Polaris Venture Management Co. III, L.L.C. (“PVM III”) iscourt in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the general partneradjudication of eachsuch liability but in view of all the circumstances of the PVP III Fundscase, the Indemnitee is fairly and mayreasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses (including attorneys’ fees) which the Court of Chancery of Delaware or such other court shall deem proper. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that any Indemnitee has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, such Indemnitee will be deemedindemnified by us against all expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by or on behalf of the Indemnitee in connection therewith. Without limiting the foregoing, if any action, suit or proceeding is disposed of, on the merits or otherwise (including a disposition without prejudice), without (i) the disposition being adverse to have voting, investmentthe Indemnitee, (ii) an adjudication that the Indemnitee was liable to us, (iii) a plea of guilty or nolo contendere by the Indemnitee, (iv) an adjudication that the Indemnitee did not act in good faith and dispositive powerin a manner the Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to our best interests, and (v) with respect to any criminal proceeding, an adjudication that Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful, the shares held by eachIndemnitee shall be considered for the purposes hereof to have been wholly successful with respect thereto. If we do not assume the defense, expenses must be advanced to an Indemnitee under certain circumstances.
27


Section 145 of the PVP III Funds. Polaris Venture Management Co. IV, LLC (“PVM IV”) isDGCL provides that a corporation has the general partner of eachpower to indemnify a director, officer, employee, or agent of the PVP IV Fundscorporation, or a person serving at the request of the corporation for another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise in related capacities against expenses, including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and mayamounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with an action, suit or proceeding to which such individual was or is a party or is threatened to be deemedmade a party to have voting, investmentany threatened, ending or completed action, suit or proceeding by reason of such position, if such individual acted in good faith and dispositive powerin a manner the individual reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, in any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe such individual’s conduct was unlawful, except that, in the case of actions brought by or in the right of the corporation, no indemnification shall be made with respect to shares held by each of the PVP IV Funds. Polaris Venture Management Co. V, LLC (“ PVM V”) is the general partner of each of PVP V Funds and mayany claim, issue or matter as to which such individual shall have been adjudged to be deemed to have voting, investment and dispositive power with respectliable to the shares held by each of the PVP V Funds. Jonathan A. Flintcorporation unless and Terrance G. McGuire, the managing members of each of PVM III, PVM IV and PVM V, may each be deemed to share voting, investment and dispositive power with respect to these shares. Mr. McGuire previously served as a member of the board of directors of Microchips.
3)Shares beneficially owned prior to the offering consist of 936,560 shares held of record by, and 627,160 Contingent Consideration Shares that may become issuable to, Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. (“Teva USA”). Teva USA is a subsidiary of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, an Israeli corporation and a reporting company under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Asaph Naaman, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer-North America of Teva USA, previously served as a member of the board of directors of Microchips. Teva Pharmaceuticals International GmbH, an affiliate of Teva USA, and Microchips were previously parties to a collaboration agreement, which was terminated in 2018.
4)Shares beneficially owned prior to the offering consist of 385,839 shares held of record by, and 258,374 Contingent Consideration Shares that may become issuable to, MS Pace LP. MS Pace Management, LLC (“MSP Management”) is the general partner of MS Pace LP. Sightline MS GP, LLC (“Sightline MSGP”) is the manager of MSP Management and Sightline Coventure, LLC (“Sightline Coventure”) is the manager of Sightline MSGP. MSP Management, Sightline MSGP and Sightline Coventure each may be deemed to have voting, investment and dispositive power with respect to shares held by MS Pace LP. Joe Biller and Buzz Benson, managing directors of Sightline Coventure, may be deemed to share voting, investment and dispositive power with respect to these shares.
5)Shares beneficially owned prior to the offering consist of (a) 200,932 shares held of record by, and 134,191 Contingent Consideration Shares that may become issuable to, Intersouth Partners V, L.P. and (b) 9,163 shares held of record by, and 6,136 Contingent Consideration Shares that may become issuable to, Intersouth Affiliates V, L.P. (together with Intersouth Partners V, L.P., the “Intersouth V Funds”). Intersouth Associates V, LLC is the general partner of each of the Intersouth V Funds and may be deemed to have voting, investment and dispositive power with respect to the shares held by each of the Intersouth V Funds. Dennis Dougherty and Mitchell Mumma, member managers of Intersouth Associates V, LLC, may each be deemed to share voting, investment and dispositive power with respect to these shares.
6)Shares beneficially owned prior to the offering consist of (a) 74,332 shares held of record by, and 49,776 Contingent Consideration Shares that may become issuable to, Flybridge Capital Partners I, L.P. and (b) 477 shares held of record by, and 319 Contingent Consideration Shares that may become issuable to, Flybridge Capital Partners III, L.P. Flybridge Capital Partners GP I, LLC is the general partner of Flybridge Capital Partners I, L.P. and may be deemed to have voting, investment and dispositive power with respect to the shares held by Flybridge Capital Partners I, L.P. Flybridge Capital Partners GP III, LLC is the general partner of Flybridge Capital Partners III, L.P. and may be deemed to have voting, investment and dispositive power with respect to the shares held by Flybridge Capital Partners III, L.P. Charles M. Hazard, Jr., Jeffrey J. Bussgang and David B. Aronoff may be deemed to share voting, investment and dispositive power with respect to these shares.
7)Shares beneficially owned prior to the offering consist of (a) 57,926 shares held of record by, and 38,790 Contingent Consideration Shares that may become issuable to, Dr. Langer and (b) 16,050 shares beneficially owned by Dr. Langer. Dr. Langer previously served as a member of the board of directors of Microchips and he provides consulting and adviser services to Microchips and Daré, respectively.
8)Shares beneficially owned prior to the offering consist of 50,368 shares held of record by, and 33,728 Contingent Consideration Shares that may become issuable to, InterWest Partners X, L.P. InterWest Management Partners X, LLC (“IMP10”) is the general partner of InterWest Partners X, L.P. and may be deemed to have voting, investment and dispositive power with respect to the shares held by InterWest Partners X, L.P. Gilbert H. Kliman and Arnold L. Oronsky, managing directors of IMP10, and Khaled A. Nasr and Keval Desai, venture members of IMP10, each may be deemed to share voting, investment and dispositive power with respect to these shares.
9)Shares beneficially owned prior to the offering consist of 22,287 shares held of record by, and 14,924 Contingent Consideration Shares that may become issuable to, the Lisa Anne Furnish Revocable Trust. Lisa Anne Furnish,


trustee of the Lisa Anne Furnish Revocable Trust, may be deemed to have voting, investment and dispositive power with respect to these shares.
10)Shares beneficially owned prior to the offering consist of (a) 12,326 shares held of record by, and 8,254 Contingent Consideration Shares that may become issuable to, the GST Exempt Separate Family Trust C/U The Charles E. Hutchinson 2011 IT (the “Exempt Hutchinson 2011 IT”), and (b) 12,326 shares held of record by, and 8,254 Contingent Consideration Shares that may become issuable to, the GST Taxable Separate Family Trust C/U The Charles E. Hutchinson 2011 IT (together with the Exempt Hutchinson 2011 IT, the “Hutchinson Trusts”). Concord Trust Company, LLC, trustee of the Hutchinson Trusts, may be deemed to have voting, investment and dispositive power with respect to the shares held by each of the Hutchinson Trusts. Christopher Martin and Andrew Powell, trust officers, may be deemed to share voting, investment and dispositive power with respect to these shares. Charles E. Hutchinson previously served as a member of the board of directors of Microchips.
11)Shares beneficially owned prior to the offering consist of 17,312 shares held of record by, and 11,593 Contingent Consideration Shares that may become issuable to, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (“MIT”). Voting and dispositive power over these shares is exercised Lesley Millar-Nicholson, Director, MIT Technology Licensing Office. Ms. Millar-Nicholson disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares.
12)Shares beneficially owned prior to the offering consist of 15,002 shares held of record by, and 10,046 Contingent Consideration Shares that may become issuable to, Dr. Cima. Dr. Cima previously served as a member of the board of directors of Microchips and he provides consulting services to Microchips.
13)Shares beneficially owned prior to the offering consist of (a) 9,657 shares held of record by, and 6,466 Contingent Consideration Shares that may become issuable to, John and Catherine Santini, joint tenants, (b) 1,660 shares held of record by, and 1,111 Contingent Consideration Shares that may become issuable to, Mr. Santini, (c) 1,584 shares held of record by, and 1,060 Contingent Consideration Shares that may become issuable to, Mrs. Santini.
14)Shares beneficially owned prior to the offering consist of 118 shares held of record by, and 79 Contingent Consideration Shares that may become issuable to, Omega Fund IV, L.P. Omega Fund IV GP, L.P. is the general partner of Omega Fund IV, L.P. and may be deemed to have voting, investment and dispositive power with respect to the shares held by Omega Fund IV, L.P. Omega Fund IV GP Manager Ltd. is the general partner of Omega Fund IV GP, L.P. and may be deemed to have voting, investment and dispositive power with respect to the shares held by Omega Fund IV GP, L.P. Otello Stampacchia, Anne-Mari Paster and Claudio Nessi each may be deemed to share voting, investment and dispositive power with respect to these shares. Paulina Hill, a principal of Omega Funds, previously served on the board of directors of Microchips.
15)Shares beneficially owned prior to the offering consist of 46 shares held of record by, and 31 Contingent Consideration Shares that may become issuable to, The Michael D Langer 2010 Trust. Michael D. Langer and Aimee Hamilton, trustees of The Michael D Langer 2010 Trust, may be deemed to have voting, investment and dispositive power with respect to these shares.
16)Shares beneficially owned prior to the offering consist of 46 shares held of record by, and 31 Contingent Consideration Shares that may become issuable to, The Susan K Langer 2010 Trust. Susan K. Langer and Aimee Hamilton, trustees of The Susan K Langer 2010 Trust, may be deemed to have voting, investment and dispositive power with respect to these shares.
17)Shares beneficially owned prior to the offering consist of 46 shares held of record by, and 31 Contingent Consideration Shares that may become issuable to, The Samuel A Langer 2012 Trust. Samuel A. Langer and Aimee Hamilton, trustees of The Samuel A Langer 2012 Trust, may be deemed to have voting, investment and dispositive power with respect to these shares.
18)Consists of 2,650 outstanding shares and 1,775 Contingent Consideration Shares.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
The selling stockholders may, from time to time, sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any or all of their shares of common stock offered under this prospectus on any stock exchange, market or trading facility on which the common stock is traded or in private transactions. These dispositions may be at fixed prices, at prevailing market prices at the time of sale, at prices relatedonly to the prevailing market price, at varying prices determined atextent that the timeCourt of sale, or at negotiated prices.
The selling stockholders may use any one or more of the following methods when disposing of shares or interests therein:
ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker-dealer solicits purchasers;
block trades in which the broker-dealer will attempt to sell the shares as agent, but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction;


purchases by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by the broker-dealer for its own account;
an exchange distribution in accordance with the rules of the applicable exchange;
privately negotiated transactions;
through the writing or settlement of optionsChancery or other hedging transactions, whether through an options exchange or otherwise;
through agreements between broker-dealers andadjudicating court determines that, despite the selling stockholders to sell a specified numberadjudication of such shares at a stipulated price per share;
a combinationliability but in view of any such methods of sale; and
any other method permitted by applicable law.
The selling stockholders may, from time to time, pledge or grant a security interest in some or all of the sharescircumstances of common stock owned by themthe case, such individual is fairly and if they defaultreasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.
We have entered into indemnification agreements with our directors and certain officers, in addition to the indemnification provided in our restated certificate of incorporation, and intend to enter into indemnification agreements with any new directors and executive officers in the performancefuture.In general, these agreements provide that we will indemnify the director or officer to the fullest extent permitted by law for claims arising in such individual’s capacity as a director or officer of their secured obligations, the pledgeesour company or secured parties may offer and sell the shares of common stock, from time to time, under this prospectus, or under an amendment to this prospectus under Rule 424(b) or other applicable provision of the Securities Act amending the list of selling stockholders to include the pledgee, transferee or other successors in interest as selling stockholders under this prospectus. The selling stockholders also may transfer the shares of common stock in other circumstances, in which case the pledgees, transferees or other successors in interest will be the selling beneficial owners for purposes of this prospectus.
In connection with the sale oftheir service at our common stockrequest for another corporation or interests therein, the selling stockholders may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions, which may in turn engage in short sales of the common stockentity. The indemnification agreements also provide for procedures that will apply in the course of hedgingevent that the positions they assume. The selling stockholders may also sell shares of our common stock shortdirector or officer makes a claim for indemnification and deliver these securities to close out their short positions, or loan or pledge the common stock to broker-dealersestablish certain presumptions that in turn may sell these securities. The selling stockholders may also enter into options or other transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions or the creation of one or more derivative securities which require the delivery to each such broker-dealer or other financial institution of shares offered by this prospectus, which shares such broker-dealer or other financial institution may resell pursuant to this prospectus (as supplemented or amended to reflect such transaction).
The aggregate proceedsare favorable to the selling stockholders from the sale of the common stock offered by them will be the purchase price of the common stock less discountsdirector or commissions, if any. Each of the selling stockholders reserves the right to accept and, together with its agents from time to time, to reject, in whole or in part, any proposed purchase of common stock to be made directly or through agents. We will not receive any of the proceeds from this offering.
The selling stockholders also may resell all or a portion of the shares of common stock in open market transactions in reliance upon Rule 144 under the Securities Act, provided that they meet the criteria and conform to the requirements of that rule.
The selling stockholders and any underwriters, broker-dealers or agents that participate in the sale of the common stock or interests therein may be "underwriters" within the meaning of Section 2(11) of the Securities Act. Any discounts, commissions, concessions or profit they earn on any resale of the shares may be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. Selling stockholders who are "underwriters" within the meaning of Section 2(11) of the Securities Act will be subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act.
To the extent required, the shares of our common stock to be sold, the names of the selling stockholders, the respective purchase prices and public offering prices, the names of any agents, dealers or underwriters, and any applicable commissions or discounts with respect to a particular offer will be set forth in an accompanying prospectus supplement or, if appropriate, a post-effective amendment to the registration statement that includes this prospectus.
In order to comply with the securities laws of some states, if applicable, the common stock may be sold in these jurisdictions only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in some states the common stock may not be sold unless it has been registered or qualified for sale or an exemption from registration or qualification requirements is available and is complied with.officer, as applicable.
We have advisedpurchased and intend to maintain insurance on behalf of any individual who is or was a director or officer against any loss arising from any claim asserted against such individual and incurred by the selling stockholders that the anti-manipulation rulesindividual in any such capacity, subject to certain exclusions.
The foregoing discussion of Regulation M under the Exchange Act may applyour restated certificate of incorporation, restated bylaws, indemnification agreements and Delaware law is not intended to sales of sharesbe exhaustive and is qualified in the market and to the activities of the selling stockholders and their affiliates. In addition, to the extent applicable we will make copies of this prospectus (as it may be supplementedits entirety by such documents or amended from time to time) available to the selling stockholderslaw.
Insofar as indemnification for the purpose of satisfying the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act. The selling stockholders may indemnify any broker-dealer that participates in transactions involving the sale of the shares of common stock against certain liabilities, including liabilities arising under the Securities Act.
We have agreed withAct may be permitted to our directors, officers and controlling persons pursuant to the selling stockholders to use our commercially reasonable efforts to keep the registration statement of which this prospectus constitutes a part effective until the earlier of (i) such time as all the shares of common stock covered by this prospectusforegoing provisions, or otherwise, we have been soldadvised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and (ii)is, therefore, unenforceable.
Dissenter’s Rights of Appraisal and Payment
Under the DGCL, with certain exceptions, our stockholders have appraisal rights in connection with a merger or consolidation of our company. Under the DGCL, stockholders who properly request and perfect appraisal rights in connection with such timermerger or consolidation will have the right to receive payment of the fair value of their shares as alldetermined by the sharesDelaware Court of common stock covered by this prospectus are saleable under Rule 144 without manner of sale or volume limitations.

Chancery.

LEGAL MATTERS
Breakwater Law Group, LLP, Solana Beach,Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeco, P.C., San Diego, California, will pass upon certain legal matters in connection with the offering and validity of the common stock beingsecurities offered by this prospectus.
EXPERTS
Mayer Hoffman McCann P.C., an independent registered public accounting firm, has audited our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019,2020, as set forth in its report, which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus and the registration statement. Our financial statements are incorporated by reference in reliance on Mayer Hoffman McCann P.C.’s report, given on the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
28



WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We are subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act and file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. The SEC maintains an internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers, such as our company, that file documents electronically with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public at the SEC’s website address at http://www.sec.gov.www.sec.gov. The information on the SEC’s website is not part of this prospectus, and any references to the SEC’s website or any other website are inactive textual references only.
We also maintain a website at www.darebioscience.com, through which you can access our SEC filings. The information set forth on our website is not part of this prospectus. We have included our website address in this prospectus solely as an inactive textual reference.
This prospectus is only part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the SEC. This prospectus omits some information contained in the registration statement in accordance with the SEC rules and regulations. You should review the information in and schedules and/or exhibits to the registration statement for further information about us and the securities being offered pursuant to this prospectus. Statements in this prospectus concerning any document we filed as an exhibit or schedule to the registration statement or that we otherwise filed with the SEC are not intended to be comprehensive and are qualified by reference to these filings. You should review the complete document to evaluate these statementsstatements.
INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus the information that we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those publicly available documents. The information that we incorporate by reference is an important part of this prospectus. This prospectus incorporates by reference the documents listed below:
our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019,2020, filed with the SEC on March 27, 202030, 2021 (the “Annual Report”), including all material incorporated by reference therein, which includes the portions of our definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on April 22, 2020 incorporated by reference into Part III of the Annual Report;therein;
our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2020, filed with the SEC on May 14, 2020;
our Current Reports on Form 8-K and on Form 8-K/A filed with the SEC on January 9, 2020, January 13, 2020, January 30, 2020,11, 2021, February 5, 2020,1, 2021, February 6, 2020, February 10, 2020,16, 2021, and March 16, 2020, April 23, 2020, and April 27, 20208, 2021 (except for theany information furnished under Items 2.02 or 7.01 of Form 8-K and all exhibits related to such items); and
the description of our common stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on April 4, 2014, including any amendments thereto or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description, including the description of our common stock in Exhibit 4.6 of the Annual Report.
The SEC file number for each of the documents listed above is 001-36395.
In addition, all documents filed by us with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus and prior to the termination of this offering shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference hereininto this prospectus and to be a part hereof from the date of filing such reports and other documents excluding(excluding any information in such documents furnished under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of any Current Report on Form 8-K and exhibitsany exhibit furnished with such reports that areis related to such items.


those items). We also specifically incorporate by reference into this prospectus all documents filed by us with the SEC underpursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (other than Current Reports on Form 8-K, or portions thereof, furnished under Items 2.02 or 7.01 of Form 8-K and exhibits furnished with such reports that are related to such items) after the date of the initial registration statement of which this prospectus is a part and prior to effectiveness of the registration statement.statement (excluding any information in such documents that is furnished under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of any Current Report on Form 8-K and any exhibit furnished with such reports that is related to those items).
Any statement contained in this prospectus or in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus or any other subsequently filed document that is deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus modifies or supersedes the statement. Any statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus.
We will provide to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom this prospectus is delivered, upon written or oral request and at no cost to the requester, a copy of any or all reports or documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus, but not delivered with the prospectus. Such written or oral requests should be directed to:
29


Daré Bioscience, Inc.
3655 Nobel Drive, Suite 260
San Diego, CA 92122
Attn: Chief Financial Officer
Telephone: (858) 926-7655
You may also access these documents on our website, www.darebioscience.com.www.darebioscience.com. The information contained on, or that can be accessed through, our website is not a part of this prospectus. We have included our website address in this prospectus solely as an inactive textual reference.
You should rely only on information contained in, or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus and any related prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information different from that contained in this prospectus or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. We are not making offers to sell the securities in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or solicitation is not authorized or in which the person making such offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so or to anyone to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation.
30










DARÉ BIOSCIENCE, INC.
darebioinlinefullcolorrgbab.jpg
5,008,917 Shares of $200,000,000
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Debt Securities
Warrants
Rights
Purchase Contracts
Units


PROSPECTUS

       , 2020



, 2021



















PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution
The following table sets forth the fees and expenses incurred or expected to be incurred by us in connection with the sale and issuance of the securities being registered hereby. Other than the SEC registration fee, the amounts stated are estimates.
SEC registration fee$18,470 
FINRA filing fees*
Legal fees and expenses*
Accounting fees and expenses*
Transfer agent and registrar fees*
Trustee fees and expenses*
Miscellaneous*
Total$*
SEC registration fee  $728
Legal fees and expenses   5,000
Accounting fees and expenses   7,500
Miscellaneous   5,000
Total  $18,228
*These fees or expenses cannot be estimated at this time, as they are determined based on the securities offered and the number of issuances. An estimate of the aggregate expenses in connection with the sale and distribution of the securities being offered will be included in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Delaware Law
Section 102 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or DGCL, permits a corporation to eliminate the personal liability of directors of a corporation to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for a breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except where the director breached his duty of loyalty, failed to act in good faith, engaged in intentional misconduct or knowingly violated a law, authorized the payment of a dividend or approved a stock repurchase in violation of Delaware corporate law or obtained an improper personal benefit.
Section 145 of the DGCL provides that a corporation has the power to indemnify a director, officer, employee, or agent of the corporation, or a person serving at the request of the corporation for another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise in related capacities against expenses, including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with an action, suit or proceeding to which he was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, ending or completed action, suit or proceeding by reason of such position, if such person acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, in any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful, except that, in the case of actions brought by or in the right of the corporation, no indemnification shall be made with respect to any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or other adjudicating court determines that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all of the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.
Restated Certificate of Incorporation
Our Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, referred to herein as our restated certificate of incorporation, provides that no director of our corporation shall be personally liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duty as a director, notwithstanding any provision of law imposing such liability, except to the extent that the DGCL prohibits the elimination or limitation of liability of directors for breaches of fiduciary duty.
32


In addition, our restated certificate of incorporation provides that we will indemnify each personindividual who was or is a party or threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of us), by reason of the fact that he or shesuch individual is or was, or has agreed to become, our director or officer, or is or was serving, or has agreed to serve, at our request as a director, officer, partner, employee or trustee of, or in a similar capacity with, another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise (all such personsindividuals being referred to as an Indemnitee), or by reason of any action alleged to have been taken or omitted in such capacity, against all expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred in connection with such action, suit or proceeding and any appeal therefrom if such Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner he or shethe Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, our best interests, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, he or shesuch Indemnitee had no reasonable cause to believe his or herthe Indemnitee's conduct was unlawful.
Our restated certificate of incorporation also provides that we will indemnify any Indemnitee who was or is a party to an action or suit by or in the right of us to procure a judgment in our favor by reason of the fact that the Indemnitee is or was, or has agreed to become, our director or officer, or is or was serving, or has agreed to serve, at our request as a director, officer, partner, employee or trustee or, or in a similar capacity with, another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, or by reason of any action alleged to have been taken or omitted in such capacity, against all expenses (including attorneys’ fees) and, to the extent permitted by law, amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred


by Indemnitee in connection with such action, suit or proceeding and any appeal therefrom, if the Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner he or shewhich the Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, our best interests, except that no indemnification shall be made within respect toof any claim, issue or matter as to which such personthe Indemnitee shall have been adjudged to be liable to us, unless, aand only to the extent, that the Court of Chancery of Delaware or the court determinesin which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of such adjudicationliability but in view of all the circumstances of the circumstances, he or shecase, the Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnificationindemnity for such expenses (including attorneys’ fees) which the Court of Chancery of Delaware or such expenses.other court shall deem proper. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that any Indemnitee has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, he or shesuch Indemnitee will be indemnified by us against all expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him or her or on behalf of the Indemnitee in connection therewith. Without limiting the foregoing, if any action, suit or proceeding is disposed of, on the merits or otherwise (including a disposition without prejudice), without (i) the disposition being adverse to the Indemnitee, (ii) an adjudication that the Indemnitee was liable to us, (iii) a plea of guilty or nolo contendere by the Indemnitee, (iv) an adjudication that the Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner the Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to our best interests, and (v) with respect to any criminal proceeding, an adjudication that Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe his or her behalf in connection therewith.conduct was unlawful, the Indemnitee shall be considered for the purposes hereof to have been wholly successful with respect thereto. If we do not assume the defense, expenses must be advanced to an Indemnitee under certain circumstances.
Indemnification Agreements
We have entered into indemnification agreements with our directors and executive officers. In general, these agreements provide that we will indemnify the director or executive officer to the fullest extent permitted by law for claims arising in his or her capacity as a director or officer of our company or in connection with their service at our request for another corporation or entity. The indemnification agreements also provide for procedures that will apply in the event that a director or executive officer makes a claim for indemnification and establish certain presumptions that are favorable to the director or executive officer.
We maintain a general liability insurance policy that covers certain liabilities of directors and officers of our corporation arising out of claims based on acts or omissions in their capacities as directors or officers.
Insofar as the forgoing provisions permit indemnification of our directors and officers, or persons controlling us, for liability arising under the Securities Act of 1933 we have been informed that, in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is therefore unenforceable.
Item 16. Exhibits
The exhibits to this registration statement are listed in the Exhibit Index to this registration statement, which Exhibit Index is hereby incorporated by reference.
Item 17. Undertakings
(a)    The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1)    To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
33


(i)    To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
(ii)    To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and
(iii)    To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;
provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.
(2)    That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3)    To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(4)    That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:


(i)    Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and
(ii) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.
(5)That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
(i)     Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
34


(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;
(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and
(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

(b)    The undersigned registrant undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933:
(i)     the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of the registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in the form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the time it was declared effective; and
(ii) each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(c)    The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(c)(d)    Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
(e)    The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act.
35




EXHIBIT INDEX

Incorporated by Reference to Filings Indicated
Exhibit
Number
Exhibit DescriptionFiledProvided HerewithIncorporated by Reference herein from Form or Schedule(Exhibit No.)Filing DateSEC File/Reg. Number
4.110-Q (Exhibit No. 3.1)8/14/2017001-36395
4.210-Q8-K (Exhibit No. 3.1)8/13/20186/3/2020001-36395
4.310-K (Exhibit No. 4.1)3/28/2018001-36395
4.44.4*Preferred Stock8-K (Exhibit No. 4.1)1/8/2015001-36395
4.54.5*S-1 (Exhibit No. 10.20)3/10/2014333-194442
4.6S-1 (Exhibit No. 10.19)3/10/2014333-194442
4.7(a)Agreement and/or Warrant Certificate8-K (Exhibit No. 4.1)2/13/2018001-36395
4.7(b)4.6*Senior Debt Security10-Q (Exhibit No. 4.1)11/13/2018001-36395
4.7*Form of Subordinated Debt Security
4.8X10-K (Exhibit No. 4.6)3/27/2020001-36395
4.9X
4.10*Form of Warrant Agreement and Warrant Certificate
4.11*Form of Rights Agreement and Right Certificate
4.12*Form of Purchase Contract
4.13*Form of Unit Agreement and Unit
II-I




II-I




23.2X
24.1X
25.1**Statement of Eligibility on Form T‑1 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of the Trustee under the Senior Indenture
25.2**Statement of Eligibility on Form T‑1 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of the Trustee under the Subordinated Indenture

*To be subsequently filed, as applicable, by amendment to this registration statement or as an exhibit to a report pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

**To be incorporated herein by reference from a subsequent filing in accordance with Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as applicable.
II-II





SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in City of San Diego, State of California, on May 15, 2020.
March 30, 2021.
Daré Bioscience, Inc.
By: /s/ Lisa Walters-Hoffert
Lisa Walters-Hoffert
Chief Financial Officer

SIGNATURES AND POWER OF ATTORNEY
We, the undersigned officers and directors of Daré Bioscience, Inc., hereby severally constitute and appoint Sabrina Martucci Johnson and Lisa Walters-Hoffert, and each of them singly (with full power to each of them to act alone), our true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution in each of them for her or him and in her or his name, place and stead, and in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement (or any other registration statement for the same offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite or necessary to be done in and about the premises, as full to all intents and purposes as she or he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them or their or her or his substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
SignatureTitleDate
/s/ Sabrina Martucci JohnsonPresident, Chief Executive Officer, Secretary and DirectorMay 15, 2020March 30, 2021
Sabrina Martucci Johnson(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ Lisa Walters-HoffertChief Financial OfficerMay 15, 2020March 30, 2021
Lisa Walters-Hoffert(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
/s/ William H. RastetterChairman of the BoardMay 15, 2020March 30, 2021
William H. Rastetter, Ph.D.
/s/ Cheryl R. BlanchardDirectorMay 15, 2020March 30, 2021
Cheryl R. Blanchard, Ph.D.
/s/ Jessica D. GrossmanDirectorMay 15, 2020March 30, 2021
Jessica D. Grossman, M.D.
/s/ Susan L. KelleyDirectorMay 15, 2020March 30, 2021
Susan L. Kelley, M.D.
/s/ Gregory W. MatzDirectorMay 15, 2020March 30, 2021
Gregory W. Matz, CPA
/s/ Robin J. SteeleDirectorMay 15, 2020March 30, 2021
Robin J. Steele, J.D., L.L.M.


4821-2529-7816, v. 2