[S-3] Verastem, Inc. Shelf Registration Statement
Verastem, Inc. (Nasdaq: VSTM) has filed a Form S-3 shelf registration permitting the sale of up to $300 million of common stock, preferred stock, warrants and debt.
An accompanying at-the-market (ATM) prospectus supplement allows Cantor Fitzgerald to distribute up to $100 million in common shares at prevailing prices for a 3 % sales commission. The filing provides capital flexibility without a defined timetable or minimum issuance.
Anticipated uses of proceeds include:
- U.S. launch and post-marketing commitments for the newly FDA-approved AVMAPKI FAKZYNJA CO-PACK (avutometinib + defactinib) for KRAS-mutant recurrent low-grade serous ovarian cancer.
- Continued development of the RAF/MEK, FAK and KRAS-G12D programs (RAMP-201/203/205/301).
- Working capital, milestone obligations, potential licensing or M&A.
Key facts: last reported share price 7 Aug 2025 was $5.62; 61.5 m shares outstanding with a further ~26 m issuable under options, RSUs and warrants (14.1 m at $3.50 and 9.8 m pre-funded near-zero strike), implying notable dilution if the shelf is fully tapped. Verastem is a non-accelerated, smaller-reporting company, and states that investing involves a high degree of risk.
Implication: The shelf shores up liquidity ahead of commercial rollout but signals continued reliance on external financing; shareholder dilution risk increases as shares are sold into the market.
Positive
- Enhanced funding flexibility: $300 m shelf and $100 m ATM provide rapid access to capital without separate offerings.
- Regulatory momentum: Recent FDA accelerated approval of AVMAPKI FAKZYNJA CO-PACK underpins near-term commercial revenue potential.
- Orphan designations: Multiple orphan drug statuses may support pricing power and exclusivity.
Negative
- Dilution risk: Full utilisation of the ATM could increase the share count by ~18 % at current prices, in addition to 26 m dilutive instruments already outstanding.
- Continued cash burn: Proceeds are earmarked for R&D and launch costs, indicating ongoing negative operating cash flow.
- Accelerated-approval uncertainty: Continued FDA approval contingent on confirmatory trial success, creating revenue durability risk.
Insights
TL;DR – Shelf offers liquidity for launch, but ATM could dilute; neutral credit signal.
The $300 m shelf and $100 m ATM give Verastem tactical funding for the AVMAPKI launch and RAMP studies without the delay of a marketed follow-on. Capital access is positive for operations and mitigates near-term cash-burn risk, yet executing the ATM at market prices could expand the float by ~18 % at current levels, capping upside. No financial guidance is provided, so runway extension depends on utilisation pace and clinical outlays. Overall impact is financing-driven and largely valuation-neutral, leaning modestly dilutive until product revenue visibility improves.
TL;DR – Filing raises dilution, liquidity improves; risk profile unchanged.
The shelf increases balance-sheet flexibility but does not alter fundamental risk: single-asset dependence, accelerated-approval uncertainty and heavy R&D commitments persist. Investors should monitor ATM draw-down velocity versus trading volume (avg. ~500 k shares/day); aggressive issuance could pressure price. Creditors gain marginal comfort from optional debt shelf, although no terms are fixed. Action is routine for early-commercial biotechs—impact classified as not material to credit or default risk, yet equity holders face incremental dilution.
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
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Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization) |
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27-3269467
(I.R.S Employer
Identification No.) |
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Needham, Massachusetts 02494
(781)292-4200
Chief Executive Officer
Verastem, Inc.
117 Kendrick Street, Suite 500
Needham, Massachusetts 02494
(781)292-4200
Thomas Danielski
Ropes & Gray LLP
Prudential Tower
800 Boylston St.
Boston, Massachusetts 02199
(617) 951-7000
(Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public)
Preferred Stock
Warrants
Debt Securities
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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
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ABOUT THE COMPANY
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RISK FACTORS
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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
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USE OF PROCEEDS
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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
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DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK
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DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK
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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
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INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
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LEGAL MATTERS
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EXPERTS
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Verastem, Inc.
117 Kendrick Street, Suite 500
Needham, Massachusetts 02494
(781) 292-4279
email address: investors@verastem.com
Common Stock
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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
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PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY
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THE OFFERING
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RISK FACTORS
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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
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USE OF PROCEEDS
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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
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DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK
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LEGAL MATTERS
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EXPERTS
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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
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INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
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Verastem, Inc.
117 Kendrick Street, Suite 500
Needham, Massachusetts 02494
(781) 292-4279
email address: investors@verastem.com
Common Stock
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Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee
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Printing and engraving expenses
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Legal fees and expenses
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Accounting fees and expenses
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Transfer Agent and Registrar fees
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Trustee’s fees and expenses
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Miscellaneous
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Total
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Exhibit
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Description
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| | 1.1 | | | Form of Underwriting Agreement* | |
| | 1.2 | | |
Sales Agreement, dated August 8, 2025, by and between the Company and Cantor Fitzgerald & Co.
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| | 3.1 | | | Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 as filed with the SEC on March 12, 2019) | |
| | 3.2 | | | Certificate of Amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed by the Registrant on March 12, 2019) | |
| | 3.3 | | | Certificate of Amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Verastem, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Form 8-K filed by the Registrant with the SEC on May 21, 2020) | |
| | 3.4 | | | Certificate of Amendment to Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Verastem, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Form 8-K filed by the Registrant with the SEC on May 31, 2023) | |
| | 3.5 | | | Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to Amendment No. 3 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 as filed with the SEC on January 13, 2012) | |
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Exhibit
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Description
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| | 3.6 | | | Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Form 8-K filed by the Registrant with the SEC on November 7, 2022) | |
| | 3.7 | | | Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Form 8-K filed by the Registrant with the SEC on January 25, 2023) | |
| | 4.1 | | | Specimen certificate evidencing shares of common stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Amendment No. 3 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 as filed with the SEC on January 13, 2012) | |
| | 4.2 | | |
Description of Securities (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed by the Registrant on March 20, 2025)
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| | 4.3 | | | Form of Pre-Funded Warrant to Purchase Common Stock (incorporated by referenced to Exhibit 10.3 to the Form 8-K filed by the Registrant with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 25, 2025) | |
| | 4.4 | | | Registration Rights Agreement, dated April 25, 2025, by and among Verastem, Inc. and the investors party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Form 8-K filed by the Registrant with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 25, 2025) | |
| | 4.5 | | | Form of Common Stock Warrant Agreement and Warrant Certificate* | |
| | 4.6 | | | Form of Preferred Stock Warrant Agreement and Warrant Certificate* | |
| | 4.7 | | | Form of Debt Securities Warrant Agreement and Warrant Certificate* | |
| | 4.8 | | |
Form of Indenture (filed herewitth)
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| | 5.1 | | |
Opinion of Ropes & Gray LLP relating to the base prospectus (filed herewith)
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| | 5.2 | | |
Opinion of Ropes & Gray LLP relating to the at-the-market offering prospectus supplement (filed herewith)
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| | 23.1 | | |
Consent of Ropes & Gray LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)
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| | 23.2 | | |
Consent of Ropes & Gray LLP (included in Exhibit 5.2)
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| | 23.3 | | |
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP (filed herewith)
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| | 24.1 | | |
Power of Attorney (incorporated by reference to the signature page hereto)
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| | 25.1 | | |
Statement of Eligibility of Trustee Under Debt Indenture (filed herewith)
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Filing Fee Table (filed herewith)
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President and Chief Executive Officer
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SIGNATURES
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TITLE
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DATE
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/s/ Daniel W. Paterson
Daniel W. Paterson
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President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal executive officer) |
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August 8, 2025
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/s/ Daniel Calkins
Daniel Calkins
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Chief Financial Officer
(Principal financial and accounting officer) |
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August 8, 2025
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/s/ Brian M. Stuglik
Brian M. Stuglik
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| | Director | | |
August 8, 2025
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/s/ Paul A. Bunn, M.D.
Paul A. Bunn, M.D.
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| | Director | | |
August 8, 2025
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/s/ Robert Gagnon
Robert Gagnon
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| | Director | | |
August 8, 2025
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/s/ John H. Johnson
John H. Johnson
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| | Director | | |
August 8, 2025
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SIGNATURES
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TITLE
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DATE
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/s/ Anil Kapur
Anil Kapur
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| | Director | | |
August 8, 2025
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/s/ Michael Kauffman, M.D., Ph.D.
Michael Kauffman, M.D., Ph.D.
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| | Director | | |
August 8, 2025
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/s/ Michelle Robertson
Michelle Robertson
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| | Director | | |
August 8, 2025
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/s/ Eric Rowinsky, M.D.
Eric Rowinsky, M.D.
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| | Director | | |
August 8, 2025
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Karin Tollefson
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| | Director | | |
August 8, 2025
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