Registration Statement - Specified Transactions (Form S-3)

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 12, 2025

Registration No. 333-     ​

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

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

Humacyte, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

2525 East North Carolina Highway 54
Durham, NC 27713
(919) 313-9633

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)​

Dale A. Sander
Chief Financial Officer
2525 East North Carolina Highway 54
Durham, NC 27713
(919) 313-9633

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of agent for service)​

With copies to:

Kerry S. Burke
Covington & Burling LLP
One CityCenter
850 Tenth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 662-6000

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after this registration statement becomes effective.

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box: ☐

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box: ☒

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company" and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

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

The Registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission acting pursuant to said Section 8(a) may determine.

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Subject to completion, dated September 12, 2025

PROSPECTUS

$350,000,000

Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Warrants
Debt Securities
Subscription Rights
Units

From time to time, we may offer and sell up to $350,000,000 in the aggregate of the securities identified above, either individually or in combination, at prices and on terms described in one or more supplements to this prospectus. We may also offer securities as may be issuable upon conversion, redemption, repurchase, exchange or exercise of any securities registered hereunder, including any applicable anti-dilution provisions.

This prospectus describes the general terms of these securities and the general manner in which they may be offered. Each time we offer any securities pursuant to this prospectus, we will provide you with a prospectus supplement that will describe the specific amounts, prices and terms of the securities being offered and the specific manner in which they may be offered. The prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus, the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus, the accompanying prospectus supplement, including any information incorporated by reference therein, and any applicable free writing prospectus carefully before you invest in the securities described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market ("Nasdaq") under the symbol "HUMA." On September 11, 2025, the last reported sale price per share of our common stock was $[•] per share. The applicable prospectus supplement will contain information, where applicable, as to other listings, if any, on Nasdaq or other securities exchange of the securities covered by the prospectus supplement.

We may offer and sell these securities to or through one or more underwriters, dealers and agents, directly to purchasers or through a combination of these methods, on a continuous or delayed basis from time to time. See "Plan of Distribution" in this prospectus and in the applicable prospectus supplement. The names of any underwriters, dealers or agents involved in the distribution of our securities, their compensation and any option they hold to acquire additional securities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Net proceeds from the sale of securities will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Before investing in our securities, you should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described under the caption "Risk Factors" beginning on page 7 of this prospectus and any similar section contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and in any free writing prospectus we have authorized for use in connection with a specific offering, and under similar headings in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

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

The date of this prospectus is            , 2025.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), using a "shelf" registration process under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). Under this shelf registration statement, we may offer and sell from time to time, separately or together, any combination of our common stock, preferred stock, warrants, subscription rights, and units in one or more offerings at an aggregate offering price of up to $350,000,000. The preferred stock, debt securities, warrants, subscription rights and units may be convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for, our common or preferred stock or other securities issued by us.

This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we offer and sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement together with the additional information described under the heading "Where You Can Find More Information." We may also prepare free writing prospectuses that describe particular securities. Any free writing prospectus should also be read in connection with this prospectus and any prospectus supplement referred to therein. For purposes of this prospectus, any reference to an applicable prospectus supplement may also refer to a free writing prospectus, unless the context otherwise requires.

Unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, all references in this prospectus to "we," "our," "us," "our company" and "the Company" refer to Humacyte, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.

This prospectus describes the terms of this offering also adds to and updates information contained in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus. To the extent there is a conflict between the information contained in this prospectus, on the one hand, and the information contained in any document incorporated by reference into this prospectus that was filed with the SEC, before the date of this prospectus, on the other hand, you should rely on the information in this prospectus. If any statement in one of these documents is inconsistent with a statement in another document having a later date (for example, a document incorporated by reference into this prospectus) the statement in the document having the later date modifies or supersedes the earlier statement. The information contained in this prospectus or any free writing prospectus, or incorporated by reference herein or therein, is accurate only as of the respective dates thereof, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or of any sale of our shares of common stock. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

We further note that the representations, warranties and covenants made by us in any agreement that is filed as an exhibit to any document that is incorporated by reference herein were made solely for the benefit of the parties to such agreement, including, in some cases, for the purpose of allocating risk among the parties to such agreements, and should not be deemed to be a representation, warranty or covenant to you. Moreover, such representations, warranties or covenants were accurate only as of the date when made. Accordingly, such representations, warranties and covenants should not be relied on as accurately representing the current state of our affairs.

The registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, including the exhibits to the registration statement, contains additional information about us and the securities offered under this prospectus. The registration statement can be obtained from the SEC's website, www.sec.gov. Copies of information filed by us with the SEC are also available on our website at www.humacyte.com. The reference to our website is not intended to be an active link and the information on, or that can be accessed through, our website is not, and you must not consider the information to be, a part of this prospectus or any other filings we make with the SEC.

We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information that is different from or in addition to that contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus prepared by us or on our behalf. We do not take any responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any information that others may give. We are not making an offer to sell or soliciting an offer to buy our securities under any circumstances where the offer or solicitation is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any free writing

prospectus that we have prepared is accurate as of any date other than the respective date of each of those documents, or that any information in documents that we have incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than the date of the document incorporated by reference, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any prospectus supplement or any sale of a security. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

The distribution of this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement and the offering of the securities in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law. Persons who obtain this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement should inform themselves about, and observe, any such restrictions. This prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement do not constitute, and may not be used in connection with, an offer or solicitation by anyone in any jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation is not permitted or in which the person making such offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). These forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to, among other things, future events and our financial performance. Any statements about our management's expectations, beliefs, plans, predictions, forecasts, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not historical facts and may be forward-looking. These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as "anticipate," "believes," "can," "could," "may," "predicts," "potential," "should," "will," "estimate," "plans," "projects," "continuing," "ongoing," "expects," "intends" and similar words or phrases. All forward-looking statements, expressed or implied, included herewith are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to herein. The inclusion of forward-looking information in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein should not be regarded as a representation by us or any other person that the future plans, estimates or expectations contemplated by us will be achieved. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. Factors that may affect our results are disclosed in "Risk Factors" beginning on page 7 of this prospectus, and in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus and included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. Some of the risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed include, but are not limited to, the following:

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our plans and ability to commercialize Symvess™ (acellular tissue engineered vessel-tyod or "ATEV™") and, if approved by regulatory authorities, our product candidates, successfully and on our anticipated timelines;

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the degree of market acceptance of and the availability of third-party coverage and reimbursement for Symvess and, if approved by regulatory authorities, our product candidates;

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our ability to manufacture Symvess and, if approved by regulatory authorities, our product candidates, in sufficient quantities to satisfy our clinical trial and commercial needs;

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the expected size of the target populations for Symvess and, if approved by regulatory authorities, our product candidates;

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the anticipated benefits of our ATEVs relative to existing alternatives;

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our assessment of the competitive landscape;

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our plans and ability to execute product development, process development and preclinical development efforts successfully and on our anticipated timelines;

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our plans, anticipated timeline and ability to file applications for, and obtain marketing approvals from, the United States Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") and other regulatory authorities, including the European Medicines Agency, for our ATEVs and product candidates;

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our ability to design, initiate and successfully complete clinical trials and other studies for our product candidates and our plans and expectations regarding our ongoing or planned clinical trials, including for our V007 and V012 Phase 3 clinical trials;

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our ability to execute and achieve the expected benefits of our cost-saving measures and whether our efforts will result in further actions or additional asset impairment charges that adversely affect our business;

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the outcome of our ongoing discussions with the FDA concerning the design of our clinical trials;

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our anticipated growth rate and market opportunities;

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our ability to use our proprietary scientific technology platform to build a pipeline of additional product candidates;

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the characteristics and performance of our ATEVs and the public perception thereof;

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our expectations regarding our strategic partnership with Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc. to sell, market and distribute our 6 millimeter ATEV for certain specified indications and in specified markets, if approved by regulatory authorities;

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the performance of other third parties on which we rely, including our third-party manufacturers, our licensors, our suppliers and the organizations conducting our clinical trials;

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our ability to obtain and maintain intellectual property protection for our product candidates as well as our ability to operate our business without infringing, misappropriating or otherwise violating the intellectual property rights of others;

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our ability to maintain the confidentiality of our trade secrets, particularly with respect to our manufacturing process;

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our compliance with applicable laws and regulatory requirements, including FDA regulations, healthcare laws and regulations, and anti-corruption laws;

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our involvement in existing or potential claims and legal and administrative proceedings, and the merits, potential outcomes and effects of both existing and potential claims and legal and administrative proceedings, as well as regulatory determinations, on our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations;

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our ability to attract, retain and motivate qualified personnel and to manage our growth effectively;

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our estimates regarding how long our existing cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient to fund our anticipated operating expenses, capital expenditures and debt service obligations;

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our future financial performance and capital requirements, including our ability to raise additional capital in the future;

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our ability to implement and maintain effective internal controls;

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the potential liquidity and trading of our securities; and

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the impact of the overall global economy and increasing interest rates and inflation on our business.

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We caution you that the foregoing list may not contain all of the forward-looking statements made in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein.

These forward-looking statements are only predictions based on our current expectations and projections about future events and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including those described in "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein. Moreover, we operate in a competitive industry, and new risks emerge from time to time. It is not possible for the management of Humacyte 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. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein may not occur, and actual results could differ materially and adversely from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein.

The forward-looking statements included in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein are made only as of the date of the respective document. You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in our forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee that the future results, levels of activity, performance or events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements will be achieved or occur. We do not undertake any obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason after the date of this prospectus to conform these statements to actual results or to changes in expectations, except as required by law.

You should read this prospectus, the documents that have been filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, any accompanying prospectus supplement, and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein, with the understanding that the actual future results, levels of activity, performance, events and circumstances of Humacyte may be materially different from what is expected.

MARKET, INDUSTRY AND OTHER DATA

Certain information contained in this prospectus, and any applicable prospectus supplement, and the information incorporated by reference herein and therein, relates to or is based on studies, publications, surveys and other data obtained from third-party sources and Humacyte's own internal estimates and research. While our management is responsible for the accuracy of such statement and we believe these third-party sources to be reliable as of the date of this prospectus, we have not independently verified the market and industry data contained in this prospectus or the underlying assumptions relied on therein. Finally, while we believe our own internal research is reliable, such research has not been verified by any independent source.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3 under the Securities Act with respect to the securities being offered by this prospectus. This prospectus, which constitutes part of the registration statement, does not contain all of the information in the registration statement and its exhibits. For further information with respect to us and our securities offered by this prospectus, we refer you to the registration statement and its exhibits. Whenever a reference is made in this prospectus to any of our contracts, agreements or other documents, the reference may not be complete and you should refer to the exhibits that are a part of the registration statement or the exhibits to the reports or other documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus for a copy of such contract, agreement or other document.

Because we are subject to the information and reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, we file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. We maintain a website at www.humacyte.com. The information contained in, or that can be accessed through, our website is not incorporated by reference herein and is not part of this prospectus.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" into this prospectus much of the information in documents we file with the SEC, 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 a part of this prospectus and should be read with the same care. When we update the information contained in documents that have been incorporated by reference by making future filings with the SEC, the information incorporated by reference into this prospectus is considered to be automatically updated and superseded. In other words, in all cases, if you are considering whether to rely on information contained in this prospectus or information incorporated by reference herein, you should rely on the information contained in the document that was filed later. We incorporate by reference (other than any information furnished to, rather than filed with, the SEC, unless expressly stated otherwise therein) the documents listed below (File No. 001-39532 unless otherwise stated), which are considered to be a part of this prospectus:

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our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, filed with the SEC on March 31, 2025 (including the portions of our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed with the SEC on April 29, 2025, incorporated by reference therein);

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our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, filed with the SEC on May 13, 2025, and the quarter ended June 30, 2025, filed with the SEC on August 11, 2025;

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our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 25, 2025, March 26, 2025 and June 11, 2025; and

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the description of our common stock contained in Exhibit 4.6 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on March 28, 2024.

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All reports and other documents we subsequently file with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act until our offering is completed, including all such reports and other documents filed with the SEC after the date of the initial filing of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part and prior to the effectiveness of such registration statement, will also be incorporated by reference into this prospectus and deemed to be part hereof (other than any information furnished to, rather

than filed with, the SEC, unless expressly stated otherwise therein). The information contained in any such filing will be deemed to be a part of this prospectus commencing on the date on which the document is filed.

Any documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus are available without charge to you, upon written request by contacting our Investor Relations department at Investor Relations, Humacyte, Inc., 2525 East North Carolina Highway 54, Durham, North Carolina 27713.

THE COMPANY

Humacyte is a commercial-stage biotechnology platform company developing universally implantable, bioengineered human tissues at commercial scale, and in the first quarter of 2025 commenced the United States commercial launch of our first FDA-approved product. We are pioneering the development and manufacture of off-the-shelf, universally implantable, bioengineered human tissues, advanced tissue constructs and organ systems with the goal of improving the lives of patients and transforming the practice of medicine. We believe our regenerative medicine technology has the potential to overcome limitations in existing standards of care and address the lack of significant innovation in products that support tissue repair, reconstruction and replacement. We are leveraging our novel, scalable technology platform to develop proprietary, bioengineered, acellular human tissues for use in the treatment of diseases and conditions across a range of anatomic locations in multiple therapeutic areas.

Our common stock is traded on Nasdaq under the symbol "HUMA." The mailing address of our principal executive office is 2525 East North Carolina Highway 54, Durham, North Carolina 27713, and our telephone number is (919) 313-9633. Our website address is http://www.humacyte.com. The information contained in, or that can be accessed through, our website is not part of this prospectus. We make available free of charge on our website our annual, quarterly and current reports, including amendments to such reports, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish such material to, the SEC.

Additional information about us and our subsidiaries is included in documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus. See "Where you Can Find More Information" and "Incorporation by Reference."

Cash Runway Statement and Our Ability to Continue as a Going Concern

Based on our current plans and excluding any contribution from external financing (including the proceeds from any securities offered under this prospectus), we believe that our available cash and cash equivalents on hand and existing capacity under our Common Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of September 24, 2024, with Lincoln Park Capital Fund, LLC (the "Common Stock Purchase Agreement") will be sufficient to fund our operations into August 2026.

In accordance with Accounting Standards Update 2014-15, Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity's Ability to Continue as a Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40), we are required to evaluate whether there are conditions and events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern from the issuance date, or reissuance, of our financial statements. Because our funds currently on hand and existing capacity under our Common Stock Purchase Agreement will not be sufficient to fund our operations, as currently planned, for more than one year beyond the filing date of this registration statement, we have determined that there is substantial doubt regarding our ability to continue as a going concern. If we do not raise sufficient funds through one or more offerings under this prospectus or through other means, then in connection with the future filing of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2025 (the "2025 Form 10-K"), we expect that we will disclose in such filing that we will not have sufficient liquidity to fund our operations for more than one year beyond the filing date of the 2025 Form 10-K. The future viability of the Company is dependent on its ability to generate cash flows from the sale of Symvess and raise additional capital to finance its operations. The Company plans to seek additional funding through private or public equity financings, debt financings, debt refinancings or restructurings, collaborations, strategic alliances, and marketing, distribution or licensing arrangements. Adequate capital may not be available to the Company when needed or on acceptable terms. If the Company is unable to raise capital, it could be forced to delay, reduce, suspend or cease certain of its planned research and development programs or any future commercialization efforts, which would have a negative impact on its business, prospects, operating results and financial condition.

RISK FACTORS

Investing in securities issued by us involves a high degree of risk. The prospectus supplement applicable to each offering of our securities will contain a discussion of the risks applicable to an investment in our securities. Before deciding whether to invest in our securities, you should consider carefully the risks described

under the heading "Risk Factors" in the applicable prospectus supplement and in any of our filings with the SEC that are incorporated by reference therein.

USE OF PROCEEDS

We will retain broad discretion over the use of the net proceeds from the sale of our securities offered by this prospectus. Unless we indicate otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, we anticipate that any net proceeds will be used for working capital and general corporate purposes, including expenses related to funding research and development expenses for our clinical trials and pre-clinical studies, manufacturing and other costs associated with advancing our product candidates. We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement our intended use for the net proceeds received from the sale of any securities sold pursuant to the prospectus supplement. Pending these uses, we intend to invest the net proceeds in short-term U.S. treasury money market mutual funds.

DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK

We may issue, separately or together with, or upon conversion, exercise or exchange of other securities, shares of our common stock as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. The following section describes the material features and rights of our common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, and does not purport to be complete. It is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, our Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (the "Charter") and our Amended and Restated By Laws (the "Bylaws") and applicable provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law ("DGCL"). Each of our Charter and Bylaws is incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

As of the date of this prospectus, we had authorized 350,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share. As of September 9, 2025, there were 158,835,303 shares of our common stock outstanding. Our common stock is traded on Nasdaq under the symbol "HUMA."

The Charter provides the following with respect to the rights, powers, preferences and privileges of our common stock.

Voting Rights

Holders of record of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held on all matters to be voted on by stockholders. Unless specified in our Charter or Bylaws, or as required by applicable provisions of the DGCL or applicable stock exchange rules, the affirmative vote of a majority of our shares of common stock that are voted is required to approve any such matter voted on by our stockholders.

Our board of directors is divided into three classes, each of which will generally serve for a term of three years with one class of directors being elected in each year. There is no cumulative voting with respect to the election of directors.

Dividend Rights

Subject to applicable law and the rights, if any, of the holders of any series of our preferred stock then-outstanding, the holders of our common stock are entitled to receive ratable dividends when, as and if declared by our board of directors out of funds legally available therefor and will share equally on a per share basis in such dividends and distributions.

Rights Upon Liquidation

In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, after payment or provision for payment of the debts and other liabilities of Humacyte, the holders of shares of common stock are entitled to receive all the remaining assets of Humacyte available for distribution to its stockholders, ratably in proportion to the number of shares held by them, subject to applicable law and the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of preferred stock.

Other Rights

Our stockholders have no conversion, preemptive or other subscription rights. There are no sinking fund or redemption provisions applicable to the common stock.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK

Pursuant to the Charter, our board of directors has the authority, without stockholder approval, subject to limitations prescribed by law, to provide for the issuance of up to 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.0001 par value per share, in one or more series, and by filing a certificate pursuant to the applicable law of the State of Delaware, to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each such series, and to fix the voting rights, if any, designations, powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional, special and other rights of the shares of each series and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof.

We will fix the voting rights, designations, preferences and rights of the preferred stock of each series, as well as the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, in the certificate of designation relating to such series. We will file an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, or will incorporate by reference from reports that we file with the SEC, the form of any certificate of designation that describes the terms of the series of preferred stock we are offering before the issuance of that series of preferred stock. This description will include:

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the title and stated value;

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the number of shares offered;

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the liquidation preference per share;

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the purchase price per share;

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the dividend rate(s), period(s) and/or payment date(s) or method(s) of calculation for dividends;

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whether dividends are cumulative or non-cumulative and, if cumulative, the date from which dividends will accumulate;

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our right, if any, to defer payment of dividends and the maximum length of such deferral period;

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the procedures for auction and remarketing, if any;

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the provisions for a sinking fund, if any;

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the provision for redemption or repurchase, if applicable, and any restrictions on our ability to exercise those redemption and repurchase rights;

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

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the terms and conditions, if applicable, upon which the preferred stock will be convertible into common stock, including the conversion price (or manner of calculation) and conversion period;

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

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voting rights, if any, of the preferred stock;

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preemptive rights, if any;

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restrictions on transfer, sale or other assignment, if any;

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

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a discussion go any material and/or special U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the preferred stock;

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the relative ranking and preferences of the preferred stock as to dividend rights and rights upon the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs;

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any limitations on issuance of any class or series of preferred stock ranking senior to or on a parity with the class or series of preferred stock as to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs; and

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any other specific terms, preferences, rights, limitations or restrictions of the preferred stock.

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Our board of directors could authorize the issuance of shares of preferred stock with terms and conditions that could have the effect of discouraging a takeover or other transaction that might involve a premium price for holders of the shares or which holders might believe to be in their best interests. The issuance of preferred stock could adversely affect the voting power, conversion or other rights of holders of common stock and reduce the likelihood that common stockholders will receive dividend payments and payments upon liquidation.

The laws of the State of Delaware provide that the holders of preferred stock will have the right to vote separately as a class on any proposal involving fundamental changes to the rights of holders of such preferred stock. This right is in addition to any voting rights that may be provided for in the applicable certificate of designation.

The transfer agent and registrar for any series of preferred stock will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

As of the date of this prospectus, there were no shares of preferred stock outstanding.

CERTAIN ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS OF DELAWARE LAW AND OUR CHARTER AND
BYLAWS

Delaware Anti-Takeover Statute

We are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the DGCL regulating corporate takeovers. This statute prevents certain Delaware corporations, under certain circumstances and for three years following the date that the stockholder became an interested stockholder, as defined below, from engaging in a "business combination" with:

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a stockholder who owns 15% or more of our outstanding voting stock (otherwise known as an "interested stockholder");

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an affiliate of an interested stockholder; or

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an associate of an interested stockholder.

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A "business combination" includes a merger or sale of more than 10% of our assets. However, the above provisions of Section 203 do not apply if:

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our board of directors approves the transaction that made the stockholder an interested stockholder, prior to the date of the transaction;

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after the completion of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, that stockholder owned at least 85% of our voting stock outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, other than statutorily excluded shares of common stock; or

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on or subsequent to the date of the transaction, the transaction is approved by our board of directors and authorized at a meeting of our stockholders, and not by written consent, by an affirmative vote of at least 662∕3% of the outstanding voting stock not owned by the interested stockholder.

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Classified Board of Directors

Our board of directors is divided into three classes, Class I, Class II and Class III, with members of each class serving staggered three-year terms. Our Charter provides that the authorized number of directors may be changed only by resolution of the board of directors. As a result, in most circumstances, a person can gain control of our board only by successfully engaging in a proxy contest at two or more annual meetings. Subject to the terms of any preferred stock, any or all of the directors may be removed from office at any time, but only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of holders of 662∕3% of the voting power of all then outstanding shares of our capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class. Any vacancy on our board of directors, including a vacancy resulting from an enlargement of our board of directors, may be filled only by vote of a majority of our directors then in office.

Authorized but Unissued Shares

Our authorized but unissued common stock and preferred stock are available for future issuances without stockholder approval and could be utilized for a variety of corporate purposes, including future offerings to raise additional capital, acquisitions and employee benefit plans. The existence of authorized but unissued and unreserved common stock and preferred stock could render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of us by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or otherwise.

Stockholder Action and Special Meetings

Our Charter provides that any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Company must be effected by a duly called annual or special meeting of such stockholders and may not be effected by written consent of the stockholders. Our Charter further provides that meetings of stockholders of the Company may be called only by the Chairman of the board of directors, the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, or the board of directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of thereof, and that the ability of the stockholders of the Company to call a special meeting is specifically denied.

Exclusive Forum Selection

Our Charter requires, to the fullest extent permitted by law, that derivative actions brought in our name, actions against directors, officers and employees for breach of fiduciary duty, arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL, Charter or Bylaws, or governed by the internal affairs doctrine, may be brought only in the Court of Chancery in the State of Delaware and, if brought outside of Delaware, the stockholder bringing the suit will be deemed to have consented to service of process on such stockholder's counsel except any action (i) as to which the Court of Chancery in the State of Delaware determines that there is an indispensable party not subject to the jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery (and the indispensable party does not consent to the personal jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery within 10 days following such determination), (ii) which is vested in the exclusive jurisdiction of a court or forum other than the Court of Chancery or (iii) for which the Court of Chancery does not have subject matter jurisdiction. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of our capital stock shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the forum provisions in the Charter.

This choice of forum provision may limit a stockholder's ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with us or any of our directors, officers, other employees or stockholders, which may discourage lawsuits with respect to such claims. We cannot be certain that a court will decide that this provision is either applicable or enforceable, and if a court were to find the choice of forum provision contained in our Charter to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions.

Our Charter provides that the exclusive forum provision is applicable to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the choice of forum provision will not apply to claims brought to enforce any liability or duty created by the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction. Unless the Company consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, 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. As a result, the exclusive forum provision will not apply to suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction.

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

We may issue, separately or together with, or upon conversion, exercise or exchange of other securities, debt securities, including debentures, notes, bonds and other evidences of indebtedness as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. The debt securities may be either secured or unsecured and will either be senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities. Senior debt securities will be issued under a senior indenture between us and a trustee to be specified in an accompanying prospectus supplement. Subordinated debt securities will be issued under a subordinated indenture between us and a trustee to be specified in an accompanying prospectus supplement. Together, the senior indenture and the subordinated indenture are called indentures in this description. This prospectus, together with the applicable prospectus supplement, will describe the terms of a particular series of debt securities that we may offer from time to time.

The following summary of the material provisions of the indentures and the debt securities does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, the provisions of the applicable indenture and certificates evidencing the applicable debt securities. Therefore, you should carefully consider the applicable indenture and the certificate evidencing the applicable debt security that is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement that includes this prospectus. Other specific terms of the applicable indenture and debt securities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. If any particular terms of the indenture or debt securities described in a prospectus supplement differ from any of the terms described below, then the terms described below will be deemed to have been superseded by that prospectus supplement. In this description of the debt securities, the words "Humacyte," "we," "us" or "our" refer only to Humacyte, Inc. and not to our subsidiary, unless we otherwise expressly state or the context otherwise requires.

General

Debt securities may be issued in separate series without limitation as to aggregate principal amount. We may specify a maximum aggregate principal amount for the debt securities of any series.

We are not limited as to the amount of debt securities that we may issue under the indentures. Unless otherwise provided in a prospectus supplement, a series of debt securities may be reopened to issue additional debt securities of such series.

The prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of debt securities will set forth the material terms of the debt securities being offered, including:

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the title of the debt securities and whether they are senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities;

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the offering price;

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the person who will be entitled to receive interest, if other than the record holder on the record date;

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the maturity date or dates;

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the interest rate or rates, if any, which may be fixed or variable, at which the debt securities will bear interest, or the method of determining such rate or rates;

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the date from which interest will accrue, the interest payment dates and the regular record dates, or the method for calculating the dates and rates;

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the place or places where payments of principal and interest may be made;

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any mandatory or optional redemption provisions or sinking fund provisions and any applicable redemption or purchase prices associated with these provisions;

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if issued other than in denominations of $1,000 or any multiple of $1,000, the denominations in which the debt securities shall be issuable;

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if applicable, the method for determining how the principal, premium, if any, or interest will be calculated by reference to an index or formula;

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if other than U.S. currency, the currency or currency units in which principal, premium, if any, or interest will be payable, whether we or a holder may elect payment to be made in a different currency and the designation of the original currency determination agent;

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the portion of the principal amount that will be payable upon acceleration of maturity, if other than the entire principal amount;

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if the principal amount payable at stated maturity will not be determinable as of any date prior to stated maturity, the amount or method for determining the amount which will be deemed to be the principal amount;

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if applicable, whether the debt securities shall be subject to the defeasance provisions described below under "Satisfaction and Discharge; Defeasance" or such other defeasance provisions specified in the applicable prospectus supplement for the debt securities;

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any conversion or exchange provisions;

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whether the debt securities will be issuable in the form of a global security;

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any subordination provisions applicable to the subordinated debt securities if different from those described below under "Subordinated Debt Securities";

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any paying agents, authenticating agents, security registrars or other agents for the debt securities, if other than the trustee;

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any provisions relating to any security provided for the debt securities, including any provisions regarding the circumstances under which collateral may be released or substituted;

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any deletions of, or changes or additions to, the events of default, acceleration provisions or covenants;

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any provisions relating to guaranties for the securities and any circumstances under which there may be additional obligors; and

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any other specific terms of such debt securities.

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If we denominate the purchase price of any of the debt securities in a foreign currency or currencies, or if the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any series of debt securities is payable in a foreign currency or currencies, we will include in the applicable prospectus supplement information on the restrictions, elections, material federal income tax considerations, specific terms and other information with respect to that issue of debt securities and the foreign currency or currencies.

Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement, the debt securities will be registered debt securities. Debt securities may be sold at a substantial discount below their stated principal amount, bearing no interest or interest at a rate which at the time of issuance is below market rates. The U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to debt securities sold at a discount will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Exchange and Transfer

Debt securities may be transferred or exchanged at the office of the security registrar or at the office of any transfer agent designated by us.

We will not impose a service charge for any transfer or exchange, but we may require holders to pay any tax or other governmental charges associated with any transfer or exchange.

In the event of any partial redemption of debt securities of any series, we will not be required to:

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issue, register the transfer of or exchange any debt security of that series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of mailing of a notice of redemption and ending at the close of business on the day of the mailing; or

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register the transfer of or exchange any debt security of that series selected for redemption, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion being redeemed in part.

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Under any indenture, we will initially appoint the trustee as the security registrar. Any transfer agent, in addition to the security registrar initially designated by us, will be named in the prospectus supplement. We may designate additional transfer agents or change transfer agents or change the office of the transfer agent. However, we will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of each series.

Conversion or Exchange

If any debt securities being offered are convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock or other securities, the relevant prospectus supplement will set forth the terms of conversion or exchange. Those terms will include whether conversion or exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our option, and the number of shares of common stock or other securities, or the method of determining the number of shares of common stock or other securities, to be received by the holder upon conversion or exchange. These provisions may allow or require the number of shares of our common stock or other securities to be received by the holders of such series of debt securities to be adjusted.

Global Securities

The debt securities of any series may be represented, in whole or in part, by one or more global securities. Each global security will:

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be registered in the name of a depositary, or its nominee, that we will identify in a prospectus supplement;

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be deposited with the depositary or nominee or custodian; and

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bear any required legends.

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No global security may be exchanged in whole or in part for debt securities registered in the name of any person other than the depositary or any nominee unless:

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the depositary has notified us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary or has ceased to be qualified to act as depositary;

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an event of default has occurred and is continuing with respect to the debt securities of the applicable series; or

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any other circumstance described in a prospectus supplement has occurred permitting or requiring the issuance of any such security.

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As long as the depositary, or its nominee, is the registered owner of a global security, the depositary or nominee will be considered the sole owner and holder of the debt securities represented by the global security for all purposes under the indentures. Except in the above limited circumstances, owners of beneficial interests in a global security will not be:

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entitled to have the debt securities registered in their names;

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entitled to physical delivery of certificated debt securities; or

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considered to be holders of those debt securities under the indenture.

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Payments on a global security will be made to the depositary or its nominee as the holder of the global security. Some jurisdictions have laws that require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. These laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in a global security.

Institutions that have accounts with the depositary or its nominee are referred to as "participants." Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be limited to participants and to persons that may hold beneficial interests through participants. The depositary will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the respective principal amounts of debt securities represented by the global security to the accounts of its participants.

Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be shown on and effected through records maintained by the depositary, with respect to participants' interests, or any participant, with respect to interests of persons held by participants on their behalf.

Payments, transfers and exchanges relating to beneficial interests in a global security will be subject to policies and procedures of the depositary. The depositary policies and procedures may change from time to time. Neither any trustee nor we will have any responsibility or liability for the depositary's or any participant's records with respect to beneficial interests in a global security.

Payment and Paying Agents

Unless otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement, the provisions described in this paragraph will apply to the debt securities. Payment of interest on a debt security on any interest payment date will be made to the person in whose name the debt security is registered at the close of business on the regular record date. Payment on debt securities of a particular series will be payable at the office of a paying agent or paying agents designated by us. However, at our option, we may pay interest by mailing a check to the record holder. The trustee will be designated as our initial paying agent.

We may also name any other paying agents in a prospectus supplement. We may designate additional paying agents, change paying agents or change the office of any paying agent. However, we will be required to maintain a paying agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of a particular series.

All moneys paid by us to a paying agent for payment on any debt security that remain unclaimed for a period ending the earlier of:

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10 business days prior to the date the money would be turned over to the applicable state; or

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at the end of two years after such payment was due, will be repaid to us thereafter. The holder may look only to us for such payment.

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No Protection in the Event of a Change of Control

Unless otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement with respect to a particular series of debt securities, the debt securities will not contain any provisions that may afford holders of the debt securities protection in the event we have a change in control or in the event of a highly leveraged transaction, whether or not such transaction results in a change in control.

Covenants

Unless otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement with respect to a particular series of debt securities, the debt securities will not contain any financial or restrictive covenants.

Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets

Unless otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement with respect to a particular series of debt securities, we may not consolidate with or merge into any other person, in a transaction in which we are not the surviving corporation, or convey, transfer or lease our properties and assets substantially as an entirety to, any entity, unless:

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the successor entity, if any, is a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, trust or other business entity existing under the laws of the United States, any State within the United States or the District of Columbia;

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the successor entity assumes our obligations on the debt securities and under the applicable indenture;

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immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no default or event of default shall have occurred and be continuing; and

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certain other conditions specified in the indenture are met.

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Events of Default

Unless we indicate otherwise in a prospectus supplement with respect to a particular series of debt securities, the following will be events of default for any series of debt securities under the indentures:

(1)

we fail to pay any interest on any debt security of that series when it becomes due and we subsequently fail to pay such interest for 30 days;

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we fail to pay principal of or any premium on any debt security of that series when due;

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we fail to deposit any sinking fund payment when due;

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we fail to perform any other covenant in the applicable indenture and such failure continues for 90 days after we are given the notice required in the indentures; and

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(5)

certain events including our bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization.

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Additional or different events of default applicable to a series of debt securities may be described in a prospectus supplement. An event of default of one series of debt securities is not necessarily an event of default for any other series of debt securities.

The trustee may withhold notice to the holders of any default, except defaults in the payment of principal, premium, if any, interest, any sinking fund installment on, or with respect to any conversion right of, the debt securities of such series. However, the trustee must consider it to be in the interest of the holders of the debt securities of such series to withhold this notice.

Unless we indicate otherwise in a prospectus supplement, if an event of default, other than an event of default described in clause (5) above, shall occur and be continuing with respect to any series of debt securities, either the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding securities of that series may declare the principal amount and premium, if any, of the debt securities of that series, or if any debt securities of that series are original issue discount securities, such other amount as may be specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, in each case together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon, to be due and payable immediately.

If an event of default described in clause (5) above shall occur, the principal amount and premium, if any, of all the debt securities of that series, or if any debt securities of that series are original issue discount securities, such other amount as may be specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, in each case together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon, will automatically become immediately due and payable without any declaration or other action on the part of the trustee or any holder. Any payment by us on the subordinated debt securities following any such acceleration will be subject to the subordination provisions described below under "Subordinated Debt Securities."

After acceleration, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding securities of that series may, under certain circumstances, rescind and annul such acceleration if all events of default, other than the non-payment of accelerated principal, or other specified amounts or interest, have been cured or waived.

Other than the duty to act with the required care during an event of default, the trustee will not be obligated to exercise any of its rights or powers at the request of the holders unless the holders shall have offered to the trustee reasonable indemnity. Generally, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee.

A holder of debt securities of any series will not have any right to institute any proceeding under the indentures, or for the appointment of a receiver or a trustee, or for any other remedy under the indentures, unless:

(1)

the holder has previously given to the trustee written notice of a continuing event of default with respect to the debt securities of that series;

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(2)

the holders of at least 25%, with respect to senior debt securities, and a majority, with respect to subordinated debt securities, in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have made a written request and have offered reasonable indemnity to the trustee to institute the proceeding; and

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(3)

the trustee has failed to institute the proceeding and has not received direction inconsistent with the original request from the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series within 60 days after the original request.

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Holders may, however, sue to enforce the payment of principal, premium or interest on any debt security on or after the due date or to enforce the right, if any, to convert any debt security (if the debt security is convertible) without following the procedures listed in clauses (1) through (3) above.

We will furnish the trustee an annual statement by our officers as to whether or not we are in default in the performance of the conditions and covenants under the indenture and, if so, specifying all known defaults.

Modification and Waiver

Unless we indicate otherwise in a prospectus supplement, we and the applicable trustee may make modifications and amendments to an indenture with the consent of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding securities of each series affected by the modification or amendment.

We may also make modifications and amendments to the indentures for the benefit of holders without their consent, for certain purposes including, but not limited to:

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providing for our successor to assume the covenants under the indenture;

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adding covenants or events of default;

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making certain changes to facilitate the issuance of the securities;

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securing the securities, including provisions relating to the release or substitution of collateral;

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providing for guaranties of, or additional obligors on, the securities;

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providing for a successor trustee or additional trustees;

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curing any ambiguities or inconsistencies;

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permitting or facilitating the defeasance and discharge of the securities; and

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other changes specified in the indenture.

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However, neither we nor the trustee may make any modification or amendment without the consent of the holder of each outstanding security of that series affected by the modification or amendment if such modification or amendment would:

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change the stated maturity of any debt security;

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reduce the principal, premium, if any, or interest on any debt security or any amount payable upon redemption or repurchase, whether at our option or the option of any holder, or reduce the amount of any sinking fund payments;

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reduce the principal of an original issue discount security or any other debt security payable on acceleration of maturity;

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change the place of payment or the currency in which any debt security is payable;

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impair the right to enforce any payment after the stated maturity or redemption date;

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if subordinated debt securities, modify the subordination provisions in a materially adverse manner to the holders;

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adversely affect the right to convert any debt security if the debt security is a convertible debt security; or

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change the provisions in the indenture that relate to modifying or amending the indenture.

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Satisfaction and Discharge; Defeasance

We may be discharged from our obligations on the debt securities, subject to limited exceptions, of any series that have matured or will mature or be redeemed within one year if we deposit enough money with the trustee to pay all of the principal, interest and any premium due to the stated maturity date or redemption date of the debt securities.

Each indenture contains a provision that permits us to elect either or both of the following:

(1)

We may elect to be discharged from all of our obligations, subject to limited exceptions, with respect to any series of debt securities then outstanding. If we make this election, the holders of the debt securities of the series will not be entitled to the benefits of the indenture, except for the rights of holders to receive payments on debt securities or the registration of transfer and exchange of debt securities and replacement of lost, stolen or mutilated debt securities.

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(2)

We may elect to be released from our obligations under some or all of any financial or restrictive covenants applicable to the series of debt securities to which the election relates and from the consequences of an event of default resulting from a breach of those covenants.

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To make either of the above elections, we must irrevocably deposit in trust with the trustee enough money to pay in full the principal, interest and premium on the debt securities. This amount may be made in cash and/or U.S. government obligations or, in the case of debt securities denominated in a currency other than U.S. dollars, cash in the currency in which such series of securities is denominated and/or foreign government obligations. As a condition to either of the above elections, for debt securities denominated in U.S. dollars we must deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel that the holders of the debt securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the action.

"Foreign government obligations" means, with respect to debt securities of any series that are denominated in a currency other than United States dollars:

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direct obligations of the government that issued or caused to be issued the currency in which such securities are denominated and for the payment of which obligations its full faith and credit is pledged, or, with respect to debt securities of any series which are denominated in euros, direct obligations of certain members of the European Union for the payment of which obligations the full faith and credit of such members is pledged, which in each case are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof;

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obligations of a person controlled or supervised by or acting as an agency or instrumentality of a government described in the bullet above, the timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by such government, which are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof; or

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any depository receipt issued by a bank as custodian with respect to any obligation specified in the first two bullet points and held by such bank for the account of the holder of such deposit any receipt, or with respect to any such obligation which is so specified and held.

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Notices

Notices to holders will be given by mail to the addresses of the holders in the security register.

Governing Law

The indentures and the debt securities will be governed by, and construed under, the laws of the State of New York.

No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Shareholders

No incorporator, shareholder, employee, agent, officer, director or subsidiary of ours will have any liability for any obligations of ours, or because of the creation of any indebtedness under the debt securities,

the indentures or supplemental indentures. The indentures provide that all such liability is expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as a consideration for, the execution of such indentures and the issuance of the debt securities.

Regarding the Trustee

The indentures limit the right of the trustee, should it become our creditor, to obtain payment of claims or secure its claims.

The trustee is permitted to engage in certain other transactions with us. However, if the trustee acquires any conflicting interest, and there is a default under the debt securities of any series for which it is trustee, the trustee must eliminate the conflict or resign.

The accompanying prospectus supplement will specify the trustee for the particular series of debt securities to be issued under the indentures.

Subordinated Debt Securities

The following provisions will be applicable with respect to each series of subordinated debt securities, unless otherwise stated in the prospectus supplement relating to that series of subordinated debt securities.

The indebtedness evidenced by the subordinated debt securities of any series is subordinated, to the extent provided in the subordinated indenture and the applicable prospectus supplement, to the prior payment in full, of all senior debt, including any senior debt securities, in cash or other payment satisfactory to the holders of senior debt.

Upon any distribution of our assets upon any dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization, whether voluntary or involuntary, marshalling of assets, assignment for the benefit of creditors, or in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceedings, payments on the subordinated debt securities will be subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full in cash or other payment satisfactory to holders of senior debt of all senior debt.

In the event of any acceleration of the subordinated debt securities of any series because of an event of default with respect to the subordinated debt securities of that series, holders of any senior debt would be entitled to payment in full in cash or other payment satisfactory to holders of senior debt of all senior debt before the holders of subordinated debt securities are entitled to receive any payment or distribution.

In addition, the subordinated debt securities will be structurally subordinated to all indebtedness and other liabilities of our subsidiaries, including trade payables and lease obligations. This occurs because our right to receive any assets of our subsidiaries upon their liquidation or reorganization, and your right to participate in those assets, will be effectively subordinated to the claims of that subsidiary's creditors, including trade creditors, except to the extent that we are recognized as a creditor of such subsidiary. If we are recognized as a creditor of that subsidiary, our claims would still be subordinate to any security interest in the assets of the subsidiary and any indebtedness of the subsidiary senior to us.

We are required to promptly notify holders of senior debt or their representatives under the subordinated indenture if payment of the subordinated debt securities is accelerated because of an event of default.

Under the subordinated indenture, we may also not make payment on the subordinated debt securities if:

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a default in our obligations to pay principal, premium, if any, interest or other amounts on our senior debt occurs and the default continues beyond any applicable grace period, which we refer to as a payment default; or

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a nonpayment default occurs and is continuing with respect to designated senior debt that permits holders of designated senior debt to accelerate its maturity, and the trustee receives a payment blockage notice from us or some other person permitted to give the notice under the subordinated indenture, which we refer to as a non-payment default.

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We may and shall resume payments on the subordinated debt securities:

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in case of a payment default, when the default is cured or waived or ceases to exist; and

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in case of a nonpayment default, the earlier of when the default is cured or waived or ceases to exist or 179 days after the receipt of the payment blockage notice.

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No new payment blockage period may start on the basis of a nonpayment default unless at least 365 days have elapsed from the initial effectiveness of the immediately prior payment blockage notice. No nonpayment default that existed or was continuing on the date of delivery of any payment blockage notice to the trustee shall be the basis for a subsequent payment blockage notice.

As a result of these subordination provisions, in the event of our bankruptcy, dissolution or reorganization, holders of senior debt may receive more, ratably, and holders of the subordinated debt securities may receive less, ratably, than our other creditors. The subordination provisions will not prevent the occurrence of any event of default under the subordinated indenture.

The subordination provisions will not apply to payments from money or government obligations held in trust by the trustee for the payment of principal, interest and premium, if any, on subordinated debt securities pursuant to the provisions described under "Satisfaction and Discharge; Defeasance," if the subordination provisions were not violated at the time the money or government obligations were deposited into trust.

If the trustee or any holder receives any payment that should not have been made to them in contravention of subordination provisions before all senior debt is paid in full in cash or other payment satisfactory to holders of senior debt, then such payment will be held in trust for the holders of senior debt.

Senior debt securities will constitute senior debt under the subordinated indenture.

Additional or different subordination provisions may be described in a prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of debt securities.

Definitions

"Designated senior debt" means our obligations under any particular senior debt in which the instrument creating or evidencing the same or the assumption or guarantee thereof, or related agreements or documents to which we are a party, expressly provides that such indebtedness shall be designated senior debt for purposes of the subordinated indenture. The instrument, agreement or other document evidencing any designated senior debt may place limitations and conditions on the right of such senior debt to exercise the rights of designated senior debt.

"Indebtedness" means the following, whether absolute or contingent, secured or unsecured, due or to become due, outstanding on the date of the indenture for such series of securities or thereafter created, incurred or assumed:

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our indebtedness evidenced by a credit or loan agreement, note, bond, debenture or other written obligation;

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all of our obligations for borrowed money;

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all of our obligations evidenced by a note or similar instrument given in connection with the acquisition of any businesses, properties or assets of any kind,

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our obligations:

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as lessee under leases required to be capitalized on the balance sheet of the lessee under generally accepted accounting principles, or

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as lessee under other leases for facilities, capital equipment or related assets, whether or not capitalized, entered into or leased for financing purposes;

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all of our obligations under interest rate and currency swaps, caps, floors, collars, hedge agreements, forward contracts or similar agreements or arrangements;

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all of our obligations with respect to letters of credit, bankers' acceptances and similar facilities, including reimbursement obligations with respect to the foregoing;

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all of our obligations issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property or services, but excluding trade accounts payable and accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business;

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all obligations of the type referred to in the above clauses of another person and all dividends of another person, the payment of which, in either case, we have assumed or guaranteed, for which we are responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, jointly or severally, as obligor, guarantor or otherwise, or which are secured by a lien on our property; and

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renewals, extensions, modifications, replacements, restatements and refundings of, or any indebtedness or obligation issued in exchange for, any such indebtedness or obligation described in the above clauses of this definition.

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"Senior debt" means the principal of, premium, if any, and interest, including all interest accruing subsequent to the commencement of any bankruptcy or similar proceeding, whether or not a claim for post-petition interest is allowable as a claim in any such proceeding, on, and all fees and other amounts payable in connection with, our indebtedness. Senior debt shall not include:

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any debt or obligation if its terms or the terms of the instrument under which or pursuant to which it is issued expressly provide it shall not be senior in right of payment to the subordinated debt securities or expressly provide that such indebtedness is on the same basis or "junior" to the subordinated debt securities; or

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debt to any of our subsidiaries.

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"Subsidiary" means an entity more than 50% of the outstanding voting stock of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by us or by one or more of our other subsidiaries or by a combination of us and our other subsidiaries. For purposes of this definition, "voting stock" means stock or other similar interests to us which ordinarily has or have voting power for the election of directors, or persons performing similar functions, whether at all times or only so long as no senior class of stock or other interests has or have such voting power by reason of any contingency.

Certain Considerations Relating to Foreign Currencies

Debt securities denominated or payable in foreign currencies may entail significant risks. These risks include the possibility of significant fluctuations in the foreign currency markets, the imposition or modification of foreign exchange controls and potential illiquidity in the secondary market. These risks will vary depending upon the currency or currencies involved and will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

We may issue warrants to purchase common stock, preferred stock or debt securities and be issued in one or more series. Warrants may be offered independently or in combination with common stock, preferred stock or debt securities offered by any prospectus supplement. While the terms we have summarized below will apply generally to any warrants that we may offer under this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any series of warrants in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. The following description of warrants will apply to the warrants offered by this prospectus unless we provide otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement. The applicable prospectus supplement for a particular series of warrants may specify different or additional terms.

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

General

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

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the offering price and aggregate number of warrants offered;

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the currency for which the warrants may be purchased;

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

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

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

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

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the terms of any rights to redeem or call the warrants;

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

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the date on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence and expire;

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

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

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the terms of the securities issuable upon exercise of the warrants; and

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any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of or restrictions on the warrants.

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

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

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

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Exercise of Warrants

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

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

Governing Law

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

Enforceability of Rights by Holders of Warrants

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

DESCRIPTION OF SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS

We may issue subscription rights to purchase shares of our common stock or preferred stock. These subscription rights may be issued independently or together with any other security offered hereby and may or may not be transferable by the stockholder receiving the subscription rights in such offering. In connection with any offering of subscription rights, we may enter into a standby arrangement with one or more underwriters or other purchasers pursuant to which the underwriters or other purchasers may be required to purchase any securities remaining unsubscribed for after such offering.

The prospectus supplement relating to any offering of subscription rights will include specific terms relating to the offering, including:

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the price, if any, for the subscription rights;

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the exercise price payable for each share of common stock or preferred stock upon the exercise of the subscription rights;

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the number of subscription rights to be offered to each shareholder;

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the number and terms of the shares of common stock or preferred stock which may be purchased per each subscription right;

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the extent to which the subscription rights are transferable;

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any other terms of the subscription rights, including the procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the subscription rights;

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the dates on which the right to exercise the subscription rights shall commence and expire;

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the extent to which the subscription rights may include an over-subscription privilege with respect to unsubscribed securities or an over-allotment privilege to the extent the securities are fully subscribed; and

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if applicable, the material terms of any standby underwriting or purchase arrangement that we may enter into in connection with the offering of subscription rights.

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The preceding summary of the terms of the subscription rights does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, the terms of the subscription rights being offered, as well as any applicable subscription rights certificate and the terms of the securities to which the subscription rights relate. Therefore, you should carefully consider the actual provisions of the subscription right, and subscription agreement and the applicable securities.

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

We may issue units comprising one or more securities described in this prospectus in any combination. The following description sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the units that we may offer pursuant to this prospectus. The particular terms of the units and the extent, if any, to which the general terms and provisions may apply to the units so offered will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit also is the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. Units will be issued pursuant to the terms of a unit agreement, which may provide that the securities included in the unit may not be held or transferred separately at any time or at any time before a specified date. A copy of the forms of the unit agreement and the unit certificate relating to any particular issue of units will be filed with the SEC each time we issue units, and you should read those documents for provisions that may be important to you.

The prospectus supplement relating to any particular issuance of units will describe the terms of those units, including, to the extent applicable, the following:

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the designation and terms of the units and the securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances those securities may be held or transferred separately;

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any provision for the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units or of the securities comprising the units; and

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whether the units will be issued in fully registered or global form.

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell the securities offered under this prospectus from time to time pursuant to underwritten public offerings, negotiated transactions, block trades or a combination of these methods or through underwriters, dealers or agents or directly to one or more purchasers. The securities may be distributed from time to time in one or more transactions (or in any combination) at:

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a fixed price or prices, which may be changed;

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market prices prevailing at the time of sale;

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prices related to the prevailing market price; or

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negotiated prices.

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For each type and series of securities offered, the applicable prospectus supplement will set forth the terms of the offering, including, without limitation:

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the public offering price;

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the names of any underwriters, dealers or agents and the amount of securities underwritten or purchased by each of them, if any;

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any delayed delivery arrangements;

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the proceeds from the sale of securities to us and the use of proceeds from the sale of the securities;

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any underwriting discounts, concessions, commissions, agency fees or other compensation payable to underwriters, dealers or agents;

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any discounts or concessions allowed or re-allowed or repaid to dealers;

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estimated offering expenses; and

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the securities exchanges on which the securities will be listed, if any.

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We may grant underwriters options to purchase additional securities at the public offering price, with additional underwriting commissions or discounts, as applicable, set forth in the prospectus supplement. The terms of any such option will be set forth in the prospectus supplement for those securities.

Underwriters or agents may make sales in privately negotiated transactions and/or any other method permitted by law, including sales deemed to be an "at-the-market" offering as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act, which includes sales made directly on Nasdaq, the existing trading market for our common stock, or sales made to or through a market maker other than on an exchange.

We may issue to our existing security holders, though a dividend or similar distribution, rights to purchase shares of our common stock or preferred stock, which may or may not be transferable. In any distribution of rights to our existing security holders, if all of the underlying securities are not subscribed for, we may then sell the unsubscribed securities directly to third parties or may engage the services of one or more underwriters, dealers or agents, including standby underwriters, to facilitate the distribution of the unsubscribed securities. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of any offering of our common stock or preferred stock through the issuance of rights including, if applicable, the material terms of any standby underwriting agreement or purchase agreement.

Sales Through Underwriters, Dealers or Agents; Direct Sales

If we use underwriters in any sale of securities offered under this prospectus, the underwriters will buy the securities for their own account, including through underwriting, purchase, security lending or repurchase agreements with us. The underwriters may then resell the securities in one or more transactions at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale or thereafter. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to certain conditions and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the securities offered if they purchase any securities. The public offering price for the securities and any discounts or concessions allowed or re-allowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.

If we use dealers in any sale of securities offered under this prospectus, the securities will be sold to such dealers as principals. The dealers may then resell the securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by such dealers at the time of resale.

If agents are used in any sale of securities offered under this prospectus, they will use their reasonable best efforts to solicit purchases for the period of their appointment or to sell our securities on a continuing basis. If required, the prospectus supplement relating to any particular offering of securities will name any agents designated to solicit offers and will include information about any commissions they may be paid in that offering.

If securities offered under this prospectus are sold directly, no underwriters, dealers or agents would be involved.

We are not making an offer of securities in any state that does not permit such an offer. If we sell securities through dealers or agents, or directly, the terms of any such sales will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Delayed Delivery Contracts

We may authorize underwriters, dealers or agents to solicit offers from certain institutions whereby the institution contractually agrees to purchase the securities offered under this prospectus from us on a future date at a specific price. This type of contract may be made only with institutions that we specifically approve. Such institutions could include banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies and educational and charitable institutions. The underwriters, dealers or agents will not be responsible for the validity or performance of these contracts. The prospectus supplement relating to the contracts will set forth the price to be paid for offered securities pursuant to such contracts, the commission payable for solicitation of the contracts and the date or dates in the future for delivery of offered securities pursuant to the contracts.

Market Making, Stabilization and Other Transactions

Each issue of a new series of securities, other than issuances of our common stock, will not have an established trading market, except as indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we do not expect to list the offered securities on a securities exchange, except for our common stock, which is listed on Nasdaq. We can provide no assurance as to whether any of our securities will have a liquid trading market.

In order to facilitate the offering of any of the securities offered under this prospectus, the underwriters with respect to any such offering may, as described in the prospectus supplement and in accordance with applicable law, engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the securities or any other securities the prices of which may be used to determine payments on these securities. Stabilizing transactions involve bids to purchase the underlying security in the open market for the purpose of preventing or delaying a decline in the price of the securities. Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of the securities in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover syndicate short positions. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when the securities originally sold by the syndicate member are purchased in a stabilizing or syndicate covering transaction to cover syndicate short positions. Any of these activities may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our securities or preventing or delaying a decline in the market price of our securities. As a result, the market price of the securities may be higher than it otherwise would be in the absence of these transactions. The underwriters are not required to engage in these activities, and may end any of these activities at any time, all as described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Any person participating in the distribution of securities will be subject to applicable provisions of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations under the Exchange Act, including Regulation M, which may limit the timing of transactions involving the securities offered under this prospectus. Furthermore, Regulation M may restrict the ability of any person engaged in the distribution of such securities to engage in market-making activities with respect to the particular securities being distributed. All of the above

may affect the marketability of the securities offered under this prospectus and the ability of any person or entity to engage in market-making activities with respect to such securities.

Derivative Transactions and Hedging

We, the underwriters or other agents engaged by us may engage in derivative transactions involving the securities. These derivatives may consist of short sale transactions and other hedging activities. The underwriters or agents may acquire a long or short position in the securities, hold or resell securities acquired and purchase options or futures on the securities and other derivative instruments with returns linked or related to changes in the price of the securities. In order to facilitate these derivative transactions, we may enter into security lending or repurchase agreements with the underwriters or agents. The underwriters or agents may effect the derivative transactions through sales of the securities to the public, including short sales, or by lending the securities in order to facilitate short sale transactions by others. The underwriters or agents may also use the securities purchased or borrowed from us or others (or, in the case of derivatives, securities received from us in settlement of those derivatives) to directly or indirectly settle sales of the securities or close out any related open borrowings of the securities.

Electronic Auctions

We may also make sales through the Internet or through other electronic means. Since we may from time to time elect to offer securities directly to the public, with or without the involvement of agents, underwriters or dealers, utilizing the Internet or other forms of electronic bidding or ordering systems for the pricing and allocation of such securities, you will want to pay particular attention to the description of that system, which we will provide in a prospectus supplement.

Such electronic system may allow bidders to directly participate, through electronic access to an auction site, by submitting conditional offers to buy that are subject to acceptance by us, and which may directly affect the price or other terms and conditions at which such securities are sold. These bidding or ordering systems may present to each bidder, on a so-called "real-time" basis, relevant information to assist in making a bid, such as the clearing spread at which the offering would be sold, based on the bids submitted, and whether a bidder's individual bids would be accepted, prorated or rejected. For example, in the case of debt security, the clearing spread could be indicated as a number of "basis points" above an index treasury note.

Upon completion of such an electronic auction process, securities will be allocated based on prices bid, terms of bid or other factors. The final offering price at which securities would be sold and the allocation of securities among bidders would be based in whole or in part on the results of the Internet or other electronic bidding process or auction.

General Information

We expect that any agreements we may have with underwriters, dealers and agents will include provisions indemnifying them against certain civil liabilities, including certain liabilities under the Securities Act, or providing for contribution with respect to payments that they may be required to make. An underwriter, dealer or agent, or any of their affiliates, may be a customer of, or otherwise engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of business.

The specific terms of any lock-up provisions with respect to any given offering will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Under the securities laws of various states, the securities offered under this prospectus may be sold in those states only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in various states the securities offered under this prospectus may not be offered and sold unless such securities have been registered or qualified for sale in the state or an exemption from such registration or qualification is available. We are not making an offer of securities in any state that does not permit such an offer.

LEGAL MATTERS

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the validity of the securities will be passed upon for us by Covington & Burling LLP, Washington, D.C. If legal matters are passed upon by counsel for the underwriters, dealers or agents, if any, such counsel will be named in the prospectus supplement relating to such offering.

EXPERTS

The financial statements incorporated in this prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report (which contains an explanatory paragraph relating to the Company's incurrence of operating losses and negative cash flows from operations since inception as described in Note 1 to the financial statements) of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

The following table sets forth the various expenses payable by us in connection with the sale and distribution of the securities being registered hereby.

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The fees and expenses are variable based on the securities offered and the number of issuances and accordingly cannot be estimated at this time. The applicable prospectus supplement will set forth an estimate of such expenses incurred in connection with securities to be offered and sold pursuant to this registration statement.

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Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

Our Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (our "Charter") provides that all of our directors, officers, employees and agents shall be entitled to be indemnified by us to the fullest extent permitted by Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law ("DGCL"). Section 145 of the DGCL concerning indemnification of officers, directors, employees and agents is set forth below.

Section 145. Indemnification of officers, directors, employees and agents; insurance.

(a) A corporation shall have power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the person's conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that the person's conduct was unlawful.

(b) A corporation shall have power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the

corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.

(c)

(1) To the extent that a present or former director or officer of a corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in subsections (a) and (b) of this section, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith. For indemnification with respect to any act or omission occurring after December 31, 2020, references to "officer" for purposes of paragraphs (c)(1) and (2) of this section shall mean only a person who at the time of such act or omission is deemed to have consented to service by the delivery of process to the registered agent of the corporation pursuant to § 3114(b) of Title 10 (for purposes of this sentence only, treating residents of this State as if they were nonresidents to apply § 3114(b) of Title 10 to this sentence).

(2) The corporation may indemnify any other person who is not a present or former director or officer of the corporation against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person to the extent such person has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in subsections (a) and (b) of this section, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein.

(d) Any indemnification under subsections (a) and (b) of this section (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the present or former director, officer, employee or agent is proper in the circumstances because the person has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in subsections (a) and (b) of this section. Such determination shall be made, with respect to a person who is a director or officer of the corporation at the time of such determination:

(1) By a majority vote of the directors who are not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, even though less than a quorum; or

(2) By a committee of such directors designated by majority vote of such directors, even though less than a quorum; or

(3) If there are no such directors, or if such directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion; or

(4) By the stockholders.

(e) Expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred by an officer or director of the corporation in defending any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding may be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation as authorized in this section. Such expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred by former directors and officers or other employees and agents of the corporation or by persons serving at the request of the corporation as directors, officers, employees or agents of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise may be so paid upon such terms and conditions, if any, as the corporation deems appropriate.

(f) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, the other subsections of this section shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in such person's official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office. A right to indemnification or to advancement of expenses arising under a provision of the certificate of incorporation or a bylaw shall not be eliminated or impaired by an amendment to or repeal or elimination of the certificate of incorporation or the bylaws after the occurrence of the act or omission that is the subject of the civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding for which indemnification or advancement of expenses is sought, unless the provision in effect at the time of such act or omission explicitly authorizes such elimination or impairment after such action or omission has occurred.

(g) A corporation shall have power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity, or arising out of such person's status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under this section.

(h) For purposes of this section, references to "the corporation" shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, and employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under this section with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as such person would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.

(i) For purposes of this section, references to "other enterprises" shall include employee benefit plans; references to "fines" shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to any employee benefit plan; and references to "serving at the request of the corporation" shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner "not opposed to the best interests of the corporation" as referred to in this section.

(j) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this section shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.

(k) The Court of Chancery is hereby vested with exclusive jurisdiction to hear and determine all actions for advancement of expenses or indemnification brought under this section or under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise. The Court of Chancery may summarily determine a corporation's obligation to advance expenses (including attorneys' fees).

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to our directors, officers, and controlling persons pursuant to the foregoing provisions, 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 of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person in a 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 its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to the 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.

In accordance with Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL, our Charter provides that no director shall be personally liable to us or any of our stockholders for monetary damages resulting from breaches of their fiduciary duty as directors, except to the extent such limitation on or exemption from liability is not permitted under the DGCL. The effect of this provision of our Charter is to eliminate our rights and those of our stockholders (through stockholders' derivative suits on our behalf) to recover monetary damages against a director for breach of the fiduciary duty of care as a director, including breaches resulting from negligent or grossly negligent behavior, except, as restricted by Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL. However, this provision does not limit or eliminate our rights or the rights of any stockholder to seek non-monetary relief, such as an injunction or rescission, in the event of a breach of a director's duty of care.

If the DGCL is amended to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the liability of directors, then, in accordance with our Charter, the liability of our directors to us or our stockholders will be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL, as so amended. Any repeal or amendment of provisions of our Charter limiting or eliminating the liability of directors, whether by our stockholders or by changes in law, or the adoption of any other provisions inconsistent therewith, will (unless otherwise required by law) be prospective only, except to the extent such amendment or change in law permits us to further limit or eliminate the liability of directors on a retroactive basis.

Our Charter also provides that we will, to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by applicable law, indemnify our current and former officers and directors, as well as those persons who, while directors or officers of our corporation, are or were serving as directors, officers, employees or agents of another entity, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan, in connection with any threatened, pending or completed proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, against all expense, liability and loss (including, without limitation, attorney's fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes and penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by any such person in connection with any such proceeding.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a person eligible for indemnification pursuant to our Charter will be indemnified by us in connection with a proceeding initiated by such person only if such proceeding was authorized by our board of directors, except for proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification.

The right to indemnification which is conferred by our Charter is a contract right that includes the right to be paid by us the expenses incurred in defending or otherwise participating in any proceeding referenced above in advance of its final disposition, provided, however, that if the DGCL requires, an advancement of expenses incurred by our officer or director (solely in the capacity as an officer or director of our corporation) will be made only upon delivery to us of an undertaking, by or on behalf of such officer or director, to repay all amounts so advanced if it is ultimately determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses under our Charter or otherwise.

The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses will not be deemed exclusive of any other rights which any person covered by our Charter may have or hereafter acquire under law, our Charter, our Amended and Restated By Laws (our "Bylaws"), an agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise.

Any repeal or amendment of provisions of our Charter affecting indemnification rights, whether by our stockholders or by changes in law, or the adoption of any other provisions inconsistent therewith, will (unless otherwise required by law) be prospective only, except to the extent such amendment or change in law permits us to provide broader indemnification rights on a retroactive basis, and will not in any way diminish or adversely affect any right or protection existing at the time of such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision with respect to any act or omission occurring prior to such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision. Our Charter will also permit us, to the extent and in the manner authorized or permitted by law, to indemnify and to advance expenses to persons other that those specifically covered by our Charter.

Our Bylaws include the provisions relating to advancement of expenses and indemnification rights consistent with those which are set forth in our Charter. In addition, our Bylaws provide for a right of

indemnity to bring a suit in the event a claim for indemnification or advancement of expenses is not paid in full by us within a specified period of time. Our Bylaws also permit us to purchase and maintain insurance, at our expense, to protect us and/or any director, officer, employee or agent of our corporation or another entity, trust or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not we would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the DGCL.

Any repeal or amendment of provisions of our Bylaws affecting indemnification rights, whether by our board of directors, stockholders or by changes in applicable law, or the adoption of any other provisions inconsistent therewith, will (unless otherwise required by law) be prospective only, except to the extent such amendment or change in law permits us to provide broader indemnification rights on a retroactive basis, and will not in any way diminish or adversely affect any right or protection existing thereunder with respect to any act or omission occurring prior to such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision.

We have entered into customary indemnification agreements with our directors and executive officers.

Item 16. Exhibits.

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*

To be filed by amendment or as an exhibit to a document filed under the Exchange Act and incorporated by reference herein.

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**

To be filed separately pursuant to Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, and the rules and regulations thereunder.

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Item 17. Undertakings.

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement; and

(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

provided, however, that the undertakings set forth in paragraphs (1)(i), (1)(ii) and (1)(iii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in this registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:

(i) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

(ii) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which

that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.

(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities: The undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by such undersigned registrant;

(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of such undersigned registrant; and

(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

(6) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(7) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission 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 the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

(8) To file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Durham, State of North Carolina, on September 12, 2025.

POWER OF ATTORNEY

We, the undersigned directors and officers of Humacyte, Inc. (the "Registrant") hereby severally constitute and appoint Laura E. Niklason and Dale A. Sander with full power of substitution, our true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents for and in his name, place and stead and on his behalf, and in any and all capacities, to execute any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to the within registration statement (as well as any registration statement for the same offering covered by this registration statement that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933), and to file the same, together with all exhibits thereto and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission and such other agencies, offices and persons as may be required by applicable law, granting unto each said attorney-in-fact and agent, each acting alone, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing which said attorney-in-fact and agent may deem necessary or advisable to be done or performed in connection with any or all of the above-described matters, as fully as each of the undersigned could do if personally present and acting, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each said attorney-in-fact and agent, each acting alone, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.