Ocugen (NASDAQ: OCGN) sells $115M 2034 convertibles, retires Avenue loan

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Ocugen, Inc. completed a private offering of $115.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2034, issued under an indenture with U.S. Bank Trust Company as trustee. The notes are unsecured, pay 6.75% interest semi-annually, and mature on May 15, 2034, with conversion into cash and/or common stock allowed after a specified future date, subject to an Exchange Cap and stockholder approval rules.

Ocugen received net proceeds of about $99.5 million after discounts and expenses, using approximately $32.7 million to fully repay and terminate its Avenue Loan Agreement and related loan documents, with the balance earmarked for general corporate purposes. After giving effect to the notes issuance and loan repayment, Ocugen estimates it would have had $99.0 million of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash on an as-adjusted basis as of March 31, 2026.

Positive

• Ocugen raised approximately $99.5 million in net cash proceeds, materially increasing liquidity with an estimated $99.0 million of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash on an as-adjusted basis as of March 31, 2026.
• The company fully repaid and terminated its Avenue Loan Agreement using about $32.7 million of proceeds, simplifying its debt structure and removing that secured loan and associated prepayment obligations.

Negative

• The company added $115.0 million of 6.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2034, increasing financial leverage and introducing a future interest burden at a fixed 6.75% annual coupon rate.
• Conversion features tied to the notes, including potential issuance of common stock subject to an Exchange Cap and stockholder approval, create a significant potential source of future equity dilution for existing shareholders.

Insights

Capital structure and credit analyst

Ocugen raises $115M in convertible debt, boosts cash and retires a loan.

Ocugen issued $115.0 million of 6.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2034, adding a long-dated unsecured obligation with a fixed coupon. The notes rank senior to future subordinated debt and junior to secured borrowings, with standard events of default and merger covenants.

Net proceeds of about $99.5 million funded full repayment of roughly $32.7 million under the Avenue Loan Agreement, including fees, and will otherwise support general corporate purposes. This shifts debt from a term loan to convertible notes and extends maturity, while introducing potential future equity dilution upon conversion.

After the transaction, Ocugen estimates as-adjusted cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash of $99.0 million as of March 31, 2026. The notes include investor protections such as a 2032 put option and repurchase rights upon a fundamental change, while the company retains a conditional redemption option starting in 2029 if equity trading conditions are met.

8-K Event Classification

6 items: 1.01, 1.02, 2.02, 2.03, 3.02, 9.01

6 items

Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement Business

The company signed a significant contract such as a merger agreement, credit facility, or major partnership.

Item 1.02 Termination of a Material Definitive Agreement Business

A significant contract was terminated, which may affect business operations or revenue.

Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition Financial

Disclosure of earnings results, typically an earnings press release or preliminary financials.

Item 2.03 Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement Financial

The company incurred a new significant debt or off-balance-sheet obligation.

Item 3.02 Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities Securities

The company sold equity securities in a private placement or other unregistered transaction.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits Exhibits

Financial statements, pro forma financial information, and exhibit attachments filed with this report.

Key Figures

Convertible notes principal: $115.0 million Coupon rate: 6.75% per year Net proceeds: $99.5 million +4 more

7 metrics

Convertible notes principal $115.0 million Aggregate principal amount of 6.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2034

Coupon rate 6.75% per year Annual interest rate on the convertible senior notes

Net proceeds $99.5 million Cash received after discounts and expenses from the notes offering

Debt repayment $32.7 million Amount used to fully repay and terminate the Avenue Loan Agreement

As-adjusted cash $99.0 million Estimated cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash as of March 31, 2026, after the transactions

Offering price 90% of principal Initial offering price of the notes relative to their principal amount

Holder put date May 15, 2032 Date when holders may require repurchase at 100% of principal plus interest

Key Terms

Convertible Senior Notes, Exchange Cap, fundamental change, Rule 144A, +2 more

6 terms

Convertible Senior Notes financial

"private offering of $115.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2034"

Convertible senior notes are a type of loan that a company issues to investors, which can be turned into company shares later on. They are called "senior" because they are paid back before other debts if the company runs into trouble. This allows investors to earn interest like a loan but also have the chance to own part of the company if its value rises.

Exchange Cap financial

"the maximum number of common stock that the Company can issue pursuant to any conversion of notes by physical settlement will be 67,629,947 shares of common stock to comply with Nasdaq Rule 5635(d) (the “Exchange Cap”)"

fundamental change financial

"if the Company undergoes a fundamental change (as defined in the Indenture), then, subject to certain conditions"

A fundamental change is a major shift in how a company or economy operates, like a new technology or a big change in leadership. It matters because such changes can affect the value or stability of investments, making them more or less attractive. Think of it like a major upgrade or shift in the rules of a game that can change the outcome.

Rule 144A regulatory

"for resale by the initial purchaser to persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144A under the Securities Act"

Rule 144A is a regulation that makes it easier for companies to sell private bonds to large investors without going through all the usual rules that apply to public sales. It matters because it helps companies raise money more quickly and privately, often attracting big investors looking for special deals.

Section 3(a)(9) regulatory

"they will be issued in transactions anticipated to be exempt from registration under the Securities Act by virtue of Section 3(a)(9) thereof"

Section 3(a)(9) is a provision of U.S. securities law that exempts certain exchanges of an issuer’s own securities with its existing holders from the usual public registration rules, typically when the swap doesn’t involve a public offering or outside buyers. For investors, it matters because such exchanges can change who holds what, affect dilution and liquidity, and may occur with less public disclosure than a registered sale — think of it like swapping old coupons for new ones behind the scenes rather than selling them in a public marketplace.

events of default financial

"The Indenture includes customary covenants and sets forth certain events of default after which the notes may be declared immediately due and payable"

Events of default are specific breaches or failures listed in a loan, bond, or credit agreement that give lenders the right to act, such as demanding immediate repayment, raising interest rates, or taking secured assets. They matter to investors because triggering one is like setting off a financial alarm: it raises the chance of foreclosure, restructuring, or bankruptcy and can sharply reduce the value of a company’s stock or bonds and increase borrowing costs.

Understanding 8-K Material Events →

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): May 7, 2026

OCUGEN, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware		001-36751		04-3522315
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)		(Commission File Number)		(IRS Employer Identification No.)

11 Great Valley Parkway Malvern, Pennsylvania		19355
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

(484) 328-4701

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 

N/A

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

¨	Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
¨	Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
¨	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
¨	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class		Trading Symbol(s)		Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share		OCGN		The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (The Nasdaq Capital Market)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).

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 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨

Item 1.01 Entry Into a Material Definitive Agreement.

Indenture and Notes

On May 7, 2026, Ocugen, Inc. (the “Company”) completed its previously announced private offering (the “offering”) of $115.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2034 (the “notes”). The notes were issued pursuant to an indenture, dated May 7, 2026 (the “Indenture”), between the Company and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee.

The notes are general unsecured obligations of the Company and rank senior in right of payment to all of its future indebtedness that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the notes, equal in right of payment to all of its existing and future liabilities that are not so subordinated, and junior to all of its secured indebtedness, to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness. The notes bear interest at a rate of 6.75% per year. Interest is payable semi-annually in arrears on May 15 and November 15 of each year, beginning on November 15, 2026. The notes mature on May 15, 2034, unless earlier repurchased, redeemed or converted.

The notes may not be converted prior to the earlier of (i) May 15, 2027 and (ii) the “reserved share effective date” (as defined in the Indenture) (such earlier date, the “conversion limit end date”). On or after the conversion limit end date, the notes are convertible at the option of the holders at any time prior to the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date, as described below. Upon conversion, the Company will pay or deliver, as the case may be, cash, shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “common stock”), or a combination of cash and shares of common stock, at the Company’s election, in the manner and subject to the terms and conditions provided in the Indenture, and, in the case of shares of common stock, subject to application of the Exchange Cap, if applicable; provided that unless and until the reserved share effective date occurs, the Company will settle conversion of notes solely with cash.

Additionally, until stockholder approval for the issuance of common stock pursuant to a conversion of the notes is obtained, the maximum number of common stock that the Company can issue pursuant to any conversion of notes by physical settlement will be 67,629,947 shares of common stock to comply with Nasdaq Rule 5635(d) (the “Exchange Cap”). The indenture will require that any conversion of notes be settled by cash settlement if settlement by the issuance of common stock would otherwise violate Nasdaq Rule 5635(d).

The conversion rate of the notes will initially be 372.7866 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of notes, which is equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $2.68 per share of common stock. The initial conversion price of the notes represents a premium of approximately 45% over the last reported sale price of $1.85 per share of common stock on The Nasdaq Capital Market on May 4, 2026. The conversion rate for the notes is subject to adjustment under certain circumstances in accordance with the terms of the Indenture. In addition, following certain corporate events that occur prior to the maturity date or if the Company delivers a notice of redemption in respect of the notes, the Company will, in certain circumstances, increase the conversion rate of the notes for a holder who elects to convert its notes in connection with such a corporate event or convert its notes called (or deemed called) for redemption during the related redemption period (as defined in the Indenture), as the case may be.

The Company may not redeem the notes prior to May 15, 2029. The Company may redeem for cash all or any portion of the notes (subject to certain limitations), at its option, on or after May 15, 2029 and prior to the 41^st scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date, if the last reported sale price of the common stock has been at least 130% of the conversion price for the notes then in effect for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) during any 30 consecutive trading day period (including the last trading day of such period) ending on, and including, the trading day immediately preceding the date on which the Company provides notice of redemption at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date. However, the Company may not redeem less than all of the outstanding notes unless at least $25.0 million aggregate principal amount of notes are outstanding and not called for redemption as of the time we send the related notice of redemption (and after giving effect to the delivery of such notice of redemption).

1

Holders of notes may require the Company to repurchase for cash all or any portion of their notes on May 15, 2032 at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, May 15, 2032. In addition, if the Company undergoes a fundamental change (as defined in the Indenture), then, subject to certain conditions and except as set forth in the Indenture, holders may require the Company to repurchase for cash all or any portion of their notes at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the fundamental change repurchase date.

The Indenture includes customary covenants and sets forth certain events of default after which the notes may be declared immediately due and payable and sets forth certain types of bankruptcy or insolvency events of default involving the Company after which the notes become automatically due and payable. The following events are considered “events of default” under the Indenture:

· default in any payment of interest on any note when due and payable and the default continues for a period of 30 days;

· default in the payment of principal of any note when due and payable at its stated maturity, upon optional redemption, upon any required repurchase, upon declaration of acceleration or otherwise;

· failure by the Company to comply with its obligation to convert the notes in accordance with the Indenture upon exercise of a holder’s conversion right and such failure continues for five business days;

· failure by the Company to give (i) a fundamental change notice or notice of a make-whole fundamental change (each as described in the Indenture), in either case when due and such failure continues for five business days, or (ii) notice of a specified distribution (as described in the Indenture) when due and such failure continues for one business day;

· failure by the Company to comply with its obligations in respect of any consolidation, merger or sale of assets;

· failure by the Company to comply with any of the Company’s other agreements in the notes or the Indenture for 60 days after receipt of written notice of such failure from the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the notes then outstanding;

· default by the Company or any of its significant subsidiaries (as defined in the Indenture) with respect to any mortgage, agreement or other instrument under which there may be outstanding, or by which there may be secured or evidenced, any indebtedness for money borrowed with a principal amount in excess of $10.0 million (or its foreign currency equivalent) in the aggregate of the Company and/or any such significant subsidiary, whether such indebtedness now exists or shall hereafter be created, (i) resulting in such indebtedness becoming or being declared due and payable prior to its stated maturity date or (ii) constituting a failure to pay the principal of any such indebtedness when due and payable (after the expiration of all applicable grace periods) at its stated maturity, upon required repurchase, upon declaration of acceleration or otherwise, and in the cases of clauses (i) and (ii), such acceleration shall not have been rescinded or annulled or such failure to pay or default shall not have been cured or waived, or such indebtedness is not paid or discharged, as the case may be, within 30 days after written notice to the Company by the trustee or to the Company and the trustee by holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the notes then outstanding in accordance with the Indenture; and

· certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Company or any of the Company’s significant subsidiaries.

In case of certain bankruptcy and insolvency-related events of default with respect to the Company, the principal of, and accrued and unpaid interest on, all of the then outstanding notes shall automatically become due and payable. If an event of default, other than certain bankruptcy and insolvency-related events of default with respect to the Company, occurs and is continuing, the trustee, by written notice to the Company, or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding notes by written notice to the Company and the trustee, may, declare 100% of the principal of, and accrued and unpaid interest on, all the outstanding notes to be due and payable.

2

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Indenture provides that, to the extent the Company so elects, the sole remedy for an event of default relating to the failure by the Company to comply with certain reporting covenants in the Indenture will, for the first 365 days after the occurrence of such an event of default, consist exclusively of the right to receive additional interest on the notes at a rate equal to 0.25% per annum of the principal amount of the notes outstanding for each day that such event of default is continuing during the first 180 days after the occurrence of such an event of default and 0.50% per annum of the principal amount of the notes outstanding from the 181st day to, and including, the 365th day following the occurrence of such event of default, as long as such event of default is continuing.

The Indenture provides that the Company shall not consolidate with or merge with or into, or sell, convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of the consolidated properties and assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to, another person (other than any such sale, conveyance, transfer or lease to one or more of the Company’s direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiaries), unless: (i) the resulting, surviving or transferee person (if not the Company) is a “qualified successor entity” (as defined in the Indenture) organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, and such qualified successor entity (if not the Company) expressly assumes by supplemental indenture all of the Company’s obligations under the notes and the Indenture; and (ii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no default or event of default has occurred and is continuing under the Indenture.

A copy of the Indenture is attached hereto as Exhibit 4.1 (including the form of the notes attached hereto as Exhibit 4.2) and is incorporated herein by reference (and this description is qualified in its entirety by reference to such document).

Proceeds

The offering price of the notes was 90% of the principal amount of notes. The Company’s net proceeds from the offering were approximately $99.5 million after deducting the initial purchaser’s discounts and commissions and the estimated offering expenses payable by the Company. The Company used approximately $32.7 million of the net proceeds from the offering to fully repay the outstanding principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest on, the Loan and Security Agreement that the Company is party to with Avenue Venture Opportunities Fund II, L.P. and Avenue Venture Opportunities Fund, L.P. as lenders and Avenue Capital Management II, L.P. as administrative agent and collateral agent (the “Avenue Loan Agreement”), including payment of the related prepayment fee and expenses, and terminate the Avenue Loan Agreement and all related loan documents. The Company intends to use the remaining net proceeds from the offering for general corporate purposes.

Item 1.02. Termination of a Material Definitive Agreement.

The information set forth under Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

After giving effect the issuance of the notes and the full repayment and termination of the Avenue Loan Agreement as described in Item 1.01, the Company estimates that it would have had, on an as-adjusted basis, cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash of $99.0 million as of March 31, 2026.

The preliminary unaudited financial information presented this Item 2.02 is an estimate based on information available to management as of the date of this Current Report on Form 8-K, has not been reviewed or audited by the Company’s independent registered accounting firm, and is subject to change. It is possible that the final results may differ from the preliminary unaudited information provided, including differences due to the completion of the financial closing procedures; changes in facts, circumstances and/or assumptions and/or developments in the interim. The preliminary unaudited financial information does not present all information necessary for a complete understanding of the Company’s results as of March 31, 2026 and should not be viewed as a substitute for full financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP.

3

The information contained in this Item 2.02 shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of such section, nor will such information be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act, or the Exchange Act, except as may be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

Item 2.03 Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.

The information set forth under Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 3.02 Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.

The information set forth under Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference.

The Company offered and sold the notes to the initial purchaser in reliance on the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and for resale by the initial purchaser to persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144A under the Securities Act. The Company relied on these exemptions from registration based in part on representations made by the initial purchaser in the purchase agreement dated May 4, 2026 by and among the Company and the initial purchaser.

The notes and the shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the notes, if any, have not been registered under the Securities Act and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements.

To the extent that any shares of common stock are issued upon conversion of the notes, they will be issued in transactions anticipated to be exempt from registration under the Securities Act by virtue of Section 3(a)(9) thereof because no commission or other remuneration is expected to be paid in connection with conversion of the notes and any resulting issuance of shares of common stock. Initially, a maximum of 62,162,162 shares of common stock may be issued upon conversion of the notes based on the initial maximum conversion rate of 540.5405 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of notes, which is subject to customary anti-dilution adjustment provisions.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

Exhibit Number		Description
4.1		Indenture, dated as of May 7, 2026, between Ocugen, Inc. and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association.
4.2		Form of 6.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2034 (included as Exhibit A to Exhibit 4.1).
104		Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).

4

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

		OCUGEN, INC.
Date: May 7, 2026	By:	/s/ Shankar Musunuri
		Name: Shankar Musunuri
		Title: Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, & Co-Founder

5

FAQ

What financing did Ocugen (OCGN) complete in this Form 8-K?

Ocugen completed a private offering of $115.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2034. The notes are unsecured senior obligations, pay semi-annual interest, and can later be converted into cash and/or common stock under specified conditions.

How much cash did Ocugen (OCGN) receive from the convertible notes offering?

Ocugen received net proceeds of approximately $99.5 million from the notes, after initial purchaser discounts, commissions, and estimated expenses. The notes were sold at 90% of principal, with the company retaining the remaining cash to repay debt and fund general corporate purposes.

How will Ocugen (OCGN) use the proceeds from the 6.75% convertible notes?

Ocugen used about $32.7 million of net proceeds to fully repay the outstanding principal, interest, fees, and expenses under its Avenue Loan Agreement, terminating that facility. The company intends to use the remaining proceeds for general corporate purposes, which typically include operations and growth initiatives.

What is Ocugen’s estimated cash position after this transaction?

After issuing the notes and repaying the Avenue Loan Agreement, Ocugen estimates it would have had $99.0 million of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash on an as-adjusted basis as of March 31, 2026, providing additional liquidity compared with pre-transaction levels.

What are key investor protections in Ocugen’s new convertible notes?

Holders may require Ocugen to repurchase notes for cash at 100% of principal plus interest on May 15, 2032, and upon a defined fundamental change. The notes also include standard events of default and allow company redemption from May 15, 2029 if stock price conditions are met.

How were Ocugen’s 6.75% convertible notes offered and are they registered?

Ocugen sold the notes privately under Section 4(a)(2) and Rule 144A exemptions to qualified institutional buyers. The notes and any conversion shares are not registered under the Securities Act and can only be offered or sold under registration or valid exemptions.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

4 documents

Other Documents

• EX-4.1 EXHIBIT 4.1 714.8 KB
• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION SCHEMA 2.9 KB
• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION LABEL LINKBASE 33.4 KB
• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION PRESENTATION LINKBASE 21.8 KB