Adial Pharmaceuticals (ADIL) 424B3Prospectus supplement

Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)

Registration Number 333-251122

PROSPECTUS 

Up to 2,842,198 Shares of

Common Stock

This prospectus relates to the offering and resale by Keystone Capital Partners, LLC (“Keystone Capital” or the “Selling Stockholder”) of up to 2,842,198 shares of our common stock, par value $0.001 per share, which includes 175,000 shares of our common stock issued to the Selling Stockholder as commitment shares (the “Commitment Shares”).

The shares of common stock being offered by the Selling Stockholder have been or may be issued and sold to the Selling Stockholder pursuant to the common stock purchase agreement, dated November 18, 2020, that we entered into with Keystone Capital (the “Purchase Agreement”).  See “The Keystone Capital Transaction” for a description of the Purchase Agreement and “Selling Stockholder” for additional information regarding Keystone Capital. The prices at which Keystone Capital may resell the shares offered hereby will be determined by the prevailing market price for the shares or in negotiated transactions. We are not selling any securities under this prospectus and will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of shares of common stock by the Selling Stockholder. However, we may receive proceeds of up to $15 million from the sale of our common stock to the Selling Stockholder pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, once the registration statement that includes this prospectus is declared effective.

The Selling Stockholder may sell or otherwise dispose of the shares of common stock described in this prospectus in a number of different ways and at varying prices. See “Plan of Distribution” for more information about how the Selling Stockholder may sell or otherwise dispose of the shares of common stock being registered pursuant to this prospectus. The Selling Stockholder is an “underwriter” within the meaning of Section 2(a)(11) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

The Selling Stockholder will pay all brokerage fees and commissions and similar expenses. We will pay the expenses (except brokerage fees and commissions and similar expenses) incurred in registering the shares, including legal and accounting fees. See “Plan of Distribution.”

Our common stock and the warrants issued in our initial public offering are listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market (“Nasdaq”) under the symbols “ADIL” and “ADILW.” On December 14, 2020, the last reported sale price on Nasdaq of our common stock was $1.93 per share and the last reported sale price on Nasdaq of our warrants was $0.34 per warrant.

We are an “emerging growth company” as that term is used in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”), and, as such, elect to comply with certain reduced public company reporting requirements for future filings.

You should read this prospectus, together with additional information described under the headings “Where You Can Find Additional Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference” carefully before you invest in any of our securities.

Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors” on page 8 of this prospectus.

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

The date of this prospectus is December 15, 2020

TABLE OF CONTENTS

We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information different from that contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. The Selling Stockholder may offer to sell, and seek offers to buy, shares of our common stock only in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted. The information contained in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or of any sale of common stock.

In this prospectus, the “Company,” “we,” “us,” “our” and “Adial” refer to Adial Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

You should rely only on the information we have provided or incorporated by reference into this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information different from that contained in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus. No dealer, salesperson or other person is authorized to give any information or to represent anything not contained in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus. You must not rely on any unauthorized information or representation. This prospectus is an offer to sell only the shares of common stock offered hereby, but only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so. You should assume that the information in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus is accurate only as of the date on the front of the document and that any information we have incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any sale of a security.

This prospectus includes statistical and other industry and market data that we obtained from industry publications and research, surveys and studies conducted by third parties. Industry publications and third-party research, surveys and studies generally indicate that their information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, although they do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of such information. We believe that the data obtained from these industry publications and third-party research, surveys and studies are reliable. The Company is ultimately responsible for all disclosure included in this prospectus.

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

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), under which the Selling Stockholder may offer from time to time securities described herein in one or more offerings. If required, each time the Selling Stockholder offers shares, we will provide you with, in addition to this prospectus, a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you that may contain material information relating to that offering. We may also use a prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus to add, update or change any of the information contained in this prospectus or in documents we have incorporated by reference. This prospectus, together with any applicable prospectus supplements, any related free writing prospectuses and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus, includes all material information relating to this offering. To the extent that any statement that we make in a prospectus supplement is inconsistent with statements made in this prospectus, the statements made in this prospectus will be deemed modified or superseded by those made in a prospectus supplement. Please carefully read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with the additional information described below under the section entitled “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference” before buying any of the securities offered.

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

Smaller Reporting Company – Scaled Disclosure

Pursuant to Item 10(f) of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as indicated herein, we have elected to comply with the scaled disclosure requirements applicable to “smaller reporting companies,” including providing two years of audited financial statements.

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus include forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that relate to future events or our future financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Words such as, but not limited to, “anticipate,” “aim,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “continue,” “could,” “design,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “predict,” “poise,” “project,” “potential,” “suggest,” “should,” “strategy,” “target,” “will,” “would,” and similar expressions or phrases, or the negative of those expressions or phrases, are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Although we believe that we have a reasonable basis for each forward-looking statement contained in this prospectus and incorporated by reference into this prospectus, we caution you that these statements are based on our projections of the future that are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements, to differ. The section in this prospectus entitled “Risk Factors” and the sections in our periodic reports, including the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 (the “2019 Form 10-K”) entitled “Business,” and in the 2019 Form 10-K and the Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended September 30, June 30, 2020, and March 31, 2020 entitled “Risk Factor” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” as well as other sections in this prospectus and the documents or reports incorporated by reference into this prospectus, discuss some of the factors that could contribute to these differences. These forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements about:

Our current product candidates are undergoing clinical development and have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) or the European Commission. These product candidates have not been, nor may they ever be, approved by any regulatory agency or competent authorities nor marketed anywhere in the world.

We may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in our forward-looking statements, and you should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements should be regarded solely as our current plans, estimates and beliefs. We have included important factors in the cautionary statements included in this document, particularly in the section entitled “Risk Factors” of this prospectus that we believe could cause actual results or events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements that we make. Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks emerge from time to time. It is not possible for our management to predict all risks, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements we may make. Given these risks and uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Our forward-looking statements do not reflect the potential impact of any future acquisitions, mergers, dispositions, joint ventures or investments we may make. You should read this prospectus and the documents that we have filed as exhibits to this prospectus and incorporated by reference herein completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from the plans, intentions and expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements we make. The forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus are made as of the date of this prospectus and we do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Prior to making a decision about investing in our securities, you should carefully consider the specific risk factors discussed in the sections entitled “Risk Factors” contained in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 under the heading “Item 1A. Risk Factors,” and as described or may be described in any subsequent quarterly report on Form 10-Q under the heading “Item 1A. Risk Factors,” as well as in any applicable prospectus supplement and contained or to be contained in our filings with the SEC and incorporated by reference in this prospectus, together with all of the other information contained in this prospectus, or any applicable prospectus supplement. For a description of these reports and documents, and information about where you can find them, see “Where You Can Find Additional Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference.” If any of the risks or uncertainties described in our SEC filings or any prospectus supplement or any additional risks and uncertainties actually occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. In that case, the trading price of our securities could decline and you might lose all or part of the value of your investment.

Risks Related to this Offering

It is not possible to predict the actual number of shares we will sell under the Purchase Agreement to the Selling Stockholder, or the actual gross proceeds resulting from those sales.

Subject to certain limitations in the Purchase Agreement and compliance with applicable law, we have the discretion to deliver notices to the Selling Stockholder at any time throughout the term of the Purchase Agreement. The actual number of shares that are sold to the Selling Stockholder may depend based on a number of factors, including the market price of the common stock during the sales period. Actual gross proceeds may be less than $15.0 million, which may impact our future liquidity. Because the price per share of each share sold to the Selling Stockholder will fluctuate during the sales period, it is not currently possible to predict the number of shares that will be sold or the actual gross proceeds to be raised in connection with those sales.

Investors who buy shares at different times will likely pay different prices.

Investors who purchase shares in this offering at different times will likely pay different prices, and so may experience different levels of dilution and different outcomes in their investment results. In connection with the Keystone Capital Transaction, we will have discretion, subject to market demand, to vary the timing, prices, and numbers of shares sold to Keystone Capital. Similarly, Keystone Capital may sell such shares at different time and at different prices. Investors may experience a decline in the value of the shares they purchase from the Selling Stockholder in this offering as a result of sales made by us in future transactions to Keystone Capital at prices lower than the prices they paid.

The issuance of common stock to the Selling Stockholder may cause substantial dilution to our existing stockholders and the sale of such shares acquired by the Selling Stockholder could cause the price of our common stock to decline.

We are registering for resale by the Selling Stockholder up to 2,842,198 shares of common stock, consisting of 175,000 shares issued to the Selling Stockholder as Commitment Shares upon execution of the Purchase Agreement, and an additional 2,667,198 shares of common stock that we may issue and sell to the Selling Stockholder under the Purchase Agreement from time to time following Commencement. The number of shares of our common stock ultimately offered for resale by the Selling Stockholder under this prospectus is dependent upon the number of shares issued to the Selling Stockholder pursuant to the Purchase Agreement from and after Commencement. Depending on a variety of factors, including market liquidity of our common stock, the issuance of shares to the Selling Stockholder may cause the trading price of our common stock to decline.

The Selling Stockholder is irrevocably bound to purchase up to 2,667,198 shares of our common stock being registered for resale herby and, following receipt by the Selling Stockholder of shares of our common stock issued to the Selling Stockholder under the Purchase Agreement, the Selling Stockholder may sell all, some or none of such shares. The sale of a substantial number of shares of our common stock by the Selling Stockholder in this offering, or anticipation of such sales, could cause the trading price of our common stock to decline or make it more difficult for us to sell equity or equity-related securities in the future at a time and at a price that we might otherwise desire.

Our need for future financing may result in the issuance of additional securities, which will cause investors to experience dilution.

Our cash requirements may vary from those now planned, depending upon numerous factors, including the results of future research and development activities. We expect our expenses to increase if and when we initiate and conduct additional clinical trials, and seek marketing approval for our product candidates. In addition, if we obtain marketing approval for any of our product candidates, we expect to incur significant commercialization expenses related to product sales, marketing, manufacturing and distribution. Accordingly, we will need to obtain substantial additional funding in connection with our continuing operations. There are no other commitments by any person for future financing. Our securities may be offered to other investors at a price lower than the price per share offered to current stockholders, or upon terms which may be deemed more favorable than those offered to current stockholders. In addition, the issuance of securities in any future financing may dilute an investor’s equity ownership and have the effect of depressing the market price for our securities. Moreover, we may issue derivative securities, including options and/or warrants, from time to time, to procure qualified personnel or for other business reasons. The issuance of any such derivative securities, which is at the discretion of our board of directors, may further dilute the equity ownership of our stockholders.

We have additional securities available for issuance, which, if issued, could adversely affect the rights of the holders of our common stock.

Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, authorizes the issuance of 50,000,000 shares of our common stock and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock. In certain circumstances, the common stock, as well as the awards available for issuance under our equity incentive plans, can be issued by our board of directors, without stockholder approval. Any future issuances of such stock would further dilute the percentage ownership of us held by holders of preferred stock and common stock. In addition, the issuance of certain securities, including pursuant to the terms of our stockholder rights plan, may be used as an “anti-takeover” device without further action on the part of our stockholders, and may adversely affect the holders of the common stock.

Future sales of our common stock could cause the market price for our common stock to decline.

We cannot predict the effect, if any, that market sales of shares of our common stock or the availability of shares of our common stock for sale will have on the market price of our common stock prevailing from time to time. Sales of substantial amounts of shares of our common stock in the public market, or the perception that those sales will occur, could cause the market price of our common stock to decline or be depressed.

The shares of common stock issued in connection with this offering will be freely tradable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act.

 Because we will not declare cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future, stockholders must rely on appreciation of the value of our common stock for any return on their investment.

We have never declared or paid cash dividends on our common stock. We currently anticipate that we will retain future earnings for the development, operation and expansion of our business and will not declare or pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. As a result, only appreciation of the price of our common stock, if any, will provide a return to investors in this offering. See “Dividend Policy.”

Our management will have broad discretion over the use of the net proceeds from our sale of shares of common stock to Keystone Capital, you may not agree with how we use the proceeds and the proceeds may not be invested successfully.

Our management will have broad discretion over the use of proceeds from this offering. We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering, primarily for strategic opportunities, increasing the staff and capabilities of the Company, working capital and other general corporate purposes. Our management will have considerable discretion in the application of the net proceeds, and you will not have the opportunity, as part of your investment decision, to assess whether the proceeds are being used appropriately. The net proceeds, if any, may be used for corporate purposes that do not improve our operating results or enhance the value of our common stock. The failure of our management to use these funds effectively could have a material adverse effect on our business, cause the market price of our common stock to decline and impair the commercialization of our products and/or delay the development of our product candidates. Pending their use, we may invest the net proceeds from this offering in short-term, investment-grade, interest-bearing instruments and U.S. government securities. These investments may not yield a favorable return to our stockholders.

THE KEYSTONE CAPITAL TRANSACTION

General

On November 18, 2020, we entered into the Purchase Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement with Keystone Capital. Pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement, Keystone Capital has agreed to purchase from us the lesser of (i) $15,000,000 in shares of our common stock and (ii) the number of shares of common stock equal to the Exchange Cap, subject to certain limitations and conditions set forth in the Purchase Agreement. Pursuant to the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement, we have filed with the SEC the registration statement that includes this prospectus to register for resale under the Securities Act the shares that may be issued to Keystone Capital under the Purchase Agreement.

We do not have the right to commence any sales of our common stock to Keystone Capital under the Purchase Agreement until all of the conditions set forth in the Purchase Agreement have been satisfied, including that the SEC has declared effective the registration statement that includes this prospectus registering the resale by Keystone Capital of the shares of our common stock that may be issued and sold to Keystone Capital under the Purchase Agreement. From and after Commencement, we will control the timing and amount of any sales of our common stock to Keystone Capital. Actual sales of shares of our common stock to Keystone Capital under the Purchase Agreement will depend on a variety of factors to be determined by us from time to time, including, among others, market conditions, the trading price of the common stock and determinations by us as to the appropriate sources of funding for our company and our operations.

The purchase price of the shares of our common stock that may be sold to Keystone Capital under the Purchase Agreement will be based on the market price of our common stock at the time of sale as computed under the Purchase Agreement. Specifically, the purchase price per share of the common stock that may be sold to Keystone Capital under the Purchase Agreement in any fixed purchase equals ninety percent (90%) of the arithmetic average of the closing sale prices for the Common Stock during the five (5) consecutive trading-day period ending on the fixed purchase date for the fixed purchase, so long as the common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market or any nationally recognized successor thereto (to be appropriately adjusted for any reorganization, recapitalization, non-cash dividend, stock split or other similar transaction that occurs on or after the date of this Purchase Agreement). There is no upper limit on the price per share that Keystone Capital could be obligated to pay for the common stock under the Purchase Agreement.

We do not know what the purchase price for our common stock will be or whether there will occur an exception to the Exchange Cap and therefore cannot be certain as to the number of shares we might issue to Keystone Capital under the Purchase Agreement after the date of this prospectus. As of November 18, 2020, immediately prior to execution of the Purchase Agreement and issuance of the Commitment Shares to Keystone Capital, there were 14,218,100 shares of our common stock outstanding, of 11,781,331 shares were held by non-affiliates. Although the Purchase Agreement provides that we may sell up to an aggregate of $15,000,000 of our common stock to Keystone Capital, only 2,842,198 shares of our common stock are being registered for resale under this prospectus, which represents (i) the 175,000 Commitment Shares we issued to Keystone Capital upon execution of the Purchase Agreement and (ii) 2,667,198 shares of our common stock that we may issue and sell to Keystone Capital in the future under the Purchase Agreement in accordance with the Exchange Cap, if and when we elect to sell shares of our common stock to Keystone Capital under the Purchase Agreement. Depending on the market prices of our common stock at the time we elect to issue and sell shares of our common stock to Keystone Capital under the Purchase Agreement, we may need to register for resale under the Securities Act additional shares of our common stock in order to receive aggregate gross proceeds equal to the $15,000,000 total commitment available to us under the Purchase Agreement. If all of such 2,842,198 shares of our common stock offered hereby were issued and outstanding as of the date of this prospectus, such shares would represent approximately 16.7% of the total number of outstanding shares of common stock, and approximately 19% of the total number of outstanding shares of common stock held by non-affiliates, in each case as of the date of this prospectus. If we elect to issue and sell to Keystone Capital under the Purchase Agreement more than the 2,842,198 shares of our common stock being registered for resale by Keystone Capital under this prospectus (assuming we have the right to do so under Nasdaq rules), which we have the right, but not the obligation, to do, we must first register for resale under the Securities Act any such additional shares of our common stock, which could cause additional substantial dilution to our stockholders. The number of shares of our common stock ultimately offered for sale by Keystone Capital is dependent upon the number of shares purchased by Keystone Capital under the Purchase Agreement.

Under the applicable rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”), in no event may we issue more than 2,842,198 shares of our common stock (including the 175,000 Commitment Shares), which represents 19.99% of the shares of our common stock outstanding immediately prior to the execution of the Purchase Agreement (also referred to as the Exchange Cap), to Keystone Capital under the Purchase Agreement, unless (i) we obtain stockholder approval to issue shares of our common stock in excess of the Exchange Cap or (ii) the average price of all applicable sales of common stock to Keystone Capital under the Purchase Agreement equals or exceeds $1.8222, which represents the lower of (i) the Nasdaq official closing price immediately preceding the execution of the Purchase Agreement and (ii) the average of the five Nasdaq official closing prices for the common stock immediately preceding the execution of the Purchase Agreement, plus an incremental amount of $0.1122, such that the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement are exempt from the Exchange Cap limitation under applicable Nasdaq rules. In any event, the Purchase Agreement specifically provides that we may not issue or sell any shares of our Common Stock under the Purchase Agreement if such issuance or sale would breach any applicable rules or regulations of the Nasdaq. The Company has also limited the aggregate number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance under the Purchase Agreement to 15,000,000 shares without subsequent approval from our board of directors.

The Purchase Agreement also prohibits us from directing Keystone Capital to purchase any shares of our common stock if those shares, when aggregated with all other shares of our common stock then beneficially owned by Keystone Capital, would result in Keystone Capital and its affiliates exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Cap.

Issuances of our common stock to Keystone Capital under the Purchase Agreement will not affect the rights or privileges of our existing stockholders, except that the economic and voting interests of each of our existing stockholders will be diluted as a result of any such issuance. Although the number of shares of our common stock that our existing stockholders own will not decrease, the shares of our common stock owned by our existing stockholders will represent a smaller percentage of our total outstanding shares of our common stock after any such issuance of shares of our common stock to Keystone Capital under the Purchase Agreement.

As consideration for Keystone Capital’s irrevocable commitment to purchase shares of common stock upon the terms of and subject to satisfaction of the conditions set forth in the Purchase Agreement, upon execution of the Purchase Agreement, the Company issued to Keystone Capital 175,000 Commitment Shares.

The Purchase Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement contain customary representations, warranties, conditions and indemnification obligations of the parties. The representations, warranties and covenants contained in such agreements were made only for purposes of such agreements and as of specific dates, were solely for the benefit of the parties to such agreements and may be subject to limitations agreed upon by the contracting parties.

Neither the Company nor Keystone Capital may assign or transfer its rights and obligations under the Purchase Agreement and no provision of the Purchase Agreement may be modified or waived by the parties.

Purchase of Shares under the Purchase Agreement

Under the Purchase Agreement, on any trading day selected by us on which the conditions described below for delivery of a Fixed Purchase Notice have been satisfied, which we refer to as the “purchase date,” we may direct Keystone Capital to purchase up to a fixed maximum amount of shares of our common stock calculated in accordance with the terms of the Purchase Agreement on such purchase date, which we refer to as a “Fixed Purchase.”

As stated above, the purchase price per share of the common stock that may be sold to Keystone Capital under the Purchase Agreement in a Fixed Purchase equals ninety percent (90%) of the arithmetic average of the closing sale prices for the common stock during the five (5) consecutive trading-day period ending on the purchase date for the Fixed Purchase, so long as the common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market or any nationally recognized successor thereto (to be appropriately adjusted for any reorganization, recapitalization, non-cash dividend, stock split or other similar transaction that occurs on or after the date of this Purchase Agreement). In the event our common stock is no longer listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market or any nationally recognized successor thereto, but is then listed on an “Eligible Market” (as defined in the Purchase Agreement), the purchase price per share of the common stock that may be sold to Keystone Capital under the Purchase Agreement in a Fixed Purchase shall equal ninety percent (90%) of the arithmetic average of the closing sale prices for the common stock during the twenty (20) consecutive trading-day period ending on the purchase date for the Fixed Purchase (to be appropriately adjusted for any reorganization, recapitalization, non-cash dividend, stock split or other similar transaction that occurs on or after the date of this Purchase Agreement). There is no upper limit on the price per share that Keystone Capital could be obligated to pay for the Common Stock under the Purchase Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Keystone Capital’s maximum commitment under any single Fixed Purchase will not exceed $500,000.

In addition to the conditions described elsewhere in this prospectus, we may direct Keystone Capital to purchase shares in a Fixed Purchase on any trading day, so long as (i) the applicable Fixed Purchase price per share for such Fixed Purchase, calculated as of the applicable purchase date for such Fixed Purchase, is not less than $1.00 (subject to adjustment as provided in the Purchase Agreement for any reorganization, recapitalization, non-cash dividend, stock split, or other similar transaction occurring after the date of the Purchase Agreement), (ii) at least two (2) trading days have elapsed since the most recent prior Fixed Purchase notice was delivered to Keystone Capital and (iii) we have delivered and Keystone Capital has received all shares of common stock purchased in all prior Fixed Purchases in accordance with the terms of the Purchase Agreement.

Conditions to Commencement and for Delivery of Fixed Purchase Notices

The Company’s ability to deliver Fixed Purchase notices to Keystone Capital under the Purchase Agreement are subject to the satisfaction, both at the time of Commencement and at the time of delivery by the Company of any Fixed Purchase notice to Keystone Capital, of certain conditions, all of which are entirely outside of Keystone Capital’s control, including the following:

Termination of the Purchase Agreement

Unless earlier terminated as provided in the Purchase Agreement, the Purchase Agreement will terminate automatically on the earliest to occur of:

We have the right to terminate the Purchase Agreement at any time after Commencement, at no cost or penalty, upon five (5) trading days’ prior written notice to Keystone Capital.

No Short-Selling or Hedging by Keystone Capital

Keystone Capital has agreed that neither it nor any of its affiliates shall engage in any direct or indirect short-selling or hedging of our common stock during any time prior to the termination of the Purchase Agreement.

Prohibition on Variable Rate Transactions

Subject to specified exceptions included in the Purchase Agreement, we are limited in our ability to enter into specified variable rate transactions during the term of the Purchase Agreement. Such transactions include, among others, the issuance of convertible securities with a conversion or exercise price that is based upon or varies with the trading price of our common stock after the date of issuance.

Effect of Performance of the Purchase Agreement on our Stockholders

All shares registered in this offering that may be issued or sold by us to Keystone Capital under the Purchase Agreement are expected to be freely tradable. Shares registered in this offering may be sold by us to Keystone Capital over a period of up to 24 months commencing on the date of this registration statement of which this prospectus is a part becomes effective. The resale by Keystone Capital of a significant amount of shares registered in this offering at any given time, or the perception that these sales may occur, could cause the market price of our common stock to decline and to be highly volatile. Sales of our common stock to Keystone Capital, if any, will depend upon market conditions and other factors to be determined by us. We may ultimately decide to sell to Keystone Capital all, some or none of the additional shares of our common stock that may be available for us to sell pursuant to the Purchase Agreement. If and when we do sell shares to Keystone Capital, after Keystone Capital has acquired the shares, Keystone Capital may resell all, some or none of those shares at any time or from time to time in its discretion. Therefore, sales to Keystone Capital by us under the Purchase Agreement may result in substantial dilution to the interests of other holders of our common stock. In addition, if we sell a substantial number of shares to Keystone Capital under the Purchase Agreement, or if investors expect that we will do so, the actual sales of shares or the mere existence of our arrangement with Keystone Capital may make it more difficult for us to sell equity or equity-related securities in the future at a time and at a price that we might otherwise wish to effect such sales. However, we have the right to control the timing and amount of any additional sales of our shares to Keystone Capital and the Purchase Agreement may be terminated by us at any time at our discretion without any cost to us.

Pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement, we have the right, but not the obligation, to direct Keystone Capital to purchase up to $15,000,000 of our common stock, subject to certain limitations. We have registered only a portion of the shares issuable under the Purchase Agreement and, therefore, we may seek to issue and sell to Keystone Capital under the Purchase Agreement more shares of our common stock than are offered under this prospectus. If we choose to do so, we must first register for resale under the Securities Act any such additional shares, which could cause additional substantial dilution to our stockholders. The number of shares ultimately offered for resale under this prospectus is dependent upon the number of shares we direct Keystone Capital to purchase under the Purchase Agreement.

The following table sets forth the amount of gross proceeds we would receive from Keystone Capital from our sale of shares of common stock to Keystone Capital under the Purchase Agreement at varying purchase prices:

USE OF PROCEEDS

This prospectus relates to shares of common stock that may be offered and sold from time to time by Keystone Capital. We will not receive any proceeds from the resale of shares of common stock by Keystone Capital.

We may receive up to $15,000,000 in gross proceeds if we issue to Keystone Capital shares issuable pursuant to the Purchase Agreement. We estimate that the net proceeds to us from the sale of our common stock to Keystone Capital pursuant to the Purchase Agreement would be up to $14,800,000 over an approximately 24-month period, assuming that we sell the full amount of our common stock that we have the right, but not the obligation, to sell to Keystone Capital under the Purchase Agreement, and after other estimated fees and expenses. See “Plan of Distribution” elsewhere in this prospectus for more information.

Any proceeds from the Selling Stockholder that we receive under the Purchase Agreement are currently expected to be used primarily for strategic opportunities, increasing the staff and capabilities of the Company, working capital and other general corporate purposes. Pending these uses, we expect to invest the net proceeds in short-term, interest-bearing securities. We have broad discretion in determining how the proceeds of this offering will be used, and our discretion is not limited by the aforementioned possible uses. Our board of directors believes the flexibility in application of the net proceeds is prudent. As we are unable to predict the timing or amount of potential issuances of all of the additional shares issuable purchase to the Purchase Agreement, we cannot specify with certainty all of the particular uses for the net proceeds that we will have from the sale of such additional shares. Accordingly, our management will have broad discretion in the application of the net proceeds. We may use the proceeds for purposes that are not contemplated at the time of this offering. It is possible that no shares will be issued under the Purchase Agreement.

We will incur all costs associated with this prospectus and the registration statement of which it is a part.

DIVIDEND POLICY

We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our common stock and we do not currently intend to pay any cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. We expect to retain all available funds and future earnings, if any, to fund the development and growth of our business rather than to pay cash dividends on our common stock. Any future determination to pay dividends, if any, on our common stock will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on, among other factors, our results of operations, financial condition, capital requirements and contractual restrictions.

SELLING STOCKHOLDER

This prospectus relates to the possible resale from time to time by Keystone Capital of any or all of the shares of common stock that may be issued by us to Keystone Capital under the Purchase Agreement. For additional information regarding the issuance of common stock covered by this prospectus, see the section titled “Keystone Capital Transaction” above. We are registering the shares of common stock pursuant to the provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement we entered into with Keystone Capital on November 18, 2020 in order to permit the Selling Stockholder to offer the shares for resale from time to time. Except for the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement, Keystone Capital has not had any material relationship with us within the past three years. As used in this prospectus, the term “selling stockholder” means Keystone Capital Partners, LLC.

The table below presents information regarding the Selling Stockholder and the shares of common stock that it may offer from time to time under this prospectus. This table is prepared based on information supplied to us by the Selling Stockholder, and reflects holdings as of November 18, 2020. The number of shares in the column “Maximum Number of Shares of Common Stock to be Offered Pursuant to this Prospectus” represents all of the shares of common stock that the Selling Stockholder may offer under this prospectus. The Selling Stockholder may sell some, all or none of its shares in this offering. We do not know how long the Selling Stockholder will hold the shares before selling them, and we currently have no agreements, arrangements or understandings with the Selling Stockholder regarding the sale of any of the shares.

Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3(d) promulgated by the SEC under the Exchange Act, and includes shares of common stock with respect to which the Selling Stockholder has voting and investment power. The percentage of shares of common stock beneficially owned by the Selling Stockholder prior to the offering shown in the table below is based on an aggregate of 14,393,100 shares of our common stock outstanding on November 18, 2020. Because the purchase price of the shares of common stock issuable under the Purchase Agreement is determined on each Fixed Purchase Date, the number of shares that may actually be sold by the Company under the Purchase Agreement may be fewer than the number of shares being offered by this prospectus. The fourth column assumes the sale of all of the shares offered by the Selling Stockholder pursuant to this prospectus.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION 

The 2,842,198 shares of common stock offered by this prospectus are being offered by the Selling Stockholder, Keystone Capital Partners, LLC. The shares may be sold or distributed from time to time by the Selling Stockholder directly to one or more purchasers or through brokers, dealers, or underwriters who may act solely as agents at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to the prevailing market prices, at negotiated prices, or at fixed prices, which may be changed. The sale of the shares of our common stock offered by this prospectus could be effected in one or more of the following methods:

In order to comply with the securities laws of certain states, if applicable, the shares may be sold only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in certain states, the shares may not be sold unless they have been registered or qualified for sale in the state or an exemption from the state’s registration or qualification requirement is available and complied with.

Keystone Capital is an “underwriter” within the meaning of Section 2(a)(11) of the Securities Act.

Keystone Capital has informed us that it intends to use one or more registered broker-dealers to effectuate all sales, if any, of our common stock that it has acquired and may in the future acquire from us pursuant to the Purchase Agreement. Such sales will be made at prices and at terms then prevailing or at prices related to the then current market price. Each such registered broker-dealer will be an underwriter within the meaning of Section 2(a)(11) of the Securities Act. Keystone Capital has informed us that each such broker-dealer will receive commissions from Keystone Capital that will not exceed customary brokerage commissions.

Brokers, dealers, underwriters or agents participating in the distribution of the shares of our common stock offered by this prospectus may receive compensation in the form of commissions, discounts, or concessions from the purchasers, for whom the broker-dealers may act as agent, of the shares sold by the Selling Stockholder through this prospectus. The compensation paid to any such particular broker-dealer by any such purchasers of shares of our common stock sold by the Selling Stockholder may be less than or in excess of customary commissions. Neither we nor the Selling Stockholder can presently estimate the amount of compensation that any agent will receive from any purchasers of shares of our common stock sold by the Selling Stockholder.

We know of no existing arrangements between the Selling Stockholder or any other stockholder, broker, dealer, underwriter or agent relating to the sale or distribution of the shares of our common stock offered by this prospectus.

We may from time to time file with the SEC one or more supplements to this prospectus or amendments to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part to amend, supplement or update information contained in this prospectus, including, if and when required under the Securities Act, to disclose certain information relating to a particular sale of shares offered by this prospectus by the Selling Stockholder, including the names of any brokers, dealers, underwriters or agents participating in the distribution of such shares by the Selling Stockholder, any compensation paid by the Selling Stockholder to any such brokers, dealers, underwriters or agents, and any other required information.

We will pay the expenses incident to the registration under the Securities Act of the offer and sale of the shares of our common stock covered by this prospectus by the Selling Stockholder. As consideration for its irrevocable commitment to purchase our common stock under the Purchase Agreement, we have issued to Keystone Capital 175,000 shares of our common stock as Commitment Shares.

We also have agreed to indemnify Keystone Capital and certain other persons against certain liabilities in connection with the offering of shares of our common stock offered hereby, including liabilities arising under the Securities Act or, if such indemnity is unavailable, to contribute amounts required to be paid in respect of such liabilities. Keystone Capital has agreed to indemnify us against liabilities under the Securities Act that may arise from certain written information furnished to us by Keystone Capital specifically for use in this prospectus or, if such indemnity is unavailable, to contribute amounts required to be paid in respect of such liabilities. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to our directors, officers, and controlling persons, we have been advised that in the opinion of the SEC this indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore, unenforceable.

We estimate that the total expenses for the offering will be approximately $200,000.

Keystone Capital has represented to us that at no time prior to the date of the Purchase Agreement has Keystone Capital or its agents, representatives or affiliates engaged in or effected, in any manner whatsoever, directly or indirectly, any short sale (as such term is defined in Rule 200 of Regulation SHO of the Exchange Act) of our common stock or any hedging transaction, which establishes a net short position with respect to our common stock. Keystone Capital has agreed that during the term of the Purchase Agreement, neither Keystone Capital, nor any of its agents, representatives or affiliates will enter into or effect, directly or indirectly, any of the foregoing transactions.

We have advised the Selling Stockholder that it is required to comply with Regulation M promulgated under the Exchange Act. With certain exceptions, Regulation M precludes the Selling Stockholder, any affiliated purchasers, and any broker-dealer or other person who participates in the distribution from bidding for or purchasing, or attempting to induce any person to bid for or purchase any security which is the subject of the distribution until the entire distribution is complete. Regulation M also prohibits any bids or purchases made in order to stabilize the price of a security in connection with the distribution of that security. All of the foregoing may affect the marketability of the securities offered by this prospectus.

This offering will terminate on the date that all shares of our common stock offered by this prospectus have been sold by the Selling Stockholder.

Our common stock is currently listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “ADIL.”

DESCRIPTION OF OUR SECURITIES

General

The following description of our capital stock and the provisions of our certificate of incorporation and our bylaws are summaries and are qualified by reference to the certificate of incorporation and the bylaws. We have filed copies of these documents with the SEC as exhibits to our registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

General

Our authorized capital stock consists of 50,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share.

Common Stock

Common stock outstanding. There are 14,393,100 shares of our common stock outstanding on the date hereof.

Voting rights. The holders of common stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters to be voted upon by the stockholders, except on matters relating solely to terms of preferred stock.

Dividend rights. Subject to preferences that may be applicable to any outstanding preferred stock, the holders of common stock are entitled to receive ratably such dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by the board of directors out of funds legally available therefor. See “Dividend Policy.”

Rights upon liquidation. In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders of common stock are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining after payment of liabilities, subject to prior distribution rights of preferred stock, if any, then outstanding.

Other rights. The holders of our common stock have no preemptive or conversion rights or other subscription rights. There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to our common stock.

Warrants

We have outstanding warrants to purchase 8,649,625 shares of common stock with exercise prices ranging from $0.0054 to $7.63 and expiration dates from July 31, 2023 to December 31, 2031.

On July 31, 2018, we consummated our IPO and issued an aggregate of 1,464,000 units, each unit consisting of one share of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, and one warrant to purchase one share of common stock, at a public offering price of $5.00 per unit, before underwriting discounts and expenses. We also issued 170,652 warrants not part of units pursuant the underwriter’s overallotment option. The warrants issued in the IPO are exercisable at any time after their original issuance and at any time up to the date that is five years after their original issuance. The warrants will be exercisable, at the option of each holder, in whole or in part by delivering to us a duly executed exercise notice and, at any time a registration statement registering the issuance of the shares of common stock underlying the warrants under the Securities Act is effective and available for the issuance of such shares, or an exemption from registration under the Securities Act is available for the issuance of such shares, by payment in full in immediately available funds for the number of shares of common stock purchased upon such exercise. If a registration statement registering the issuance of the shares of common stock underlying the warrants under the Securities Act is not effective or available and an exemption from registration under the Securities Act is not available for the issuance of such shares, the holder may, in its sole discretion, elect to exercise the warrant through a cashless exercise, in which case the holder would receive upon such exercise the net number of shares of common stock determined according to the formula set forth in the warrant. No fractional shares of common stock will be issued in connection with the exercise of a warrant. In lieu of fractional shares, we will pay the holder an amount in cash equal to the fractional amount multiplied by the exercise price.

A holder will not have the right to exercise any portion of the warrant if the holder (together with its affiliates) would beneficially own in excess of 4.99% of the number of shares of our common stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the exercise, as such percentage ownership is determined in accordance with the terms of the warrants. However, any holder may increase or decrease such percentage to any other percentage not in excess of 9.99%, provided that any increase in such percentage shall not be effective until 61 days following notice from the holder to us. The exercise price per whole share of common stock purchasable upon exercise of the warrants is $6.25 per share (based on the initial public offering price of $5.00 per unit) or 125% of public offering price of the common stock. The exercise price is subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of certain stock dividends and distributions, stock splits, stock combinations, reclassifications or similar events affecting our common stock and also upon any distributions of assets, including cash, stock or other property to our stockholders. Subject to applicable laws, the warrants may be offered for sale, sold, transferred or assigned without our consent. The warrants issued in the IPO are trading on The NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “ADILW.” The warrants were issued in registered form under a warrant agent agreement between VStock Transfer, LLC, as warrant agent, and us. The warrants shall initially be represented only by one or more global warrants deposited with the warrant agent, as custodian on behalf of The Depository Trust Company (DTC) and registered in the name of Cede & Co., a nominee of DTC, or as otherwise directed by DTC. In the event of a fundamental transaction, as described in the warrants and generally including any reorganization, recapitalization or reclassification of our common stock, the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of our properties or assets, our consolidation or merger with or into another person, the acquisition of more than 50% of our outstanding common stock, or any person or group becoming the beneficial owner of 50% of the voting power represented by our outstanding common stock, the holders of the warrants will be entitled to receive upon exercise of the warrants the kind and amount of securities, cash or other property that the holders would have received had they exercised the warrants immediately prior to such fundamental transaction.

The representative of the underwriters in the IPO were issued warrants to purchase up to a total of 58,560 shares of common stock (4% of the shares of common stock sold in this offering, excluding the over-allotment). The warrants are exercisable at any time, and from time to time, in whole or in part, during the four-year period commencing one year from the effective date of the offering, which period shall not extend further than five years from the effective date of the offering in compliance with FINRA Rule 5110(f)(2)(G)(i). The warrants are exercisable at a per share price equal to $6.25 per share, or 125% of the public offering price per unit in the offering (based on the initial offering price of $5.00 per unit). The representative (or permitted assignees under Rule 5110(g)(1)) will not sell, transfer, assign, pledge, or hypothecate these warrants or the securities underlying these warrants, nor will they engage in any hedging, short sale, derivative, put, or call transaction that would result in the effective economic disposition of the warrants or the underlying securities for a period of 180 days from the effective date of the offering. In addition, the warrants provide for registration rights upon request, in certain cases. In addition, the warrants provide for registration rights upon request, in certain cases. The demand registration right provided will not be greater than five years from the effective date of the offering in compliance with FINRA Rule 5110(f)(2)(G)(iv). The piggyback registration right provided will not be greater than seven years from the effective date of the offering in compliance with FINRA Rule 5110(f)(2)(G)(v). We will bear all fees and expenses attendant to registering the securities issuable on exercise of the warrants other than underwriting commissions incurred and payable by the holders. The exercise price and number of shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants may be adjusted in certain circumstances including in the event of a stock dividend, extraordinary cash dividend or our recapitalization, reorganization, merger or consolidation. However, the warrant exercise price or underlying shares will not be adjusted for issuances of shares of common stock at a price below the warrant exercise price.

As of the date of this prospectus, 1,620,112 shares of common stock remain issuable upon the exercise of the warrants issued in the IPO, including representatives warrants.

On February 25, 2019, we closed a firm commitment underwritten public offering pursuant to which we issued and sold 2,845,000 shares of our common stock together with a number of warrants to purchase 2,133,750 shares of our common stock. The combined public offering price was $3.25 per share of common stock and accompanying warrant. The warrants are exercisable upon issuance at a price of $4.0625 per share of common stock, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances, and will expire on February 26, 2024. The warrants will be exercisable, at the option of each holder, in whole or in part by delivering to us a duly executed exercise notice and, at any time a registration statement registering the issuance of the shares of common stock underlying the warrants under the Securities Act is effective and available for the issuance of such shares, or an exemption from registration under the Securities Act is available for the issuance of such shares, by payment in full in immediately available funds for the number of shares of common stock purchased upon such exercise. If a registration statement registering the issuance of the shares of common stock underlying the warrants under the Securities Act is not effective or available and an exemption from registration under the Securities Act is not available for the issuance of such shares, the holder may, in its sole discretion, elect to exercise the warrant through a cashless exercise, in which case the holder would receive upon such exercise the net number of shares of common stock determined according to the formula set forth in the warrant. Except as otherwise provided in the warrants or by virtue of such holder’s ownership of shares of common stock, the holder of a warrant does not have the rights or privileges of a holder of our common stock, including any voting rights, until the holder exercises the warrant. No fractional shares of common stock will be issued in connection with the exercise of a warrant. In lieu of fractional shares, at our election, we will pay the holder an amount in cash equal to the fractional amount multiplied by the fair market value of any such fractional shares or round up to the next whole share. The warrants also provide that in the event of a fundamental transaction we are required to cause any successor entity to assume its obligations under the warrants. In addition, the holder of the warrant will be entitled to receive upon exercise of the warrant the kind and amount of securities, cash or property that the holder would have received had the holder exercised the warrant immediately prior to such fundamental transaction. A holder will not have the right to exercise any portion of the warrant if the holder (together with its affiliates) would beneficially own in excess of 4.99% (or, upon election of the holder, 9.99%) of the number of shares of our common stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the exercise, as such percentage ownership is determined in accordance with the terms of the warrants. However, any holder may increase or decrease such percentage, provided that any increase will not be effective until the 61^st day after such election.

On June 11, 2020, the Company concluded a registered direct offering of 2,820,000 shares of common stock and in a concurrent private placement the sale of warrants to purchase 2,115,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $2.00 per share. The shares of common stock and accompanying warrants were sold directly to the buyers at a combined at-the-market price of $1.85 for a share and three quarters warrant. Gross proceeds of the offering, totaled $5,217,000, which after offering expenses, resulted in net proceeds of $4,657,215.

On May 15, 2020, the Company issued to a consultant, in consideration for services, warrants for the purchase of 72,000 shares of common stock, with an exercise price of $1.30 per share.

Preferred Stock

Our board of directors has the authority to issue preferred stock in one or more classes or series and to fix the designations, powers, preferences and rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, including dividend rights, conversion right, voting rights, terms of redemption, liquidation preferences and the number of shares constituting any class or series, without further vote or action by the stockholders. Although we have no present plans to issue any other shares of preferred stock, the issuance of shares of preferred stock, or the issuance of rights to purchase such shares, could decrease the amount of earnings and assets available for distribution to the holders of common stock, could adversely affect the rights and powers, including voting rights, of the common stock, and could have the effect of delaying, deterring or preventing a change of control of us or an unsolicited acquisition proposal. To date, no preferred stock has been issued.

Stockholder Registration Rights

We entered into a Registration Rights Agreement with Keystone Capital for the shares of common stock that may be issued to Keystone Capital pursuant to the Purchase Agreement. See the “Keystone Capital Transaction.”

Anti-Takeover Effects of Delaware Law

The provisions of Delaware law, our certificate of incorporation and our bylaws described below may have the effect of delaying, deferring or discouraging another party from acquiring control of us.

Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law

We are subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which prohibits a Delaware corporation from engaging in any business combination with any interested stockholder for a period of three years after the date that such stockholder became an interested stockholder, with the following exceptions:

In general, Section 203 defines business combination to include the following:

Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws

Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws provide that:

Board Classification

Our board of directors is divided into three classes, one class of which is elected each year by our stockholders. The directors in each class will serve for a three-year term. For more information on the classified board, see “Management—Board of Directors and Executive Officers.” The classification of our board of directors and the limitations on the ability of our stockholders to remove directors could make it more difficult for a third-party to acquire, or discourage a third-party from seeking to acquire, control of us.

Potential Effects of Authorized but Unissued Stock

We have shares of common stock and preferred stock available for future issuance without stockholder approval. We may utilize these additional shares for a variety of corporate purposes, including future public offerings to raise additional capital, to facilitate corporate acquisitions or payment as a dividend on the capital stock.

The existence of unissued and unreserved common stock and preferred stock may enable our board of directors to issue shares to persons friendly to current management or to issue preferred stock with terms that could render more difficult or discourage a third-party attempt to obtain control of us by means of a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise, thereby protecting the continuity of our management. In addition, the board of directors has the discretion to determine designations, rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions, including voting rights, dividend rights, conversion rights, redemption privileges and liquidation preferences of each series of preferred stock, all to the fullest extent permissible under the Delaware General Corporation Law and subject to any limitations set forth in our certificate of incorporation. The purpose of authorizing the board of directors to issue preferred stock and to determine the rights and preferences applicable to such preferred stock is to eliminate delays associated with a stockholder vote on specific issuances. The issuance of preferred stock, while providing desirable flexibility in connection with possible financings, acquisitions and other corporate purposes, could have the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to acquire, or could discourage a third party from acquiring, a majority of our outstanding voting stock.

Limitations of Director Liability and Indemnification of Directors, Officers and Employees

Our certificate of incorporation limits the liability of directors to the maximum extent permitted by Delaware law. Delaware law provides that directors of a corporation will not be personally liable for monetary damages for breach of their fiduciary duties as directors, except for liability for any:

These limitations of liability do not apply to liabilities arising under the federal or state securities laws and do not affect the availability of equitable remedies such as injunctive relief or rescission.

Our bylaws provide that we will indemnify our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by law, and may indemnify employees and other agents. Our bylaws also provide that we are obligated to advance expenses incurred by a director or officer in advance of the final disposition of any action or proceeding.

We have obtained a policy of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance.

We have entered into separate indemnification agreements with our directors and officers. These agreements, among other things, require us to indemnify our directors and officers for any and all expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees, retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees of experts, witness fees, travel expenses, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees) judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such directors or officers or on his or her behalf in connection with any action or proceeding arising out of their services as one of our directors or officers, or any of our subsidiaries or any other company or enterprise to which the person provides services at our request provided that such person follows the procedures for determining entitlement to indemnification and advancement of expenses set forth in the indemnification agreement. We believe that these bylaw provisions and indemnification agreements are necessary to attract and retain qualified persons as directors and officers.

The limitation of liability and indemnification provisions in our certificate of incorporation and bylaws may discourage stockholders from bringing a lawsuit against directors for breach of their fiduciary duties. They may also reduce the likelihood of derivative litigation against directors and officers, even though an action, if successful, might provide a benefit to us and our stockholders. Our results of operations and financial condition may be harmed to the extent we pay the costs of settlement and damage awards against directors and officers pursuant to these indemnification provisions.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling us, we have been informed that, in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.

At present, there is no pending litigation or proceeding involving any of our directors or officers as to which indemnification is required or permitted, and we are not aware of any threatened litigation or proceeding that may result in a claim for indemnification.

Requirements for Advance Notification of Stockholder Nominations and Proposals

Our Bylaws establish advance notice procedures with respect to stockholder proposals and nomination of candidates for election as directors.

Limits on Special Meetings

Special meetings of the stockholders may be called at any time only by the board of directors, Chairman or our Chief Executive Officer, subject to the rights of the holders of any series of preferred stock.

Election and Removal of Directors

Directors are elected by a plurality of the votes of shares present in person or represented by proxy at a meeting and entitled to vote generally on the election of directors. Our stockholders may remove directors only with the vote of sixty percent (60%) of the stockholders, whether for cause or without cause. Our board of directors may appoint a director to fill a vacancy, including vacancies created by the expansion of the board of directors. This system of electing and removing directors may discourage a third party from making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to obtain control of us, because it generally makes it more difficult for stockholders to replace a majority of our directors. Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws do not provide for cumulative voting in the election of directors.

Amendments to Our Governing Documents

Generally, the amendment of our certificate of incorporation requires approval by our board of directors and a majority vote of stockholders. Any amendment to our bylaws requires the approval of either a majority of our board of directors or approval of at least sixty-six and two-thirds (66 2/3%) of the votes entitled to be cast by the holders of our outstanding capital stock in elections of our board of directors.

Exclusive Forum Selection

Our certificate of incorporation provides that to the fullest extent permitted by law, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall be the sole and exclusive forum for (1) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of our company, (2) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any of our directors, officers, employees or stockholders to our company or our stockholders, (3) any action asserting a claim against our company or any director, officer or employee of our company arising pursuant to any provision of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware or our certificate of incorporation or bylaws, or (4) any action asserting a claim arising against our company or any director or officer or other employee of our company governed by the internal affairs doctrine. This exclusive forum provision would not apply to suits brought to enforce any liability or duty created by the Securities Act or the Exchange Act or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction. To the extent that any such claims may be based upon federal law claims, Section 27 of the Exchange Act creates exclusive federal jurisdiction over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations thereunder. Furthermore, Section 22 of the Securities Act creates concurrent jurisdiction for federal and state courts over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Securities Act or the rules and regulations thereunder. Although our certificate contains the choice of forum provision described above, it is possible that a court could rule that such a provision is inapplicable for a particular claim or action or that such provision is unenforceable. Investors cannot waive compliance with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder.

Listing

Our common stock is listed for trading on The NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “ADIL.” Our warrants issued in connection with our initial public offering in July 2018 are currently listed on The NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “ADILW.”

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock offered in this offering is VStock Transfer, LLC. Its address is 18 Lafayette Place, Woodmere, New York 11598. Its telephone number is (212) 828-8436.

LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the shares of our common stock being offered by this prospectus have been passed upon for us by Gracin & Marlow, LLP, New York, New York.

EXPERTS

The financial statements of Adial Pharmaceuticals, Inc. as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 and for each of the years in the two year period ended December 31, 2019 incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement have been so included in reliance on the report of Friedman LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, (such report includes an explanatory paragraph regarding our ability to continue as a going concern), given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-1 under the Securities Act, with respect to the securities being offered by this prospectus. This prospectus does not contain all of the information in the registration statement and its exhibits. For further information with respect to us and the securities offered by this prospectus, we refer you to the registration statement and its exhibits. Statements contained in this prospectus as to the contents of any contract or any other document referred to are not necessarily complete, and in each instance, we refer you to the copy of the contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement. Each of these statements is qualified in all respects by this reference. The SEC maintains an internet website that contains reports, proxy statements, and other information about registrants, like us, that file electronically with the SEC. The address of that website is www.sec.gov. The information contained in, or that can be accessed through, the SEC’s website is not incorporated by reference in, and is not part of, this prospectus or any prospectus supplement.

We are subject to the information and periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, and we file periodic reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. These periodic reports, proxy statements and other information are available at the website of the SEC referred to above. We maintain a website at https://ir.adialpharma.com/sec-filings. You may access our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act with the SEC free of charge at our website as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. The information contained in, or that can be accessed through, our website is not incorporated by reference in, and is not part of, this prospectus.

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information from other documents that we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus. Information in this prospectus supersedes information incorporated by reference that we filed with the SEC prior to the date of this prospectus.

We incorporate by reference into this prospectus and the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part the information or documents listed below that we have filed with the SEC (Commission File No. 001-37544):

We also incorporate by reference any future filings (other than current reports furnished under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K and exhibits filed on such form that are related to such items unless such Form 8-K expressly provides to the contrary) made with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, including those made on or after the date of this prospectus but prior to the termination of the offering (i.e., until the earlier of the date on which all of the securities registered hereunder have been sold or the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part has been withdrawn). Information in such future filings updates and supplements the information provided in this prospectus. Any statements in any such future filings will automatically be deemed to modify and supersede any information in any document we previously filed with the SEC that is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated herein by reference to the extent that statements in the later filed document modify or replace such earlier statements.

We will furnish without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a prospectus is delivered, upon written or oral request, a copy of any or all of the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus but not delivered with the prospectus, including exhibits that are specifically incorporated by reference into such documents. You should direct any requests for documents to:

Adial Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 

1180 Seminole Trail, Suite 495

Charlottesville, VA 22901

Telephone (434) 422-9800

Attention: Corporate Secretary

You may also access these documents, free of charge, on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or on our website at https://ir.adialpharma.com/sec-filings. The information contained in, or that can be accessed through, our website is not incorporated by reference in, and is not part of, this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement.

In accordance with Rule 412 of the Securities Act, any statement contained in a document incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed modified or superseded to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement.

You should rely only on information contained in, or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus and any prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information different from that contained in this prospectus or incorporated by reference into 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 an offer or solicitation.

DISCLOSURE OF COMMISSION POSITION ON INDEMNIFICATION FOR SECURITIES ACT LIABILITIES

Our directors and officers are indemnified to the fullest extent permitted under Delaware law. We also maintain insurance which protects our officers and directors against any liabilities incurred in connection with their service in such a capacity.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to our directors, officers and controlling persons pursuant to the foregoing, or otherwise, we have been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by us of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of ours 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, we will, unless in the opinion of our 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 Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

Up to 2,842,198 Shares of

Common Stock

PROSPECTUS